A WARNING: This chapter is QUITE a bit more graphic than usual. If explicit homosexual situations or relationships disturb you, then do not read further. This chapter is why this fic is rated R, only you know if you are legally allowed to continue. Peruse at your own risk.
- Z
Chapter 4
"What's your damage!?" Eric crossed the bathroom floor to the still open handicapped stall he saw Jack disappear through a moment before. "Why are you being such an asshole!" He shut and locked the stall door behind him, standing in front of Jack who had sat down on the toilet, face buried in his hands.
"I dunno... I..." Jack looked up; Eric could see tears in his eyes. "I can't stand seeing you with him... look at him trying to show off... I hate the way he looks at you, the way he touches you, the way he smiles at you... I don't know why I even feel like this... if you're trying to get back at me, you're doing a heroic job..."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa... First of all, HE doesn't treat me like a piece of meat. HE has put up with your jealousy and your snide comments and HE would probably beat the hell out of you if he knew how bad you hurt me."
"Thanks, that clears it all up, I feel so much better now..." Jack retorted sarcastically.
"Besides, YOU said you were in love with and going to marry Rachel... YOU said we'd always be friends no matter what... YOU said we weren't gay, that it was, how did you put it? letting off 'sexual steam' was it?"
"...I know, I know... stop it..."
"It didn't have to be like this, I gave you so many chances..."
"... I said, stop it..."
"I tell you I'm in love with you and hope you'll love me back and all you do is try and make a move on me!"
"...JUST STOP IT!" Jack stood up and angrily shoved Eric against the bathroom wall. Eric's shoulders smacked squarely against the cold tile with a dull thud.
"Eric... wait, I'm sorry..." He glared at Jack and rushed forward, grabbed Jack by his collar and raised his fist. Jack's right hand met Eric's cheek in a quick and forceful slap. Eric slowly brought his head around, glaring and clenching his teeth.
"You ASSHOLE!" Eric growled. He grabbed Jack by the back of his neck and pulled him nose to nose. Jack stood there, fear and tears showing through his wide-eyed expression. Eric stood there, looking into those brown, watery eyes, wanting to knock him unconscious, but something stopped him. He thought Jack looked so helpless, so emotionally fragile. He impulsively reached around and grabbed Jack's ass, pulling him closer. His arm slid up Jack's back, under his shirt, and Eric kissed him long and hard. Shocked, Jack tried to step back, but Eric held him tightly. Jack closed his eyes and kissed Eric back, returning the embrace, his hands madly wandering up and down Eric's back. The torrent of conflicting emotions between the two men threw them into a frenzy of lust and heat. Jack now had Eric up against the wall, grinding him into it. Eric's hand came between them and deftly unbuttoned Jack's jeans. He shoved his hand down Jack's pants and caressed him while Jack moaned softly. Eric pushed him back slowly, until Jack was backed up against the opposite wall. Jack could feel Eric stroking him, faster and faster. The rhythm pushed him closer and closer to the point of no return. He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes.
"Eric... you're... gonna make me..." Eric stopped his mouth with another wet, passionate kiss, pressing Jack up against the wall. He anticipated Jack's orgasm by using his other hand to catch Jack's load. Jack grabbed handfuls of Eric's hair and kissed him hungrily as he emptied himself into Eric's waiting hand. Jack shook from the rush of endorphins that flooded his nervous system. He slowly slid down the wall, pants still unbuttoned, and sat on the floor as the rush slowly subsided.
"Hey Eric... everything okay in there?" Marshall knocked on the stall door. Eric turned toward the door and Jack quickly tucked his shirt back in and buttoned his jeans.
"Yeah... I'm fine. Be out in a minute," Eric replied calmly. He looked down at his hands. They were covered with Jack's fresh, warm semen.
"You sure?" Marshall hesitated. Jack was on his knees, about to get up when Eric turned around and looked down at him. Jack could see that he was still angry. He loved it when Eric was angry; it was attractive in a strange way... so masculine. Jack remained where he was and slowly unzipped Eric's fly.
"Yeah, we'll be right out." Eric stared into Jack's eyes as he worked his way inside Eric's pants. Jack paused briefly to watch Eric lick his hands clean.
"How is it?"
"Perfect as always." Jack took Eric's stiff member fully into his mouth and watched his eyes roll back into his head. Eric let out a slow, deep sigh as he began to rhythmically press himself into Jack's face. Jack used his hands to pull Eric's pants and boxers down around his ankles, then grabbed his ass and shoved him deeper down his throat. Eric tried to stifle his own moaning; his threshold almost breached. Jack worked a finger slowly into Eric's ass, causing him to tense up and ejaculate repeatedly into Jack's eager mouth. He swallowed every bit. Jack helped Eric hike his boxers and pants back up, then stood up. Eric began to turn, adjusting himself so that he looked presentable when Jack pulled him back again, looking deep into Eric's eyes.
