Falling Out

"LUCIAN?" SHILOH ADMONISHED, shocked by his fiancé's outward rage.

"What the fuck is he doing here Shiloh?" He snarled seizing his arm.

"You're hurting me." Shiloh tried to wrench his arm away from Lucian's unrelenting grip but it only tightened. "He's a customer—I—I didn't— I don't know who—"

"Why are you lying to me?" He spat. "I saw the way you were talking to him. You know him."

"He comes in every so often—"

"Yeah? And you let him eye fuck you like that—"

"Lucian, no, I would never—" Shiloh stammered, stunned by the way Lucian was chastising him in public.

"What does he want?" Lucian barked. "Tell me."

Shiloh jumped at his tone, tears springing to his eyes.

Blunt nails dug into his skin, and Shiloh whimpered as Lucian's face transformed into something ugly— monstrous. With smoldering eyes, Shiloh could feel the heat rolling off Lucian in waves and the blood boiling under his skin. It was a look he had seen before but never directed at him. The hold on his arm hurt and he could feel a bruise forming underneath the flesh, but he didn't understand. What did Lucian have against Marcus?

"He—he just talks about going out on dates. He keeps asking me out that's it I swear Lucian and I turn him down all the time. It's just harmless flirting—"

"No," Lucian says lowly, then releasing his arm. "Never harmless."

Shiloh cradles it to his chest, gaping openly at his fiancé. Both of them stand there in the middle of the restaurant glaring at each other. Lucian's eyes are cold and distrusting as they rack up and down his body accusingly as if he's done something wrong. After a few moments Lucian calms down, his breath evens out and he sighs.

"I'm sorry." He looked reproachful. "Let me see."

Tenderly he pulls Shiloh's arm from his chest and looks down at his arm which is slightly bruised, with red marks but beyond that everything seems fine.

"It's okay." Shiloh finds himself saying even though it's anything but okay.

"No…I shouldn't have reacted like that…I'm a jackass." Lucian replied, running his fingers over the discolored skin.

"It wouldn't be the first time…" Shiloh tried to smile, but it mangled on his face.

"It won't happen again," Lucian places a tiny kiss on his hand. "You'll need some ice."

"No, I'm fine really," Shiloh answered.

"Okay."

There's an awkward silence where neither of them knows what to say. Shiloh can feel his questions bubbling to the surface, but his mouth remains shut.

Lucian looks at his watch and then curses. "I should get back to the office, I'm sorry I won't be able to take you out for lunch today."

"Okay." For some reason, he feels relief. "Maybe next time."

Lucian nods. "Look, it's—I trust you, okay, I know you would never—do anything like that so don't think otherwise...It's him I don't trust."

"Okay," he says again, for lack of better words.

"Alright," Lucian shuffles his feet, then shoves his hands into his pocket. "I'll see you at home for dinner?"

"Umm, yeah, after I go shopping with Adam."

"Okay," Lucian places a tiny peck on his lips. "I love you and stay safe. Kyle and Chris will be here shortly."

He wants to protest but the possessive hand Lucian has on his waist makes him decide against it. They part ways with a hurried goodbye and Shiloh has to go back to work.

The dull ache in his arm increases.

iIi

WEAVING THEIR WAY through people Shiloh managed to avoid hitting an old lady in the face with his shopping bag. It was late in the day and he had decided to do a little last-minute shopping with one of Lucian's work friends, Adam. They had become acquainted when Lucian mentioned that another gay couple at work was getting engaged and before he knew it an ecstatic, hyperactive person was calling him demanding that they share wedding ideas.

At first, he had been slightly annoyed at Lucian for setting him up with his work friends, mostly because he didn't want to feel like a charity case, but after a few lengthy conversations over the phone with Adam—and Jaiden occasionally chiming in—he realized that he liked him and they became inseparable. Adam was a young man, handsome with a flamboyant flair and contagious energy. His hair was the color of the sun, styled in a wild and playful manner. His style was bold and unique, always standing out in a crowd.

"Oh, Shiloh look at this!" Adam squealed staring at a Welcome Home mat. "It's perfect."

Shiloh laughed. "You don't even own a house."

"I will someday and when I do I want it to say Welcome Home Homo's—oh, I wonder if you can get them custom designed? When I own a home I'll put rainbows, glitter, and a bunch of flags all around my yard because I am fabulous and everyone should know it." Adam gave Shiloh a cheeky smile. He moved with a light step as if dancing to an unheard melody, and his every gesture was as expressive as a symphony. "What about you, honey?"

