~*Chapter Five*~


"You-hooooo," a shrill voice pierced the air, causing us both to jump to either side of the tub, our hearts pounding out of our chests, "Jasper, honey! You in here?"

The lights flicked on, and the fluorescence blinded me for a moment, white dots floated behind my eyelids.

"Ooooh, and here I thought you had a lady up here. Jasper, you naughty boy! Why didn't you tell me you swung that way, honey? I would've asked for more than money for our little," he cleared his throat, "arrangement."

The most flamboyant colorful man I'd ever laid eyes on was standing at the edge of the pool with one hand on his hip. "Well, hellooo there, tall drink of water. What's your name?" He eyed me up over the length of his nose. He was wearing a hotel uniform which had been re-designed to more of his style, including a nice bright, green pocket square in his left breast pocket. He plucked it out, and pretended to wipe his brow. "I need to hang out with you more often, Jazzy." He waved the green square in our direction. "You have excellent taste. Yum!"

If I wasn't embarrassed before, I definitely was now. I ineffectively tried to cover myself below the water. Of course, just my luck, the timer for the jets decided to turn off right at that inopportune moment.

Jasper hopped out of the tub, unabashed by his nakedness, having gained control of himself — he always could manage his emotions far better than me—and walked to a shelf containing numerous white fluffy hotel towels. He grabbed one putting it around his waist and threw one over to me, thankfully.

The stranger's eyes remained on me, leering at my chest, and I wished Jasper had thrown me another towel.

"What do you want, Alec?" Jasper said through clenched teeth.

"Now, now, is that any way to talk to your kin?" Alec sulked back, waving his gold-ringed covered fingers at Jasper. "In case you haven't noticed—," he raised his hand to his mouth like he was whispering, "— and who would with a beefcake like that," he pointed at me, "it's dawn." The tone of his voice changed to a serious one. "My shift is over, and if that whore of a day manager catches you up here, well, he'll have both our heads, and I'm not talking about that blond mop of yours that sits on your shoulders either." He started cackling at his own joke, looking at me in agreement or encouragement, whichever.

All I could do was pretend to laugh weakly along with him. I think I was still in shock from what had just happened.

His little, white, leather shoes made their way over to me while he extended a hand.

"Alec... and you are..." he said in an amused tone.

"E-Edward," I said uneasily, shaking his hand.

"Oh! THE Edward... mmhmm." He smiled a wolfish grin at me. "Now I see what all the fuss is about."

"Shut it, Alec, leave him alone. We're going." Jasper pushed through the glass door to the outside, and an awkward minute later—with more leering by Alec—he was dressed, hastily shoving my clothes into my hands. I quickly threw them on, ignoring my wet boxers inside my jeans and numbly followed Jasper out the door.

"I'll see you boys later!" Alec tittered after us. I heard a mumbled sigh and something about my ass, which I chose to ignore.

We stood waiting for the elevator, the mirrored doors conveniently displaying the shocked and terrorized look on my face.

"Who the hell was that?" I asked.

Jasper frowned, groaning a little as he reluctantly told me the truth. "My sorta uncle."

"Uncle?" I said perplexed. "Really?"

"Well, you know my mom remarried, right? Well that's her new husband's brother. In case you couldn't tell, he's a bit of the black sheep in their family."

"And how is it you...er... have a... relationship with him, then?"

He was clearly uncomfortable talking about this topic of conversation, but I wasn't about to let it go. He fidgeted while we waited for the elevator but reluctantly continued. "I don't know, I mean, he's a huge fucking pain in the ass, but I kinda like him. Probably because my stepdad hates him, makes me like him that much more."

"So, then, how is it he knew who I was?" I pressed.

"Look... he just likes to get a rise outta me, alright? Obviously I've mentioned you before, you were my roommate. We were best friends. It's no big deal." He shrugged while the elevator bell chimed and he pushed his way through the doors before they had even opened.

The 'were' didn't slip past me, neither did the bitterness in his voice.

"Were?" I asked, following him into the elevator, pressing the button to my floor.

"You know what I mean." Something in Jasper had changed. He was annoyed, and definitely distant. The ride in the elevator was more than awkward; he refused to meet my gaze and stared at his boots the entire time.

"There's no way he could have saw... what..." I said under my breath, knowing his behaviour might have something to do with almost being caught by a so-called relative, even if it was a distant one at that.

"There was nothing to see," he replied in a short clipped answer. The door opened and, again, he walked out in a hurried rush heading straight for my door.

It was around six in the morning, way past the point of trying to get some sleep before my meeting. I figured Jasper and I should just get some breakfast, possibly order some room service and talk about what had just happened.

