Luke

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! Well, I hope you all are having a wonderful week and are doing great! In the spirit of Thanksgiving coming up in a few weeks, this chapter is a Thanksgiving themed chapter that I hope you all enjoy. It's a very sad chapter for the characters and I hope none of you have a Thanksgiving like the one they have in this story! This chapter is titled, `Everything's Changed.' Enjoy!

`EVERYTHING'S CHANGED'

"Benji, what are you doing here?" Ford asked staring at his former best friend at the doorway of his apartment.

"It's Thanksgiving next week," Benji replied. "I wanted to come here and be with you guys."

"Since when?" Ford asked, he felt his hands grip the doorway frame tighter as his anger grew the more he faced Benji. "It's been three years since you've been back here. Why did you suddenly come now?"

"I missed you," Benji said, "Now give me a hug." Benji reaches out to hug Ford, but he steps back.

"No," Ford retorted. "You can't just come here out of the blue after all this time and act like nothing's changed. Everything has changed."

"Ford, why are you being like this?" Benji asked.

"I don't have time to deal with this shit," Ford replied. "It's getting late and I want to go to bed." With that Ford slammed the door in Benji's face.

ONE WEEK LATER

It was Thanksgiving, the cool fall breeze filled the air. It was a time for friends and family to be together to be thankful for what they have and thankful for the friendships and love they share. However, the spirit of the holiday was lost among four men who were spending the holiday with one another.

Luke was cooking in his kitchen while Ford was chopping up vegetables and ranting about Benji.

"And then that son-of-a-bitch just shows up," Ford said. "Can you believe that?"

"Ford, this is the third time you've told me this story in the past week," Luke replied.

"I'm sorry," Ford said, "But why did you have to invite him over for Thanksgiving dinner?"

"Because he came in town to see us," Luke answered. "And I needed another buffer besides you to take some of the awkwardness away between Shane and me."

"This is going to be the most uncomfortable Thanksgiving ever," Ford sighed.

"I know," Luke answered. "But it's Thanksgiving. We should all be together."

"Aren't you worried about seeing Shane?" Ford asked.

"No," Luke replied. "Him and I agreed that we'd stay friends."

"Stay friends?" Ford asked. "You really think you can do that?"

"I'm going to try," Luke replied.

"I just really wish Benji wasn't coming," Ford groaned, moving the subject back to him again.

"I'm glad he's in town," Luke said. "I know you have your issues with him, but he's a good guy."

"To you maybe," Ford retorted.

"Ford, he had to stay in New York to become successful. You can't blame him for that," Luke said.

"That's not the reason why I'm mad at him," Ford said.

"Then what is it?" Luke asked. "You never really fully explained it to Shane and I. We thought it was because of him not coming back."

"I don't want to get into it," Ford replied.

"Well if you're not going to get into it, then help me with the mashed potatoes," Luke said tossing Ford some potatoes to peel.

Over at the Hyatt hotel, Shane and Benji were both staying there. Until Shane could find an apartment to live in, he decided to live comfortably in one of the suites at the hotel and since he had so much room, Benji stayed with him while he was in town. The two were both getting dressed for dinner at Luke's.

"What is his deal? He can't still be bitter that I stayed in New York, right?" Benji asked. He finished putting his clothes on and was now fixing his hair.

"You know, I should have just gone over to Brenda's place and spent Thanksgiving with her and Wyatt," Shane said, he completely ignored Benji's questions.

"I can't believe you two broke-up," Benji said. "Last time I talked to you, things were great."

"Benji, last time you talked to me was over a year ago," Shane replied. "And I think that's why Ford is mad at you. You aren't exactly the best at keeping in touch."

"I'm sorry. Things are just so hectic back east," Benji replied. "Hopefully I can smooth things out with Ford today."

"I hope so too," Shane said giving Benji a hug. "I'm happy to see you at least. It's been nice hanging out with you this past week. Felt like old times again."

"It was fabulous," Benji smiled. "It would be even more fabulous if you got back together with Luke."

"That's not going to happen," Shane replied. "It's just way too complicated for that."

"Why?" Benji asked.

"Our lives just aren't in sync with one another like they used to be," Shane said. "It just got too hard."

"All relationships are hard," Benji said.

"How would you know?" Shane asked. "You don't date a guy for more than twenty-four hours."

"Not true," Benji smiled.

"What?" Shane asked. "Are you telling me that you're actually dating someone?"

"Maybe," Benji giggled.

"Oh my God," Shane said. "I see you've changed a lot too."

