Disclaimer: See Chapter 13.

Note: Sorry it's a little late this time around! I've been kind of in a rut lately trying to get things right. I hope it's good! But hopefully the length will make up for the wait a bit. Haha. See Everyone Monday! Enjoy! -JJ

Until It Breaks

Maxine smiled as the warm ocean breeze caressed her face. She inhaled the moisture-laden air, wishing that she could stay in Florida forever. It was beautiful there. She really didn't want to go back to Iowa. She turned to where Roman was standing just a little ways behind her, his eyes focused on the ocean, his face hard turned and eyes narrowed. She knew it had to do with his drive that morning to Cody's. She looked down at her flip flops her dark blue painted toes looking back at her, thinking that they needed to have a conversation when they got back to the hotel.

Roman felt a soft hand on his arm and he turned to his girlfriend, smiling as he wrapped an arm around her, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head. "Hey babe," he greeted, turning his attention to her. "Sorry, spaced out a little there."

"It's fine. The water's so beautiful here. You're going to have to drag me back to Iowa kicking and screaming. I don't want to leave," she giggled, resting into Roman's bigger body. She could still feel the tension in his body as they stood there for a moment in silence. "You ever think about moving back?"

Roman was silent, his eyes falling from the ocean to his own feet. "Not really," he answered, holding her a little tighter. "I've been here pretty much my whole life. Iowa isn't so bad. Cold, but not bad."

Maxine chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But we don't have beaches like this. I would kill to be within driving distance of something like this," she went on, hearing Roman's name being called behind them. She turned with Roman, watching as Dean and Seth walked up to them.

"Hey guys," Roman greeted, finding Seth's eyes still wouldn't meet him. He had to put their issues to bed. He wanted his best friend back and soon. "You mind sitting with Dean for a minute. I gotta talk to Seth."

Maxine nodded, smiling softly. She knew that Roman had a lot that he wanted to fix between him and his friends before he went home, and Seth was one of the biggest ones. "Go," she nudged, walking over to Dean and standing next to him, watching as Seth walked away with Roman, almost begrudgingly. "He really misses Seth."

Dean nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. He knew Seth felt the same way. He looked over the woman, her face showing a deep concern for Roman. As much as he hated it, it was easy to see that she cared for Roman.

He gave her a good once over, thinking that she was pretty, her long hair pulled back into a long braid showing her graceful neck. Her body was covered by a white, strapless, knee length sun dress, decorated with big sunflowers. She had long legs, perfectly tanned like the rest of her. He smirked, shaking his head. Roman hadn't been interested in girls for a long time but at least his tastes hadn't died.

"I know he doesn't like me," Maxine started, looking over at Dean, his darkened face once again focused on Seth and Roman as they walked away. She looked over his black shirt, the sleeves ripped off and black and blue board shorts, almost surprised at how good Dean looked. She hadn't had much contact with Roman's friends after the party. "Because of Cody and Roman."

Dean nodded, his blue eyes meeting her dark ones. "It's not you personally," he amended, his voice a deep, low rumble. "Rome could've brought back Danny Worsnop and he'd be like this."

Maxine gave a confused look. "Who?" she questioned, watching as the corners of Dean's lips turned up into a half smile, showing the beginning of his dimples. She liked that sight, he wasn't nearly as intimidating with some sort of smile.

"The lead singer of Asking Alexandria; Seth's favorite band," Dean chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't take him too seriously. It's how he is." He motioned for Maxine to follow him, get their minds off the other two as they spoke. "Seth and Rome have been friends since kindergarten. Seth's really protective of him now."

"Sounds like something serious went down when they were kids," Maxine pointed out, walking beside Dean, watching as the other man shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Seth used to be really scrawny as a kid. Roman used to take up for him all the time when kids would pick on him. They were inseparable until junior high, when you start moving around for classes," Dean explained, his smile turning down into a frown.

