Zach had been up all night, thinking about the fact he had kissed Alex. He had replayed it over and over in his head, trying to figure out what had made him do it in the first place. But every time he had come up with the same answer, and that was that he had simply wanted to. He had felt horrible about doing it though, knowing that it wasn't fair on Hannah and Alex, Jessica even. But after talking about it with Alex this morning, he does feel relieved, because maybe Alex was right, and they can just forget it ever happened. Even if when he had just seen him this morning, all he had wanted to do was kiss him again.

"Hey, man," he says, as he goes over to Justin. "Are you okay? Did you talk to Bryce after what happened yesterday?"

"I haven't seen him yet. But I really don't feel like talking to him." Justin shrugs. "I am done, Zach. I know we've been friends for years, but that guy is an asshole."

"Yeah, I know," Zach chuckles. "Are you staying with Clay?"

"He's alright, you know?" Justin asks, as they go outside, but when he sees the grin on Zach's face, he raises an eyebrow. "What? You don't like him?"

"No, I do. I think he's great."

"But?"

"Nothing," Zach laughs, wondering what Hannah would think if she knew Justin was actually beginning to like Clay. He won't tell her though, not wanting to give her any more reason to try and set them up together.

"Did you talk to the guys?" Justin asks. "Did they give you shit for standing up for Alex?"

"Nah, I have been avoiding them all day. I can't be bothered with them anymore either. It's exhausting."

"You've only just realized that?" Justin laughs.

"I ehm… if I tell you something, will you promise to keep it to yourself?" Zach asks, leading Justin over to a quiet place so they can talk.

"Of course. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just… ever since Jess started dating Alex, we've been spending more time together, you know?"

"You and Jess?"

"Me and Alex," Zach explains, and Justin nods, the smile on his face growing, already realizing where this is going. "I don't know, man, but there's just something about him that…"

"You like him?" Justin suggests, and although Zach wants to deny it, he knows that there's no point, so he just nods. "What about Hannah?"

"I like her too. I don't even know how I feel about him. Not really," Zach tries to explain, but then he sighs, an embarrassed look on his face. "I kissed him though."

"Oh, wow," Justin laughs. "And? Did he kiss you back?"

"I think so? He was pretty shocked I kissed him, so…"

"No shit," Justin laughs, his relaxed reaction making Zach breathe a sigh of relief. "Do you have feelings for him, or was it just a kiss?"

"I don't know."

"Have you had feelings for guys before?" Justin asks, but Zach just shrugs. "I'll take that as a yes?"

"I mean, I've looked at guys, sure. But it's different with Alex," Zach admits, but then he shakes his head. "It doesn't even matter. He's with Jess, and I'm pretty sure he hates my guts."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure he doesn't," Justin says, letting out a small chuckle. "I saw the way he looked at you yesterday after you got Monty off him, so… but I get it, man, it's a difficult situation. You're with Hannah, he's dating Jess…"

"I don't want to hurt anyone."

"Then don't." Justin shrugs. "Just take your time, trying to figure out how you really feel about him. But don't go behind Hannah's back. She doesn't deserve that."

"Do you think I should tell her about kissing Alex? I feel like I should, but I don't want to hurt her, and I know she'll be upset, so…"

"I don't know, man, that's a decision you have to make yourself. But if you tell her, just be honest with her. Tell her why you kissed him, and how you feel about him. How you feel about her. Don't make her question herself, you know? When I was with Kat, I told her right from the start that I was into guys. That that had nothing to do with her."

"I'm just scared to hurt her."

"I mean, you could just tell her nothing, and ignore this thing with Alex and go on acting like you're straight, but believe me, if you bottle that shit up, it'll only make things worse," Justin says, and although Zach knows he's right, his words hit him harder than they should, and they make him feel sick to his stomach. "Look, I'm not saying you need to figure everything out now, or you need to choose or whatever. I'm just saying, don't lie to her. Or to yourself."

"Yeah, I know." Zach nods. "Thanks."

A silence follows, until Justin looks back at Zach, a mischievous grin on his face.

"So… Alex Standall, huh?"

"I am already regretting telling you," Zach sighs, shaking his head to himself, but the grin on Justin's face only grows bigger.

"No, I get it. He's a good-looking guy."

"Wait, you don't… I mean, if you like him, then…"

"Relax," Justin laughs. "I like the guy, but not like that. He's all yours."

Zach glares at him for a moment, but then he just playfully shoves him. Justin pulls him in for a hug though, the look on his face a serious one now.

