Will slowly made his way to Horton Town Square. He was nervous about meeting Paul. He wasn't sure how to act around Paul after the fight with Neil. Will would have felt more comfortable meeting at Common Grounds especially if Sonny was there with them.

Spotting Paul sitting at a table fiddling with his phone Will made his way over. He knew Paul would try to convince him to stay away from Neil but couldn't Paul see? Will had to be with Neil. One day Will would realize his feelings for Neil and he would be able to get over Paul. And Sonny. 'Crap, my life sucks.'

Glancing up from his phone Paul saw Will walking over. 'Wow he looks good in blue,' Paul thought admiring how the tight shirt clung to Will's chest and arms. Paul gestured for Will to sit down, "Hey, Will," Paul breathed.

"Hi," Will replied. He tried not to look at Paul for too long. But he couldn't help himself. When they first met Will was a bit too distracted by Sonny to really notice Paul. But over the past few weeks Will realized that Paul was cute in his own way. He had a way of looking at Will that Will had never experienced before. 'Was Neil right? Does Paul like me back? No, it doesn't matter. No one would want me if they had Sonny.'

Sensing Will's discomfort, Paul took Will by the hand, thumb stroking his wrist, "Don't be nervous."

Heart in his throat, Will nodded. He gently let his hand slip out of Paul's and leaned his elbow on the metal table. Wincing in pain, Will forgot that he bruised it falling down yesterday.

Paul, looking deeply concerned, softly touched Will's elbow, bending it forward and backwards and rubbing slightly. "Does it hurt really bad?"

"No," Will told him, eyes wide, "I forgot about it, actually." Looking at Paul's cheek, "It's not as bad as your face right now."

Looking down at the table Paul sighed, "I'm so sorry you got hurt, Will. That was never my intention."

"Why did you do that," Will asked quietly, almost afraid of the answer. "Why did you hit him?"

"I just got so angry Will. I couldn't control myself. Just the thought of him near you makes me so upset. And seeing the way he was touching you and looking at you…I'm sorry I lost control," Paul admitted. He was sorry Will got banged up in the fight but he certainly wasn't sorry he punched Neil in the face. 'He deserved it.'

"I've never seen you like that," Will told him, "You really scared me." Looking at his elbow Will realized Paul was still holding it. Pressing his lips together Will pulled his arm away. It felt as if Paul's hand had burned him through his shirt; marked him for everyone to see.

"I never wanted that to happen," Paul explained, his face crumpled, crushed at the idea that Will could be afraid of him. "I would never hurt you, Will. Trust me."

Cheeks pink and warm, Will nodded slowly, eyes locked on Paul's.

Satisfied that Will understood, Paul moved on to the reason he invited Will to meet him, "Let's just be honest, Will," Paul began, "You can't be with Neil."

A little put off by the wording Will crinkled his brows and asked, "But why?"

"Because the man is a total perve," Paul burst out knowing it was hypocritical of him. But there was a difference between what he did and what Neil did. 'Will knows I wouldn't hurt him. He doesn't know Neil.'

"Neil explained that was a misunderstanding," Will told Paul. 'How am I supposed to get over him if he keeps acting like this?'

"No it wasn't Will. You don't remember but I know what I saw and heard. You couldn't even walk by yourself and he tried to take advantage of you," Paul harshly told Will.

"I was the one that tried to blow him," Will admitted bluntly. He was starting to get annoyed with Paul's attitude. Will wasn't a child. He could date whoever he wanted with or without Paul's approval.

Paul stared at Will in disbelief, "No, you weren't." Paul knew Will wouldn't do that with Neil. 'Not like he did with me. It was different with me. We're different than everyone else.' "And you told me that he was talking about wanting to see you suck him off. That doesn't exactly sound like something he would just casually bring up now does it?"

Will was confused and angry. Fed up with Paul's arrogance, "So what Paul? I can date whoever I want."

"Are you fucking kidding me, Will," Paul asked in outrage. "You're still too young to know what's best for you."

"What," Will demanded, "I'm not a child. You can't tell me what to do!"

"Yes, I can! You deserve more than that Will! Get that through your head," Paul, forgetting himself, screamed in Will's face.

Looking startled, Will shook his head, 'Why can't he see what he's doing to me?' Will got up and tried to rush away. 'I can't do this. Oh my god, I can't be here.'

