Chapter 12

(Note from Author - here is part two! :) I am not sure if its any good as have been working so hard on GCSE's recently, only had like a spare hour to write it! Also everyone who has asked to be in it dont worry your parts will get bigger as the story progresses! I wont be able to include everyone each week but you will never be forgotten and I will make sure you all have a big part! I really hope you like it and all feedback is so appreciated :) @medsies_world) 

Mark stared after Jason, his silhouette faded into the distance. From the very first moment that Jason had sauntered into that audition, Mark had always pegged him as an honest guy. Jason was down to earth, would never hurt a fly… he was the rock of the band; Mark relied on him for some sanity in the whirlwind of boy band life. He could not believe that Jason would hurt Howard like that. To sneak around with another man on the night before their wedding?

There had to be some mistake… surely Jason wouldn’t do such a thing. If Jason wanted to be with someone else he surely wouldn’t go through with the wedding? Mark ran his hand through his hair. Oh, god. Fuck. Shit. Mark had always seen Howard and Jason’s relationship as a picture of perfection, Gary and himself often said if they could be as happy as Jason and Howard were, years down the line they’d be satisfied.

Mark remembered the first time they’d spotted Jason and Howard kissing. The way, Mark, Gary and Robbie had stood agog watching them until Howard threw a shoe at them and told them to fuck off. He remembered how they would hold hands underneath the table at band meetings, the way they smile at each other. Perhaps nothing is ever as it seems.

“Ready to go?” Gary’s voice sounded behind him. “Our um… hotel room is ready, they err… didn’t have any doubles so we’ve got two single beds… they said they could push them together but I um… said I’d ask you.”

Briefly forgetting what he had just witness Mark grinned at Gary’s red face. He wondered if Gary would always be this damn British.

“Cause you know… it’s fine if you want to sleep separately… cause its early days or whatever and um… yes… so I don’t mind either way… I mean its what you want… I mean it is like… not a house… it’s a hotel… so there is other people and they might… assume things…” Gary was well aware he was blathering. Damn.

Mark rolled his eyes. “Just get them to push them together Gaz.”

Gary breathed an inward sigh of relief. Only to stiffen again, he didn’t have anything to wear in bed. Shit. Whenever Mark slept round he always had some kind of pajamas but he hadn’t thought to pack them in the rush of things. He’d just have to sleep in his clothes, Gary decided. Yes, that’s what he’d do. Relaxing again, he followed Mark out the door.

***

Sliding his arm round Kate’s slim waist, Robbie drew her towards him. Michael Buble’s voice sung out from the radio. Kate smiled up at him as they danced from side to side. He smiled back. What a few months it had been, sure they’d fought bitterly from time to time but more than that they would enjoy moments like this, slow dancing in their hotel room, kissing on bridges and playing 20 questions in traffic jams.

Leaning down he pressed his lips against hers. He had never known the way to stay in a relationship was to fight; if you don’t argue those disagreements would fester until they cracked the relationship in two. Kate accepted his kiss. Sure he drove her completely crazy but maybe that was the way it was meant to be… in the end there is no place she would rather be.

***

Howard sat back in his chair; the music was loud but good. Chloe, Rachel, Sue, Nikki and Kennedy had insisted he go out for at least a little bit. Howard hadn’t wanted a proper bachelor party, why would he want to celebrate his last day of being single when he was looking forward to being married so much more? Sure, Jason and himself had a deeply emotional relationship that he knew was going to be for life, but the wedding just confirmed it. It confirmed in his heart that he was never going to loose Jason to another man. They were pledging their love for each other, celebrating it and it was going to be magnificent.

Nikki shoved a beer into his hand. “So, come on, tell us something you’ll miss about being single?” She grinned at him.

The girls laughed. “No!” Cried Kennedy. “Tell us something you love about Jason?”

The girls nodded leaning forward in an attempt to hear him over the music.

“I’m going to miss… Um… I suppose the spontaneity of just meeting someone new and just finding out all about them… and I love Jason’s…” Howard smiled. God, to pick one thing! He loved the way Jason owned the room without being noisy, he loved the way he threw back his head when he laughed, he loved the way Jason would hold his hand…

“His bum?” Rachel grinned. “He does have a lovely bum.”

Chloe hit her in the arm. “Rachel!”

The girls fell about giggling.

“Seriously though.” Nikki said, slapping Howard’s shoulder. “Fair play, Jason is hot stuff.”

Kennedy raised her glass in the air. “To Howard and Jason and their ever lasting love! May the years to come bring laughter, excitement and adventure.”

“Cheers!”

Glasses clinked noisily. Howard laughed; tapping his bottle against the girl’s glasses he took a sip of its contents. He had a warm feeling in his stomach, everything was good. He felt happy… it was nice, he was marrying the man he loved and nothing was going to get in the way of their happiness.