"It's going to be okay, you know?" he says, gripping onto Zach tightly. "Just be you, and don't let those fucking idiots stop you, okay? I kept quiet for far too long because of Bryce, but he will give you shit, whatever you do. So if you like this guy… you shouldn't give a shit what anyone thinks."

"I know," Zach says, but even though Justin is trying to reassure him, his words only make him feel worse. Because he hadn't even thought about the team yet, or what they would say if they were to find out.

Justin lets go of Zach, and he flashes another one of his smiles.

"And welcome to the team, I guess?" he grins, and it takes a moment for Zach to realize what he's saying, but then he shakes his head, laughing to himself.

"I'm not…," he tries, but then he nods. "Yeah, alright. Thanks, I guess."

Justin gives a wink, before walking off, leaving Zach feeling somewhat reassured, yet also even more confused as to where to go from here.

Jessica had gone home with Alex after school, and after an awkward meeting with his father, they had gone up to Alex's room. Alex had put on some music, but as soon as he had sat down next to Jessica on the bed, she had pushed him down and she had started kissing him. One thing had led to another, and they are now lying next to each other, both feeling nervous and giddy after what has just happened.

"I'm sorry, was that…," Alex begins, blushing so badly, that it only makes his girlfriend laugh harder. "I've never gone down on a girl before, so…"

"No, that was…," Jessica begins, but then she buries her face in her hands, still laughing.

"Oh, shit, it was that bad? Did I even make you come?"

"Yeah, you definitely did," Jessica laughs. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I can't stop laughing. It was good. I swear."

"Right…"

"It was."

Alex sits up, looking more than just a little embarrassed, but when Jessica wraps her arms around his waist, and she begins to kiss his neck, he feels a small smile forming on his lips.

But then he remembers Zach kissing him yesterday, and for just a split-second, he wishes Zach was here with him, and not Jessica. The thought makes him feel sick to his stomach, and when his girlfriend tries to slide her hand into his jeans, he stops her.

"Sorry, I thought…"

"Not today," Alex says, and he turns to look over his shoulder, faking a smile. "Next time, okay?"

"So… what's going on with you and Justin?" Hannah asks, when Clay comes into work a few days after Justin has started staying with him. "Have you told him yet?"

"Told him what?"

"That you like him," Hannah laughs. "Come on!"

"No, and I'm not going to. I only offered him a place to stay because he'd be out on the street otherwise, not to get into his pants!"

"So the fact that he is staying in your room right now has nothing to do with it?" Hannah asks, raising an eyebrow. "How can you share a room with the guy you like, and not…"

"Because it's Justin Foley," Clay says, like it's the most obvious answer in the world. "I'm pretty sure he can get any guy he wants."

"And who says he doesn't want you?"

"I do. Have you seen the guy?"

"Have you seen yourself?" Hannah asks. "Seriously, Clay, just ask him out already."

"No way. I have to share a room with this guy. If he says no…"

"Then at least you'll know."

"I already know," Clay says, a determined look on his face, but Hannah just rolls her eyes at him, not convinced. "I am telling you, Justin Foley is not interested in me."

"Whatever you say."

"Your parents just went out," Justin says, when Clay steps into his bedroom that night, having just taken a shower after getting home from work. Justin is sprawled out on the bed, reading one of Clay's comics, having made himself at home just fine since coming to stay with the Jensens.

"Oh… right," Clay says, still not sure how to feel about seeing Justin on his bed. But he ignores it as he goes over to his wardrobe to get himself some clothes.

Justin gets up off the bed though, and he steps up to him, not stopping until he is a little too close for comfort.

"What are…," Clay begins, his heart nearly beating out of his chest.

"I'm going to kiss you," Justin says, so matter-of-factly, that Clay doesn't even know how to react. But when Justin places a hand on the back of his neck, and he pulls him in for a kiss, he finds himself kissing him back, not hesitating for even a split-second.

But when he feels Justin's other hand making its way into the towel wrapped around his waist, he breaks the kiss, and he looks down, his face flushed.

"Is this okay?" Justin asks, but Clay can't even react. His brain not having quite caught up with what is happening yet. "Do you want me to stop?"

"I…," Clay tries, but when he sees the smile on Justin's face growing, he shakes his head. "No, definitely don't stop."

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm," Clay mumbles, having thought about this moment so many times, that he isn't entirely sure if he isn't imagining the whole thing right now. But when Justin begins to kiss him, he realizes that he doesn't even care. Real or not, he'll take it.