Opening the door I said, "Breakfast?" with a questioning look on my face.

"Ah," he hesitated rubbing his wet hair, "no, I have to get going." He looked at me briefly with a sheepish look on his face. "Work, you know?"

"I thought you made your own hours?" I teased.

"I-I forgot about a meeting I have first thing this morning." He was gathering up his stuff, throwing it in his bag, glancing around the room, avoiding my eyes.

"Well, you should at least have a shower... get the chlorine off," I offered, hoping he'd at least stay for a little bit longer, enough to figure out what had just happened. At least with a shower, he'd get a moment to himself before having to delve into the topic about the huge, fucking elephant in the room.

"I'm going to hit the gym first, so I'll shower there," he mumbled under his breath while checking the bathroom for anything he may have left behind.

"O-kay, then," I said, not sure what the problem was. "Are we at least going to talk about what just happened?"

"Yeah, er... later... I-I just have to go." He walked to the door, his back to me, his hand resting on the doorknob. "See you tonight?" he asked quietly.

"I guess, yeah," I said taking a deep breath.

"Later." And then he was gone, out the door and the sound of it closing seemed to echo around the room.

"Yeah, later," I said to no one, sitting down on the edge of the bed, shaking my head at the turn of events.

I was absolutely perplexed. We had been moments away from entering new territory in our relationship... our lives, and now he was barely speaking to me, unable to even look me in the eye. A few seconds later, and "Uncle Alec" might have walked in on something very different, and who knows where we'd be right now if that had happened. But it hadn't, but fuck had I wanted it to.

But now I was sitting in my room, alone, wondering what the hell had just happened. What the hell had we been thinking? It was probably for the best we were interrupted, it was fate stepping in and telling us it was wrong. Whatever it was, my head was a mess, and I needed a distraction. I thought about hitting the gym, perhaps a run on the treadmill was what I needed, but the gym was right beside the pool, and I couldn't bring myself to go back up there. Throwing on my sweats, I headed down to the lobby instead, to head outside and run in the Chicago air. I wasn't up for eating, my stomach was turning and it wasn't from the whiskey... I was surprisingly sober.

The meeting went well, the investors were impressed, but this was just the first of a series of meetings to be had over the next few days. Nothing was set in stone just yet, the papers had not been signed. It was going to take a lot more finagling on my part if I was going to get them to come onboard.

I was absolutely exhausted, and graciously declined some tickets to a Bulls game, claiming I had plans with some old family friends. Which was the partial truth... they were my family of sorts. If I headed back to the hotel now, I could get in about four hours of sleep before meeting up with everyone—sleep which I desperately needed.

I was standing outside of my room, holding my breath wondering about the possibility of Jasper being in there waiting for me, which was absurd, he had taken his bag with him and had left the keycard behind. My body was still disappointed to see the room empty, even though I had expected it. For a moment, I had this romantic notion that he would be here, and we would spend the rest of our lives in our own special world where our wives, children, jobs, and responsibilities didn't exist. Our only responsibility would be to each other. I chided myself for being ridiculous, it could never happen and I needed to get myself in check to remember that.

I called home, checking in with my wife and the children. My daughter was teaching my son to sing her favorite nursery rhyme, and the two were screeching their song much to my wife's dismay.

"Sweetheart, it's okay, I can hear you just fine," I tried to reassure her.

"Well I can't hear you!" she snapped back. "I said that's enough! I'm trying to talk to your daddy on the phone!" she yelled at them, not even trying to cover the mouthpiece. The children quieted, but I could still hear them laughing in the background. "Ugh... I've just about had it with that song. I'm about to lose it!" she said in an exhausted tone, back into the phone.

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. They've just been singing it all day, and I can't take it anymore."

"Well, it sounds like they're happy, at least," I offered.

"For the moment." She sighed heavily into the phone. "When are you coming home again?" she asked, with a tired, distant voice.

"Wednesday. I left my flight details on the fridge."

"Oh, right," was all she said, followed by a few seconds of silence. "Your mother called," she changed the subject , and then with an exaggerated huff she continued, "she wants to come for a visit."

"Oh, really? Ah... that's a surprise," I said, truly shocked by the notion of my mother visiting.

"Yes, isn't it?" I could hear the tone in her voice which clearly meant she was probably rolling her eyes at me. "She said she wanted to give us a break... whatever that means. What have you been telling her?"

"Nothing," I said honestly, "I haven't talked to her in awhile. I'm sure she just wants to come see her grandchildren."

"I doubt that," she disagreed. "Do you think she'll want to stay here?"

"I don't know, probably."

