The Beach House - 2. Chapter 2

Eric went into the beach house and started preparing dinner. I had set the BBQ up on the deck, and the rest of the guys had decided to play in the water.

It felt so good to be out here—the warm summer air and the cool ocean breeze played off of each other perfectly. For a moment, it felt like everything was just as it used to be.

From where I stood, I could see the others splashing around in the waves. Michael and Jason were horsing around, laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world. At one point, Michael grabbed Jason around the waist, lifting him clean off the ground before tossing him into the water with a splash. Jason came up sputtering, but he was smiling, and Michael was already running through the water to help him up, slicking his hair back to get it out of his eyes.

I couldn’t help but notice how well they got along, how easily they fit together. There was something about the way Jason smiled at Michael—a kind of happiness I hadn’t seen in a while. Shawn was watching them too, a small smile on his face, though there was something almost wistful in his eyes. I wondered if he was thinking the same thing I was: that maybe there was something more there, something unspoken.

Eric brought out the burgers and buns, and I started cooking them. I set the temperature on the BBQ to its lowest setting. Once everyone got horsing around, I knew they wouldn't be back for a while.

I suggested to Eric that he go out and enjoy the sun, sand, and waves, but he shook his head with a smile. “I’d rather stay here with you and help,” he said.

I watched as he went back inside to set up the table, grabbing the condiments and all the other fixings. As he worked, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for him. He was always willing to help, always thinking of the little things that made everyone feel at home. I wished he could relax more, but maybe this was his way of easing into being here. The others were out there, splashing in the waves, and for a moment, I envied them—the simplicity of just letting go and having fun.

Shawn had been acting a bit different today—more energized, almost nervous. He kept glancing at Jason, then at the rest of us, as if he was waiting for the right moment to say something. I figured he’d tell us when he was ready.

“Dinner’s ready!” I called, flipping the last burger onto a plate. The guys, dripping wet from the ocean, came up onto the deck, laughing and talking over each other.

We all settled around the table—burgers, chips, and drinks scattered across the wooden surface. Just as we were about to start eating, the sound of a car pulling up interrupted us. We all paused, glancing at each other. No one else was supposed to be joining us.

“Who could that be?” Jason asked, his brow furrowing.

“Probably just someone lost,” I replied, though I wasn't entirely sure. We heard the car door shut, followed by the familiar sound of footsteps approaching on the wooden pathway. There was a knock on the door, and before anyone could react, Shawn bolted up from his chair, practically sprinting to answer it.

When he opened the door, there stood Tom, with his bags and a big smile on his face. Without waiting for an invitation, he walked in, dropped his bag by the door, and greeted everyone with a casual, “Hey, guys! Hope there’s room for one more.”

An uncomfortable silence settled over the room. No one had invited Tom. We all exchanged glances, confusion and surprise evident on our faces.

Shawn, still beaming, finally spoke up. “I invited him,” he said, his voice almost giddy. He looked at Tom with a kind of admiration that made my stomach twist.

There was a beat of awkwardness, but then Jason forced a smile. “Uh, yeah, of course. Grab a seat,” he said, though I could tell he wasn’t thrilled.

Shawn hurried to grab another chair and set a place for Tom at the table. Tom, without missing a beat, helped himself to some food, settling in like he belonged here.

We all resumed eating, but the atmosphere had changed. The easy laughter from earlier was replaced by a strange tension, everyone trying to act normal while stealing glances at Shawn and Tom. I couldn’t help but wonder why Tom was really here, and why Shawn seemed so excited about it.

From across the table, Eric caught my eye, his expression mirroring my own unease. I knew we were all thinking the same thing: this wasn’t part of the plan, and now that Tom was here, everything felt different.

Later, after dinner, we all gathered on the beach. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the sky was filled with deep purples and blues. A bonfire crackled in front of us, sending sparks into the air, the warmth of the flames warding off the evening chill.

We sat in a circle, the glow of the fire lighting up our faces. Shawn had been unusually quiet since dinner, his eyes darting to Tom every so often, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. I could tell something was still on his mind.