Maxine nodded, looking behind her to where Roman and Seth were still talking. "Is that when you met them?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"Yeah, there was this kid that had something serious for Seth and he cornered Seth in the boys locker room after gym. I was in the same class and hated the next class so I'd just hang out in the locker room until everyone was gone before I ditched. Who the fuck looks for a kid in a locker room? Well he had Seth slammed up against a set of lockers. Seth was screaming for help and I couldn't sit back and watch so I beat the shit out of him. I watched enough of that shit at home."

Maxine stood there, slightly shocked at Dean's words. "So you three must be really close then?" she murmured, turning her attention back to Dean. "I hope I'm not over stepping here, but weren't you ever afraid that Seth would end up with Roman?"

Dean actually laughed at that. "Once they get right, you'll understand when I say no. The only thing you should know is that Seth is openly affectionate with Rome. He has no issues with hugging him or jumping on him randomly."

Maxine nodded, hoping she would see that side of Roman and Seth before she left. She really wanted to make nice with everyone and enjoy the holidays. She didn't just want to be the "other" woman.

Seth followed along side Roman, his arms crossing over his chest as he watching his flip flops as they walked. "I don't want to talk to you," he muttered, hearing a soft sigh next to him. "Really, I don't."

"Then I'll talk," Roman said, ignoring Seth's less than friendly attitude. "You aren't seriously going to ignore me the entire time I'm here are you?" He saw Seth's shrug but didn't receive and answer. "Because of Maxine. Is that why you're acting like this?"

Seth stopped, his dark eyes narrowing as he looked up into Roman's grey ones. "I don't give a rats ass about her," he snapped, his hands moving to rest on his hips. "She's just a cover up, you and I both know it. I'm pissed off because you're acting like we're nothing here Rome. You left me and Dean and Cody like we weren't shit and the most I get out of you is a fucking email? Not to mention that Cody didn't even fucking get that! Do you even care?" Seth was heated.

Roman sighed, shaking his head as he sucked in a breath of air. "Is that why you're pissed off still? Because of Cody?" he asked, knowing that it wasn't just the emails that had Seth angry with him.

"He's a good chunk of the reason," Seth admitted, jaw tightening. "You don't fucking realize what's gone on here since you left. And then doing that to him when you left. And you come back expecting everything to be okay?! Where's my best friend? Because I don't know who the fuck you are anymore."

Roman was taken back by that comment. "Seth I haven't changed," he started, finding Seth's hateful gaze focused right on him. "I know I messed up with how I left. I never meant to hurt him like that but he's moving on too. He's already got someone else."

"Let me guess, Bo?" Seth asked, his voice condescending and sarcastic. "Dean told me about it this morning. From what I know, Bo took him home last night from the bar because he was that fucking plastered after talking to you." He saw the hurt pass through Roman's eyes. "Yeah, do you even remember what yesterday was?"

Roman looked down at the ground, telling his heart to stop beating so hard. "I knew what it was," he answered softly. "That's why I wanted to see him. But he even said that he was thinking about dating that guy."

"What did you expect him to say Rome?" Seth asked, his anger starting to wane, his tone dropping from hostile to a near exasperated whine. "You brought her home. She's fucking gorgeous, even to a gay guy. You've made it clear that you're already serious about her, bringing her down here and all. What else could he say? Did you even stop to think about how he might be feeling?"

Roman closed his eyes, his body freezing.

"I didn't think so," Seth huffed, looking down at his feet before he exhaled loudly. "He loves you Roman. He's always loved you. And I won't sit here and listen to you lie to me and say that you don't love him too. I know you."

Roman nodded, taking a breath and letting it out slowly. "Seth," he started gently, looking up into the chocolate eyes, "that's all in the past now." He ignored Seth's hardening look. "I live in Iowa, he lives here. It wouldn't work out anyway."

"Because you won't try!"

"Because I'm tired of getting hurt!" Roman snapped, growing irritated with being the one under scrutiny. "I left because of everything, or did you forget that? What Cody and I had will always be special to me, but that's over. And I'll be damned if I let you guilt me into feeling like shit over moving on with my life! Did you ever stop to think about how I might be feeling?"

