Copyright and Disclaimer: 1. This is a fictional story with fictional characters. 2. No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it, this isn't the story for you.
Hey everyone! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Here's part 12, titled, "Seven Year Itch"
`SEVEN YEAR ITCH'
Seven years have passed since Luke and Shane started dating. Seven years since Benji moved to New York City. Seven years since Patrick broke up with Ford. To say that things have changed for them is an understatement. Luke and Shane are still together, unfortunately it hasn't been a happily ever after.
It happens so quickly and we often times don't even see it coming. The people we thought we knew so well become strangers to us. Time passes by and when we aren't careful, we lose the things that we once valued so deeply.
Luke woke up early and stretched his body as he stepped out of bed. He wanted to get a good four mile run in before the 9 AM appointment he and Shane had. As he was running along the beach he began to think about the early days of his relationship with Shane and how much fun and love they used to have between each other.
FLASHBACK
Luke and Shane have been together for two years before they decided to move in with one another. For six months they have been looking for an apartment and have yet to find one. They've looked at twenty places so far and were starting to think they would never find a good place. The condo they were looking at today seemed to have promise, but they weren't going to hold their breath. However, all that changed when they saw the condo complex from the outside, it was a freshly painted building, fresh, blooming flowers were planted along the outside. They kept their fingers crossed as they stepped inside the condo that was for sale.
"Wow," Luke said when him and Shane entered the large two bedroom condo.
"Unbelievable," Shane added in awe.
"This condo just went on the market yesterday," Shelley, their real estate agent informed them. "It has two bedrooms, recently remodeled kitchen, marble countertops and new tiling on the floor. The bathrooms have also been remodeled."
"Why did the previous owners move?" Luke asked. "I would never leave this place. So what do you think Shane?"
"Is it not evident by the drool on my face?" Shane joked.
Once the two walked into the bedroom they took one look at one another before turning to Shelley and in unison, "We'll take it."
It was one of those perfect moments. The two of them held one another and couldn't stop smiling as they had their first kiss in their new apartment.
END FLASHBACK
The more Luke thought about those good times, the faster he began to run. It's as if he was trying to run back to those times and away from the problems that have been plaguing him and Shane for so long now. He hated this about himself, but he whenever he gets in one of those type of moods where he can't stop thinking about the problems in his relationship, he ends up thinking about Nick, his boyfriend who he loved so much and thought he would spend the rest of his life with. He knew it was wrong to compare, but he couldn't help but wonder what life would be like for him if Nick never died.
A couple hours later it was business as usual with Luke and Shane sitting as far apart from one another the sofa in their therapist's office. Dr. Campbell was one of the top relationship therapist in San Diego. Luke didn't want to go to therapy at first, but Shane convinced him that it would help their relationship and bring them back to where they used to be as a couple.
"Luke, you've been very quiet," Dr. Campbell said as she tucked her long blonde hair behind her ear. "Do you have any thoughts on what Shane said?"
"Excuse me?" Luke asked. He was so busy in his own thoughts that he didn't even hear what Shane said.
"What's the point of doing this if you're not going to listen to me?" Shane asked frustrated.
"I'm sorry, but I have other things on my mind," Luke replied.
"Luke, in order for these sessions to be productive, you need to be active in them," Dr. Campbell pointed out. "We need to know that you are open and receptive to finding solutions to your problems."
"I'm open," Luke said getting frustrated, "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't open to trying to fix us."
"Good," Dr. Campbell replied. "Shane expressed the lack of sex you two have been having. He said it's been two months. Is that true?"
"I think so," Luke nodded. "But it isn't all my fault."
"We're not blaming you," Dr. Campbell explained.
"I have tried making time, but whenever I have time, he's busy with his work or his son!" Luke exploded. "I am not taking the blame for this. I know I'm busy a lot, but he's just as busy!"
"I'm not saying it is your fault. It's a problem that lies within the both of you." Dr. Campbell clarified. "But you are right. Shane does have to stretch himself out pretty thin and I'm sure it makes it very difficult on the two of you."