Tom was seated next to Shawn, his arm draped casually over the back of Shawn’s chair. The rest of us exchanged small talk, trying to keep things light, but there was an undeniable tension in the air.

Finally, Shawn cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. He looked around the circle, his gaze lingering on each of us before he spoke. “So, uh, I have something I want to share with you guys,” he said, his voice shaky but filled with excitement.

He glanced at Tom, who nodded, a smug smile on his face. Shawn took a deep breath. “Tom and I… we’re engaged!”

The words hung in the air for a moment, and I could feel the shock ripple through the group. The crackling of the fire seemed louder in the sudden silence.

Jason was a bit stunned when he heard the news. I saw it immediately but didn't press anything—it wasn't the right time or place. Michael noticed it too, but he also kept quiet.

Jason was the first to react, though his smile looked forced. “Wow, Shawn. That’s… big news,” he said, raising his drink slightly in an awkward toast.

“I’ve always liked Shawn, but could never say the right words to him. We’ve been dating on and off for a few months. I told him we should keep it quiet… but here we are!” said Tom.

Eric shifted uncomfortably beside me, his eyes flicking between Shawn and Tom. Michael, usually quick with a joke or a comment, seemed to be at a loss for words, his expression carefully neutral.

Shawn beamed, clearly not picking up on the awkwardness. “I know it’s sudden, but it just feels right, you know? Tom is amazing, and I couldn’t wait to share the news with all of you.”

“Yeah, if you’re happy, that’s what matters,” I said, though I could hear the hesitation in my own voice. I glanced at Eric, who gave me a tight-lipped smile, his eyes betraying his concern.

The fire crackled, and for a moment, no one spoke. The only sound was the waves lapping gently against the shore. It was clear we were all struggling to process the news, each of us grappling with our own thoughts about Tom and what this meant for Shawn.

Eventually, Michael cleared his throat, trying to break the tension. “Well, congrats, man. I mean it. Here’s to new beginnings,” he said, raising his drink higher, and we all followed suit, though the cheers were subdued.

Shawn, oblivious to the discomfort, leaned into Tom, who gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. After the announcement was made, both Shawn and Tom got up and, hand in hand, walked down the beach with only the moonlight to guide their steps.

From a distance, they looked good together. But I couldn't help but wonder about the suddenness of all this. I mean, we didn't even know he was dating anyone, let alone Tom, and then to announce getting engaged. I looked away, focusing on the fire, the unease in my chest growing heavier.

Later, as the fire began to die down, Eric and I found ourselves alone on the edge of the circle, the others either chatting quietly or staring into the flames. Eric leaned back on his hands, staring up at the stars. “I didn’t see that coming,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Me neither,” I admitted. “I just… I don’t know if Tom’s the best for him, you know?”

Eric nodded, his gaze still fixed on the sky. “I get it. And I don’t think Shawn really understands what he’s getting into.” He paused, then glanced at me. “It kind of makes me think about us, too. Big decisions, and all that.”

My heart tightened. I wanted to say the right thing, to reassure him. But the words felt tangled up in my chest. “We’ll be okay,” I said, but even I could hear the uncertainty in my voice.

Shawn’s laughter drifted over from the bonfire, his happiness clear even from a distance. I looked at Eric beside me, his face half-lit by the glow of the fire. The unease between us was growing, like a shadow cast by the flickering flames. I just hoped, somehow, that we could all make it through this weekend without everything falling apart.

The next morning, we all woke up early to start the day, not wanting it to go to waste. Eric and I were in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Jason and Michael were outside, and I couldn't help but notice that they had gotten closer since yesterday, though there was still no indication that either of them had said anything about their feelings.

Shawn and Tom were the last to wake up. Shawn was out of the room first, absolutely beaming. He came up behind Eric and me, putting his arm on our shoulders, and asked how we were. He thanked us for supporting him yesterday, his excitement still palpable.

“Morning, guys,” Tom said, strolling in behind Shawn, his hair tousled and a smug smile on his face. He moved closer to Shawn, wrapping an arm around his waist. “Hope we’re not too late for breakfast.”

