Eric Young sat in the shadows of the locker room watching as Petey Williams made move after move on his man. The man that he’d been dating for seven years, three months, and fourteen days now. And what was his man doing? Bobby Roode was sitting there flirting right back. Bobby had always been a big flirt, and that didn’t bother Eric in the slightest. What bothered Eric was the fact that Bobby would flirt with every Alister, Petey, and Johnny, that came along, but wouldn’t come out and tell anyone he was dating Eric.

Eric had been plotting revenge for weeks now, and tonight it would pay off. He stood up and grabbed his gear, walking right past Bobby and right out the door. Bobby looked up, wondering where Eric could be off to, but didn’t give it much thought as Pete slid into his lap. Bobby had never cheated on Eric, contrary to what Eric might have thought. He just took flirting to the extreme most of the time. He figured he’d hook up with Eric back at the hotel, and wrapped his arms around Petey.

Eric walked up to his dinner guests, who were waiting patiently by the car. “Thanks for doing this guys.” He said, approaching the car. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“Are you kidding?” James Storm said, opening up the door for Eric. “Getting to eat in one of the finest joints in town and not having to pay for it? We would have been nuts not to take you up on this. Besides I get to stare at the two hottest guys in the world all night.”

Eric turned the color of the Canadian maple leaf, and got in the car. James shut the door and got in behind Eric. Chris Harris was in the driver’s seat already and smiled at the two men. “Are my guys ready to go?” Chris said, starting the car. Eric turned another shade of red as Chris pulled out of the parking garage.

Chris pulled up in front of the restaurant and they were met by a valet. Chris handed the man the keys, and held both his arms out for his dates. Eric hooked his arm in Chris’s and James did the same and they all three walked into Emerils. They were seated at a private table, and through out the entire dinner, just enjoyed each other’s company.

James and Chris were the only confidants Eric had. They knew the whole story about him and Bobby being in a relationship for seven years and Bobby not wanting to tell anyone. Everything. Eric loved hanging out with these guys also. They never failed to make him feel special. They treated him as if he were the hottest man on earth. It always baffled him how he could be treated so well by his friends and so badly by his own boyfriend. That’s when he cooked up this little plan.

You see, Bobby and Eric had a joint account, and Bobby checked it religiously. So, when Eric paid for the 250.00 bill that arrived with the card for their joint account, he knew Bobby would see it, and then he’d really find out what Bobby thought.

After saying goodnight to Chris and James, Eric waltzed into the room he shared with Bobby around two in the morning, reeking of other men. Hey, a night spent dancing with AMW and half a dozen other guys at some night club will do that to you. Bobby was seething. “Where the hell have you been?” Bobby demanded the minute Eric walked through the door. “And what the hell were you doing that could have possibly cost 398.27?”

Eric looked at Bobby, and it was all he could do not to burst out laughing. This is exactly what he knew would happen. That’s why he’d been drinking cokes all night. “I went out dinner with a couple guys and then we went to a club.” Eric said, nonchalantly. “I thought you’d be busy with Petey tonight, so I found someone.... I mean something to do.” Hoping the slip would drive Bobby crazy.

It did. “What the fuck do you mean someone?” Bobby yelled, all thoughts of money gone from his head. “What the hell was this guys name? Where’d you pick him up at? Where is he now?” The questions were coming so fast that they made Eric’s head spin.

“Well, his name was Thomas.” Eric said, knowing it was a lie, but loving this new jealous streak he’d brought out in Bobby. “I met him at the club, and I don’t know where he is now. Why?”

“Why?” Bobby said, very sarcastically. “Why? Because, I’m gonna go beat his ass for thinking he could touch you.”

Eric had heard enough. It was time to start a very long overdue argument. “Oh cut the shit Bobby.” Eric said, looking Bobby straight in the eyes. “If you cared that much, you wouldn’t be ashamed to tell people that we’re dating. Not to mention the fact that we’ve been dating for seven years now. So just cut the jealousy shit alright?”