"Well, I don't think that I'll go all out like you but maybe something sweet and simple. Rainbow flags can look tacky after a while." Shiloh replied browsing through the woolly towels.

"Tacky? Girl please." Adam rolled his eyes. "If you want to see something tacky you should have seen Jaiden before he met me."

Shiloh laughed. "How long have you been together?"

"Six years and counting," Adam said picking up a towel and then wrinkling his nose. His features were delicate as if carved by a master sculptor, his eyes were blue as the summer sky. "Sometimes that man drives me crazy but love is love."

Shiloh mumbled a reply and continued to look around.

"Trouble in paradise...?" Adam asked.

When there was no response Adam nudged Shiloh's shoulders trying to regain his attention.

"I'm sorry, what?" Shiloh asked looking startled.

"You've been out of it all morning. Not even the hug sale they're having at H&M got you excited." Adam said, frowning. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Shiloh said quickly.

Adam gave him a pointed look.

Shiloh sighed. "Have you ever felt... I don't know... left out of Jaiden's life?"

Adam tensed for a moment. "I'm not sure what you mean?"

"Like he was hiding something from you? I know you work for Lucian too so you must know something about what exactly he does—"

"All I take is his phone calls," Adam replied, waving his hand dismissively. "Now let's go shopping for some new jeans."

The subject was dropped after that.

Shiloh couldn't help but feel that Adam had completely evaded the question. It was like one big practical joke that he wasn't in on.

"Do you want to come over to look at wedding magazines?" Adam asked on their way out of the mall.

"Yeah, okay," Shiloh readily agreed and inwardly groaned when he spotted Kyle and Chris trailing behind them. Quickening his pace, they walked towards Adam's car and got in.

Being with Adam was always easier because he was so easygoing and friendly, looking at wedding magazines with him was a thousand times better than with Lucian's family because at least Adam listened to his ideas, even if he didn't necessarily agree. The drive to Adam's apartment was quiet, both of them a little lost in their thoughts.

"How did you know Jaiden was the one?" Shiloh found himself asking.

"I just know…How do you know you're supposed to breathe? You don't, your body just does." Adam replied. "Having second thoughts?"

"No," He answered. "I know I'm supposed to spend the rest of my life with Lucian."

"Then why question it?"

Shiloh didn't respond and Adam didn't push for an answer.

When they arrive at the small apartment on a lower east side Adam is talking animatedly about a suit, he saw a few weeks ago at a shop and how it would look perfect for him because it had coral blue stitching. This piqued Shiloh's interest because he knew he didn't want to have a traditional wedding and he also didn't want to wear white. They took the elevator to the fourth floor and Adam opened the door to his apartment.

Toeing off his shoes he smiled at the quaint, tasteful foyer that looked like something out of a magazine. Everything was color co-ordinate, stylish, and well thought out with a cream-colored wall and a beige couch in the living room.

"Baby…?" Adam called, throwing his jacket on the hook.

"In here!" A voice called from the kitchen.

Shiloh lingered in the living room slash dining room with his coat on, he could hear hush voicing from the kitchen and soon Adam and Jaiden emerged together.

"I don't think we've been formally introduced," a man said his entire frame filling the doorway. "My name is Jaiden." He was an older man, his imposing presence commanded respect. His features were handsome and rugged, with a thick beard that covered his strong jawline.

Shiloh's face heated, taking in Jaiden's hair which was the color of rich soil, styled shortly and neatly. Now wonder if Adam was obsessed. Jaiden's body was burly as if he could lift a car with ease and his movements were as steady as a rock.

They shook hands. "Yeah, you have a lovely place." Shiloh offered.

"Thanks, but as you've probably guessed I had absolutely nothing to do with it." Jaiden laughed, his eyes were as deep as a well, and his expression was stern, hinting at a strong will and determination.

"Yeah, he just stands there and looks pretty," Adam said. "Jaiden doesn't know Navy Blue from Indigo."

"Hey, I know the difference!"

"Really? Because if you did you would know that there isn't one. They're the same thing." Adam said rolling his eyes. "Are you staying for dinner, honey?"

"No, I have to get back to make Lucian dinner. He's hopeless without me."

"I know," Adam said. "This one is the same way."

"And I'm done here," Jaiden said grabbing his coat. "I just got called into work, so I'll see you tonight." He kissed Adam soundly on the lips, slapping his ass a few times before letting go. "Shiloh it was a pleasure meeting you."

Nodding he watched Jaiden leave before turning back to Adam who had a slightly glazed look. A few seconds later he snapped out of it and smiled at Shiloh.

"Shall we get started?"

"Sure."