"Well, I guess after so many years of Ford rambling about true love and romance, some finally rubbed off on me," Benji said.

"That's interesting," Shane said. "It's like you two reversed."

"What do you mean?" Benji asked.

"Ford isn't the same guy he once was," Shane said. "He's a bit of a promiscuous one."

"No way," Shane said. "That's impossible. Ford would never do anything like that."

"Hey, it's been a long time since you've seen him. People change. Obviously, I mean, look at you," Shane pointed out. "So who are you dating?"

"Just this guy that I met in New York," Benji said.

"Can you be more vague?" Shane asked sarcastically.

"His name is Donovan," Benji said. "He's technically my boss."

"Your boss?" Shane asked. "I thought you were the boss."

"He's in charge of the company that helped franchise my store," Benji explained.

"How long have you two been dating?" Shane asked.

"About seven months," Benji replied. "Wild, huh?"

"I'll say," Shane replied. "Why didn't you want to spend Thanksgiving with him?"

"He had to spend it with his wife," Benji replied devilishly.

"I see some things never change," Shane laughed.

"I never said I was a perfect angel," Benji replied.

"You're crazy," Shane said. "Come on. Let's head over to Luke's."

"Isn't it your place too?" Benji asked.

"Technically," Shane said. "But I'm looking for a place of my own after the holidays."

"I see," Benji nodded. "Well come on. Let's go."

The two of them grabbed their jackets and headed out over to Luke's.

Twenty minutes later, Shane and Benji arrived at Luke's place. Luke took a couple deep breaths before opening the door.

"Hi," Luke said with a big smile on his face when he opened the door. He wanted to show that he could be cool with the uncomfortable situation.

"Happy Thanksgiving!" Benji said giving Luke a big hug.

"You too," Luke said. "Come on in." Benji walked in past Luke, leaving him and Shane to have a little privacy to say hello to one another.

"Hey," Shane said with a nervous smile. "Happy Thanksgiving."

"You too," Luke replied.

"I brought some wine," Shane said holding up a wine bottle.

"Thanks," Luke said. The two leaned in and gave one another an uncomfortable kiss on the cheeks. "Well, come on in. My home is literally your home."

When they were saying hello to one another, Benji was trying to be friendly with Ford.

"Hey Ford," Benji said with a sincere smile, "Happy Thanksgiving."

"It was," Ford snipped.

"Are you really going to be like this today?" Benji asked.

"As long as you're here, I guess so," Ford retorted. "I will tolerate you for the sake of Luke and Shane, but other than that, you don't exist to me." Ford then walked away to the other side of the living room to get as far away from Benji as possible, considering the limited space.

"I see you two are being friendly," Luke said sarcastically.

"I think we need some drinks," Shane said.

"Absolutely," Benji replied.

Later on that evening after they guys had a couple drinks in them and had some minor small talk they sat at the table in the dining room to eat Thanksgiving dinner.

"So how's New York?" Luke asked Benji as he handed him the turkey.

"Fabulous!" Benji gushed. "You have no idea how amazing it is. It's truly a spectacular place."

"I would love to go there sometime," Shane said.

"That would require you to have time to go," Luke half-joked. Luke didn't mean for it to come across as a jab, but Shane took it as a slap in the face.

"I thought you didn't have to criticize my work schedule anymore since we're not together," Shane shot back.

"It was just a joke," Luke retorted. The two of them both rolled their eyes and took a big sip of their wine.

"Well, this turkey looks amazing," Ford said trying to stop the arguing between Luke and Shane.

"So how are things here?" Benji asked. He knew it was a stupid question, but he didn't want to have an uncomfortable silence form.

"Fine," Luke and Shane both replied.

"Things couldn't be better," Ford said rolling his eyes. The table then grew silent for a couple beats.

"So Benji, tell me some more about your boyfriend," Shane finally said.

"I didn't know you had a boyfriend!" Luke said happily.

"You have a boyfriend?" Ford asked shocked. He then did his best to hide his jealousy and scoffed, "Of course you do. So typical."

"Excuse me Ford, but what the hell have I done to give you the right to be such a little bitch to me?" Benji asked.

"You came back here for starters," Ford retorted.

"I knew this dinner was a stupid idea. We would have all just done our own thing," Shane sighed.

"Forgive me for thinking we could all be friends for one damn day," Luke replied.

"Obviously we can't," Shane said. "How ridiculous is this? We just broke up last week and you think we can just go right back to being friends? Are you that dumb?"

"I must be for ever having seen anything in you," Luke shot at Shane.

"Feelings mutual," Shane said. "I don't know why I ever started liking you."