"Can't we put her up in a hotel?" She was definitely annoyed now, there was no mistaking it.

"It's my mother. We can't do that," I replied, affronted that she would even suggest it.

"You know how she is with me." Now she was just baiting me, trying to get me to say something that she could be angry at me for.

"I haven't even talked to her, she might just be saying she wants to visit, doesn't mean she will. I really don't want to argue about this right now, okay?" There was a brief moment of silence before she spoke again.

"That guy... Trevor or Travis..."

"Tyler?"

"Whatever his name is... he called to remind you about the golf trip." Her voice was hard, and I realized she had been gunning for an argument during this whole conversation. "When were you going to tell me you were going away again?"

"I'm not."

I heard her scoff into the phone. "Right."

"I said no to them. He must've forgotten. I'm not going because it's the weekend of your shopping trip with your friends."

"That's what you told them? You're not going because of me. I'm sure they love me for that. Don't let me stop you from another trip away with your buddies."

"They're not my buddies," I said through gritted teeth. "And no," I sighed, "that's not what I told them. I didn't give them any excuse, I just told them no." I paused, both of us breathing heavily into the phone. "Honey, look, I'll be home in a couple of days and we can talk about this then, okay? Right now, I just want to know how you are."

There was a giant crash and the sound of glass shattering in the background, followed by two distinct cries.

"What did you do!" she yelled away from the phone.

"What happened? Are the kids okay?"

"They're fine. Edward, I have to go, I'll call you later."

"I love you!" I said quickly before she hung up the phone.

That was not the conversation I had hoped to have when I had called looking for some reassurance about my life. I was hoping for something different to happen, for us to have a loving conversation about each other and the children, like they do in the movies when a father's away on business, calling from a hotel on the road. But my life was not a romance movie, and my marriage certainly wasn't. Just once, I wanted to have a conversation, where the two of us weren't stressed by the day's events and we could talk like we used to. Talk about silly things that made us happy or even made us sad, anything, as long as it was talking and not yelling. I was hoping to reaffirm what my life with her meant, but instead it had done the opposite. It had only corroborated the misery I was feeling from being in a loveless marriage. I didn't know when we had fallen out of love, only that we had. Perhaps we'd never actually been in love, which was possible given the conflicting feelings I was having at the moment. Had I ever lusted after her like I had with Jasper all those years ago? For the moment, the feelings escaped me, over-shadowed by the memory of last night.

Flopping on the bed, still dressed in my clothes from the day, I thought about the almost kiss from hours ago. Touching my lips absently, I tried to remember what it would have felt like. Of course it would have been different than the first time. The first time had been almost in anger and need, where as this morning would have been more from longing, more tender than what it was in the alley.

The pressure continued to build, and it was such an odd combination of lust and shame I was feeling. My body was reacting this way, about a man-my best friend-yet, I'd never desired someone as much as I had Jasper. The guilt was palpable, but the feeling of taboo seemed to fuel the wanting even that much more. The desire for him was almost exciting, at least my dick definitely thought so.

Lowering my chin and peeking down my chest to below my belt, I saw the evidence of that excitement. My cock had been semi-hard all day just thinking about that hot tub. The run had done nothing to help my predicament this morning, it only caused more contemplation, because everywhere I looked I saw something that reminded me of whiskey, cigarettes, boots, pools, hot tubs... which all lead to Jasper. Things I never would have looked at twice, all seemed to scream at me in my head, chanting his name, while the image of his face stamped into my sub-conscious, until I couldn't look at any of the billboards or signs on the streets for fear my cock would be standing in salute out in public.

I realized I had to take care of this now, or else I'd never get any sleep.

"The shower it is..." I said, stripping out of my clothes, groaning when my hand painfully brushed against myself.

The hot shower helped temporarily, only taking a few strokes before I spilled my release. My head was filled with images of him, like a movie playing on repeat over and over, especially the scene when I glanced below the water and saw his cock standing at attention because of me. I wanted him, even though I had absolutely no idea what that would entail. It was a little frightening thinking about how it would happen. Having absolutely no experience in the matter, or knowing anyone that had, I wondered if I could actually go through with it if it came right down to it. No doubt, liquid courage might have to play a part. I didn't know if I could abandon all my insecurities and hesitations if I were sober, it just didn't seem right. I guess I would have to see... if the opportunity ever came up again.

It was much easier to drift off having relaxed a little in the shower. Of course, I was exhausted... and spent, so I fell asleep right away in nothing but my boxers. It was restful and surprisingly peaceful, until I was jolted out of bed by the hotel phone ringing.