Seth stood there, thinking the words over, wanting so much to tell Roman that Cody wasn't the same as he had been, that he'd regained his memory and wanted to fix everything he'd messed up. His jaw tightened before he shook his head. "I just hate how things are Rome," he finally whispered, his arms folding over his chest again.

Roman smiled softly, wrapping an arm around Seth's shoulders and pulling him into a hug. "Don't say that," he murmured, smiling wider when he felt Seth's arms wrap around his middle. "It'll just take some adjusting. I want you to like Max. She's really a good person."

Seth nodded, pulling back from Roman slightly, looking up into the smiling face. His own lips tugged up into a soft smile. "No guarantees Rome," he muttered, resting his face against Roman's tattooed shoulder. "I did miss you though. Fuck, I missed having you here."

"I missed you too Seth. It's hard not having your crazy ass around," Roman admitted, wrapping his tattooed arm around Seth's shoulders as he led him back to where Dean and Maxine were. "We better get back before Dean tries hitting on her."

"Only if he wants me to rip his personals off," Seth growled, eyes narrowed.

"Too soon?"

"Definitely." Seth did smile, enjoying Roman's joke. While he was still irritated at Roman and Cody's situation he had to accept it at that moment in time. He wasn't enthused with Roman's choice but at least he had his best friend back. "So, are you going to be okay with Cody being here with Bo?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Roman asked, looking down at Seth, almost confused at the sudden question. "It's just a day at the beach."

Seth shook his head, rolling his eyes, feeling that same frustration bubble up in him. "You invited the only single person to the beach with a group of couples, you don't see the problem?" he asked in disbelief, leaning into Roman. "Not to mention all of us, well except Maxine, knows that Bo likes Cody. You're gonna be okay with them being together, half naked, probably touching."

Roman felt his body stiffen, his blood starting to heat up at those words. He didn't want to think about it that way, not after the stupid conclusions he'd jumped to earlier in the day already about them. He'd already had the images of Cody's naked body under those hands in his mind once. He didn't want to remember it. "I'll be just fine," he bit out, refusing to look down at Seth.

"So, if they get together today, you'll really be fine with that?" Seth went on, hoping to goad Roman into telling him how he truly felt. He waited expectantly, biting back the smile at the tightening in Roman's face.

Roman just nodded, unable to speak.

Seth smirked, knowing that Roman wouldn't be. He just allowed Roman to think that he'd be okay. He'd wait for the impending explosion that would take place. He only hated that Maxine and Bo would end up being collateral damage, but deep inside his heart he didn't feel an ounce of regret. Roman and Cody belonged together.

Dean smiled as he pointed at Roman and Seth as they walked up, watching as Maxine's eyes softened on the two. "Looks like they're back to normal. Let the hugs and hair braiding begin," he teased, talking loud enough for Seth to hear him.

"You're just mad that you can't braid," Roman shot back, running a hand through Seth's pulled back ponytail. "Worried I'm gonna steal your man?" He smirked, Dean flipping him off. "Now that's the Dean I remember."

Maxine giggled, walking over into her boyfriend's arms as Seth returned to Dean's side, the two clasping hands. "So, we're waiting for Cody?" she asked gently, leaning into Roman as his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

Roman's body tightened. "Yeah, and Bo," he nearly spat, the name tasting bitter in his mouth. He saw the confusion in Maxine's dark eyes when he looked down at her. "It's his friend, thing."

"Oh, like an interest?" she questioned, the dark look in Roman's eyes tugging at her heart. She saw Roman's stiff nod. "That's good for him. He needs to be happy too."

Seth snuck a look up to Dean, his mouth a tight thin line. He didn't care if this girl rescued puppies and kittens or volunteered to play with sick kids at a children's hospital, he wasn't going to give into her seemingly sweet personality. He'd find a flaw somewhere in her. He had to.