Luke looked over at Ford and Benji and saw that the two of them were still fighting as well. He glared at Shane and stood up and slammed his fists on the table getting everyone's attention. "This dinner is fucked! This whole dinner is fucked! Thanksgiving is supposed to be about bringing loved ones together. We used to be best friends and now we're screaming at one another! Let's just all agree that this whole evening was a fucked idea and just end it now. I guess we just aren't meant to be friends anymore." Everyone was stunned to silence, Luke has never in his life exploded the way he did. He then left the table and grabbed his jacket and walked out of the condo.

Shane, Ford and Benji all glanced at one another and began to feel horrible for their behavior. Luke had the best of intentions for dinner that evening and they knew that, but their anger towards one another got the best of them.

"I'm going to go talk to him," Shane said getting up and leaving the condo to go after Luke.

After Shane left the condo, Benji and Ford both sat quietly and glanced over at one another. Neither one knew what to say to the other. So much history between the two of them and they couldn't find any words to say to one another. Even though Ford was angry at Benji, he was also sad about their broken friendship. It must have come through in his eyes because Benji could see that sadness in him.

"Ford, what happened?" Benji pleaded. "We used to talk about everything."

"Oh really?" Ford asked, "I beg the differ."

"What does that mean?" Benji asked.

"Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" Ford asked.

"What do you mean?" Benji asked, he had a feeling that he already knew what Ford was talking about. It was something that he hoped Ford would never find out.

"I ran into Patrick a while ago," Ford said. "I think you know what he told me."

"You found out," Benji sighed. He remembered that night clearly. It was a night he wished never happened. It was the worst mistake he ever made and he can't believe that he could have hurt Ford the way he did.

FLASHBACK

Seven years ago, Benji and Shane both hit up Muscles a favorite bar of Benji's to cruise guys. It was by no means an upscale bar, it was dark and had musky, a total dive. Benji was already tipsy since the two of them just got done having drinks and dancing at Numbers. Now all Benji needed to finish his night was to find a guy to bring home for the evening.

"Why do you like this place?" Shane asked as they found a couple free seats at the bar.

"Because all men in here just want one thing," Benji replied as he ordered him and Shane a couple drinks.

"That's disgusting," Shane said.

"We all have urges that need to be satisfied every now and then," Benji replied. "Right now I really need to get some."

Shane looked on the end of the bar and saw a familiar face, "Hey, see that guy down there?" Shane gestured to the end of the bar.

Benji looked to the guy he was pointing at and asked, "Is that Patrick?"

"Yeah," Shane replied. "He and Ford haven't talked since the Red Ball. Why is he at a bar like this?"

"Probably to get what every other guy at this bar wants," Benji retorted sipping his martini. "I'll go talk to him."

"You're drunk," Shane said. "Are you sure talking to him now is a good idea."

"I'm fine!" Benji replied as he downed his martini. "You go home. I'm going to talk to Patrick. If anyone can help him with his problems with Ford, it's Ford's best friend, right?"

Benji made his way over to Patrick and sat down next to him. "Hey Patrick!"

"Oh hey, Benji, right?" Patrick asked.

"Yeah. How are you?" Benji asked.

"I'm sure you know," Patrick replied.

"Hey Patrick," Shane said walking up to them.

"Hey," Patrick replied.

"I'm going to go home, but can you do me a favor and make sure that Benji gets a cab home?" Shane asked.

"Yeah sure," Patrick nodded.

"It was nice seeing you Patrick," Shane said. He then gave Benji a kiss on the forehead; "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Night," Benji said. Shane left, leaving Patrick and Benji alone.

"So how's Ford doing?" Patrick asked.

"I haven't really talked to him since the other night at the Red Ball. He hasn't been in a talking mood," Benji said. "You two haven't talked?"

"No," Patrick replied. "It's just too weird right now."

"Dude, Ford is great. You don't want to lose him," Benji said. "He's the best."

"I know, but I found out some things and I don't know how to deal with it," Patrick replied. "He's partly responsible for my mom getting fired by Chandler's family."

"Yeah, but he didn't know," Benji pointed out. "If he knew he would have never let that happen and I think you know that."

"Logically I do," Patrick sighed, "But there is still a part of me that is skeptical of that world he belongs to. It's a world that as always made me feel like an outsider."

"Ford's not like them," Benji said. "He's loving and caring and sweet. You know he's not like them."

"But-" Patrick began, but Benji cut him off.

"Don't listen to your fears, Ford cares about you and you care about him," Benji said. "That's all that matters."

