Chapter 1
"I think I'm gonna get some crisps. Do you want anything?" Kieron asked as he headed into the kitchen.
"Uh. Just a bottle of water," John Paul told his fiancé. The two men had been engaged for about a month. John Paul amazed himself when he proposed to Kieron. It came out of nowhere, but it felt right at the time. What was he thinking? Of course it was right; Kieron loved him. He gave up the church for him. John Paul had to do this for Kieron; he owed him a marriage. But how come every time he kissed Kieron, John Paul pictured someone else? Someone who was living in Dublin. Craig. No, he couldn't be thinking about Craig! He was marrying Kieron. Kieron was all that mattered.
Knock, knock, knock.
John Paul immediately was broken from his thoughts by the sound of a knock at the door. Thank God. He needed anything to keep him from his doubts.
"I'll get it," John Paul told Kieron, who was still in the kitchen. He put down the DVD they were about to watch and walked to the door. It was probably Hannah. She asked to borrow some of his CDs for the weekend. He adjusted his shirt and opened the door. "Hey…" John Paul began but suddenly became silent as he stared at the person in front of him. This couldn't be happening, not now. John Paul's face had this blank expression on it as he tried to believe what he saw. "Craig," he whispered very softly and Craig Dean smiled at him. "Craig?" Was this really happening or was his mind playing a cruel prank on him?
"Hi John Paul," Craig responded. The sound of Craig's voice broke the other man from his trance. This really was happening. John Paul didn't know what to do so he closed the door in the man's face and put his back against it. He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to convince himself that this was real. No, no, no! He must be imagining it. Craig could not be on his doorstep. John Paul could hear a faint chuckle on the other side of the door.
"John Paul McQueen, open the door and let me in," Craig said in a teasing manner.
"Is someone still at the door?" Kieron asked while coming out of the kitchen. He had a bowl of crisps and two water bottles in is hands.
"What?" John Paul asked, dazed. "Oh uh…"
"John Paul. Please," Craig pleaded from the other side of the front door. Kieron placed down the items and pushed John Paul aside to open the door.
"John Paul. Oh. Hello," Craig said to Kieron after the door was opened. Craig was confused. Wasn't John Paul on the other side of the door? So who was this? John Paul's fiancé stared at Craig. He looked familiar but Kieron could not figure where he had seen him before. "I'm Craig. Is John Paul around?"
"Uh yes. He's right here," Kieron told him and pointed to John Paul who was standing behind the door. "Come in," Kieron told Craig who was still standing outside the doorway. "By the way, I'm Kieron, John Paul's fiancé." John Paul's face grimaced a little. He could not believe Kieron had just said that! John Paul looked at Craig who seemed a little sad.
"Oh, it's nice to meet you."
"How do you two know each other?"
"Well we've," John Paul started.
"No, I want Craig to tell me," Kieron cut him off, suspicious.
"Well, John Paul and I…" Craig began and John Paul's memories came back to him; everything they had been through and how it ended. "We've known each other for a long time. You see, we were best mates. Then, I moved to Dublin. I just wanted to see John Paul. Check to see how he is I mean."
"Oh," Kieron said, obviously relieved. "Yeah he's doin well. We both are. The wedding's set for the end of summer. There's so much to do. Sometimes I feel I'm gonna go insane."
"Yeah I hear getting engaged can be stressful," Craig told Kieron but his eyes were locked on John Paul's face. Kieron suddenly remembered something.
"Oi, I left my cell phone in the kitchen. Be right back." Kieron disappeared into the kitchen but John Paul and Craig didn't notice. They were staring at each other.
"Craig, I," John Paul began.
"No. It's fine as long as you're happy. You are happy with him. Aren't you?"
"Craig," John Paul started but was interrupted by Kieron.
"Sorry John Paul but Niall texted me and he needs me to help him with something. I'll be back to make this up to you as soon as I can," Kieron told him and planted a kiss on John Paul's lips. Craig could not help but look away. It was difficult for him to watch John Paul kiss this man. Kieron then headed for the door. "Bye Craig. Love you John Paul."
"Yeah," John Paul responded. That was all he could say because he felt Craig's eyes on him. Kieron shut the door leaving the former lovers alone in the McQueen house. A house where they had so many memories. This was the first place Craig told John Paul he wanted him and the first place Craig told John Paul he loved them. There were so many firsts they lost count. The tension was unbearable. Someone had to say something.