“Eric, you know why I haven’t told anyone.” Bobby said, sounding a lot more mellow and loving than he did just minutes ago.

Eric stared at him for a minute. “No, Bobby, I don’t know why? Are you ashamed of me? Don’t you love as much as you claim to? Am I not as good looking as Petey fucking Williams? Why don’t you enlighten me Bobby. Tell me why I have to be your dirty little secret.” Eric said, letting more of the hurt show in his words than he would have liked.

Bobby looked like a deer caught in headlights. “You can’t be that open in this business, Eric, you know that.” Bobby said, hoping Eric would agree.

“Can’t be that open in this business?” Eric said, as if in shock. “That’s why James and Chris have full blown make out sessions in the middle of the ring after most shows. Hell, they’d do it during the show if management would let them. Kip and Brian practically have sex in the ring before their matches. Sabin is glued to Raven the entire time their both here. And you don’t seem to have a problem with letting Petey sit on your lap every chance you get. Now explain to me how you can’t be out in this business.”

Bobby didn’t know what to say. He looked at Eric, pleading with his eyes for Eric to forgive him. “I’m sorry.” Bobby finally said.

Eric looked at this man as if for the first time. “You’re right, Bobby.” Eric said, grabbing his bag and throwing it over his shoulder. “You are sorry.” Eric walked toward the door. “I’ll be in Lance’s room if you change your mind. If you don’t, tell Petey I said hi.” Eric walked out the door slamming it behind him.

THE NEXT DAY

Eric was sitting in AMW’s locker room, head on Chris’s lap, still crying from the previous night’s fight with Bobby, and begging James not to go kill Bobby. “You know, if Bobby doesn’t straighten up, we’re just gonna have to steal you from him.” James said, kneeling next to the sofa Chris and Eric were on, and rubbing Eric’s back.

Eric sat up and looked at Chris, who just shook his head to confirm everything James had just said. “You guys are the sweetest.” Eric said, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I don’t understand why I still love him so much.” It was right after Eric had said that, that everyone heard “I need everyone out here. Now.” Coming from the direction of the arena. Everyone made their way to ringside, Eric was behind AMW when they walked out there and stood at the top of the ramp.

Bobby stood in the middle of the ring. Mic in hand, looking for Eric. When he saw him peeking through AMW’s arms he started his speech. “I have something that I want to tell you all. I’m in love with someone here and I have been for a long time.” Bobby said, looking around at everyone there. Everyone immediately turned their attention to Petey. Some even started offering congratulations. Meanwhile all James and Chris were hearing were sniffles.

“Come on Eric.” Chris said, turning around and putting his arm around Eric. “You don’t need to see this.”

All three of them started to walk back down the tunnel. “It’s Eric Young.” Bobby said, knowing he had to say something fast or he could loose his love forever. Eric froze. So did James and Chris. “I’ve been in love with him for seven years now. He’s my life. I can’t believe that I was stupid enough to worry about what other people would think, knowing how much that hurt him. We had a huge fight last night, and I’m not sure, but I think he broke up with me. That’s why I’m out here right now. I want to show him how much he means to me.” Bobby paused, wiping a tear from his cheek. “Eric, pumpkin, could you please come down here?”

Eric didn’t walk down that ramp, he ran. Not noticing the disappointed looks on the faces of James and Chris. He slid in the ring, and before he knew what was happening, Bobby was there taking his hand and helping him up. He stood Eric right beside him and looked at the crowd of wrestlers surrounding the ring. “I love this man. And if anyone has a problem with that or with me or him, they can take it up with me.” Bobby said, starting to put the mic down. He suddenly changed his mind, though, remembering something Eric had said. He put the mic back to his mouth looked at Petey Williams and then to Eric. “And, by the way, you are better looking than Petey.” With that said, he dropped the mic and kissed Eric, right there in front of everyone.