Chapter Three:

He couldn't fucking believe it. Saxton had basically just asked Blay to be his mate, taking him home to meet the parents and shit. Fuck it! Christ, this was too much to deal with. It took every ounce of strength he had to force his stupid feet to carry him up the staircase and down the hall of statues to his room.

The thought of Blay being lost to him forever warred with the truth of how well suited he was to his cousin. Qhuinn felt as if he was being ripped in two. Part of him wanting to man up and congratulate them, the other half wanting to drag Sax outside and tear his fucking head off. Shit!

He should never have made his way over to the damn library door when he had heard Blay's voice. Seriously, what had he expected to happen. Of course he would have been with Saxton. And thank fuck they had only been talking, cause he sure as hell would have ripped his cousin apart then considering his mood.

Tripping his way across his bedroom to the bathroom Qhuinn bent over the toilet and decorated it's interior with the contents of his stomach. A fine sheen of sweat formed on his forehead, and he started to tremble.

Giving in to the temptation, and acting like the bitch he was, he let his ass slide down the side of the tub onto the floor. Damn, he was a mess.

Sprawled out by the toilet Qhuinn done something he'd never done before... he cried. If you could call it that. A single tear rolled down his face and dripped off his chin, landing with a quiet thud on his leg.

Fuck, he hated this wedge between himself and B. Despised the goddamn thing in fact. At one point in their lives they'd had so much in common. Now, though... it was hard to believe how they'd ever been so close.

The quiet snick of his bedroom door caught his attention. He didn't have to look up to know who had just walked in. He would recognise that alluring scent anywhere. Resting his head on his knees Qhuinn took a deep breath to steady his nerves. He was so not in the mood for this convo right now.

"Jesus Q. What's wrong with you? Do you need me to call Jane?"

Lifting his head Qhuinn regarded his best friend's beautiful face. The concern and love written all over it made his stomach roll again, but he refused to let it rule him. Releasing a breath he grabbed onto the tub and pulled himself up. "I'm fine. What are you doing in here? Shouldn't you be with you male?"

Rolling his eyes Blay stepped in front of him, blocking his path. Christ, the scent of his aftershave had Qhuinn wanting to slam him up against the door and take exactly what he wanted. "Don't fucking lie to me, Q. You look like shit. Seriously! What's going on with you?"

Ignoring his friend Qhuinn turned on the shower, stripped off, and tried unsuccessfully to get in. As he raised his foot to climb over the pathetically small step his head went all floaty light on him and his body coasted to the side. Fuck, but he really was a bitch.

Suddenly strong arms wrapped around his waist, "let me help you." Blay murmured as he assisted him under the warm spray of the water before parking his ass on the lip of the tub. And fuck him but he had savoured the feel of Blay's warm body against his own.

How pathetic!

Grabbing the washcloth Qhuinn lathered up some soap and ran it over his body. Totally aware of Blay's stare on him. And damn him to hell if his body didn't react. "You didn't answer my question B. Why are you in here?"

"I know you were outside the room just now. I know you heard what Saxton and I were talking about."

Closing his eyes Qhuinn fought the urge to growl. Damn Blay to hell for following him up here. He did not want to have this conversation. Placing a hand on the tile before him he let his head hang forward under the spray of water.

"I would go back and tell him no if you asked me to. You know that, right. I'd walk away from him right now, and never look back. Just say the words, Q. Say it, and I'll do it."

Qhuinn stared over at his best friend in shock, the urge to say 'yes' overpowering him. Fuck, the male obviously didn't want to accept Saxton's offer. But, as much as he loved the guy there was no way was he going to let Blay throw his life away on a waste of space like himself.

"Did you hear me Qhuinn?" Blay whispered in an agonised voice.

Turning off the shower Qhuinn grabbed a towel from the rack and went to stand in front of his friend. With unsteady hands he threaded his fingers into that beautiful red hair, drawing Blay close, and bringing their foreheads together. He couldn't bare to look him in the eyes, it hurt too much seeing the truth of his feelings in that sapphire stare. Releasing a sigh Qhuinn closed his eyes.

"You're my best friend B. A male of worth. And as much as I'd like to say yes right now, I can't seem to make myself do it. You deserve so much better than me... or Saxton. I know my cousin, he's not good enough for you. And me... well, we both know who I am. Don't waste your time with the likes of us. Go out there and find someone worthy of you."

Tightening his grip in Blay's hair he pulled back, his breath leaving him in shallow pants, his chest aching. "I'm sorry." Releasing his best friend... the male he loves... Qhuinn turns and walks out of the room without glancing back. Leaving the shredded remains of is heart behind.