Charlie had every intention of breaking things off with Josh but everything that evening went so well. It was a nice time. That was it, though. It was just... nice. Dinner was nice. The play was nice. Josh was nice.

"This is nice," Josh said, giving Charlie a quick kiss as they walked down Belmont from the train.

"Yeah."

"I don't mean to compare, I really don't, but everything with you is just so... easy. Uncomplicated."

"That's... good."

"I'm sorry. Really, I don't mean to... I don't want to negate what the past few years have been for me. You are just a nice change of pace."

It was for Charlie as well, truth be told. There wasn't the angsty off-again-on-again with Tom, the taciturn ambiguity of Hunter, the unfulfilling passion of a one-night-random. Josh was stable, he had a routine. They had so much in common, they looked so good on paper. And, really, as awesome as Ben's spontaneity was, how long would that last? At least with Josh, he knew what to expect. The dependability of dinner and a show was something Charlie could hang his hat on.

"Would you like to come up for a bit?" Josh asked, as they got to his door. "My roommate's out."

"Sure," Charlie said, noticing something oddly familiar about the building. There was something hauntingly familiar about the beige walls, the grey carpet, the walk up to the fourth floor. They paused at the door and before Charlie could say anything, Josh grabbed him and kissed him passionately, grabbing the back of his head, allowing his hands to find the suppleness of Charlie's ass. They were so in the moment, they barely noticed the door open behind them.

"Don't mind me," said a familiar voice. "I'm just on my way out."

Charlie broke the kiss and found himself face to face with Tom. The color drained from both of their faces. Tom's heart filled with a quiet jealousy while the sight of Tom did what it always did to Charlie: it broke his heart all over again.

"I've got to go," Charlie said, running away quickly. He ran down the stairs and ducked into some random hallway. His heart was racing: he felt like such an asshole on so many fronts. Only one person would understand. He picked up the phone and called Eddy.

Eddy's phone went straight to voicemail. That freaked Charlie out: Eddy NEVER turned off her phone. Ever.

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Glad to be back for Volume 4! Just joining us? Catch up now:

Volume 1 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

Volume 2 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

Volume 3 -
Week One, Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five

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