Chapter Seven

Paige waited for Dylan to continue his story about what happened between him and Marco. She sensed a sadness in her brother that she hadn't seen in a long time.

Dylan sighed and continued, "Anyway, I went to the exhibition and he went to work. I got the hell beat out of me when I couldn't keep my mind off of everything we did this afternoon."

"Okay, what did you do besides say goodbye?" inquired Spinner.

"I slept with him today. I know it was a stupid thing to do considering but I couldn't help myself." Dylan said.

Paige stared at him in shock. "Okay, you talked, slept together, said goodbye and then you left. Okay, not a bad way to end a relationship so why did you show up tonight?"

Dylan looked at her, hurt shining in his baby blue eyes, "I just couldn't stay away. I had to see him again. Anyway, I told him I wasn't signing another straight clause and I'd be more than likely transferred. I just forgot to mention where I'd be transferred."

"So he doesn't know you might be back here?"

"No. Marco and I settled some things and I guess it was stupid of me to show up at the bar. I couldn't stay away."

"And what's with Mr. Del Rossi?"

"He told me to leave. Marco told me to stay. What's wrong with Mrs. Del Rossi and who's Erik?"

"How did you find out about Erik?"

"Mr. Del Rossi mentioned him. Is he someone special? And why are you avoiding my question about his mom?"

"Erik is someone Marco's been seeing for a few months. This is the one that has stayed around the longest. As for Mrs. Del Rossi, she has cancer. She's almost done with her treatment and supposedly doing better. I guess he just didn't want to tell you."

Dylan looked shocked, "I can believe he wouldn't tell me. I'm probably the last person he wants to know about any family problems. So, do you know Erik?"

"Yes. We've been out a few times with them."

"You've gone on dates with Marco and another guy and never told me?"

"I didn't think you'd want to know. I mean it's not like you waited for him so why should he wait for you…"

"Point taken. Can I meet him?"

Paige and Spin shared a look. "I don't know if that would be wise."

"Please, I need to know who he's dating. I need to know he'll be taken care of since I probably won't see him again after the fight we had."

"About that?"

Dylan explained the fight to her.

"Okay, ouch."

Paige got up and called Erik's work. He was working and would be there until four.

"Come on, but keep an open mind. Erik's not like anyone Marco's ever been interested in. He's tattooed, pierced, extremely alternative and works…"

"No, let him find that out on his own." Spinner said.

Paige shrugged and picked her purse back up, "Well, come on."

Paige walked with Dylan to a store about six blocks away. As she neared the store, "Just keep an open mind," she warned again.

Paige walked in an adult novelty shop just ahead of Dylan. He entered and saw Paige being embraced by a guy with cherry red hair and appeared he loved needles. There were more piercings visible than Dylan cared to count and just as many tattoos.

"Erik, this is my brother Dylan. Dylan this is Erik." Paige said, reluctantly.

Erik's pierced eyebrow shot up, "The hockey god with an awesome body. As Marco dubbed you one night after drinking too much."

Dylan looked confused, "He talked about me?"

"Yeah, you were his one regret."

"I know that feeling."

"Be right back. Sit tight, Paige."

Paige nodded and watched as Erik traveled to the back of the store. She also noticed that Dylan was watching even more intently.

Dylan watched with fascination as someone as tall as Erik could move with such grace. At about six three, Erik stood a little taller than Dylan. With his striking green eyes and dancers body, it was easy to see what Marco liked in this man. He had to be a dancer of some form by the way he artfully dodged the racks, it was flawless.

Erik came back a few minutes later, "So, why the ambush with Marco's old love?"

Paige blushed, "Marco and Mr. Del Rossi were discussing you in relation to Dylan and he wanted to meet you."

"So, why did you want to meet me?"

"I just wanted to know who captured Marco's attention. Mild form of torture I guess." Dylan admitted.

"You still love him." Erik stated simply.

Dylan tried to protest but it came out very weak.

"Yeah, I thought so. He still loves you too."