Dean's blue eyes narrowed, warning Seth to stay out of it and leave it alone without words. "Yeah, Jay and Ari are coming down too. Figured you could use some kind of female companionship," he said, nodding to Maxine.

Seth snorted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I see the fun's already starting without us."

Roman's eyes instantly shot up to where Cody was walking up to them, a baggy sleeveless shirt hanging from his shoulders, the sleeves ripped off and half of the sides taken out. It matched his red and black knee length trunks. He swallowed hard, Cody's smile stealing his breath away. After everything he'd said that morning he was afraid that Cody wouldn't show up.

Grey eyes found the other man trailing behind Cody almost sheepishly. They narrowed on him, the long hair pulled back into a ponytail while a black and white t-shirt covered him, a pair of black trunks on him with blue and gold palm trees. He wasn't impressed.

Cody swallowed hard, thinking that Roman looked good standing there in his beach clothes. "Sorry we're running a little late. I got lost trying to figure out how to get here from Bo's. Speaking of. Bo this is Seth. You've already met Roman and Dean." His voice started to tremble as he turned to Maxine. "And this is Roman's girlfriend, Maxine."

"I saw you at the bookstore once," Bo said, reaching out and taking her hand gently in his, giving it a good shake. "Nice to meet everyone." He smiled, feeling a little under scrutiny at the watchful gazes of Cody's friends. It was tense, knowing already that Roman didn't like him and didn't want him there.

Maxine took a step forward, reaching out and taking one of Cody's hands in both of hers. "Can I talk to you?" she asked softly, watching as Cody's blue eyes widened. "It'll only be a couple minutes, the boys can play nice, don't you think?"

Cody nodded, turning to Bo with a smile. "I'll be right back," he said, following behind Maxine, his hand still held in hers. He looked over his shoulder, watching as Bo seemed to stand there awkwardly with Roman, Seth, and Dean. He hoped they would be nice to Bo. He followed her until she stopped and turned towards him. "So, um. What's going on?"

Maxine looked down at the ground, releasing Cody's hand. "I just really wanted to talk to you about a couple things," she said gently, clasping her hands in front of her dress. She smiled as she looked up. "We didn't really start off on the right foot and I wanted to apologize for that."

Cody shook his head, suddenly feeling a little nervous. He turned his attention to where Roman was, his heart starting to race at the uncomfortable look on Bo's face. He felt bad for just leaving him. "Nothing to apologize for. I'm not holding it against you or anything," he started, his eyes returning to Maxine's.

She nodded, her thumbs fidgeting together. "Ya see, the thing is, I want us to be able to be friends. Everything with Roman aside. He's told me a lot about you and you sound like a really great person to be around and I'd love if we could really get to know each other."

Cody smiled, thinking that Roman had to find one of the nicest girls to bring back. He couldn't even be jealous without feeling bad and she seemed genuine in her wants, without a hidden motive. "I'd like that," he murmured, looking down at his feet. He felt like he should at least tell her that he still loved her boyfriend, get the awkwardness out of the way before it could get involved.

Maxine smiled a little wider, her fidgeting stopping. "Then let's have some fun!" she almost cheered, turning her focus back to where the other three were standing. "So, this Bo, he's special?" She saw the slight blush on Cody's cheeks, that little gesture telling her all she needed to know. "He's cute."

Cody nodded, chuckling. "In more ways that one," he admitted, walking back towards the others, finding that once Bo's dark eyes met his they seemed to be so much more relaxed. He was almost afraid what the others had said. Once back with them, he smiled at Bo, the younger male returning it. "Did they play nice?"

Bo nodded, thinking that the few words that had been spoken weren't worth repeating. He was just glad that Cody was back and he wasn't left alone under the three scrutinizing gazes. He stiffened when Cody's hand slipped into his, but smiled, completely ignoring the dark gaze from Roman.

"So, Ari's probably taking all the time she can getting ready, let's have some real fun," Roman suggested, wrapping his arm around Maxine's shoulders, pressing a kiss to the side of her head as he led them away from the pier down towards the beach. He looked over his shoulder at the other two couples, finding that Seth and Cody wouldn't even look at the other. He knew there was something wrong between them too.