“Not at all,” Eric replied, though I could tell he was already on edge.

Eric had planned some group activities for all of us after breakfast, and then we'd go on a short hike a little later in the morning. As Eric started explaining the plan, Tom interrupted.

“A hike sounds good, but I was thinking, why don’t we do something a bit more exciting? There’s a spot a bit further down the coast that has amazing views. It’s a bit of a climb, but totally worth it,” Tom suggested, his tone confident.

Eric hesitated, glancing at me. “Uh, yeah, that could work. I just thought—”

“No worries, man,” Tom said, clapping Eric on the shoulder a little too hard. “We’ll make it work. Right, Shawn?”

Shawn nodded eagerly. “Yeah, that sounds awesome, babe.”

Eric forced a smile, but I could see the tension in his jaw. I shot him a supportive look, but it was clear that Tom was starting to push his way into leading things, and Eric was being sidelined.

Jason and Michael came back inside just then, Jason’s face slightly flushed from the chill morning air. They both took in the scene—Tom standing confidently, Shawn glued to his side, Eric looking slightly deflated.

“Morning,” Jason said, raising an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, just planning out the day,” Tom said, smiling. “We’re gonna head out for a hike after breakfast. I’ve got a spot in mind that’ll blow everyone’s minds.”

Jason glanced at Eric, then back at Tom. “Sure. Sounds good,” he said, though there was a hint of reluctance in his voice.

As we sat down to eat, Tom leaned over to Shawn, whispering something in his ear that made Shawn laugh, a blush creeping across his cheeks. It was clear that Shawn was basking in Tom's attention, and I couldn't help but feel uneasy about the whole thing.

After breakfast, we all ended up in the living room, lounging around with the windows open to let in the salty ocean breeze. Someone—I think it was Michael—suggested we play a game. Before I knew it, we’d settled on “Truth or Dare.”

Tom leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. “Alright, let’s make this interesting,” he said. His eyes flicked to Jason. “Jason, truth or dare?”

Jason raised an eyebrow, clearly hesitant. “Uh… truth.”

Tom grinned. “Okay. Tell us about the last time you regretted not speaking up about something.”

Jason shot me a quick glance, his lips pressing into a thin line. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully. “Well, I guess… there was someone I should have told how I felt a long time ago. But I never did.” His eyes shifted to the floor, and for a moment, I saw a flash of vulnerability before he looked back up, forcing a smile. “That’s it.”

There was a beat of silence, the tension in the room palpable. Michael looked away, his expression unreadable.

“Your turn, Jason,” Tom said, the smirk still on his face. He seemed to be enjoying this, pushing us all into uncomfortable territory.

Jason’s eyes flicked towards Shawn. “Shawn, truth or dare?”

Shawn grinned, eager. “Dare.”

Jason seemed to consider his options before he spoke. “I dare you to… go five minutes without holding Tom’s hand.”

The room burst into awkward laughter. Shawn blushed, but he played along, sliding his hand away from Tom’s. Tom’s smile faltered, just for a moment, before he leaned in and whispered something in Shawn’s ear. Shawn laughed nervously, his eyes flicking to us, and I could feel the unease growing.

It was a silly game, but the tension was real. The way Tom seemed to take control, the way he pushed Jason, made everyone on edge. And as I watched, I could see the cracks beginning to show, the fault lines that might just split us apart before the weekend was over.

The group was silent for a moment. I could feel the tension building, like something was about to break.

Jason shifted, as if steeling himself. He cleared his throat. “Tom,” he said, his voice louder than before. “Truth or dare?”

Tom raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting the question. He leaned forward, a smug look on his face. “Truth.”

Jason hesitated, his eyes flicking to Shawn, then back to Tom. “Tell us about… that one night. You know, the fling.”

The air seemed to freeze, and the room suddenly felt much hotter even with the ocean breeze coming in from the open windows. Tom’s smirk faltered for a split second, and I saw Shawn’s confused expression as he looked from Tom to Jason.

