Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.

Warnings: Slash, Nonrelated, Language

~*Chapter Three: Secrets of My Past*~

I'm not sure how long I stand there and stare as Klaus' car taillights retreat down the road. Part of me still doesn't want to believe it, but the other part of me knows it's truly over: our friendship. My throat tightens at the realization of almost sixteen years of friendship wasted all because of…a split second decision of choosing Matt and Tyler over him. How is it possible to feel more comfortable around two guys I just met as opposed to someone I grew up with and knew my entire life?

Tyler approaches and touches my shoulder. "Jere?"

"He was my best friend," I say, my voice hoarse as I face him. "What am I supposed to do now? His parents are my legal guardians, but after what happened…I'm scared to go home." I especially don't after what he just said to me.

"You don't have to, you know? Go back to his house, I mean." Matt moves to my other side and wraps his arms around me. Unbidden, my body leans into him. "We have an extra room at our home and if you want it…"

I pull away and regard them with narrowed eyes. "You guys aren't some creepy pedophiles who like to prey on and seduce young boys, are you?" As soon as the words leave my mouth, I wish I could take them back. Smooth move, Gilbert, a voice taunts from the back of my head. If they are, it's highly unlikely that they'd admit it.

Tyler throws his head back and laughs. "Wow. You've really been watching too much TV."

Uncertain as he doesn't deny it, I take a few steps back, flinching at the flare of hurt flickering across his and Matt's faces. Maybe Klaus is right. While there is something alluring about them, there is also something different about them…something dangerous.

"Jeremy," Matt says, "we aren't gonna hurt you. I know in today's society that probably sounds strange and something that a pedophile would say, but honestly we're not the bad guys."

Swallowing hard, I bite my lip. I want to believe them, I really do, but I just don't know. Warring voices rage inside my head and I squeeze my eyes shut in an attempt to silence them. After a moment, I sigh and take a hesitant step forward; there's only one way I can be sure of their intentions.

"Can I try something?" I ask, my eyes focusing on the ground. After exchanging brief looks, they both shrug and nod. Laying a hand on each other their arms, I lift my head and stare into their eyes. I've only done this a handful of times so I'm still not sure if…instantly my spine stiffens as an overwhelming wave of concern and compassion crashes over me; they really do only want to help me, no hidden agendas. Stepping back, my eyes once again return to the ground as a slight streak of pink colors my cheeks. "I'll need to stop by Klaus's house so I can pick up some things, but…" I swallow again and lick my lips. Why are they so interested in me?

Tyler smiles and cups the side of my face, his thumb caressing my cheek. "It's because we like you." I gaze at him confused. Did I say that aloud instead of in my head? He chuckles. "No, you didn't."

"Holy fucking shit!" My eyes widen. "Y-You're like me…" I glance back and forth between them, my mouth opening and closing, "you're both like me?"

They nod. "Reading other people's thoughts doesn't make you a freak, Jere," says Matt as he drapes his arm around my shoulders.

Wow. Who'd have thought I'd meet two others like me? Stepping closer, Tyler ruffles my hair and his grins widens when I brush aside his playful attempt to straighten my already unruly hair.

"Can I…is it possible to block people from reading my thoughts?"

"Of course you can." Matt smiles. "If you want, we can teach you."

My eyes brighten and I jump up and down, clapping my hands and feeling somewhat embarrassed at my childish excitement, but I don't care. "That'd be awesome." However, as I glance over my shoulder and watch my remaining classmates wait to be picked up, I start to worry again. Because of this talent, am I no longer human? Mom and Dad always told me I was special—especially since I can feel the good and evil in people through mere touch—but they're my parents, they're supposed to say things like that. As if sensing my discomfort, Tyler and Matt pull me closer; stubbornly, I stare at the ground and refuse to look at them.

"Jere," Tyler's hand hooks under my chin and lifts it, leaving me with no other choice but to look at him. "Listen to me, you're still human, you're just a special kind of human. Very special," he says and winks.

Briefly I hear his tone change—softer and loving like we're…something more than just friends—but before I can question his meaning, he's pulling away and striding towards his car. After a moment Matt and I follow. Buckling in, the three of us drive towards Klaus's house, who I'm praying isn't home.

Thankfully, he isn't and I'm able to grab what I need; not wanting to chance running into him but still wanting to offer him the opportunity to reconcile, I jot down a quick note, letting him know where I'll be tonight and leaving my number in case he wants to call. Although, given what occurred between us in the school parking lot, I doubt he will. Yet, he's been my best friend for years; there's no way he could just turn around and want me dead.