Frustrated with himself and Will, Paul shoved his chair back and in a few short steps grabbed Will's arm and turned him around. Now face-to-face Paul wrapped Will in a tight embrace. "He doesn't deserve you," Paul whispered in his ear. "No one will ever deserve you."

Will closed his eyes and buried his face in Paul's neck, head shaking weakly. He trembled slightly, thoughts racing in his head. Will promised himself he would hold on to Paul for only a moment longer. Just one moment to memorize Paul's scent and relish in the feeling of being surrounded by his strong arms. Then Will would back away and distance himself, physically and emotionally. 'I can't be around him anymore. I can't,' Will thought desperately. He almost cried out when he felt Paul press a kiss to his blonde hair. As Will steeled himself to pull away he heard someone clear their throat pointedly.

Will jumped away from Paul, eyes blinking away tears. Stomach dropping, Will flushed fiercely when he met the accusing eyes of Adrienne Kiriakis. 'Oh god,' Will thought in horror.

"Will, Paul," Adrienne said in a flat voice. Her keen eyes caught the horrified look on Will Horton's face. But Paul, on the other hand, looked annoyed; almost as if he was upset his cuddle time with Will was interrupted.

"Adrienne, hi," Paul said. He tried to be pleasant but his body still tingled where Will was pressed against him. He would have given just about anything to keep Will in his arms a moment longer.

"I was off to see my son," Adrienne began deliberately, "You know, your fiancé."

Paul sighed deeply and refrained from rolling his eyes, "Yes, I know who he is."

"I wasn't sure you remembered what with that little display I just saw," Adrienne replied sharply.

Sensing a confrontation, Will, feeling slightly sick, explained, "I'm having boy problems. Paul was just giving me advice."

Feeling a bit appeased, Adrienne asked, "Oh, really?"

"Yeah," Paul said still annoyed he had to explain any of his business to Adrienne, "I told Will he was a douche."

"No he's not and it's none of your business in the first place," Will said, aggravated Paul wouldn't back off.

"And I told you he wasn't good enough," Paul said, "You aren't dating him and that's final." Paul crossed his arms and stared at Will. There was no way he was going to let Will near that guy again.

Gritting his teeth Will growled out, "That's not your decision." Nodding his head at Adrienne Will stalked off. 'I have to date Neil. I have to.'

Disturbed by what she was seeing Adrienne hoisted her purse higher on her shoulder and turned to Paul, "I don't know what that was but I don't like it." She too flounced off dramatically.

'Fucking great,' Paul groaned, kicking a stray rock, wishing Neil was around to punch some more.

Will hurried through the park in a daze. He had no destination in mind he just kept focusing on getting as far from Paul as possible. 'Maybe forever,' he thought miserably. Will never imagined he would be the type to go after his friends' boyfriends but here he was. No, maybe that wasn't true. He heard one of Sonny's friends say they wanted to date Neil and Will went with him anyway. He knew someone else was interested in Neil and Will made out with him anyway. 'Oh god, I'm my mother.'

Absolutely petrified by the thought Will walked right into another person without even noticing. Bouncing off a hard frame Will would have fallen right on his butt if not for the quick reflexes of one EJ Dimera.

EJ righted Will before brushing off imaginary creases in his immaculate suit. "William, do be mindful of your surroundings. I thought I taught you as much under my tutelage." Finally looking at Will's face, EJ furrowed his eyebrows in concern. He guided Will to the nearby bench and pushed him to sit.

Will was practically in a stupor. He barely even registered that he was sitting instead of standing and could hardly hear a word EJ said.

Concerned over Will's lack of a response, EJ sighed before going to his old staple with Will-smacking him lightly on the face. He smiled slightly when Will finally blinked and recognition registered in his blue eyes. "Finally, William, honestly I don't have all day."

Will felt his face heat up from embarrassment more so than the actual slap. He vaguely recalled telling someone that he kind of liked being hit by EJ, but the memory was so faint Will couldn't be sure if it was real or not. That was not something he should be thinking about now. Shaking his head clear, Will finally said, "Sorry."

Exhaling deeply and throwing his head back, EJ inquired, "Alright, what is it?"

Will, looking confused, asked, "What's what?"

"As adorable as that confused little face is William, do not play dumb with me. I know you better than that," EJ told Will confidently, "Now tell me what the problem is and I'll make it go away."