"So now this is all my fault?" Shane asked.
"Well, we wouldn't be in therapy if you didn't-" Luke began, but Shane cut him off.
"I know what I did," Shane argued. "You don't have to throw it in my face all the time."
"Shane, how are things going with you and your son?" Dr. Campbell asked.
"They're good. Better," Shane said.
"And how are you with his son, Luke?" Dr. Campbell asked.
"I think I'm as good as I can be. Obviously it was weird at first, but I really love the kid," Luke said.
As Dr. Campbell began asking about his son, Shane began to think back to when he found out about him.
FLASHBACK
Shane was packing up some things in his apartment to move over to the new place that him and Luke got together when his doorbell rang.
"Be right there," Shane called out as he ran from his bedroom to the front door. He opened the door to Brenda who was holding the hand of a little infant boy who stood next to her. Shane didn't give the boy much thought at first, he just gave Brenda a hug and smiled, "Hey stranger. I haven't spoken to you in forever. I was worried you didn't want to talk to me anymore since what happened the last time we were together."
"Yeah," Brenda sighed. "That's sort of why I came here."
"What are you talking about?" Shane asked.
"I want to introduce you to someone," Brenda said gesturing to the boy next to her. "His name is Wyatt Greene."
"Wyatt?" Shane asked gravely. He knew the only reason why Brenda would use his surname for the kid's name would be because...
"Your son," Brenda said.
"My son," Shane said in disbelief. "How?"
"I never had the abortion," Brenda replied.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Shane asked.
"I didn't want you to feel obligated. This was a decision I made on my own," Brenda replied. "But after a couple years I just felt that you had the right to know him."
Shane couldn't say anything, he didn't know how to react to this news. In less than a minute he became a father.
END FLASHBACK
"I want you two to work on spending more time with one another," Dr. Campbell said. "How is your sex life?"
"We don't have time for one," Luke said. "He's busy with his work and Wyatt and I'm busy with my job." Their relationship isn't the only thing that's changed significantly in the last seven years. Their work lives have changed as well. When Luke started the blog on the newspaper's website, it boosted his popularity as a columnist and has gotten him hooked-up with a top publisher who has made him a bestselling author, he also does monthly columns for West Coast Style magazine; while Shane worked his way up at the San Diego Bulletin to becoming the editor-in-chief. With their boosted careers, it's no surprise that their relationship took a bit of a hit along the way. It happened gradually, first they had sex three times a week, from there it went down to once a week, it soon moved to every other weekend. Eventually it got to the point where they had to pencil each other in on their busy schedules in order to make time for one
another. It was because of this situation that caused Shane to get Luke's attention in a way that would eventually lead them where they are today.
"Well sex is a very big part of a relationship," Dr. Campbell noted. "I think that you are using work as an excuse to not have sex with each other. I think that there is a deeper issue here."
"And what's that?" Shane asked.
"You tell me," Dr. Campbell replied.
"We don't know each other anymore," Luke realized.
"Exactly," Dr. Campbell agreed. "You two have lost each other over the course of the seven years you've been together. You two need to rediscover what it is you love about the other one."
"It's hard," Luke sighed.
"Why's that?" Dr. Campbell asked.
"Because sometimes I look over at him on the other side of the bed and don't even recognize him," Luke replied.
"Then that's what needs to change," Dr. Campbell said.
Shane looked over at Luke and was hurt to hear that the one person he loved more than anything feels like a stranger to him. In the past he would never stick to a situation so complicated, but he knew with Luke he had to try.
"We'll work on it," Shane promised.
Meanwhile, Ford groggily woke up and looked at the clock on his bedside table. 9:30 AM.
"Shit," Ford moaned. He looked next to him and saw a very hot bartender he brought home with him the night before. Ford tapped the guy on the shoulder to wake him up. "Get up. You need to go."
"What?" the bartender asked groggily waking up.