“Oh, that,” Tom said, trying to brush it off with a casual laugh. “Jason and I had a… let’s say, an encounter. A one-time thing, before Shawn and I got together. No big deal.” He looked at Shawn, his expression softening. “It was nothing, really.”

But the tension didn’t lift. Shawn blinked, his smile faltering, and for a moment, the only sound was the distant crashing of waves. I watched as Jason looked down, his face flushed, while Michael’s eyes widened, darting between them all.

Shawn forced a laugh, though it sounded strained. “Oh… well, I didn’t know that,” he said, his voice trailing off.

Tom quickly leaned in, wrapping an arm around Shawn. “It doesn’t matter, babe. It was just a mistake, a long time ago.”

But as I watched Shawn’s eyes, I could see the hurt behind them, a flicker of doubt that Tom’s reassurances couldn’t quite extinguish. The rest of us exchanged uneasy glances, and it felt like the air had grown impossibly thick.

The game fizzled out after that, everyone suddenly too tired to continue.

But just as the tension seemed to dissipate, Jason suddenly stood up, his eyes locked on Tom. "You know what, Tom? I'm not just going to let that slide," Jason said, his voice trembling with anger.

Tom looked up, surprised. "What are you talking about?"

"Calling what we had a mistake? I don’t care that it was a one-night stand - but a mistake!" Jason's voice was rising, his face flushed with emotion. "You think you can just walk in here and act like none of it mattered? Like you're not here manipulating Shawn the same way you manipulated me? What did you promise me? Do you remember that?"

Tom's expression darkened. He stood up as well, facing Jason. "Calm down, Jason. It was a long time ago. It doesn't matter anymore."

"It matters to me!" Jason shot back. "And it should matter to Shawn, too. You're not welcome here, Tom. You never were. And you know why? Because we all see right through you. You're using Shawn, just like you used me. And the worst part is, you know he's naive enough to fall for it."

The rest of us sat frozen, the air around us thick with shock. No one had ever seen Jason like this—so raw, so furious. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by something fierce and unfiltered.

Tom's face hardened, his jaw clenched. "You don't know what you're talking about. Shawn and I are happy. You’re just jealous because you never had the guts to say what you wanted until it was too late. Why don’t you tell Michael?"

Hearing his name, Michael's eyes widened. He wondered what else wasn’t being said that should have been said.

Jason let out a bitter laugh. "Fuck off with that. That’s none of your business—leave Michael out of this." Quickly Jason looks to Michael, then turns back to Tom, his voice rising. "You really think that's it? That I'm jealous? No, Tom. I'm just tired of watching you hurt people I care about. You don’t belong here, and deep down, I think you know it. Even now you can’t admit to doing anything wrong. You always deflect. You never take responsibility for anything."

Shawn's face had gone pale, his eyes darting between Jason and Tom, his mouth opening as if to say something but no words coming out. The rest of us exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of what to do.

"Jason, enough," I finally said, stepping between them. "This isn't the way to handle it. Let's all just take a breather."

But Jason shook his head, his eyes never leaving Tom's. "No, Jeremy. Someone needs to say it. We all know it, we’ve just been too polite to speak up. Tom's a liar and a user, and he doesn’t care about anyone but himself."

The silence that followed was deafening. Finally, Tom grabbed his bag, his expression cold. "You all enjoy your little getaway," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. He turned to Shawn. "Come on, Shawn. Let's get out of here."

Shawn hesitated, looking torn. But Jason's words had clearly shaken him. He looked at Tom, then at the rest of us, uncertainty written all over his face.

"Shawn, you don't have to go," Michael said quietly, his voice gentle. "Stay. You deserve better than this."

Shawn stood there for a moment longer, then slowly shook his head. "I… I need some time to think," he said, his voice barely audible.

Tom's expression hardened, but he said nothing more. He turned and walked away, his footsteps heavy on the wooden path leading back to the car.

Shawn watched him go, his eyes glistening, and then sank down onto the sofa, his head in his hands. None of us moved. We were all too stunned by what had just happened.