"Oh," Will whispered. Shifting nervously Will craned his neck up to look at EJ's face. Satisfied that he didn't look more conniving than usual, Will admitted, "It's nothing. Just boy drama."

The second Will looked down at his feet EJ smirked triumphantly, "Well I was a boy not too long ago. Maybe I can help?"

Will shook his head desperately, "I don't think you can help me this time EJ. Not unless you can make my feelings disappear."

"I'm sure my father has a shot for that somewhere in the mansion," EJ said teasingly. "Now, why do you want your feelings to go away? Samantha told me you were seeing someone."

Rolling his eyes at his mother, Will told EJ, a bit ashamed, "He's not the one I have feelings for."

Raising his eyebrow EJ scooted closer to Will, putting his arm around the back of the bench, "Alright. So who are the feelings for then?"

Will slumped against EJ in despair. "It doesn't matter. Nothing will ever happen. Ever."

"Your self-esteem could use some work, William," EJ noted, 'That's a lesson for another day.' "But, I bet I can guess exactly who you don't want to like. It's Paul isn't it?"

Nodding dejectedly Will leaned his head on EJ's shoulder, closing his eyes.

EJ rubbed Will's arm comfortingly. "And the problem is that he's engaged and you want Sonny out of the way?"

"No," Will said frantically, "The problem is Sonny and Paul are my best friends and I can't feel that way about them."

"Them," EJ questioned in confusion, 'Oh lord.' "I thought you wanted to be with Paul?"

Will turned his head so his face was pressed against EJ's arm, so he wouldn't have to look him in the eyes, "I like them both," Will's muffled voice admitted.

"I see," EJ said. Rolling his eyes, "And they don't like you back?" 'I went from Mayoral problems to teenage love triangles.'

"The problem is I shouldn't like them at all," Will said softly. "They're getting married and I'm just some stupid boy with a crush."

"If it was just a crush I don't think you would be this upset," EJ commented. "Did Sonny or Paul do anything to make you feel unsettled?"

Nodding slightly against EJ's arm, Will admitted, "Yesterday Paul and Sonny ran into Neil and I on our date. Paul got into a fight with Neil."

"And Neil is the boy you've been seeing," EJ confirmed, mind trying to keep up with all the names. 'I let the boy out of my sight and this is what his life turns into.'

"Yeah," Will said, "And Paul ruined our date. He ruined our first date too actually. He keeps trying to keep me away from Neil. "

"Right," EJ said suspiciously, 'Looks like your instincts were right again, Samantha.'

"I'm only seeing Neil so I can try to get over Paul and Sonny but Paul is making it impossible," Will explained, it felt good to finally admit everything he's been conflicted about, "Neil told me that it's because Paul wants me for himself."

EJ nodded his head, "Sounds like this Neil person is intelligent. That's exactly what I think."

"I don't think so," Will said, finally turning his head again so it wasn't smooshed against EJ, "I think he's just being protective. He's got Sonny; he would never want me."

"There's that wonderful self-esteem again, William. Don't sell yourself short. You're a handsome young man and of course Paul would want you," EJ told him with a touch of exasperation. He missed visiting with Will everyday but he certainly didn't miss having to give so many pep talks.

"Even if he did," Will confided in EJ, "Sonny's my best friend. I could never do anything to hurt him. That's why I have to be with Neil. He's the only one that actually wants me. If I can like him instead I won't have to worry about doing anything stupid again."

"Again," EJ questioned in interest. 'How could it possibly get more complicated?'

"I told you that Paul kind of ruined my first date, right," Will began, "Well, Neil and I were at The Spot and I was a little drunk. Paul took me home with him and I took off all my clothes and made an idiot out of myself."

"At least you didn't shoot anyone," EJ mused. Mind racing, EJ was beginning to dislike this Paul character. "And do you know what else happened when you were with Paul that night?"

"Oh ha ha," Will told EJ, punching him lightly on the arm, "But no, I don't remember much of anything from that night. I woke up in Paul's bed with a headache and all gross and sticky. Paul had to tell me what happened."

Alarm bells ringing in his head, EJ pursed his lips. "And you're afraid if you're alone with Paul or Sonny you won't be able to control yourself and jeopardize your friendships?"

"Yes," Will told EJ. He missed their talks. EJ was always able to help him see clearly. 'Ironic since he's always in his own messes.'

"In that case, William, I think you should trust your instincts," EJ told him confidently, "If you think you need to distance yourself from them than do that. Maybe you should talk to that Neil character and go on a date with him again."