Maxine gasped, giggling at the gentle waves as they came up, lapping at the beach. "C'mon let's swim for a little while," she suggested, pointing to a spot on the beach where they could shed their extra clothes and gadgets and really enjoy the time.

Seth agreed, pulling his shirt of instantly, breathing in the warm air. "Last one in's buying lunch!" he yelled, watching as Dean jerked his own shirt off and ran after him, meeting him when the water was about waist deep. "I love you."

Dean smirked, his heart still slightly aching from their conversation in the truck. "I love you too Seth," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the tip of his boyfriends nose, tripping him under the water. He let out a loud laugh, turning towards the beach to see that the others were still stripping. He could see the tension between Roman and Cody even though they weren't facing the other.

Maxine was the next one to slide her sun dress down and off, exposing her dark blue string bikini. She smiled, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin. She looked over at her boyfriend, smiling when she caught his eyes on her. She knew she had a nice body, tight and well taken care of, toned arms and shapely legs with a flat stomach. "Like that?" she teased, turning fully in a circle.

Cody turned, his heart pounding. Of course she had a nice body. He felt his stomach flip, a sudden surge of jealousy taking him over. He grabbed the hem of his shirt, pausing when he saw Roman reach for his, pulling it up and over his head swiftly. He couldn't breathe, with how long it had been since he'd seen the other man's skin.

Roman stood a little taller, turning his attention to Bo, lightly flexing his muscles. He smirked, his eyes falling down to where Cody's blue ones were on him. His smirk faded into a soft smile, watching as a red tint touched Cody's cheeks. He reached back and took his bun out, shaking the long mane free, letting the gentle waves cascade down his shoulders and back.

Bo looked over Roman's body, swallowing hard. He couldn't deny that the other man was handsome, his body was perfectly toned with a shallow indentation of a six pack, and deep hip dents. The only hair on his entire torso was the little trail of that from his bellybutton down to under his shorts. Suddenly, he felt very self-conscious. He didn't look anywhere near that good with his shirt off. He didn't blame Cody for sneaking peaks.

Roman sent Bo a challenging look, almost feeling bad for showing the smaller male up, almost. He turned back to Maxine, smiling with her. "You guys coming?" he asked, wrapping an arm around Maxine's waist, both of their eyes on Cody and Bo.

Cody nodded, the heat leaving his cheeks as he pulled his t-shirt up and over his head, showing just how much his body had changed over the last six months. His stomach was tighter, leaner. His waist was a bit smaller. He looked very good. He tossed his shirt down, ignoring Roman's wide eyes as he tugged at Bo's shirt. "Don't be shy," he teased, chuckling. "You go ahead, we'll catch up."

Maxine nodded, pulling Roman with her.

Roman's eyes only left Cody's sculpted body for a moment before they were once again plastered to his smooth skin. His heart was racing, his fingers itching to touch that same skin over again.

"I don't think I want to take my shirt off," Bo murmured, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked down at the sand, following Cody's lead and kicking his shoes off to sit with everyone elses. "I don't look as good as you guys."

Cody smiled, "Hey, no one's here to pick at your body. We're here to have fun. It doesn't matter what you look like," he explained, finding the boyish smile on Bo's lips made his heart jump in his chest. "Don't worry about how you look."

Bo nodded, unfolding his arms. He gasped, Cody's hands yanking his shirt up before he could give a second thought. He felt his cheeks heat up as Cody's blue eyes ran over his chest. He wasn't very muscular; he was pretty average with a little jiggle to his mostly flat belly. He looked down at the sand, swallowing hard. "I don't look as good as you."

Cody was surprised at Bo's comment. He looked at his body before smiling and looking Bo over. "You look great," he encouraged, poking at Bo's belly. "I like a little jiggle." He started to laugh at the pink in Bo's face.