"You need to get going," Ford said getting up from his bed. He grabbed a fresh pair of boxer-briefs out of his dresser and slipped them on as his bedmate searched for his clothes on the floor.
"So, is there any chance I can see you later?" the bartender asked.
"You know, now's not really a good time for me," Ford replied. "But if things change I'll stop by your work and see you again."
"Do you want my phone number?" the bartender asked.
"Um...sure," Ford shrugged. He could really care less if he got the guy's phone number, he didn't plan to ever call him.
"Well here it is," the bartender said writing it down on a pad of paper that Ford kept on his bedside table. "My name's Lee by the way."
"Good to meet you Lee," Ford said. "I don't mean to be rude, but can you leave now? I have to get going soon."
"Oh sure," Lee replied as he finished putting on his clothes and headed to the door. "I'll see you later."
"Yeah, sure," Ford said closing the door behind Lee. After Lee left, Ford went back to his room and got into bed. He didn't really have to go anywhere, he just needed a reason to get the guy out of his place.
After he crawled back into his bed, he opened his bedside table drawer to take out his planner to see his schedule for the week. As he pulled his planner out of the drawer a picture fell out onto the floor. He picked up the picture and it was an old photo of him and Benji. They both had big goofy grins on their faces and were modeling clothes from the first shipment of clothing that Benji got for his store when it first opened. It was one of the biggest days of Benji's life and Ford was so happy to spend it with him. They had so much fun that day trying on some of the crazy men's fashions that Benji ordered for his boutique. Ford took a moment to think of that day. It's sad that a day he once thought of so fondly is now a day he wishes never happened. He crumbled the photo up and threw it in the trash.
After Luke and Shane got out of therapy they parted ways to start their days. Shane headed to work while Luke went home to work on piece that he was writing for West Coast Style magazine. Since his career took off, he has gotten many top magazines and newspapers asking him to do a piece for them. Luke was happy to oblige and was very proud of the success he's achieved over the past seven years. It's kept him very busy and always doing something new and different. He still works for the San Diego Bulletin, but he just focuses on the blog so he doesn't have to work directly with Shane.
When Luke walked through the door he got a phone call from an old friend from his past.
"Kurt!" Luke answered happily picking up the phone after he saw his name on the caller ID.
"Hey Luke, I hope you don't mind that I called you," Kurt replied.
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm so glad to hear from you," Luke said. It was true, no matter how long it's been, Kurt was someone who will always be close to Luke's heart. Kurt was someone that Luke was very close to in Los Angeles. He was best friends with Luke's old boyfriend, Nick. Even though he didn't keep in touch with Kurt or Nick's other best friend, Leo. They were always people he would love. "So how are you?"
"I'm good," Kurt replied. Luke began to wonder how Kurt has changed, in seven years he's seen how different people can be and how over time you lose touch of who they are. He wondered what Kurt was like, if he was happy, if any part of him was the same person he once knew. He knew at least professionally that Kurt's life was doing well. Since Luke left Los Angeles, Kurt has become a best-selling writer. He wrote a book that was semi-autobiographical about a life as a gay man that wowed critics and readers. He has since written a follow-up book, which was a bestseller as well. "I just wanted to call and check in on you. I'm so glad you have the same cell phone number." Kurt added.
"Yeah, still do," Luke replied. "So tell me what you've been up to."
"Well, a lot," Kurt laughed. "I mean, we haven't talked to each other in years."
"I know," Luke said. "I'm sorry about that, it's just-"
"You don't have to explain. I completely understand," Kurt replied sweetly and understandingly. "I don't blame you for not keeping in touch much."
"Thanks Kurt," Luke smiled. "So what are you up to now besides being a best-selling writer?"
"Did you read my books?" Kurt asked hopeful.
"Of course I did," Luke replied. "I was shocked when I walked past a bookstore and saw it on the shelves. I bought it that day and read it from cover to cover. Thank you for thanking me in the acknowledgement."