"Yeah, now I know that's a lie. He can't stand me."

"Let me guess, you fought."

"How'd you know?"

"It's written all over your face."

"We fought but I know he doesn't love me."

"You fought because he does love you. He doesn't want you to leave again."

"Are you a shrink?"

"Paige forgot to mention that I'm a counselor during the day."

"So you are a shrink…"

"No, but I will be in about three years after my Ph.D.."

Dylan chuckled, "Good thing I met you now. I'd hate to see the bill for this session."

Erik laughed, "The first session is free. Next time I charge."

Paige had wandered away during their conversation but chose now to come back, "What are you charging for now?"

"Services rendered," Dylan said with a smile.

"Marco's going to be jealous. Oh wait, you don't charge him so he should be okay." Paige teased.

Erik nudged her with his shoulder, "If you aren't careful, I'm going to stop giving you my discount."

Paige laughed, "Yeah, we don't want that. This place is expensive."

"I don't want to know why my sister is shopping in a sex shop." Dylan said with his hands over his ears.

Dylan looked at Erik for a moment, "Will you do me a favor?"

Erik looked at Paige and then back to Dylan, "Depends on what the favor is…"

"Go see Marco tonight. I think he might need to talk. We did have a pretty bad fight."

Erik nodded, "I'm leaving early tonight so I'll be off in about twenty minutes. I'll head there first."

Dylan nodded gratefully, "Thanks. I've got to get some sleep. I'm flying back to Anaheim in the morning."

Erik nodded, "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

Paige and Dylan left the store and walked back toward her apartment.

Paige broke the silence when they were a block from her apartment. "I think you should go smooth things over with Marco."

"I can't Paige, he hates me."

"The closest emotion to hate is love. I'm sure he's just picking the fight because it still hurts."

"That's what Erik said."

"Erik is a smart guy. He's only 22 and should have his doctorate by the time he's 25. Maybe you should listen."

Dylan knew Paige made sense because Erik had made sense too. Maybe he should smooth things over. There is a good possibility that he'd end up in Toronto. There might be a future somewhere for them. He might just need a friend when or if he got back.

Dylan sat with Paige for a while longer. She wasn't talking but he knew she supported him no matter his decision.

Erik got out of work and headed for Marco's house. He knocked on the door and Marco swung it open a few seconds later.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

"A little bird told me you might need a friend."

"Paige, damn her big mouth."
"It wasn't Paige."

Marco looked completely perplexed. "Who then?"

"Give you a hint. Looks like Paige only a lot bigger."

"Dylan?"

Erik nodded, "Paige brought him to meet me."

"Why in the hell would she do that?"

"He asked."

"Damn her."

"He seems nice. He still love you, you know that right?"

"No he doesn't. He loves a memory."

"I know you fought. That proves you still care if you take the time to argue with him."

Marco dropped his head into his hands, "Knock off the psychobabble. I don't need this right now."

"Further proof that you still care," Erik said, sitting in front of Marco.

Marco looked up at him. He didn't care what was in his heart or head right then, he just leaned forward and planted a kiss on Erik's lips.

Erik tried to pull away but Marco just followed him. He pinned him against the coffee table.

It was starting to get intense and hot when there was a knock on Marco's door.

"Ignore it," Marco said.

Erik considered it but couldn't when the knocking continued.

"You should get that. What if it's about your mom or the bar?"

Marco groaned and levered himself off of Erik.

Erik sat up and laughed at Marco's mutinous expression.

Marco opened the door and groaned again. "What are you doing here?"

Dylan looked at the tousled hair and slightly askew clothes, "Am I interrupting?"

Marco answered yes as Erik answered no.

Marco turned and glared at Erik, "What are you doing?"

"Let him in. You need to talk."

"Can't it wait?"

"No, I leave in the morning."

"Marco, I'll be here tomorrow. He won't."

Marco nodded and let Dylan into his house.

Please review…I'm enjoying these little cliffies.