"You guys coming or what?" Seth called, pushing his wet hair away from his face, his eyes moving from Bo and Cody to where Roman was standing with Maxine, the grey eyes focused clearly on Cody and Bo. "Don't start making kissy faces now, save it for later!"

Dean gave Seth a none to gentle push, throwing a dark look at him. "Don't," he growled so only Seth could hear. "Don't go starting that kind of shit now." He saw Seth's devious smile. "I'm not fucking kidding Seth. Don't."

Seth shrugged, walking away from Dean and towards Roman, jumping up and attacking, pulling the other man down into the water with him. When he surfaced he was laughing, holding Roman around the neck still, the other man holding his smaller body up. "Don't look so angry, you said you'd be okay," he murmured into Roman's ear. He felt Roman's body stiffen before he was lifted up and thrown into the waist deep water.

Cody watched the commotion from the beach, laughing at Seth. He took Bo's hand and led him into the still warm waters, sighing in contentment when he reached the others. "You're trying to drown Seth, finally after all these years," he teased, Seth's eyes resting right on him. He smiled at the other man, hoping that Seth would just forget their argument from the night before.

Seth returned the smile, knowing that he had to let things go for that moment. It wasn't his place to tell Roman, not to mention he didn't want the backlash of Cody telling Dean about Phil in retaliation.

An hour passed with everyone laughing before Jay and Ari arrived, both waving for them to come back to shore.

Roman walked out of the ocean with a smile, walking up to Jay and hugging him. "Glad you could finally make it," he laughed, earning a dark look from the caramel skinned woman. "You too Ari, you know I miss you too."

"You better," she chuckled, hugging Roman next. "Sorry we're so late. Someone here had to argue with me about my suit."

"You were not wearing the floss one out in public babe, we've talked about this, that's only for us," Jay retorted playfully, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend's shoulders. "So, how's it going?"

"Good," Roman answered, looking to see that Maxine had walked up beside him, wrapping her arm around his. "Just hanging out with everyone."

Ari looked around Roman, watching closely as Bo and Cody made it ashore, their hands clasped together. "So, who's that with Cody?" she asked, pointing a perfectly manicured nail at the newest male. "I don't remember him."

"That's Cody's friend," Roman said, his voice dropping low. He pulled Maxine closer to him, looking back to see that Cody still had a smile on his lips as they walked up. He refused to let it bother him.

"Ari!" Cody yelped, running over and wrapping his arms around her. "Hey girl, you're looking great!" He looked over her well defined body, the bright yellow bikini a nice color on her skin. He tugged Bo closer, introducing him to Ariane and Jay.

"So this is your new boo then," Ariane asked, casting a glance over at Roman. She saw the darkening look on the Samoan's face and for a moment she was sure that he was going to say something.

"Nothing like that," Cody murmured, looking over at Bo's slowly pinkening face. "Not yet anyway." He smiled at the darker blush that started. He missed the stormy, almost hurt look on Roman's face. "Anyway, you guys up for something a little more fun. I have a volleyball in the car. I know Ari's pretty competitive."

The group agreed, everyone gathering their stripped clothes and shoes before walking just down the beach for an empty sand volleyball pit. Cody slipped away from the group to get the volleyball and some towels before returning to where everyone was deciding on teams.

"Well we can't have the girls on one team, that's a little unfair," Seth started, wrapping an arm around Ari. "But you know, you're kinda pretty, you can join me and Cody."

Ariane feigned hurt. "Boy please, this piece of ass would turn you straight," she teased, slapping one hand against a rounded ass cheek. She couldn't help but smile when Seth rolled his eyes and rested his hands on his hips. "Don't sass me."

Maxine covered her mouth with one hand, unable to hold back her laughter. "How about couples versus couples. Roman and I will be on a side and Ariane and Jay can be on the other side. Then Dean and Seth can be on one side and Cody and Bo on the other."

Ariane agreed, deciding that Cody and Bo would team with her and Jay. She picked the ball up, giving it a good squeeze as everyone got set up on the court, Dean and Bo pulling their shirts back on. Once everyone was set up she served the ball over the net, watching as Seth set up a perfect bump for Maxine to spike back over.