***

Jason undid the top button of his shirt, his eyes scanning the room. It was dimply lit by a single lamp by the bed. Crossing the room he rested his hands on the windowsill and stared out at the city below him. Despite it only being early evening the city was alive with music and people. They buzzed around below him, shrieking with laughter and singing. Jason smiled. Already a police siren sounded in the distance.

In his pocket his phone buzzed.

I’m coming up now,
Can’t wait to see you. ☺ 

***

Gary slid between the sheets on the hotel bed. That was better. He was still wearing his trousers but had thrown on a more casual T-shirt on. Mark was still in the bathroom. Smiling softly to himself Gary let his body relax. He had done it. The wedding was tomorrow and everything was perfect, exactly how he had wanted it. The flowers were right, the place settings were right, the band was perfect and the food… my god, the food had caused him to need to sit down for a while it was so good. It was going to be an event no one would ever forget.

The bathroom door swung open and Mark entered the room wearing only his boxer shorts. His shirt was flung over his shoulder, he discarded it into the corner of the room. Gary’s mouth was suddenly very dry… damn, it was hot in here. Why do they always make hotel rooms so damn hot? He would have a few words with the manager tomorrow about getting some air conditioning.

Mark slid in beside him and turned to smile at him. “Well Gaz you did it, the wedding is beauti- why are you still wearing your clothes?” Mark said laughing as he lifted the sheets.

Gary opened his mouth and closed it again. “Well I forgot to pack something to sleep in.”

Mark raised his eyebrows. “And your issue with sleeping in your underwear like a normal person is…?”

Gary sighed and sat up. “Look the thing is that… well… I don’t look like you guys.” He said, rushing his words. “I’m not ‘toned’ or whatever… I don’t want you to be disappointed.” Gary looked down slightly embarrassed. He had never hidden that he had issues with his weight, but then he’d never really talked about it either. He would make jokes but it was hard when Jason, Howard and Mark were so perfect.

Mark sat up beside him. “Don’t be ridiculous Gaz, I promise I will not be disappointed.” He grinned. “Stop being so bloody British and sleep beside me in normal attire.” Leaning over he kissed Gary.

Mark couldn’t believe Gary still worried about the way he looked. God, he could just kill all those heartless fucking journalists who would attack Gary. Mark swore if he read one more thing on the way Gary looked he would personally make sure that journalist never worked again.

Gary soon forgot what his problem had been the first place, but then he always did when he was with Mark. Mark had a way of taking away of all his troubles. Gary could hardly believe how lucky he was to be in love with such a fantastic man.

Mark couldn’t bring himself to tell Gary about what he had overheard Jason talking about. Gary had worked so hard on this wedding and Mark knew it would destroy him. Plus this was the first time they had kissed without being instantly interrupted, there was no way in hell Mark was going to be the one to ruin it. Mark resolved that once Gary was asleep he would walk down to Jason’s room and outright confront him about it. If Jason really was… well… sleeping with someone else Mark would have to say something to Gary, the wedding would probably be cancelled. Mark didn’t want to worry Gary until he was absolutely sure it was the truth. Howard would be crushed, Gary would be crushed… Christ knows what would happen.

Mark pushed any thoughts of the wedding and Jason out of his head and concentrated on the man sat beside him. A fire had lit in his belly and as they kissed it got worse until he could hardly stand it, the only way to keep it under control was to move closer to Gary. Gary seemed to be suffering from the same kind of feeling as he welcomed the closeness. A smile crept over Mark’s lips, Jesus he had waited so long for this but God it was worth it.

And then Gary’s phone began to ring. Gary promptly stopped kissing Mark and answered it.

“Hello?” He said. “What? No! Why would they send the flowers to the hotel and not the venue? Well no one has enough car space to take all those bloody flowers in the morning!” Gary slid off the side of the bed and wondered into the bathroom and closed the door behind him, still talking angrily into the phone.

Mark let his head fall back against the wall and let out a groan of frustration. Jesus Christ, he was starting to hate those bloody flowers with a passion. Grumbling he pulled his clothes on roughly, he supposed he should go and talk to Jason now that clearly whatever had been about to happen between him and Gary was over. Mark wasn’t even sure he wanted it anymore, if those fucking flowers meant more to Gary than him then fine. Okay, Mark admitted that was a lie, he did want it. Storming out of the room he slammed the door behind him. Not that he expected Gary to hear him leave; he was too busy shouting at the flower people.

Mark walked miserably down the hallway. Perhaps he could stay in Ben Mark’s room tonight, Ben always knew what to say and how to sort things out. Mark had heard he had gotten married recently as well. Laura, he thought her name was. Ben wouldn’t shut up about her whenever they spoke on the phone, Laura this, Laura that… Mark shook his head. Must be nice to have someone who is your number one priority. Mark bet neither Laura nor Ben would put flowers above each other. Setting his mouth in a grim line he took a deep breath and opened the door to Jason’s hotel room.