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After their first night together, Zeke and Dillan made sure to talk at least once a day. Both men were very busy and finally made tentative plans for the weekend. Dillan wanted Zeke to see the country property and experience the club. He also wanted to bring his love interest to dinner on Sunday night. Thursday night, Zeke called his parents to see how they were doing and tell them about dating Dillan. They reacted as he expected, were very happy for him, and wanted to meet the young man as soon as everyone's schedules permitted. His parents worked at the hospital. Mona Davidson was Chief of Staff, and Elijah Davidson worked as head of security.
Zeke finished his segment for that week's book corner, and he couldn't wait to get home and start packing for his weekend with Dillan. The brunet was also a bit nervous. It would be his first time meeting his boy's family, and he wanted to make a good impression. He was about to leave the set when he was told that the show's producer wanted to see him. The brunet shook his head and headed for the producer's office. He wiped his palms on the front of his jeans and knocked on the door. Zeke opened it and went inside when he heard "enter" from the other side.
"Zeke, thanks for coming so soon." Maya Thornhill smiled and gestured to a plush chair in front of her desk.
"Of course, Maya. What can I do for you?" Zeke shook the producer's extended hand before sitting.
"Zeke, we're considering going in a different direction. Book Corner's holding steady, but we're thinking of trying out a new segment in your time slot."
Zeke looked shocked. "If I'm holding steady, then why change it?"
Maya looked directly into the younger man's eyes. "Honestly, Jerry Mason pitched an idea to us that sounded interesting. He calls it Scene Around Town."
He couldn't believe it. Jerry, his so-called best friend, totally screwed him out of a timeslot. "Maya, do you know how risky it is making a segment change this late in the viewing season? The holidays are coming up, and books are always a hot item for lists."
"Zeke, this isn't gonna be forever. We're giving this idea a shot and seeing if it works out. If it does, then we'll find a different spot for you."
"For cryin' out loud, Maya. We both know that when you change a segment's slot, it means its demise." Zeke was livid and working overtime to keep from strangling the idiotic woman.
Maya sighed. She knew this was gonna be the young man's response. He'd spent hours ensuring that he'd have the viewers needed to make his segment successful. "Look, when you started Book Corner, you were looking for a commentary position or a host. I've got an opening for a crime beat reporter. It'd be a higher pay and more notoriety."
Zeke started at the woman, flabbergasted. "I don't believe you. Do you think I'm a complete idiot? You only have that opening because the other guy got his brains shot out chasing after his next story. I'm not putting myself in danger over this Goddamned show or for your fuckin' ratings."
Maya was not used to hearing Zeke, so worked up usually, the man was the most easy-going person you'd ever want to meet. "Zeke, calm down. I promise this isn't going to be permanent. We're just trying out something new."
Zeke sighed. "Meanwhile, what are my viewers and I supposed to do? They are gonna be totally confused." The brunet couldn't stop the tears dripping down his cheeks. He hated that about himself he'd get so angry that tears were his only release. "What am I supposed to do about my rent, car payment, my life? I've got bills to pay."
"Just borrow from your parents." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Maya knew she'd made a mistake.
"I don't know who the fuckin' hell you think you are, lady." Zeke paused. "Where the fuck do you get your nerve from? Telling me to borrow from my parents to pay bills that aren't theirs to pay?"
Maya shook her head. "You're right, Zeke. I'm mortified I even thought that. Please, forgive me, and let's calmly figure out where to place you while we try this new segment."
Zeke stared directly into his producer's eyes. "Why don't we place me in the competitor's studio." He paused and leaned on the desk with both palms. "I've been getting offers, Maya, better than you've given me, and I turned them down because I know what loyalty is, unlike you and Jerry."
Maya looked shocked. "What does Jerry have to do with this?"
"He's just become, my ex-best friend. I'll be informing him as soon as I leave this fuckin' backstabbing place." Zeke straightened up and stormed out of the office, not bothering to close the door.
Maya stood at her desk, open-mouthed as she watched the retreating young man. That's how Jerry found her a minute or two later. He closed the door and wrapped his arms around the older woman.
"Well, how'd Zeke take the news?"
"I think I just lost the host to one of the most successful segments I've had. He's going to look into other offers." Maya glared at the man holding her. "You'd better hope this idea of yours pans out. This has just cost you your friend."
"What do you mean?" Jerry asked.
"You failed to mention Zeke's your best friend. Excuse me, ex-best friend, as he stated before storming out of here."
"He's just blowing off steam. I'll go talk to him." Jerry kissed Maya and left to find Zeke.
"Yes, this is Zeke Davidson. I'm calling for Mr. Arrington... Yes, I'll hold." Zeke placed the phone on the speaker and waited for the other party to answer.
"Zeke, there you are."
"Get the fuck away from me, you Goddamned asshole." Zeke was so mad he couldn't even think of dealing with Jerry at the moment. The brunet grabbed his papers and phone. He got in his car, slamming the door.
Jerry jumped up and sat on the hood of the car. "I'm not going anywhere until you talk to me."
Zeke growled. He started the engine, then without warning, he threw the car into reverse and sent Jerry sliding to the pavement.
"What the fuck?" Jerry spouted as he got to his feet.
Zeke rolled the window down. "I told you to go away, and you didn't listen. We're through."
The brunet squealed tires and sped out of the parking lot. Zeke slowed down to the speed limit while chatting with the other morning show's producer and working out a new deal for Book Corner's new home. Zeke was exhausted by the time he reached his apartment. He paused and decided to head to Dillan's family's restaurant for dinner, unaware that Jerry had followed him.
"Hey, babe. I wasn't expecting you." Dillan's face lit up as he went up and hugged Zeke.