Cody saved it, bumping it up towards Bo, who made an awkward set for Jay to spike back over.

The ball volleyed over a couple more sides before it finally scored on Roman's side, a wonderful point won by Jay's perfect spike just in front of Dean.

The game continued on, Roman's eyes always seeming to follow after Cody and Bo, his body growing hotter, his temper only simmering to a boil after each victory hug after a scored point. His playfulness had left him completely once Seth set him up for a spike. His eyes narrowed on Bo, hoping he could smash the other man in the face with the white ball.

Cody didn't miss the hard hit and dove for it, yelping out when his foot slid in the wrong direction when he tried to pivot in the sand. Without the support from his left ankle he crashed into the sand, the ball that was meant for Bo slamming into the middle of his back, leaving a bright red mark against his skin. "Fuck," he groaned, rolling over, tears in his eyes, his ankle was on fire.

Roman's eyes widened when he saw that Cody wasn't standing up right away. He hurried over to the other side, heart starting to pound as he squatting down and looking down at Cody's already swelling ankle. "What happened?" he asked gently, touching the swollen skin, feeling for any kind of dislocation.

"Just twisted it," Cody murmured, looking up to find Roman's eyes worriedly running over him. "I'm okay Ro." He reached up and touched Roman's shoulder, offering a soft smile. "Just moved wrong in the sand."

Maxine stood there, her eyes downcast on the sand when she saw the concern in her boyfriend's eyes. It hurt to see how attentive he was being to Cody after just a little fall. She didn't dare move, the others still standing still.

"You think you can stand?" Roman asked, helping Cody to his feet. He wrapped an arm around Cody's middle, keeping as much weight off of the hurt ankle as he could as he led Cody over to a near by bench.

Seth shot Dean a look, smirking when his boyfriend shook his head. He knew everyone there could see what was still between Roman and Cody. Everyone could still see the love that neither one of them wanted to admit to.

Bo was the first to move, hurrying over to Cody's side, smiling as he brushed a little sand from the handsome face. "You were amazing out there. That dive was great," he said, taking a seat next to Cody, looking down at the bruised ankle. "I guess that's a sign that we should take a break and get something to eat."

"That's a great idea!" Seth said as he walked up, wrapping an arm around Roman's shoulders. "I'm starving. And Jay's a nurse, he can give Cody a good once over to make sure that nothing's broken."

Roman nodded, watching as Bo dusted a little more sand off of Cody. He heard Bo talking about going to get them some lunch while Jay checked him out. He turned to Maxine with a smile. "You hungry babe?" he asked, smiling at her as she walked up to him. "I'll get whatever you want."

Maxine nodded, asking for something light. She'd been hungry during their match but had suddenly lost most of her appetite seeing Roman's interaction with Cody. "Can you get one of those Naked Juices too?"

"Anything for you babe," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead, scowling when he saw Bo take and press a small kiss to the back of Cody's hand. He followed behind Bo as he walked up towards the food vendors on the boardwalk. He caught up with Bo, walking instep with him.

Bo looked over, eyes widening for a moment before he looked back down at his feet. "I know you don't like me," he started, looking back up at Roman.

"How could you guess?" Roman asked, rhetorically, rolling his eyes. "Guys like you are annoying as hell, always clinging. Back off some. Cody doesn't like being smothered." He was offering a friendly warning.

"If I was smothering him, I'm sure he'd tell me," Bo retorted, stopping on the wooden pier, knowing that the other's couldn't see or hear them. "Really, you should mind your own business. What Cody and I do has nothing to do with you, no matter how jealous you are."

Roman's eyes narrowed, his entire body starting to shake. He'd give almost anything to punch the other man in the mouth at that moment. "You don't deserve someone like him," he snarled, fists tightening at his sides. "He's too special."

