Chapter 9~
The Truth

When they get back in L.A…

At sunset, off of the L.A. shore. Adam and Sauli are running along the beach like children the sun has almost set when Adam turns to Sauli…

"Sauli honey… I know we've been together for 4 months now, almost 5 but there isn't a flaw I can find in you. You're the most amazing person that I have ever meant; you have a beautiful smile that lights up my world, you have the most dazzling emerald eyes that I get lost in so easily and the most fun loving, yet laid back personality, you're up for almost anything and you love shopping, you never put me down or tell me I can't do anything unless you know that my outfit absolutely would embarrass me that day. I find my paradise when I look into your eyes, and I can't think of a better person I would want to spend eternity with… I promise I won't change my mind ever again…like I did with Joe, I will want you forever, so please..." Adam got down on one knee.

"Will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?" Adam asked.

Sauli was speechless; he had tears coming to his eyes as he nodded his head franticly…

"YES! Yes! Yes Adam I will! Yes!"

Adam kissed Sauli lovingly as he slipped the ring on his finger.

"The nerve of him!" Joe said angry as he threw the engagement party invitation across the room before putting his head down and crying.

"Hey what's going on?"

"Did you see that?" He pointed to the black and white invitation that was against the wall…

"Oh… you got one?"

"Yeah…"

"I guess he just wanted to let you know, he probably doesn't expect you to come."

"He didn't need to ask him so soon…"

"Oh I was counting on him asking this guy the week after their first date."

"Not helping!" Joe said.

"I know… I'm sorry…"

"No… it's fine…I need to move on and the first step in doing this is going to this party, and congratulating them, drinking on it."

"Yeah… oh and I should probably tell you I'm in charge of planning the bachelor party for Adam… You know since he never had one when you guys got married they thought that it would be cool to give him one now."

"Ughhh! Fine leave me out of it!"

"Alright… I was just hoping you would join… you know… because you're moving on…"

"Probably not."

"Whatever you say."

At the Engagement Party

"There's the happy couple! I brought someone else along with me!" Tommy said cheerfully.

"Oh Joe! You came…"

"Yeah is that okay?" He couldn't help but put the edge in his voice. Tommy noticed and was sure to scold him later.

"Well come on in!" Sauli smiled, so innocent, and naïve Joe thought.

"Alright… well we have ribs, and some other barbeque Monte's making outside, Lisa, Leila, and Cam are all talking about the wedding plan, I mean Cam's second major is wedding planning. So she's doing the wedding for us!"

"Cool…" Joe tried not to sound hurt. More guests came and the house was filling up, Adam and Joe hadn't talked since he had come that night. Sauli was having a good time as was Tommy, and Adam, Joe sat in the corner of the room, and didn't say anything. He sipped on his beer wishing he could get drunk and just forget it ll. Though he knew that wasn't appropriate at an Engagement party, so he tried to control himself. Tommy came over after spotting him.

"Hey there you are what's going on?"

"Noting I want to go home soon…"

"Okay… whatever."

"I don't want to be here, can I have the keys?"

"How will I get home?"

"Monte or Lisa will give you a ride I bet! Please can I just leave?

"No… I don't' think they can, can't you just wait?"

"I don't want to wait ."

"Please…"

"Joe suck it up I thought you said you wanted to get over him."

"Well apparently I'm not ready to let go!"

"Joe… he's getting married you have to…"

"I don't want to!" Joe shouted.

"You Need To!" A voice said from beside them… Joe looked over to see Adam looking at him with fire in his eyes,

"Joe, I already told you I didn't love you, you need to get over it!" This struck something in Joe that made him bubble over. Adam turned to walk beck to Sauli. Standing up kicking his chair back furiously, he stood planted right behind Joe, his breath ragged and shallow.

"DID A WHOLE YEAR MEAN NOTHING TO YOU?" Joe asked full of rage, he had started and he wasn't going to stop yet.

"DID OUR MARRIAGE MEAN NOTHING TO YOU? IT TOOK YOU A YEAR TO FINIALY ASK ME OUT AND THEN ANOTHER TO ASK ME TO MARRY YOU DID OUR VOWS MEAN NOTHING? DID YOU EVER EVEN LOVE ME AT ALL? WAS I JUST FILLER? WAS I JUST A FUCKING EXPERAMENT! WERE YOU JUST PLAYING WITH MY FEELINGS?"

"Joe, stop, and leave it alone, now, just come on…" Tommy coaxed. "Let's get home."

"No! HE NEEDS TO HEAR THIS! NOW THAT THAT'S OUT I JUST HAVE ONE THING LEFT TO SAY, AND THEN I'll GET OUT OF YOUR LIFE. I NEED TO TELL YOU ONE THING! I HOPE YOU ARENT' USING SAULI! BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY ANYONE WOULD BE LUCKY TO MARRY HIM SO I HOPE YOU DON'T LOOSE HIM!"

"GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Adam shouted.

"NO! NOT UNTIL YOU GET THE POINT!"

"OH I GET THE FUCKING POINT! I WOULD NEVER LOOSE SAULI! I LOVE HIM! WHY IS THAT SO HARD TO BELIEVE! GET OVER THE FACT THAT I DON'T LOVE YOU AND TRY TO LET SOME ONE ELSE BE HAPPY!" Adam said. Before Joe could say anything else, Adam's fist collided with his face.

"Get out before I call the police for trespassing."

Joe was trying to comprehend what had just happened, his nose was bleeding and his lip and face felt numb…

"I'm sorry." Joe whispered.

Tommy put a hand on Joe's back and led him out of that house. He walked him to the car, and helped him inside, Joe didn't talk the whole way home, but he knew that he was crying. Getting back to Tommy's apartment, Joe went to his room and stripped his shirt, and pants pulling on a pair of gray sweats, he could feel his face bruising. It hurt like bitch, but all he wanted to do was sleep.