"Hello?" I grumbled into the phone, noticing the room was enveloped in darkness.

"Where the hell are you? We're waiting for you downstairs in the bar," a familiar voice said on the other line.

"What time is it?" I asked, turning on the light.

"Time to go."

"Is Jasper down there?" I asked, only with a slight hesitation at his name.

"Nah, it's just us. He called, said he was running late and he'd meet up with us later."

"Where are we going?"

"Are you done with the twenty questions, yet? Come on, Eddie! The night's a wasting."

"Okay, okay, give me a few minutes, I just woke up."

"You got ten, and that's it. You better be ready for this, 'cause we gave you a reprieve last night."

"Me? You're the fuckers who ducked out early."

"Alright, alright... see you in ten," he said, before the dial tone rang loudly in my ear.

I rushed to get ready, knowing my friends would stay true to their word and would be at my door ready to drag me out at the 10 minute and 1 second mark. Luckily, I had showered early and was in too much of a rush to dwell on things that would assuredly cause another delay.

Jeans and a vintage T-shirt was the wardrobe of choice tonight. Along with my tailored, brown, leather jacket that cost me a small fortune but I loved the smell and feel of it so I purchased it anyway. A quick brush of the teeth and hair and one last look in the mirror, I was ready and out the door with only a slight pang knowing Jasper was not in the lobby waiting with the others.

Just as I was out of the elevator, I was hailed and accosted by someone I definitely didn't wish to see, especially in front of the guys.

"You-hoooo, Edward," he waved at me, "there you are! I need to speak with you." He was standing at the front desk in the same over-designed uniform, but this time his pocket square was a bright pink one. He was alongside two of the reception staff who seemed to have knowing grins on their faces. The two women made no attempt to cover the fact that they were checking me out while I walked toward Alec; they were chiding him about his taste in men.

"Alec," I said in a hushed whisper, signaling him to come to the other side of the desk. My face was on fire with all the possibilities of where this conversation could be heading. This was not the time or place to bring up what had happened earlier, and I wanted Alec to know that. I glanced at the hotel bar where the guys were waiting, pointing at their watches in exaggerated gestures with impatient looks on their faces. "What is it?" I asked him, just barely moving my lips.

"Hmm?" he asked while smiling widely with a little gleam in his eye.

"You said you needed to speak to me," I said annoyed a little with him.

"Oh, right! Yes... well, not really. I was just about to call you to tell you to hurry up. My nephew's friends... and I assume yours too?" he asked with a wicked grin, I nodded, a little impatient. "Well, they always create such a ruckus when they're here."

"Really? What were they doing?"

"Oh, nothing really, I just wanted to hear your voice again." He winked at me. "And now I get to talk to you." He batted his eyelashes and gave me one of his leering grins.

I tried to be affronted, but it was almost impossible, the guy was too charming to be upset with.

"You look mighty fine tonight, Edward. My nephew won't be able to keep his hands to himself."

"Alec, it's not... we're not."

"Mmhmm, whatever you boys say," he said wryly.

"We're not! I've got a wife... he's married too. We've been friends for years." I tried to explain as best I could, but it was all coming out a little disjointed.

"Honey, just 'cause you got a wife doesn't mean you don't want what you think you can't have." He reached out and tapped my chest. "Look at me. I want you," he rubbed his hand over my chest, much more than I was comfortable with and I backed away as he continued, "even though I know I can't have you." He smiled again.

"I'm not-"

"Gay? Oh, please!" He waved his hand at me, rolling his eyes. I wasn't sure what he meant by that and I didn't want to get into it right now. I glanced back toward the bar.

"Go on, take that little entourage of yours with you, they're far too distracting for me to get any work done. Are any of them..." He looked longingly in the direction of the bar, titling his head and biting his lip. He sighed as he spoke, "No, of course not." His attention turned back to me. "Now, go! Have fun! And tell that nephew of mine to loosen up. He's been such a sour puss lately."

"I don't think he's coming out with us tonight," I admitted, sounding a little more disappointed than I wanted to come across.

"Honey, he'll be there. Trust me." He patted my backside, like I was a toddler he was trying to get to take a step. I mumbled a 'thank you' while I walked toward my friends.

"Oh, and Edward?" he called out to me.

"Yes?" I responded, turning back.

"Be patient with him," Alec yelled across the lobby. He smiled at me, giving me an encouraging wave. I watched his back while he walked into an office and shut the door. His words were not exactly cryptic, but it was still hard to wrap my head around it.

"Be patient with who?" I was asked as the guys met me at the bar entrance.

"Nothing. No one," I muttered, following them outside across the lobby to the revolving door that lead outside.