"Well, you were a big part of that story," Kurt replied. "Did you like the characters I modeled after you and Nick?"
"I loved them," Luke replied. "You have no idea how much it meant to me to read about it."
"I'm glad," Kurt replied.
"And how's Leo?" Luke asked.
"Honestly, not so great," Kurt replied. "Leo's been working a lot and it's been affecting his relationship with Jesse."
"I see," Luke sighed. That hit a little too close to home for him.
"Yeah, he's gotten a job as a screenwriter and since then he's been so busy all the time," Kurt replied. "I think it's really starting to get to Jesse."
"That's too bad," Luke said. He didn't want to admit that he was in a similar situation with Shane.
"But I'm sure things will work out," Kurt said optimistically. "He's been with Shane for so long, they're bound to work it out, right?"
"Yeah," Luke nodded.
"So listen, the reason why I called is because I was curious what you were doing for Christmas," Kurt asked.
"Christmas? That's over a month away," Luke replied.
"Oh I know, but you know how excited I get about the holidays. I like to plan it all out," Kurt laughed.
"That's true," Luke remembered. For as long as Luke knew him, Kurt always enjoyed the holiday time, it was his favorite time of year. "Well, honestly, I don't have any set plans yet."
"Good, because I want you to come up and have Christmas dinner with me, Leo, Shane and Ryan," Kurt said. "We haven't seen you in so long and I really miss you. Please?"
"Really?" Luke asked. A part of him still was afraid to see Kurt and Leo for fear that it would bring back painful memories of Nick.
"Yeah. I asked you early enough so you can't lie and say you have other plans," Kurt joked.
"That's true. You're pretty sneaky," Luke said. After debating about it, he decided that it would be good for him to see them. "Okay."
"Yeah? Great!" Kurt said happily. "This will be perfect."
"Yeah, it will be good to see you guys again," Luke said.
"So catch me up on your life," Kurt said. "I want to hear everything." As Luke talked with Kurt, he could tell that he hasn't changed much at all over the years. He's still the sweet, kind person he knew from years ago. Luke realized that if he could catch up with Kurt and find the same person he knew so long ago that maybe he could do the same thing with Shane. Maybe after all they've been through, deep down, there is still something there that is the same. For the first time in a long time he had hope that things could be better between them.
After he got off the phone with Kurt, Luke called Shane.
"Hey, I can't talk right now. I have so much to do here," Shane said answering the phone.
"I'll make it quick," Kurt replied. "Dr. Campbell is right. We need to get to know one another again."
"So you really want to work on it?" Shane asked.
"Yes," Luke replied. "But let's take it slowly. How about you, me and Ford go out for drinks tonight?"
"Can we make it for nine o'clock?" Shane asked.
"Definitely," Luke replied. "I'll call up Ford and set it up."
"Great. Thank you Luke. It means a lot that you're willing to do this," Shane said.
"You're welcome," Luke replied. He then hung up and called up Ford to make the arrangements.
That night, Shane, Luke and Ford met at Martini's About Fourth. It's the first time that Ford has gotten together with Shane or Luke in over a week and even then he only hangs with one of them at a time. It's the first time all three have hung out together in a long time.
"It's so weird being here at the same place with both of you," Ford said taking a sip of his dirty martini.
"Yeah, we thought it's been long over due for all of us to hang out," Luke said.
"Does that mean that you two are good again?" Ford asked with an arched eyebrow.
"We're working on it," Shane replied.
"Well, it's nice being here with the two of you," Ford said raising his glass. The three of them clinked glasses and took a sip of their drinks.
"So how are things with you?" Luke asked.
"Things are excellent," Ford replied. "Last night, I picked up the bartender from that new bar downtown, Wave. He was fun."
"That makes it five guys in the past two weeks, right?" Shane asked.
"I don't know. I don't keep count," Ford laughed.
"It still amazes me to hear you talk like this," Luke pointed out. "You were such a romantic when I first met you."
