Alrighty, chapter dos. Big thanks to angel85qcca and BAEFJNH09 for reviewing! Love those!

Chapter Two: Who Do You Trust?

Speechless.

Nate was speechless. Almost.

"Wh-what?"

"Nate, I'm sorry. I…"

Nate flew up out of his chair, "Shut up! I don't…you didn't…she would never…FUUUCK!"

His expletive rang out and drew the attention of everyone in the café, along with some people on the street. Several disgusted looks came his way. Ones of amazement and curiosity as well. But Nate was oblivious. His mind could not hold onto a thought for more than a half second. It kept zigging this way and zagging back before a complete sentence could form. He could hear a mantra though, trying to break through.

"Nate, I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…"

Finding the origin of the voice, Nate whirled around towards it: Dan. Rage seethed through him as he stared at the repentant eyes of his supposed best friend.

"20 years."

His fist flew out and connected with Dan's jaw. He put all his anger and malice into that one punch and stood still as Dan flew out of his chair and onto the floor. Pointing his finger at the downed man, he controlled himself enough to form one sentence.

"You are lying!"

Dan slowly got back to his feet, eying Nate wearily.

"I wish I was. I really do."

"You aren't lying? Why am I supposed to believe you?"

"Because we've been friends for 20 years, like you said. I would never lie to you. Never!"

"When did this supposedly happen?"

"Four nights ago."

"Do you have any proof?"

"Sadly, no hard proof. It will be my word vs. hers. If she even denies it."

"She will. Because I don't believe you."

Dan's eyes wandered again and Nate could tell he was holding something back.

"What is it, Dan? Spit it out!"

"Nate…she has a birthmark on her hip. Looks like a crescent moon. It's light-brown, not really dark."

Nate went rigid and his eyes widened immensely. His blood ran cold.

"How do you know that?"

"Because when we were fuc…it was a focal point. Something to concentrate on."

Nate's mind went dead again.

Instead of looking at her face, like I do, he looked at her hip. Maybe so he wouldn't have to realize what he was doing. Face the guilt of it all.

Flashes began to appear in Nate's head. Him and Jenny in bed together. Walking hand and hand down the street. Her mouth. Her body. Her eyes closed in ecstasy as she writhed beneath him. That birthmark. That smile. Her smile. Again, the mantra.

"Nate, I'm sorry…I'm sorry…"

"Dan…shut up. I'm leaving. I need to think."

"Do you at least believe me?"

"I…don't know. I need to think."

Nate returned to his apartment after a few hours. His thoughts were still a jumble. He couldn't believe that Jenny would do this. She loved him. He loved her. He was sure. Or was he? Dan had been loyal and faithful to him ever since they were infants. They had gone through everything together. School, prepping each other for tests, puberty, giving each other advice for first dates, all the shit with their parents. The overbearing nature and constant womanizing of Rufus. The aloofness and abandonment by the Captain and general disinterest by his mother, Anne. Dan was there. Always there. Compared to Dan, Jenny was so new to his life. She still didn't quite understand all the complexities to life in the UES. A voice spoke in Nate's head.

Or maybe she did?

Stomping over to the elevator, Nate got on and sighed as he leaned back against the glass. As he rose to the penthouse, he could not decide who he believed. His best friend or his girlfriend.

Stepping into his living room, he was jerked out of his misery by a squeal and a tangle of limbs launching towards him. On instinct, he caught the blonde, putting his hands underneath her ass while her legs wrapped around his hips. She kissed him and he could feel her love burning through to him.

See, she loves me. She would never sleep with him.

Or maybe she feels guilty and is trying to make you think she's completely loyal.

"I'm so glad you're here. I was gonna surprise you with dinner but I got caught up with Eleanor. Room service?"

For a moment, Nate almost smiled and agreed with her request. But Dan's voice crept in as he looked down at her hip.

It was a focal point. Something to concentrate on.

His face fell as he slowly lowered Jenny. She automatically saw it and her brow creased.

"Nate, what's wrong?"

Nate sighed. It was better just to get this done.

"We need to talk."

"Okay," Jenny was nervous, "What's up?"

"Come sit with me," he said, leading them to the couch.

"Nate, you're worrying me."

"Jenny…" he faltered.

Putting her hand under his chin, she lifted it until their eyes met. She flashed him her classic smile.

"Nate, come on. You know you can tell or ask me anything."

"Did you sleep with Dan?"

The abruptness of his question caught her off-guard as did the serious nature of his expression.

"Nate…I…"

Her thoughts ran wild.

How could he ask me that? Does he really think I'd cheat on him? With his best friend of all people? I would never do that!

Her silence was the death knell. His decision was made.

"You did it, didn't you?"

His tone snapped her to attention.

"What? No! I would never do that to you. I love you too much. Nate, you're my world."

For a second, his mind almost flip-flopped. But her silence mixed in with Dan's loyalty and the look of her eyes made it stick. She looked panicked, shaken…

Desperate.

A sudden flash of anger steeled his voice.

"I…I don't believe you. Dan told me everything."

"Told you what?"

"That you fucked him! Four nights ago!"

Her anger surged as well, matching his.

"I did not! I was at home in Brooklyn."

"Really? Will your mom confirm that?"

"She can't. I told you she's been out of town. That's why I've been here so much."

"So you don't have an alibi?"

"Why do I need one? Why don't you believe me?"

"Because he wouldn't lie. He's been my best friend for nearly 20 fucking years."

"And so he wouldn't lie? He was raised on the fucking Upper East Side, Nate! You people would lie to anyone to get what you want!"

"What do you mean 'you people'?"

"You Upper East Siders who have been pampered and trained since infancy to be selfish and look out for nobody but yourselves. Dan is just as deceitful and manipulative as the rest of them. I thought you were different."

"How does he know about your birthmark?"

Her jaw dropped. All the anger was gone as shock set in.

"I…how…"

"Will you just admit it now?"

Her frozen face remained that way for a few minutes as her mind ran through thoughts, trying to figure everything out. Then, sighing, she became weary and her lips turned up into a rueful smile. She was calm when she finally spoke.

"No. I didn't sleep with him. It's my word vs. his. So, you'd have to choose and, apparently, you already have."

"So, you're going to maintain your innocence?"

Her eyes met his and she looked for any doubts that might be there. None.

"Yes, I am innocent."

"Well then, we have nothing more to talk about. Leave."

She got up and slowly walked around to get her purse. Arriving at the elevator, she couldn't help herself and turned back.

"So, you're really going to end this? Throw away the last year?"

He didn't even look at her as he spoke.

"You threw it away first."

She sighed. Arguing at this stage was pointless.

"You're going to miss me."

"I've got my friends."

"Well then, I pity you for that. I'm sure you'll find stuff of mine here. If you could find it in yourself, please box it up and send it to Brooklyn. You know the address."

She turned again and entered the elevator. Only when the doors closed and she was sure they wouldn't open back up, she collapsed to the floor and let her grief consume her. Back in the apartment, still sitting on the couch and staring mindlessly at the fireplace, Nate didn't move as one single tear escaped down his face.

Thanks for reading everyone! Now please review and make my day better. You wouldn't believe the smile that lights up my face every time I get one. Pretty please. XOXO Courtney