PART THIRTEEN

DISCLAIMER: I do not won Emmerdale or it's characters, They are owned by ITV

A/N: Thanks for the reviews...xx

Aaron bit into his piece of toast, and slurped his tea in silence, Paddy had finished his breakfast, and turned around to him from the sink,

"...So...you were late in last night...good night with Ben was it..."

Aaron nodded, " Yep...got in about 1...", he finished off his tea.

Paddy wiped his hands, and stared at him, Aaron looked up and pulled a frown,

"What!"

"You...you said you were having a night out with Ben...are you sure it was Ben?" told Paddy.

"Yeah, and i was!" returned Aaron, as he stood up, and then moved over to the sink, and chucked his cup and plate into the soapy water.

Paddy folded his arms, and gave Aaron a serious expression, " are you definately sure about that...because the thing I can't get my head round, is why Ben called in here last night!"

Aaron snapped his neck round " What!...what did you say..."

Paddy flustered, " That you... were out... with...him...Ben"

"What did you do that for!..." Snapped Aaron, and frantically rubbed his hands over his shaven head.

" Because you said ...you were Aaron..." replied Paddy, trying to calm him, but he was puzzled to why aaron was so coy, " So...where were you...last night then..."

Aaron shook his head " What!...am I about 12 now...do one Paddy...and mind you own...", he cried, and stormed off.

"Aaron...you better not be messing that nice lad around..." Paddy called after him, but he doubted Aaron even heard him.

Aaron jumped on to his bed, just as his mobile jingled out...he pulled it out from his pocket, and read the text message received:

Thinking of U - J xx

Aaron smirked, it was Jackson, he quickly texted back:

thinking about U 2 - A xxx

Aaron rolled over with his hands upon his stomach, this was gonna be arkward, Ben knew he'd been out somewhere without him, he better start thinking of good excuses to tell him quickly.

Then his phone jingled out again, Aaron held it up in front of him where he laid, the new text read:

B ready for 8 - Ben

No kiss...Ben no doubt, had the hump, thought Aaron, but at least he was still coming to get him...Aaron had to tell him the truth...the truth being that they were over...a task he dreaded to think about.

It was Jackson, Aaron wanted...and until Ben knew their relationship was over...any reconcilation with Jackson was put on hold.

Aaron thought about himself and Jackson, the electric spark between them the night before...they had not slept together, Aaron and Jackson both didn't believe in cheating...but he needed to tell Ben tonight...the sooner as it was done...the sooner he was with Jackson.

Just before 8pm, Aaron stood in the dark outside Smithy, waiting for his lift. The January night was cold, and he shivered, he was then amazed to see that Ben was on time for once, his Capri pulling up to him.

Aaron swallowed nervously, and approached the car as Ben jumped out, " Alright Aaron...!" he smiled " hope you are hungry..."

Aaron nodded at him " Yeah...I could eat a scappy horse me..." he laughed, just then Chas and Charity appeared "Aaron!..." cried Chas, Aaron turned to face his mother, who came tottering over to them on her heels.

"We are just going out Mum" Aaron told her.

" Yeah I can see that love...and..." she grabbed his arm with a knowing smile, "...I can see where your heart finally took you..."

Ben turned to them "...oh...and what's all this about..." he asked.

Aaron gently shoved his mother off him " nothing...she's just talking daft...get to the pub will yah" he told his Mum, desparate for her to go.

Chas smiled " I know when i'm playing gooseberry...have a nice night out you two"

Chas, with Charity in toe waved and headed off toward the Woolpack.

Aaron jumped into the Capri, " shall we go..." he barked...

Ben got in and put his foot down, within a flash they had left the village...

Aaron and Ben were in the indian restraunant, both had ordered, and waiting for their starters to arrive.

The journey to the curry house had been awful, both had sat in silence, Aaron just waiting for Ben to ask that question he dreaded.

Aaron closed the silence between them at their table, " I'm sorry about being moody...I'm just..."

Ben took a swig of his beer, " Just what...Aaron...where were you last night...I called around, Paddy said you were out with me..."

" I was just out with mates, we are not joined at the hip you know" he shot back defensively, but he knew he had to tell him the truth..." Look...Ben...I...I don't know how i feel anymore...whether I..." he slowly looked straight into Ben's eyes.

Ben could see Aaron was finding it hard to find the words. " About me...your feelings, I mean..." he encouraged.

" Yeah...it's just I don't feel the same for you as I did..." Aaron turned way, to look out the windows,.

" As you felt about Jackson..." Ben finished for him calmly " I know Aaron...I have always know it was him..."

Aaron looked up as the starter was placed in front of them, once the waiter had gone, Aaron looked up to face Ben, " Why...why hang around me, if you knew i was...not into yah..."

"Because...I am so into you..." said Ben with honesty, " I was hoping in time your feelings would change..."

Aaron picked up his fork and moved his onion barji around the plate, Ben stared at his prawn cocktail and smiled sadly, " I'm not hungry" he said simply.

"Nor me..." answered Aaron " shall we pay up and go..."

They made for Bar West and got a drink, and sat in the corner, being a saturday night the club was busy.

Aaron took a swig of beer and turned toward Ben, " So... I bet you must think I'm aright pig...don't you..."

Ben shook his head, Ben's mind seemed elsewhere tonight, " Aaron...I...I don't, I liked being with you..."

Aaron nodded, " Yeah, but knowing I...i am So...into..." he stuttered,

" Jackson..., I know that too" smiled Ben " Don't get me wrong...I am jealous as hell...but what can I do..."

Ben took a swig of his own beer and looked up " Jackson and Dan have split up..."

Aaron's eyes evaded Ben's gaze, " Oh...really..." he said, acting like he had no idea.

"Jackson's a free agent..." Ben stood, and placed a hand upon Aaron's shoulder " and so are you, mate "

Aaron could only watch in shock, as Ben walked away...it was all very strange...Ben was acting so out of character...what the hell was wrong with him.

But it was done...they were over...

Aaron watched Ben leave the club, he then dug out his mobile and started to quickly text

done...A xxx

Aaron then pressed send, and finished his pint.

Ben was seething as he leaned upon the wall outside Bar West, Tom was then beside him,

"Hey...are you alright mate!"

"No..." Ben snapped " Me and Aaron are over...!"

Tom swallowed nervously " Oh...so what have you done..."

Ben shook his head " I haven't done anything...I am alright about it...surprizing I know..."

Ben then turned toward his mate, " I've got bigger things to worry about..."

Tom turned "Tell me...you can buy me a drink..." They headed back into Bar West, as Ben told him,

" Remember Lee..." Started Ben, Tom nodded, Ben continued " well...he's given me something...that's why I had that hospital appointment..."

They both now stood at the bar..."So what's he given yah..." Tom asked him, a little anxious,

Ben was no longer listening to him, his attention was was drawn to behind Tom.

Tom turned around to see Jackson walking toward Aaron at one of the seating booths, Jackson gave Aaron a peck on the cheek, and sat with him, Aaron's hand on Jackson's thigh, and Jackson's arm snaking around Aaron's shoulders.

"I knew it...I knew it...I knew he was lying...lying through his teeth..." Ben seethed " Now I know what his mother ment earlier, about following his heart...he's followed it alright...well I'm not letting him get away with it...I'm not looking like a fool just taking it, as he plays the happy couple with his bob the builder Ex...no...he's gonna have to pay...

...no one makes a fool of me...

...no one..."

TBC

All reviews welcome... xx