Patrick was quiet for a minute to let it soak in before he finally began to see the light. "You know, you're right. I'm being an idiot. I should call him."

"Yes!" Benji exclaimed. "But let's have a drink and celebrate first!"

"I think you've already had enough drinks," Patrick said.

"One more won't hurt," Benji said. "Come on!"

"Fine," Patrick relented. "One drink."

Four drinks later the two of them were both wasted and couldn't stop laughing with one another as they talked.

"Thank you so much for talking to me," Patrick slurred.

"Of course!" Benji said wrapping his arm around him. "I just want to see my best friend happy."

"You're such a good guy," Patrick said. "Ford's lucky to have you."

"I know!" Benji laughed. The two of them both wrapped their arms around each other in a friendly hug. The alcohol in them began to hit them harder by each passing second.

The next thing Benji knew he was waking up in his apartment. He squinted his eyes as the sunlight poured through the window. His head was pounding. He drank way too much the night before. Benji closed his eyes and rolled over in his bed and rolled next to another body. He opened his eyes to see who was his current bed partner. Activity like this wasn't new for him, he just wanted to get a good look and make sure his playmate was at least cute. He got more than he bargained for when he saw that his bed partner was Patrick.

"Oh shit," Benji sighed. He committed the worst crime a friend can do to another friend. He slept with Ford's boyfriend.

END FLASHBACK

"You betrayed me," Ford said angrily.

"Ford, I don't even know how it happened," Benji said. "It just happened."

"It just happened?" Ford asked bewildered, "You slept with him while we were dating. How could that have just happened?"

"I don't know," Benji said. "Him and I ran into each other at a bar and we just started talking, at first it was just about you then next thing I knew it was the next day and him and I were in bed together."

"You stabbed me in the back," Ford said. "There is no way I can every forgive you for that."

"Ford, it happened a long time ago and I've felt so guilty about it," Benji said. "I tried telling you the night before I left for New York, but I couldn't. I didn't want to lose you."

"Well you did," Ford snapped.

"Honey, I'm so sorry. I know that sounds pathetic, but it's true. I'm so so sorry," Benji said sincerely. "If there is anything I can do to try and make it up to you, please tell me."

Ford then quickly put back his emotional wall that he built over the past few years. He no longer was the person who wore his heart and his emotions on his sleeve. "I guess in a way I should thank you. Because of that whole situation, it changed me."

"What do you mean?" Benji asked.

"I mean, that whiny, emotional, dependent, romantic Ford that you once knew doesn't exist anymore," Ford replied. "I'm a changed man." Ford gave Benji an icy chill before getting up and leaving Benji alone at the dining table to think about his lost friend.

Out in front of the condo on the beach, Luke was sitting in the sand watching the tide come in. He wished that the water could wash away all the bad and leave a clean slate for him and the other guys to start over. If only it were that simple.

As he was thinking about everything; the ruined Thanksgiving dinner, the ruined relationship with Shane, the ruined friendships with the all of them; Shane walked onto the beach and sat down next to him.

"I'm sorry," Shane said.

"I'm sorry too," Luke replied. "It was naïve of me to think that we could just go back to being friends after everything."

"It wasn't being naïve," Shane said. "It was wishful thinking."

"Yeah," Luke and Shane both chuckled a bit. "So where do we go from here?"

"Well, I think the notion of us being friends again right away is not very logical," Shane said.

"Maybe after today we should just give each other space," Luke added.

"I think that's best," Shane agreed. "We need time to let go of one another and move on."

The two of them both looked at one another with a bit of sadness in their eyes. Neither one wanted to say goodbye to their relationship, but they knew with their lives now it was impossible to stay together.

"So how are we going to share custody of Ford?" Luke asked jokingly, trying to take a bit of the weight off of the conversation.

"I guess we'll trade him every other weekend," Shane replied with a sad smile.

"You know, even though we didn't last, I think we did pretty good," Luke said.

"Me too," Shane nodded. "We learned a lot from each other."

The two of them both got up and gave each other a hug. It was more than just a hug however, it was a hug that said goodbye to seven years of being together, goodbye to seven years of love, devotion, happiness, sadness, good times and bad. It was a hug that said goodbye to everything they've known for so long.

After they hugged the two walked back to the condo together.

Walking inside of the condo they noticed that Ford and Benji were both standing as far apart from each other in the living room as possible.

"I thought I should wait for you two to come back before I leave," Ford said.

"Leave? But you didn't eat anything," Luke pointed out.

"I'm not that hungry," Ford said.

The four of them all walked up to one another and stood in a circle facing each other. Even though they were so close together, they've never felt so far apart. Their friendship has changed, and not for the better.