Will bobbed his head in agreement, "OK, I will. At least for a few days. And I'll text Neil."

"Very good William. Now honestly, you know you can always come to me when you need advice," EJ insisted. 'You should have come to me sooner.'

"I wasn't sure if you were still upset about the Rafe thing or not," Will admitted sheepishly. That wasn't really his best move.

Rolling his eyes, EJ explained, "I was upset yes, but it's not your fault you're easily manipulated. You're extremely naïve William. Which is why you need me to help clean up your messes."

Pouting slightly Will looked up at EJ with his puppy eyes, "That's not fair."

'Hook, line and sinker,' EJ thought. "Oh don't give me that face."

Will smiled slightly at EJ, feeling lighter than he had in days. "Thank you EJ. You really helped."

"Of course I did," EJ agreed, jostling Will from his side and standing up. "Remember what I said alright? Stay away from Paul and Sonny for now."

Standing up as well, Will agreed, "I promise, EJ." Will stuck his hand out for EJ to shake only for EJ to completely ignore it and pull him into a hug. Will smiled and shook his head, amused.

As Will walked away, EJ watched him before pulling out his phone and dialing, "Yes, it's me. I want you to get as much information as you can about Paul Narita. Everything you can find." 'I've got my eye on you, Narita.'

Adrienne stomped into Common Grounds angrily. Catching sight of Sonny going over papers at a table she marched over. Unannounced Adrienne plopped into the red chair and huffed, "We need to talk about Will Horton."

"Hi, Mom, how are you," Sonny asked sarcastically, eyebrow raised, "I'm fine by the way, thanks for asking."

"I'm serious, Sonny," Adrienne told him, right down to business. She was not in a joking mood.

Sonny looked up at his mom strangely and rolled his eyes, "Will is my friend, Mom."

"It didn't look that way when I saw him all over your fiancé," Adrienne bluntly explained.

"What are you talking about," Sonny asked, heart rate accelerating. 'They were meeting in the square. Nothing could have happened.'

"Just now, Sonny. Your little friend was nuzzling Paul and looked like he was going to die of guilt when I found them," Adrienne explained with a frown. She liked Will, she did but he was still raised by Sami Brady.

"They were meeting this morning to talk about Neil, Mom. Paul was probably comforting him," Sonny said more so to reassure himself than his mother. Logically, he knew that's what was happening but Sonny still felt uneasy. Will did admit he wanted Paul. Was Will accepting comfort or taking liberties? After Paul's display with Neil there was no way Will couldn't see Paul liked him. Sonny still hadn't talked to Paul about the fight either. They ignored each other for the rest of the night. They only talked this morning when Paul told Sonny he was meeting with Will. Sonny agreed with Paul that Neil needed to go. But he still wasn't sure what to do about the state of his relationship.

Either way Sonny would do whatever he could to keep his mother out of it.

Adrienne was not convinced, "I know what I saw and both of them were enjoying that comfort a little too much. I wouldn't trust Will around Paul, Sonny. Not if you want to keep your fiancé."

Offended on Will's behalf, Sonny firmly told his mother, "I trust Will. He would never do anything to betray our friendship. And you need to stay out of my love life."

After staring at her son for a moment Adrienne relented. "Fine." Standing up again Adrienne told Sonny over her shoulder as she walked away, "But I find it interesting that you didn't say you trusted Paul." 'As long as Will Horton is in the picture I'll never stay out of your love life, Sonny.'

Sonny threw the pen he was holding on the table in frustration. The last thing this situation needed was his mother getting involved. Sonny put his head on the table and groaned. He wasn't sure how much more of this he could take.

Lifting his head, Sonny decided something major. Tonight Paul and Sonny were finally going to talk about Will. Everything out on the line. No holding back. Tonight they would figure out what they were going to go.

Sonny pulled out his phone and sent Paul a message:

When I get home we're talking about Will.

Author's note:

With Sami, EJ, and Adrienne on the loose the drama can only pick up. Which one is going to cause the most problems for the couple?

I loved EJ's advice to Will but Will conveniently forgot to mention why Paul ruined his first date with Neil didn't he? EJ wont be happy when he finds out about that.

As always please review and let me know what you think. I get the feeling everyone is going to love the next chapter.

Up next: Sonny and Paul talk about the problems in their relationship as well as Will. They both have different suggestions on how to fix it.