It's just not possible.

The ride to Matt and Tyler's house is quiet and filled with awkward silences. Desperately I search for something to say, but draw a blank. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Tyler white knuckling the steering wheel, his lips pressed in a thin line while his eyes scan the road. Even Matt, unlike the car ride into school this morning, remains quiet. Lightly I reach over place my hand over Tyler's, hissing in surprise as the car swerves.

"A-Are you all right?" I ask as I lock gazes with Tyler.

The corners of his mouth twitch up in a smile as he nods. "I'm good. How are you doing?"

I sigh, unable to keep my feelings bottled up. "None of this makes any sense. Klaus and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember and as soon as you guys show up, he reverts into a constipated dick who suddenly voices his feelings for me, but once he learns they're one-sided, he ignores me and then today at school he threatens me and—"

Tyler's grip tightens. "He threatened you?" Behind me, an almost animalistic snarl erupts from Matt.

"Uh…y-yes?"

"What'd he say?" Matt leans forward and I shiver at his close proximity and hot breath tickling my neck.

"H-he said….um he said I'd regret what I did some day."

Growling, Tyler presses his foot against the gas pedal. I grunt as the unexpected force slams me back into my seat and I can only hang on as he races down the highway, merging in and out between cars at lightning speed, ignoring their blaring of horns as other drivers cuss and slam on their breaks. Tyler's lips peel back and I glimpse sharp, pointy teeth and his eyes look almost red. Rapidly I blink and avert my gaze, but unable to focus on anything, I squeeze my eyes shut. My head throbs and nausea erupts in my stomach. My hands shaking, I lean forward, clutching my waist, and put my head between my knees. Normally I don't get carsick, but Tyler's speed demon driving is too much. Darkness ebbs away at the edges of my vision and I think I'm going to pass out.

"Tyler! Calm yourself; you're scaring Jeremy!"

At Matt's voice, his brother reduces his speed until the car lurches to a complete stop. I don't know where we are, but I don't care either as a pair of hands rubs soothing circles up and down my back. Seconds later, cold air hits me and cools my overheated skin. Breathing deeply, I slowly lift my head.

"Are you all right, Jere?" Matt asks. I nod and then wince at the sharp stab of pain inside my head.

"I'm sorry, Jere," Tyler whispers, brushing some hair off my forehead. "I have a bit of a temper when it comes to those I care for."

"A bit?" I ask with a slight chuckle. "You looked ready to rip Klaus apart with you bare hands."

He waves aside my comment. "Are you hungry?"

My stomach answers with a loud growl and I chuckle in embarrassment. "Yes, I guess I am."

Within the next few moments we're pulling into a diner down the road. As I'm getting out, my pants pocket vibrates and I dig out my phone. Klaus's face blinks up at me. Conflicted, I stare at my cell before glancing at Matt and Tyler. Neither of them says anything and after a quiet, internal battle, I silence my phone and follow them inside.

I can always call Klaus back later.

Inside, the diner's décor reminds me of Johnny Rockets as fifties music plays in the background. Since it's not quite dinnertime, it isn't busy and we're taken to a table in the back. Quickly I scan my menu and once our waitress arrives, I order an Ultimate Single burger with fries and a coke, Tyler asks for the Bacon Cheddar Double burger with onion rings and a coke, and Matt requests the Tuna Melt with fries and a coke. Once jotting everything down, our waitress collects our menus and says she'll be back in a moment with our beverages. While waiting, I fiddle with the hem of the table cloth, my gaze focusing on the pictures scattered across the walls. Tyler notices my ill at ease expression.

"What's bothering you, Jere?"

I squirm and shift. Would they get mad for me asking? "Earlier today, Rebekah mentioned something a-about you and why you're h-here. S-she said—"

"The rumors, right?" Shocked, I nod. Matt smiles, laces his fingers together behind his head, and leans back in his chair. "They're just rumors; Tyler and I simply like shaking things up whenever we change schools. New environments don't bother us."

Closing my eyes, I breathe a sigh of relief. Before I can say anything else our waitress returns and sets down our drinks. She glances between Tyler and Matt, licking her lips, her eyes roaming their bodies and doing nothing to hide the obvious lust in her eyes as she asks if there is anything else she can get for them. An unexpected feeling of jealous spikes inside my gut and I take a sip of my drink in hopes of distracting myself. There's no reason for me to feel this way. Matt and Tyler are just being generous hosts and if some skank dressed waitress wants to show them a good time, why shouldn't they accept?

