***
“Shane.” Shane finally took his eyes off the woman and looked at Chris when he heard Chris say his name.
Tracking down Chris hadn’t been difficult at all. He’d asked to see Chris at the reception area and given his own name. He’d been directed to the bar, where he’d immediately seen Chris, sitting in a cozy corner with a really pretty lady. He’d watched as a waiter had picked up a plate from their table just as the lady slid closer to Chris, their bodies touching. There was an easy intimacy and familiarity between the two which showed how close they were. Shane had suppressed the bolt of pain that had flashed through his chest. Maybe the lady was simply coming on to Chris and nothing more, Shane told himself.
But then Shane saw how the two had stared into each other’s eyes whilst talking and just knew that those two were lovers. No one who saw them together could mistake that they were lovers. Blinding rage and searing pain flashed through Shane, leaving him breathless. He’d almost turned around and left but he knew his legs wouldn’t be able to carry him to his car. He could feel himself shaking and his palms getting damp with perspiration.
He felt cold suddenly and his heart was pounding so hard he feared he was about to have a heart attack. The pain and feeling of betrayal was that extreme. But much as he wanted to leave the place and pretend he hadn’t seen Chris’ betrayal, Shane wanted to confront Chris even more. Taking deep breaths to calm himself, he’d willed his wobbly legs to send him close to the cozy couple. And the guilt that flashed within the eyes of Chris when he’d noticed Shane, was all the answer Shane needed. Chris was cheating on him.
“Shane, it’s not what you think,” Chris said as he got to his feet. “Peaches is…”
“Are you saying you’ve never fucked her?” Shane’s voice was quiet. Too quiet.
Chris went as white as sheet. His initial feeling was fear. Fear that Shane was already thinking the worst. Then he began to feel anger. Blinding anger. Was that what Shane thought of him? That he was capable of cheating on him? After all they’d been through? After all the assurance he’d given to Shane that he was never going to cheat on him? Did his word mean so little to Shane? If Shane thought him capable of cheating on him, then he might as well allow the chips to fall where they may.
Straightening up his spine, Chris looked Shane in the eye and nodded slowly. “I have.” After all, it was the honest answer to Shane’s question.
“Chris…” Peaches groaned beside Chris, drawing Shane’s attention back to her.
Chris didn’t turn to look at Peaches. He kept his eyes on Shane, who was now looking at Peaches. Shane looked up at Chris after a moment and gave a slight nod. Then he turned around and left. Chris sat heavily in his chair, staring unseeingly into space.
“Are you fucking crazy?” Peaches screeched. She didn’t have to be a genius to know that, the gorgeous guy who’d just left was the man Chris was in love with. “What were you thinking?” Chris hadn’t told her exactly what his problem was with his man but it was obvious whatever was eating at him, had to do with Shane. “What did you do?” Peaches groaned.
“Tell the truth,” Chris said stonily. “I need to go back to my suite. Care to join me?” Chris asked as he stood up and picked up the bottle of booze. He really didn’t want to be alone right then.
Peaches took a deep breath and stood up too. “Sure.” Then she followed Chris to his suite.
***
Shane sat in his car at the parking lot of the hotel, shaking with pain, humiliation, and anger whilst going over what had transpired in the bar. So it had come to that huh? Chris had actually been shacking up with that lady for the past three days. Images of Chris entwined with the woman in the throes of passion assailed him. He squeezed his eyes shut against the images in his head, but they wouldn’t go away. Chris had cheated, and then had the nerve to attempt to deny by saying it wasn’t what it looked like. Really? Shane felt dead inside. He couldn’t believe Chris had done that to them. He’d promised!
“Fuck!” He muttered, leaning his head against the steering wheel. It hurt. Fuck, did it hurt.
But what had made Chris decide to confess after all? And why did the lady sound shocked at Chris’ confession? Something wasn’t right, Shane couldn’t help but think. He just couldn’t place a finger on it but something didn’t feel right. And he hated the way Chris looked. He looked sick. Shane gave a short humourless laugh. Even amidst his fury at what had happened, he still couldn’t help but think about Chris’ wellbeing.
“How fucked up is that?” He groaned.
Even though Shane felt betrayed by Chris and was feeling so much hurt and anger, he knew he would forgive Chris anything. There was nothing Chris could do or say that would erase his love for him or draw Shane away from him because Shane knew he couldn’t live without Chris… couldn’t imagine going forward without Chris and live. He’d thought the feeling was mutual but Chris’ latest stunt had told him otherwise and the feeling of betrayal was heart-numbing. What was Chris’ problem, Shane asked himself for the umpteenth time. Then groaning with frustration, he reached out and punched Dr. Murray’s number on his phone.
“Shane.” The man sounded very cheerful considering how they parted ways the last time Shane had been to see him. “What can I do for you?”
“Hello, doctor. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.” Shane said quietly.
“No, no. We can talk. What is it?”
“What exactly is Chris’ problem?” Shane asked.
The doctor went quiet for a moment before responding. “You know I can’t discuss…”
“Bullshit, doc,” Shane growled. “What affects him affects me too and you know it.”