"I... love you." Before he could respond, Jack kissed Eric deeply before he unlocked the stall door and strode over to the row of sinks. Eric stood there for a moment, and then joined Jack at the sinks. They both washed their hands and straightened their clothes and walked out together.
*******************
Marshall sat back down across from Rachel. He looked at her and she stared inquisitively back at him.
"Eric said they'd be right out... think we should order for them?" Rachel nodded. The waiter returned and took their orders before rushing off to the kitchen. Rachel sipped her water silently. Marshall played with the centerpiece and looked around. Eric and Jack appeared and sat down at the table. Rachel looked over at Jack.
"We ordered for you... your usual." Rachel looked at Marshall, he returned the look, and then looked over at Eric.
"I did too, I hope you like Chicken Parmesan..." Eric nodded to Marshall and looked at Jack. Jack stared at Eric. The uncomfortable silence returned. The four of them sat quietly through the rest of the evening and the ride home. It was Rachel that opted to skip the movie. Marshall pulled up to the front of the apartment building and parked. He left the engine running and held Eric's arm to keep him from getting out.
"Could we take a drive around the block?" he asked Eric quietly. Eric nodded. Jack and Rachel stood by Eric's open window and looked in at Marshall.
"Thanks Marshall, for dinner and for driving. I'm... sorry about tonight. Maybe we can do this another time. I promise it will be better... see you in class," Rachel waved as she turned to walk inside. Jack followed her in after he and Eric exchanged a few glances.
"Let's go," Eric breathed and laid his head back against the leather headrest. Marshall pulled away from the curb.
*******************
"What the hell was that all about?!"
"What!?"
"Don't give me that... how stupid do you think I am?"
"I don't think you're stupid at all!"
"Well, you must think I'm a real idiot to not know what's going on!"
"Nothing's going on!"
"You're such a liar... I'm not marrying somebody that's gonna lie to me," Rachel threw her coat at Jack and began pacing from the living room to the kitchen and back again. Jack sat down and sighed.
"Here we go..."
"See?! You do think I'm an idiot... like I don't see what's going on between you and Eric... hell, has been going on for all I know..." Rachel crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently as she stood in front of Jack. He leaned back against the couch and rolled his eyes. Jack had a hard time focusing on Rachel. All he could think about was Eric.
"So you aren't gonna say something? Anything?"
"What do you want me to say? 'Hey, Rach, you figured it out, me and Eric are humping like rabbits'?"
"Well, since it's the truth, that would be a good place to start."
"C'mon, sweetie, you know I love you..."
"That's far enough." Rachel sat down next to him. "I believe that you love me, and I actually believe that you think that you're attracted to me on some weird and almost sexual level, but we have been going out for over a year and a half and seeing you tonight around Eric and how you treated Marshall... you're like a jealous boyfriend!" Jack gave her an astonished look while Rachel continued, "Don't act surprised. I can't believe you think that I'm so naïve... I knew Eric was gay, I catch him staring at your ass constantly and he hasn't been on a date with a girl for over a year. Then Marshall comes along, out of the blue... he and Eric are inseparable and you are going ape-shit over it! Gimme some credit..."
Jack sat there, absorbing everything Rachel had said. He tried to gauge whether or not this was some kind of trap or setup Rachel had devised or that maybe Eric had put her up to. Jack stood up and walked into his bedroom and slammed the door. Rachel remained on the couch rubbing her face in exasperation. Jack jumped on Eric's bed and broke down. He curled up with Eric's pillow and fought the growing emptiness inside of him. He felt alone, misunderstood, frustrated.
In the living room, Rachel had flipped on the television and impatiently flipped through the channels. She was angry, wishing Jack had been more upfront with her. She was still a bundle of nerves and hoped that Eric would be home soon. She and Eric needed to talk now.
*******************
"So do you wanna talk about it?" Marshall pulled into an open space by the park up the street. He shifted into Park and turned to face Eric, expectantly.
"Well, I'm not gonna lie about this..." Eric took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. He faced Marshall and did his best to look him in the eyes. "Jack and I have... a past."
"From the way he acted, I figured. I think Rachel suspects something too."
"Did she say anything?"
"Nah, we both kinda guessed what was going on..." Eric shifted uncomfortably at that. The dashboard lights illuminated Marshall's face. He looked good even in poor lighting, Eric thought.