Shane looked over at the empty dining table and saw all the food sitting there untouched. He knew after tonight things would never be the same so for one last time he wanted the four of them to be together. "Let's eat guys."

"What?" Luke asked. "Seriously?"

"Yeah," Shane nodded. "You went to all the trouble of cooking and it's Thanksgiving. We should all be together."

The other three all looked at one another and despite their problems they all agreed with Shane and they went to the table and sat down to eat Thanksgiving dinner together.

After dinner, Ford said his goodbyes to Luke and Shane and was in the entryway putting his jacket on. He was about to leave, but Benji came up and stopped him.

"Wait a second Ford," Benji said as he stood face to face with him. "I really want to apologize to you again. How can I fix this?"

"You really want to make this right?" Ford asked.

"Yes," Benji said. "I do. Please tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it."

Ford was silent for a minute, he was about to let his guard down again, but the jaded side of him quickly made sure it stayed up and all that came out of his mouth was, "Just go back to New York. I don't need you." He then turned around and walked out of the condo.

When Ford reached his car in the parking lot he sat in the driver's seat for a while just thinking about Benji and everything that has happened. He looked around to make sure he was alone before he covered his face with his hands and began to cry.

After Ford left, Benji walked into the kitchen where Luke and Shane were quietly cleaning up.

"Well that didn't go well," Benji sighed.

"Tried apologizing to him?" Shane asked.

"Yeah," Benji replied.

"I'm sorry," Luke said. "He's definitely changed since you've been gone."

"I'm not going to give up on him though," Benji declared. "He was my best friend once, he'll be my best friend again."

"Why is he so mad at you?" Luke asked. "He never told us."

"It's a long story," Benji replied. He didn't want to tell them about the horrible thing he did. "But I'm going to make it right."

"How you going to do that?" Shane asked.

"Well, I didn't want to say anything just yet because it isn't final, but I might be moving back here," Benji said.

"What?" Shane asked smiling at the news. "Seriously?"

"Yeah," Benji replied. "I came here to look at some houses."

"That would be amazing," Luke said.

"What about your boyfriend?" Shane asked.

"He might move with me," Benji beamed.

"Oh my God!" Shane said giving Benji a hug. "That would be great."

"It hasn't been the same here with out you," Luke smiled.

"Well, it's not decided yet, but it's looking pretty good," Benji said. "So look out San Diego, Benji's back."

"That news is the highlight of this whole day," Luke smiled.

"Definitely," Shane added.

Benji gave them a hug and decided to leave to give the two of them some alone time to talk to one another. "Well, I think I'm going to go take a cab over to my store here and check on some things before I head back to the hotel," Benji said to Shane, "So I'll see you back at the hotel later."

"Sounds good," Shane said.

"It was great seeing you Benji," Luke said giving him a big hug. "When does your flight leave tomorrow?"

"Early," Benji said. "I have to be in New York by three for a meeting. But I'll be back soon."

"You better," Luke said. "Call me if you need any help with the move back."

"I will," Benji promised.

Once Benji left, Shane and Luke both went back to cleaning.

"You don't have to help," Luke said. "I can do the rest."

"It's no problem," Shane said.

"No really," Luke replied. "It's fine."

"Are you sure?" Shane asked. "It's a big mess to clean up still."

"I know, but I can get it all cleaned by myself," Luke replied.

"You sure you can handle the mess on your own?" Shane asked. Luke and Shane soon both realized that they were no longer talking about the dirty dishes in the sink, they were talking about something much deeper.

"I can handle it," Luke said. "It will all eventually get itself cleaned up."

"I hope so," Shane smiled.

"It will," Luke replied. "It won't stay like this forever."

"I'll hold you to that," Shane said.

"You do that," Luke smiled.

"I guess I should get going then," Shane said.

"Yeah, I guess so," Luke said walking Shane to the door.

"Thank you for dinner," Shane said giving Luke a hug.

"No problem," Luke replied. As the two began to pull away from the hug they both lingered closely to one another for a bit. They let their faces get really close to one another. Both wanted to kiss the other so badly, but at the same time they knew it wouldn't do either one of them any good. So after a few more tense moments of closeness between one another they finally stepped apart and distanced themselves.

"Take care," Shane said as he walked out the door.

"Bye," Luke sighed. He watched Shane walk away before closing the door on another chapter of his life.

To Be Continued...

With any comments, questions or feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com. Also, wanted to let you all know that the next chapter will be posted in two weeks. I will be out of town next weekend. Thanks so much!