"I wasn't planning on coming out, but I've had a day from hell." Zeke returned the affection. He was about to follow his boyfriend to a table when his arm was grabbed from behind.
"Hey, bastard, we're not through." Jerry pulled his arm back, then punched Zeke's jaw so hard that the brunet's head whipped to the side. He stumbled into the table behind him, knocking the food over the couple and himself. Jerry was about to pounce on his former friend but was thrust back into the wall by Zeke, using all his leg strength to kick the more muscular man.
After Dillan made sure the customers were okay and then comped their meal, he rushed to Zeke's side. He glared at the man, moaning and leaning against the wall. "I don't know who you are, but you need to leave before I call the police and have you arrested."
Zeke's tears trailed down his cheeks. He was so pissed off. "Jerry, you fuckin' jackass. How the fuck could you do this. Not only did you take my time slot, but you just fucking attacked me."
Jerry wiped the blood from his mouth. "All you had to do was be faithful to me." He sneered. If he was going down, he'd take Zeke down with him. "I come back from being overseas and find you've moved on and didn't break up with me."
"What's he talking about, Zee?" Dillan was getting a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"I don't know, babe, but he's my ex-best friend. He just stole my time slot for Book Corner." Zeke glared at Jerry.
"You're such a fucking cheat and a liar." Jerry got up in a huff. "If you want him, Romeo, he's yours." The redhead stormed out of the restaurant.
Zeke sighed. "I'm sorry for all this trouble, baby." He paused and wiped his tears. "I'll pay for the damages." The brunet started to reach for a hug but was pushed away. "Dill?"
"I don't think we should see each other anymore." Dillan shook his head and walked away as his tears flowed.
"Dillan, please, let me explain." Zeke was lost as his tears streamed down his cheeks. He couldn't understand how the guy he was falling for couldn't even try to give him a chance. He hadn't done anything wrong. The brunet swallowed the lump in his throat and started to leave.
"Zeke, wait, please."
Zeke turned to the speaker and saw he looked like a slightly older and taller version of Dillan.
"I'm Alex, Dillan's brother." Alex paused. "I don't believe what that guy said about you two being a couple."
Zeke couldn't stop himself as he fell into the taller man's body and sobbed on his shoulder. "Why didn't Dill try to understand and listen to me? Jerry and I weren't a couple, and I didn't do anything to deserve Dillan's heartless reaction."
Alex wrapped his arms around the shorter man. "It's not an excuse for his actions, but my brother's been hurt. He is reacting to his past experience." He paused and softly kissed Zeke's forehead. "We've never met, but if you give me a chance to, I'll do my best to get you two back together."
Zeke looked up at the man cuddling him. "Why are you being so loving toward me and so nice?"
Alex softly chuckled. "I've seen the positive changes in my baby bro since he met you. I want that to continue."
Zeke and Alex gave one another a parting hug, then exchanged phone numbers and promised to talk in a couple of days. Zeke tried to salvage his evening and drove to a favorite diner for something to eat. On the way, a drunk driver ran the red light and plowed into Zeke's car, sending it into the other lane. The brunet lay, bleeding in his seat.
Alex went in search of his brother. He found him sobbing in the office. "Is this a private crying session, or can anyone join in?"
Dillan looked up and jumped into his brother's arms. "I can't believe he was a cheater, Lex." The brunet heaved and sobbed more heavily. "We just met, but I could've seen a future with him."
Alex wrapped his arms around his younger brother. "Mio Fratello, I don't think Zeke's been unfaithful to anyone. I certainly don't believe that guy was his boyfriend." Alex paused and raised his brother's chin as he wiped the younger man's tears. "You need to give him the benefit of the doubt and let him explain. You just walked off and didn't ask questions or anything."
Dillan sighed. "I did, didn't I." He looked into Alex's eyes. "Do you think he'll forgive me for not believing him or not giving him a chance?"
Alex hugged his brother and kissed his cheek. "I think he will. I introduced myself, cuddled him, and exchanged numbers with him. I told him I'd do my best to get you boys back together. He was very distraught and confused."
Dillan smiled. "You are good at that. You always make me feel better..." Dillan stopped speaking and turned up the sound on the TV.
"Steve, I'm here at the scene of an accident where Book Corner host Zeke Davidson's car was sent into oncoming traffic after getting hit by a drunk driver."
"Jill, is there any word on Zeke's condition?"
"All we know is that he's been rushed to St. Luke's hospital."
"Thanks, Jill. I'm sure our viewers are joining us in sending their prayers out to their favorite book segment host."
Dillan's breath momentarily stopped, and he swayed back and forth. The brunet's mouth went dry as tears started streaming down his cheeks. Alex had to wrap his arms around the younger man and keep him from falling and hurting himself.
"It's okay, Dillante. I'm sure Zeke's gonna be okay." Alex's tears splashed on his brother's hair as he cradled Dillan.
"What if it's not? The last..."
"Dillante Edward Calandra, stop thinking negatively. You know, that's not going to help anything. Get yourself together, and I'll go with you to the hospital. Mama and Pop will understand."
Dillan nodded and walked into the bathroom. While he was there, Alex went to find his parents and explain what happened with Zeke. Theresa and Carmine's hearts went out to their son and his boyfriend as they prayed for Zeke's recovery and reconciliation with Dillan. Alex returned for his brother and led the weeping young man to his car. He started the engine, and they headed to the hospital.
Mona and Elijah were well into their shifts at St. Luke's when they were alerted that Zeke was in an accident and was brought into the OR. Immediately, they handed their responsibilities off to their associates and met up at the ER desk. They started filling out the paperwork for Zeke's intake as they comforted one another and waited for news on his condition.