"I know, but a series of bad relationships can taint that," Ford replied. "It's better this way. It's more fun."
"Really?" Shane asked. "It's fun for you?"
"Absolutely," Ford replied. He then looked over at the bar and saw an attractive man eyeing him. "I think I see the man I'm going to be taking home tonight."
"You know who you act like now?" Luke asked.
"Don't even say his name," Ford replied.
"So you really won't talk to him again?" Shane asked.
"No," Ford replied. "He was supposed to be my best friend."
"Yeah, but you can't really blame him for what happened," Luke said. "He needed to stay in New York for his business."
"You guys don't understand. That's not the reason why I hate him," Ford sighed, he didn't want to get into his reason, it was too painful for him. "I don't want to talk about it. He's out of my life and I'm happier this way."
"If you say so," Shane said.
"Well," Luke began, changing the subject, "How's work going?"
"It's busy," Ford replied. "Being food editor is so much harder than just going to restaurants and critiquing the dishes."
"Well, if you want to be the next Craig Clairborne, you have to put in the leg work," Shane noted.
"I know," Ford sighed. "It's just difficult maintaining a social life with my work schedule."
"Tell me about it," Shane agreed. He looked over at Luke and saw that the discussion about work was hitting a sore spot for him. It was one of the things that were pulling them apart. "Okay, enough about work. Let's talk about something else."
"Hold that thought," Ford said. "That guy at the bar I've been checking out just gave me the signal to go and talk to him."
"What's the signal?" Luke asked.
"He winked," Ford replied.
"Definitely the signal," Shane laughed.
"Be back," Ford said getting up from his seat. Luke and Shane couldn't help but laugh as Ford went off to talk his latest plaything.
"I'm not the only one who thinks it's weird seeing him like this, right?" Luke asked.
"You are definitely not the only one," Shane agreed. "But he seems to be enjoying it."
"I guess so," Luke shrugged. "I don't know, I think he misses Benji more than he's letting on."
"What makes you think that?" Shane asked.
"Look at the way he acts now," Luke pointed out. "He acts exactly how Benji used to act. He doesn't get into relationships, he just goes from bed to bed with these random guys."
"You think he's turning himself into Benji because he misses him?" Shane asked.
"Yeah. I think he's trying to be like Benji so he can still have a part of him with him," Luke replied. "That's just my analysis of the situation."
"Makes sense," Shane nodded.
Luke and Shane both watched Ford at the bar as he flirted and playfully caressed the guy's arm with his hand. He even used the same moves and gestures that Benji used to pick up guys. Even though they were both a little worried about him, they just smiled. They knew there was nothing they could do about it right now.
"It's nice being here," Shane said.
"Yeah, it's a cool place," Luke added as he looked around the surroundings of the bar.
"I'm not talking about the bar," Shane said. "I'm talking about being here with you. It's nice."
"It is," Luke agreed. "I'm having a good time."
"Me too, Shane smiled. He reached over and him and look gently touched each other's hands. Shane felt relieved to feel a slight thaw in their icy relationship. "I miss this," he added.
"I do too," Luke said. "You know, despite all our problems, I still love you."
"I know," Shane said. "I love you too."
A few drinks and a some flirting later, Ford took his hot new playmate home with him and tore off his clothes as they proceeded to have sex. Ford loved feeling the weight of a guy on top of him and the sweat between their two bodies as they heated up the room.
After they had sex, Ford was lying in bed with his hot guy lying next to him asleep. Ford stared up at the ceiling. He hated this part of the night, the part where all he could do was lie awake and wait for sleep to come. This was the time of night where he always thought about the same thing. He thought about his old friendship with Benji.
FLASHBACK
Ford was on his way to work when he got a phone call from Benji.
"Hey stranger" Ford said answering the phone. Benji has been really terrible at calling Ford back when he called. The last time he spoke with Ford was over two weeks ago.
"Hey Ford. Sorry I didn't call you back sooner," Benji replied. First thing Ford noticed was that Benji didn't have his usual upbeat voice. He sounded more serious. "You have a minute?"
