Free Jealousy by Jenna Galicki Page B

an exaggerated kiss and sauntered into the apartment.  “I know it’s early, Delicious, but I’m absolutely famished.  Let’s go out for breakfast.”
    Justin ’s eyes dropped down to the floor.  “I’m sorry.  It’s a bad time.  You should’ve called first.”
    The smile immediately fell from Tyler’s face.  At first he didn’t say anything.  He only stared at Justin with his mouth open.  Then he slowly wrinkled his brow and frowned.  “Is someone here?”
    “ I’m sorry.”  Justin reached out to Tyler, but Tyler backed away.
    Tyler ’s face, usually so animated and happy, drooped with sadness.
    Guilt raced through Justin ’s veins and caused his cheeks to flush.  “He’s just someone I met last night.  He doesn’t mean anything to me.  This doesn’t happen often, Tyler.  I don’t want you to think . . .”
    “ You don’t owe me an explanation,” Tyler said, as a tear glistened in the corner of his eye.
    “ Of course I do.”
    The bedroom door swung open and interrupted them.  Justin ’s overnight guest scuttled past Tyler, still closing the zipper on his jeans.  “Sorry, dude,” he said.  “I didn’t know.  It was just a one-night stand.”
    Tyler flinched and recoiled, freshly wounded by the sight of a strange half naked man leaving Justin’s bedroom.
    “ I’m sorry, Tyler,” Justin said, with a heavy sigh.  “I never meant to hurt you.  I . . . I don’t know what else to say.”
    Tyler stared at the closed door in a semi-catatonic state.  After a long pause, he slowly turned back to Justin. “I don’t wanna do this anymore.”
    “ Don’t say that.”
    Tyler shook his head.  “It’s not your fault.  I know you’re not in love with me, and you made it clear that you didn’t want an exclusive relationship.”  He paused again.  “I can’t go through this again.” The tear moistening his eye spilled down his cheek.
    “ I’m so sorry.  Please don’t leave me,” Justin begged.
    “ Tell me you won’t see anyone else, Justin.  You don’t have to love me back, just tell me you’re ready to make a commitment, and I’ll stay.”
    It was the one and only time Tyler called him Justin.
    “ I wish I could, but I can’t.”  Justin took Tyler’s hands and brought them to his chest.  “I want you in my life.  I need you.  Please stay.  Don’t go.”
    Tyler answered with a long, tender kiss.  “Goodbye, Delicious.  I hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for.”
    Justin ’s heart ached as he watched Tyler leave.  Justin sat down on the couch, cradled his head in his hands and wondered what the hell happened to his life.  Is this what he wanted – to sleep with whomever he wanted, whenever he wanted?  No.  It was the exact opposite.  He wanted what he had with David, but he was afraid to open his heart to love again.  He cared about Tyler, but Tyler wasn’t the right guy for him.  He wondered if he would find another man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with or if David was his one and only soul mate.  The burnt out hole in his chest reminded him that without Tyler he truly was alone, and he sobbed into his hands.
     
    Chapter Sixteen:
    The breakup with Tyler hit Justin hard. Heather was worried about him.  Last night he was particularly sad and withdrawn.  She wanted to make sure he was OK before she left for work, but he didn’t answer his phone.  She sat on the bed and waited for Justin to return her call.  The minutes ticked by, but the phone remained silent.  Now she was late.
    She flew out the door and raced down the street.  Her shi rt was still warm from the iron and she questioned whether or not she turned it off before she left the house.  She recounted her actions, but she couldn’t remember.  The further she got from the house, the more it nagged at her.  If she returned home to check, she would miss the train, and she couldn’t be late for work again.
    She tried Justin once more, but there was