This Is What They Call Love - 6. Chapter 6

“I think you should probably head home, I’ve got to make sure that he is okay,” Caleb motioned toward Cory who finally cried himself to sleep.

“I’m not sure what all the fuss is about? No need to get worked up over a little fun.”

“All I know is that I caught Triston storming out of here. I don’t know what happened, but it couldn’t have been anything good.”

Caleb gave Henry a hug before showing the man out. He was still confused about things, he only heard Triston yell out before seeing the man storm out, unsure of what caused the outburst. Of course, Cory was too emotional to fill him in. All he could do for the time being was be by his friend’s side. He cuddled up to Cory and pulled him close as his friend began to quietly sob again.

*** 

“You okay there, buddy? You’ve been hitting those pretty hard.” Triston ignored Brian’s question sucked down another shot. “Come on man I think you’ve had enough. Shouldn’t you be with Cory right now making up for lost time?”

“Henry.”

“Come on man don’t let that ruin what you and Cory are building together. He isn’t worth the trouble,” Brian said as he rubbed Triston’s back.

“They were together!” Triston slammed his drink down on the bar, earning him a warning glance from the bartender.

“No way! I refuse to believe that Cory would do something like that. He is head over heels for you.”

“I know what I saw,” Triston yelled before reaching for another shot.

“And I am telling you that it had to have been a mistake,” Brian countered taking the glass from his friend. “I am not made for that lovey-dovey shit that is all you. And Cory is cut from the same cloth. I can’t see him putting this all at risk for a fling and for a guy like that.”

Even in his drunken state, Triston found it hard to argue, but he just couldn’t stop replaying the scene in his head. Henry naked with his hand on Cory’s ass leaning in to kiss or maybe pulling back from one. He couldn’t help the ache he felt in his chest and the burn of the cold locket matching locket that remained hidden underneath his shirt. The tears began to fall and like the true friend he was Brian was there at his side, a shoulder to cry on as his friend let out his pain.

*** 

“it’s been over a week, you need to go and see him.”

“Why would he want to see me? He hasn’t answered any of my calls or texts. He doesn’t want me,” Cory sobbed.

It had been over a week and he hadn’t seen or heard from Triston in all that time. He debated going to his office but thought better of it not wanting to cause a scene. Caleb had been with him when he needed him, but mostly he preferred to spend time alone playing with the locket he still held so close crying himself to sleep at night.

Triston was equally distraught. Unable to focus at work and making the most trivial of errors everyone could tell something was eating at him.

“Hey buddy, how about you call it a day? You aren’t at your best and you are going to do more harm than good moping around here.”

Triston sighed and looked up from his screen, not that there was much going on there, to begin with. “You are probably right, I should just head home.”

“No, what you need to do is talk to Cory. I know that he has been calling you and you are aching to answer him. Stop beating yourself up and talk to him, find out the truth. If you confirm it is what you think you saw so be it. We will deal and move on. However, if not you are wasting a whole lot of time not being with someone you love.”

Triston decided to take a walk to clear his head. He knew Brian was right unless he faced this thing head on, he would never be able to move forward. Good or bad it was something he would need to do for his own sanity. Lost in thought he found himself at the little diner that the two of them loved.

“Well isn’t this a blast from the past?”

“What are you doing here?” Triston didn’t try to hide the disdain his voice not even looking at the man.

“Is that how you treat a loved one after all this time?”

“You lost the right to be considered a loved one when you walked out on me when you chose to walk out on us.”

“I told you, everything was just too stagnant for me, especially with all that young ass out there and let me tell you this place has definitely improved,” Henry emphasized licking his lips.

Triston sighed before turning to his former lover. “What do you want Henry? You aren’t usually this chatty for no reason.”

“Something I’ve been curious about since our run in. What were you doing in that apartment that morning?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I was there to see a good friend. Of course, I didn’t know that he was entertaining at the time and to you of all people, so I made myself scarce,” Triston explained barely containing his anger at the thought of him and Cory together.

“I must say I’m surprised that we would have the same interest. Definitely didn’t think the little vixen Caleb was your cup of tea, you were way more passive in bed back in our time. My how things have changed,” Henry snorted. “You didn’t have to run off I’m sure he would have been more than willing to share, although I will say his hot little number of a roommate caught my eye.”

Triston didn’t stick around to hear him finish, he had more important things to worry about.

*** 

“You look like shit!” Caleb smiled trying to cheer up his friend.

“Thanks. You look like,” Cory took a moment to take in his friend’s appearance, “like you are getting ready to be out for the night.”

“You know me I am never one to sit still for too long.”

“I’m sorry for not being the greatest company over the last week or so but thank you for sticking by me.” Cory pulled his friend into a hug. Always ready for with a witty comeback Caleb was at a loss for words at the expression of emotion from his friend and hugged him tightly.

“Any time, I’ll always be here for you. As long as it doesn’t interfere with a dick appointment,” Caleb laughed earning a scowl and a punch from Cory for ruining the mood.

“Go on, get out of here, I’ll be ok. Netflix and chilling with takeout, is how I’m starting my weekend off so don’t let me rain on your parade,” Cory smiled.

With a wave and an air kiss goodbye, Caleb left Cory to his own devices. Cory moved on autopilot getting everything set up for his evening. He looked at his phone longingly one last time willing it to ring before tossing it on the couch and heading to his room. Walking into his room he stopped dead in his tracks and swallowed hard as he tried to comprehend what was going on.

“I guess we need to talk,” Triston looked up around the room before his eyes finally locked with Cory’s.

Cory couldn’t trust himself to speak, as he nodded and placed his takeout on the desk.

“So, where do we start?”