Tyler leans towards me and snaps his fingers; blinking, I refocus my attention on him. "Is everything all right, Jere? They didn't mess up and give you carbonated water instead, did they?"

I shake my head before excusing myself and heading down the adjacent hall to the bathroom. Inside, I grip the sides of the porcelain sink and stare at my refection. I need to stop jumping to conclusions like this. Both Matt and Tyler only like me as a friend and nothing more. I don't need the unwelcome intrusion of one-side feelings screwing this up for me. Satisfied with my decision, I splash some water on my face and take a couple of breaths. Just as I grab a few paper towels, the door swings open and Tyler peers in concerned.

"Jeremy? Are you…what are you doing in here?"

I arch an eyebrow at him. "Tyler, it's the bathroom; why else would I be here?"

"Uh…huh," he says his expression disbelieving.

I tense, hoping, praying he won't question me farther but then he just nods and after I toss away the towels, he walks back to our table with me where Matt waits with our food. I settle down and dig into my burger, inwardly groaning as I chew and swallow my food, not realizing I was this hungry.

After paying, we troop outside and before Matt can object, I climb into the back seat and lie down. Vaguely aware of their concerned looks, I close my eyes and focus on catching a quick snooze before arriving at their house. Almost silently Tyler's car purrs to life and the ride's so smooth that I end up falling asleep.

Groaning, I roll over and blink as I realize it's dark outside. I rub my eyes and glance over at my clock, but it's not there. Realizing I'm not in my room, my eyes snap open and I bolt upright, looking around wildly before remembering Tyler and Matt's offer to stay with them after my earlier fight with Klaus. Then images from what happened at the diner flash unbidden across my memory and I sigh before pushing the covers aside and stumbling around in the dark while blindly groping for the door. Once I find it, I tip toe across the floor and glance up and down the deserted hallway. Overhead an old light buzzes and flickers, casting speckled shadows along the walls and floor. How the hell am I supposed to find them when I don't even know where I am? Hearing voices coming from downstairs, I hurry towards them.

Moonlight spills through one of the windows and warns me of the ground's downward slope into a spiraling stairwell. Carefully, I ease my way down. At the bottom, I stop for a moment and listen, discerning the direction of the voices before once again tracking them. Rounding a corner, I spot Matt, his back to me, sitting in a leather, wingback recliner, arms wrapped around his brother's waist, a brother who is currently straddling his lap—in a non-brotherly way. Confused, I stay in the shadows.

"I can't take this anymore, Matt, it hurts too much," Tyler says as he clutches his brother's shirt. "Why can't he remember us?"

Matt lightly brushes his younger brother's hair back and kisses his forehead. "I don't know, but it's the same every lifetime, Tyler," he says softly, his fingers playing with his shirt hem. "Why should Jere remember us now?"

My breath stills. Why are they talking about me? What do I have to do with any of this? As far as I know and remember, I just met them recently.

Tyler sighs. "I know, but it's so hard, seeing him, touching him, and yet he doesn't remember anything that's happened between us, whereas I do. I just want him back, Matt."

Pulling him closer, Matt rocks him back and forth. "I know, so do I. You two were together a lot longer before I came into the picture, so it makes sense that you're hurting more than me."

"Matt, I can't lose Jere again. I won't survive it this time. I won't," Tyler says softly, tears choking his voice.

Numerous questions tumble through my mind. How could Tyler, Matt and I have been lovers? I've never met them before in my life. What exactly does he mean when he says "this time"? Has this kind of thing occurred before? Unable to hear anymore, I turn and race towards the stairs; unfortunately, my foot catches on the corner of something and sends me stumbling forward, crashing into a table and toppling it over. Something—a lamp?—shatters. I flinch. Seconds later the lights flood the room and then I'm staring up into Tyler and Matt's equally shocked eyes. Weakly I give them a small wave.

"Uh…hi," I say, not knowing what else to say, but it's clear that they know I had been listening to their conversation.

Author's Notes: Merry Christmas, everyone (probably belated by the time you read these but my goal was to post these updates sometime Christmas Day. For a while it didn't look like I would succeed, but thankfully I did. The updates which include:

1) Sweet Surrender Chapter Two

2) Open Your Heart to Us Chapter Thirteen

3) My Pet My Friend My Lover Chapter Two

4) Admit It to Me New Jyler One Shot

Hope you enjoy these as much as I did writing them and to all I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year—may the year 2013 be a lot better than 2012 was!