One by one, we retreated back into ourselves, the silence growing heavier each of us grappling with the harsh truths that had been laid bare.

I noticed Shawn still sitting there, staring at the ground, his expression a mix of confusion and hurt. Slowly, I walked over and sat down beside him. He looked up at me, his eyes red-rimmed, and I could tell he was struggling to process everything that had just happened.

"Hey," I said softly, nudging his shoulder. "I know that was a lot. It wasn't right, what just happened. The way it all came out... it shouldn't have been like that."

Shawn gave me a small, sad smile. "I just... I didn't know, Jeremy. I thought I knew Tom, but now..."

I nodded, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Listen, Jason was angry, and maybe this wasn't the best way for him to say it, but... he's not wrong. Tom isn't honest, Shawn. And you deserve someone who is. You deserve someone who really cares about you, not just someone who wants to control you."

Shawn's eyes filled with tears, and he quickly wiped them away. "Do you really think that? That I deserve better?"

I looked up, glancing around the circle. Everyone else was watching, their expressions filled with a mix of sympathy and worry. I took a deep breath and spoke, my voice steady. "We all think that, Shawn. Jason is right—Tom's not the person you think he is. You can do better. But maybe... maybe we should have handled it differently. Maybe this wasn't the right way to go about it."

Shawn sniffed, nodding slowly. "Yeah... maybe."

I gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We're here for you, okay? No matter what. Just take your time. You don't have to make any decisions right now."

Shawn looked at me, his eyes filled with uncertainty but also gratitude. "Thanks, Jeremy," he whispered.

I smiled. "Anytime, buddy."

Shawn nodded again, then slowly stood up. "I think... I just need to lie down for a bit," he said quietly. He turned and made his way back to the bedroom, his shoulders slumped. It was clear that he was still in shock, unsure of what to do or say after everything that had happened.

I watched him go, my heart heavy. Once he was in the room and had closed the door, I stood up and walked over to where Jason and Michael were sitting. They both looked up at me, their expressions a mix of guilt and concern.

"You two need to talk," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "I promised Michael I wouldn't say anything, but after everything Tom just hinted at, I think it's time you both clear the air. You need to talk before we all go our separate ways."

Jason glanced at Michael, who looked down at his hands, his face flushed. There was a long pause before Michael finally nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "Yeah... I think you're right."

Jason nodded and stood up, gesturing towards the beach. "Come on, let's take a walk," he said.

Michael hesitated for a moment before standing up as well. Together, they made their way down the sandy path, the early morning air still crisp and cool. The beach was sparsely populated, with a few early risers staking out their spots, eager to make the most of the day.

For a while, they walked in silence, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore filling the space between them. Finally, Michael broke the silence. "What did Tom mean when he said... tell me? Tell me what?" Michael asked, his voice uncertain.

Jason stopped walking and turned to face Michael, his expression serious. "The truth is... I've always liked you, Michael. For a long time. But I never thought you were interested, so I never made any moves." He paused, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. "There were a few times I tried to approach you, but it felt like you brushed me off. So, I figured you weren't interested, and I moved on."

Michael's eyes widened, and he looked away, the wind tousling his hair. "I... I didn't know," he said softly. "I always liked you too. I've had a crush on you for years, but then I heard about your plans to go to the UK, and I didn't want to ruin your future or your happiness. So, I kept quiet."

Jason's expression softened, a mixture of surprise and regret crossing his face. "You really felt that way?"

Michael nodded, his eyes still on the ground. "Yeah. Jeremy kept telling me to say something, but I thought it was too late. I didn't want to be the reason you stayed or held back."

Jason let out a sigh, shaking his head. "And here I was, thinking you just weren't interested. Maybe... maybe we both made assumptions we shouldn't have."

There was a long moment of silence between them, the waves lapping at their feet. Finally, Jason spoke again. "What did Jeremy mean, though, when he said we needed to clear the air? What did you and Jeremy talk about?"

Michael took a deep breath, finally looking up at Jason. "Jeremy knew how I felt about you. He kept telling me to say something before it was too late. He didn't want us to leave things unsaid, especially now that everything is changing."