"Sure," Ford replied. "I'm just about to head into work and talk to my editor." He stopped walking and stepped to the side of the building he worked at and leaned against the wall to have a few minutes to talk to his best friend. "So how's everything?"
"It's good," Benji said. "Work is going well. My store in Manhattan is really taking off."
"That's great," Ford answered happily for his friend. "So you're coming home soon then, right?" It had been about two years since Benji moved to New York and he promised Ford that he would move back to San Diego after a couple years.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Benji said.
"Oh great!" Ford said. "I've been looking forward to the day when we could plan your move back here."
"Listen Ford, my business is really taking off here," Benji said. "There's talk of opening a location in Soho and the Hamptons."
"Wow," Ford smiled. "That's great."
"Yeah and New York is really great," Benji added. "It's the perfect city. It has great shopping, great restaurants, and interesting people. I've made some good friends here."
As Benji spoke fondly of New York, Ford understood why he called him. After a beat, Ford realized, "You're not coming back."
"No," Benji hesitantly admitted.
"I see," Ford nodded. He felt as if a piece of him was taken away forever. "Well, I should get to work."
"Ford, talk to me," Benji begged.
"I'm fine," Ford lied. "Congratulations on your success. I'm glad things are so great in New York. I'll talk to you later." Before Benji could say anything, Ford hung up the phone and wiped a tear from his eye.
END FLASHBACK
Ford sighed softly to himself. He hated to admit it, but he missed Benji. But he also could never forgive him. Ford looked next to him at the guy he just had sex with, who was now sleeping. Even though he pretends that he likes his lie, in truth, he hates the man he's become. He hates the fact that he can't remember the name of the guy next to him he just had sex with. He hated the fact that he doesn't think of romance the same way he used to. He hated that he doesn't see his friends that often anymore. Most of all, he really hated the fact that the man in the mirror he once knew so well was now a stranger.
When Luke and Shane got home, they immediately started undressing one another as they made their way to the bedroom. Shane moaned at the touch of Luke's lips on his neck. He wrapped his arms tightly around him to feel his body on him. "Fuck, I missed this," Shane moaned. Luke took off his shirt and threw it on the ground as they fell onto the bed together and continued to kiss one another. Shane got on top of Luke and began to kiss his chest and slowly lick his way down to his belly button. "You like that?" Shane asked. Luke didn't respond, he just lay quietly looking around the room. He didn't even act like he was enjoying what was going on. "Everything okay?" Again, Luke didn't respond. He seemed lost in his thoughts. "Luke," Shane said, getting his attention.
"Huh?" Luke asked.
"What's going on?" Shane asked.
"I'm sorry," Luke replied sitting up. "I can't do this."
"What?" Shane asked. "But we were having a good time. What happened?"
"I just can't," Luke sighed. He got up and began to head to the bathroom to wash up, but Shane stopped him.
"Talk to me," Shane said. "We're trying to connect again, remember?"
"I can't tonight," Luke replied.
"Why?" Shane asked insistently.
"Because no matter how much I try not to, I keep thinking about the fact that you cheated on me," Luke answered. He then left the bedroom and went to take a shower. Shane sat on the bed alone, knowing things might never go back to the way they used to be.
To Be Continued...
Hope you all enjoyed the big seven-year jump. This set of chapters was really fun for me to write. Things are going to be very juicy this season. I can't wait for you all to read it. If any Phases' readers will notice, the phone call with Kurt will be what prompts Luke to go up to see them during Christmas. Meaning, the upcoming Christmas chapter will feature the characters of Phases' in it. If you want to get a hint and read about his trip to Los Angeles during the holidays, you can read some of it in the last chapter of Phases.' I will be adding a lot more to it when I start writing the Christmas chapter of Luke.' You can find the `Phases' series here: http://www.nifty.org/nifty/gay/adult-friends/phases/
With any comments, questions, or suggestions please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!