"Is he?" Bo questioned, refusing to look away. "Because you're the one that walked away from him. You're the one that up and left him here and then have the fucking gall to bring back someone else." He felt the heated glare of the other man on him. "He told me what happened with you two. If he's so fucking special to you, why would you treat him like he's nothing?"

"You don't know a damn thing!" Roman spat out, holding back from grabbing Bo's shirt and laying into him.

"I know that he waited for you. I know that he wore his engagement ring every fucking day to work, talked about you like you were heaven sent only to have you come back and rip his heart out all over again," Bo retorted, narrowing his dark eyes on widened grey ones. "And I know that I'll do everything I can to make him happy."

Roman took a step closer, his nostrils flaring in anger. "You'll never make him happy like I did," he growled, his fists curling and uncurling at his sides.

"I might not, but I do know that I'm not the one playing with his emotions. Or shoving my perfect girl friend in his face every chance I have. I'm not the one jerking him around, he knows how I feel."

That was it, Roman couldn't handle anymore out of Bo's mouth. He reared his fist back, his other hand reaching out and twisting in the front of Bo's shirt.

"Roman!" Cody snapped, hobbling over, making Seth wobble with each step closer, Dean following closely behind. "Knock it off!" Once he was next to them his narrowed eyes met the surprised grey ones. He hadn't heard the argument but all he'd had to see was Roman grabbing Bo. "C'mon, we'll get something on the way back." He turned his attentions to Bo, wrapping his arm around Bo's neck, allowing the other man to lead him back towards the car. "Jay says it's just a sprain, ice and rest. Nothing serious."

Roman let out a heavy sigh, his entire body humming with anger still. He saw the dark look in Dean and Seth's eyes, knowing that they weren't impressed with his recent attitude either. "Don't even fucking ask," he growled, walking up to the first vendor and getting the naked juice he'd promised Maxine.

They returned to the group, finding Jay packing up things quickly. "Sorry guys, I have to get up to the hospital. They need extra hands, and we're under staffed," he explained, giving Ariane a kiss to her lips. "I'll call you as soon as I get off babe. Roman, can you give her a ride home?"

Roman nodded, waving as Jay took off. He turned to where Ariane was smiling after the other man, shaking her head. "You really like him huh?" he asked, looking back towards where Jey had run.

"Yeah," she breathed, shrugging. "Well, my fun's gone. How 'bout we give these boys some guy time and get some shopping done?" She turned to Maxine, watching the other woman pull on her sun dress. "Girl, we gotta find you something less touristy. Trin's shops got some really cute dresses, besides you need some girl time." She hooked her arm with Maxine, leading her away. "Bye boys!"

Roman barely got to press a quick kiss to Maxine's lips as she was pulled away. He sighed, looking back at his two best friends once they were out of earshot. He saw the glare on their faces. "Don't even start," he growled, running a hand over his face, his hand running through his long hair before tying it back up.

Seth went to say something, stopping when he felt a vibration in his now dry pocket. He pulled his phone out, looking over the message, smiling when he realized it was from Phil. Got the paint. You got time to help me put this tape up? I'm gonna paint this weekend after I get the furniture.

Seth tapped his reply, looking up at the two sharing a heated look. "I gotta go guys," he started, shoving his phone back into his pocket. "I gotta get a couple shots edited for work really quick. I'll call you when I get done." He pressed a quick kiss to Dean's cheek and waved at Roman before he started walking away. "Have fun!"

Dean's eyes followed his lover, his heart pounding as he face fell. "God damn it," he growled, running a hand through his damp hair. "It's just us Rome. And don't even try getting away, we need to talk."

Roman nodded, letting out a slow breath as him and Dean started back towards the boardwalk, they had a lot that they needed to talk about.

(A/N): So it wasn't too bad of a beach trip, well sort of. I know that this isn't the blow up that you guys were looking for, don't worry, it's coming. Haha. Hope you like it! Thoughts are wonderful! As always, onwards and upwards. Title is Until It Breaks by Linkin Park.

JacktheSinister_JaketheJust