"Well it wasn't what you guys were thinking..."
"Yes... it was. I thought you weren't gonna lie about it." Marshall looked sternly at him. Eric felt like crawling into a hole and hiding. His stomach was tied in knots and he suddenly wanted to be home.
"Look, it kinda was what you think it was, but it didn't happen like you think. I was actually ready to punch him out." Eric's gaze dropped to the steering wheel.
"Here," Marshall pointed to his face. "Look me in the eyes when you're talking to me. It's harder to lie when you look someone in the eyes." Eric's face went flush.
"I don't know why this is so hard for me... I mean, I barely know you and we've only hung out for a day..."
"Maybe it's because you have integrity and you aren't the type to cheat."
"...or maybe it's because you seem too good to be true and it scares me," he reached for Marshall's hand and held it. "I don't want to be hurt again." Marshall pulled his hand away, "Look, Eric. I don't think we should pursue anything more than friendship while you're still... sorting out your past. It's obvious you're still in love with Jack, and I haven't figured out if I'm just a rebound or a revenge tactic yet." Eric shook his head vehemently.
"You're neither! I swear! I really like you and I definitely would like to consider us more than friends."
"I like you too, Eric. A lot, but I think you should resolve your previous relationship before you start a new one... these things have a way of getting... complicated."
"It's not complicated though. Jack used me for sex. That's it. He wants to be with Rachel. Period. True, I think he may have some residual jealousy, which explains his odd behavior tonight, but I know Jack and he will wake up tomorrow and everything will be back the way it was."
"...which is what? Letting him use you for sex?" Marshall raised an eyebrow.
"No, I told him never again... until tonight." Eric felt his face rush with renewed heat, his eyes moistened. "But I only gave him a hand-job and he gave me head... that's all, I swear." Tears raced down Eric's cheek. He felt so torn, he wanted to please Marshall, but he missed Jack terribly.
"I see. That's all? I don't even kiss on the first date. I guess you must think me a prude if a B.J. and a hand-job are that minor to you. Don't worry, Eric, we're still friends. It's not like you cheated or anything. I personally wouldn't do something like that if I was starting a relationship with someone else, but, hey, that's me. It's also a little tacky to pull something like that when you are on a date and he's out with his fiancée..." Eric looked into Marshall's brown eyes.
"You considered this a date?" Marshall rolled his eyes and sarcastically chuckled. "No! No, I don't mean it like that... please, I meant... you like me enough to consider this a date?" Eric clarified. He wiped the tear away from his left cheek. Marshall could see his sincere, almost innocent demeanor. He reached over and gently wiped the tears from Eric's right cheek.
"Yes, I considered this a date. I wasn't completely sure about you until Rachel told me..."
"Wait, Rachel?"
"Yeah... she said she knew about you." Eric's stomach sank like a stone. He didn't think anyone suspected him and Jack. He wondered how long she knew... and why she didn't say anything.
"Well, I have to admit, I'm not impressed by what happened tonight, but I do think you are a good guy, Eric. I think that Jack has taken advantage of you and I hope you don't let him use you any further."
"I'm very sorry. I'm really embarrassed about tonight. I'll make it up to you, really."
"Don't worry about it. We're just friends. Maybe when you get your personal life in a more stable mode, we could talk about dating again." Marshall gently leaned forward. Eric felt awkward and closed his eyes, leaning forward. He felt Marshall's warm, moist lips on his cheek again. Unable to resist, Eric turned his head enough to brush lips with Marshall. He leaned back, a little surprised at Eric.
"I probably shouldn't have done that, but I thought that, technically, this is our second date since I took you out to the pool for our first one."
"You got me there," Marshall chuckled. He stared into Eric's dark, dim-lit eyes. Eric leaned forward again, cocking his head slightly, his mouth watering in anticipation of Marshall's soft, wet mouth. Marshall continued to stare into his eyes, their lips only an inch apart. He hesitated for a few moments, debating whether or not he should kiss him back. A moment before Eric could pull back, Marshall slowly closed the gap between their lips, gently kissing Eric full on the mouth. They kissed for a few seconds before Marshall pulled back and exhaled slowly, looking straight ahead. Eric sat up in his seat and watched Marshall start the vehicle.
"Thank you," Eric whispered to him. Marshall reached up and touched Eric's cheek, rubbing his thumb slowly across his chin and lips.
"No, thank you... for being honest. I really do like you. I do." Marshall pulled out of his parking spot and turned around, heading for the apartment building to drop Eric off.