Jason's eyes softened, and he took a step closer to Michael. "Well, it's not too late, is it? We're here now. We can figure this out, together."

Michael looked into Jason's eyes, a small, hopeful smile forming on his lips. "Yeah... maybe we can."

Jason smiled back, a warmth spreading through him that he hadn't felt in a long time. "I'd like that," he said quietly.

Michael hesitated for a moment, then asked, "But how will we do this? How would a long-distance relationship work? You will be thousands of miles away."

Jason nodded, acknowledging the concern. "Yes, you're right. But if you're willing to try—so am I. I don't know how this will work or if it will work. But I am willing to try."

He took a deep breath and continued, "After all that's happened this morning, I think I owe it to you and to myself to see where this will lead. I don't want either of us to have any regrets later on."

For a moment, they stood there, the sun beginning to rise over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the beach. Jason reached out, taking Michael's hand in his. Michael looked down at their intertwined fingers and then back up at Jason, a smile spreading across his face. It felt like, maybe, they were finally on the same page, ready to take a step forward—together.

Once Shawn was inside, Eric approached me, his face serious. "Jeremy," he said, his voice soft, "I think we need to sit and talk, too."

I looked at him, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. I knew this conversation had been put off for far too long. I could sense the discomfort in Eric's voice, the trepidation when I spoke about moving to the West Coast. With a heavy heart, I nodded, and we both walked a short distance away, sitting down on a couple of driftwood logs near the shore.

Eric took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "Jeremy, I love you. I love you a lot, but... I don't think I can make this move. I can't leave my career here, my friends, my family."

I felt my heart sink, but I stayed quiet, letting him speak.

"I know I said yes, and maybe I was just excited about the prospect of being with you. Starting something fresh together. But the more I think about it, and after what happened here this morning... I think I need to come clean with you," Eric continued, his voice barely above a whisper.

There was a long silence, the waves lapping gently at the shore, filling the empty space between us. Finally, I spoke, my voice heavy. "I suspected that, Eric. Perhaps I didn't want to accept it, so I kept on believing that it was going to be good for you and for me. But I didn't really take your feelings into account."

I turned to him, my eyes searching his face. "How will this work?"

Eric shook his head, his eyes glistening. "I don't think it will work, Jeremy. Long-distance relationships rarely do. I think... we should accept that and just be grateful for what we had. We should look toward the future, independent of each other."

His words hung in the air, and I felt a deep ache in my chest. I knew he was right, but it didn't make it any easier. I reached out, taking his hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I love you, Eric. I want you to be happy, even if that means it's without me."

Eric's eyes met mine, filled with emotion. "I love you too, Jeremy. Always will."

We sat there in silence, the sun climbing higher in the sky, the world around us moving on while Eric sighed deeply, his gaze drifting out over the waves. "I’ll see how Shawn is doing. I think I’ll head back with him. Will you tell Jason and Michael? I know it’s a lot to drop on them, but it’s probably best if I go now," he said quietly.

I nodded, feeling the heaviness in my chest. "Yeah, I’ll let them know..."

I reached for Eric’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze and then leaned into him for a final kiss. It was tender and lingering, the last one I would share with him. It hurt, but there was a quiet understanding between us—this was the end, and we both knew it.

I watched him go, my heart heavy. Once he was out of sight, I stood up, brushing the sand off my shorts, and walked over to where Jason and Michael were sitting. They both looked up at me, their expressions a mix of guilt and concern.

They were both beaming, happy in a way that seemed almost untouched by everything else that had happened. I tried to explain what had just happened, but Michael stopped me, shaking his head with a gentle smile.

"We get it, Jeremy," Michael said, his voice soft. "We understand."

I paused, looking at the two of them, their fingers still intertwined. And in that moment, I couldn’t help but reflect on the years we’d spent together—the five of us, friends to the end. But in the end, relationships that I thought could withstand anything simply couldn’t. And new relationships that might have been, were broken without even getting the chance to start, but one relationship started and maybe that was enough.