Centrepiece

Chapter
26

Subtitle: Digging

Author: Jedi Princess Clarrisani

You've
got to feel for Bryan, I tell you. But anyway, on a lighter note...

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“Ray,
staring at the telephone isn’t going to make it ring.”

Ray
sighed, turning away. “I know. It’s just…”

Lee
shook his head, moving forward and draping an arm around his old friends
shoulders, guiding him back toward his bedroom. “You’ve only been here a
couple of days, Ray. Just try to settle in. Bryan will ring when he gets the
time.”

Ray
blinked, shooting a look to the side. “Who ever said I was waiting for Bryan
to ring?”

“Call
it a sixth sense.” Lee smirked, casting his gaze over his shoulder before they
stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. “I know, Ray.”

Ray
frowned. “You know what?”

“I
know you’ve got a thing for Bryan.”

“Yeah
right.” Ray shook his head, turning away. “Don’t forget just who it was
that almost killed me in the Finals that year, Lee.”

“I
haven’t forgotten. None of us have.” Lee smiled faintly. “But it is
possible to forgive, and with forgiveness there is renewal, and often in
renewal… love?”

“You’re
deluded.” Ray turned his back on Lee to look out the window. “Bryan is a
friend, one which helped me when I needed someone. That’s all there is to
it.”

“Sure
about that?” Lee perched himself on the edge of Ray’s desk, one foot on the
seat as he rested his arm across his knee. “Ray, you’ve been in a daze ever
since you got here. We’ve all noticed it, even Kev and Tyson. Somethin’s
going on, Ray.”

“There
is nothing going on.” Ray sighed,
shaking his head. “Lee, I just got out of a relationship. I have no desire to
get back in one.”

“I’m
not sayin’ you need another relationship, old friend. All I’m sayin’ is
that you’ve fallen for someone.”

“Not
for him.” Ray turned to regard his childhood best friend. “Bryan… how do I
know he’s not like them? He grew up with them. He was raised the same way as
Tala. Not to mention the guy has no emotions. Next time I fall for someone I
want my feelings to be returned.”

“That’s
all good, Ray, but-”

“I
think I’ve become like them.”

Lee
blinked, looking up. “What?”

Ray
closed his eyes, turning away again. “I think… I was with them too long.
It’s all I know. I’m… what if I’m like them? What if I can’t have a
relationship without it dissolving into sex?”

“Ray,
you’re not like that.” Lee sighed, running a hand through his spiky hair.
“This was your first relationship. Admittedly I saw it was wrong to begin
with, but you were always one to try things to learn so I kept my mouth shut.
Other than calling you nuts of course.”

Ray
smiled faintly. “Nuts wasn’t the only thing you called me if I remember
right.”

“Let’s
not get too bogged down in the past.” Lee smiled faintly. “The matter lies,
Ray. This was your first and so far only relationship. It was long and
traumatic, and right now you’re worn thin. Let yourself recover. Don’t be so
hard on yourself.”

Ray
nodded, shuddering. “It’s just that…”

“That
what?”

“Nothing.”
Ray shook his head. “It’s not important. You’re right. I need a rest.”

Lee
nodded, eyes narrowing. “You slept with him, didn’t you?”

“Huh?”
Ray looked back over his shoulder. “With who?”

“Bryan.”

“That’s
really none of your business, Lee.”

“Same
thing he said.”

Ray’s
eyes widened. “You asked Bryan if he’d slept with me!?”

“No…
and yes. Depends how you look at it.” Lee smirked, looking toward the window
before pushing himself up. “You should try and get some more rest. Stop trying
to think about it all the time. Dwelling on it will only continue to wear you
down.”

“Yeah.”
Ray sighed, watching him move toward the door. “Lee?”

He
paused. “Yeah?”

“Thanks…
for getting me out of there.”

“You’re
like a brother, Ray. I couldn’t stand to see that happen to you. Besides, it
was Kevin’s idea, and Bryan was the one who fixed things so you never had to
go back.”

“Mm.”
Ray sighed, returning his attention to the window. I
never have to go back there. Ever. Bryan, I just wish you would get out of there
too.

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If
wishes were fishes...