Short Stories

the one that got away

Jake was ready. He was prepared to marry the love of his life. He stares at the big body mirror thinking how his life was about to begin. It was all so exhilarating.

"Jake?" Henry, one of his groom's men, called. "It's almost time." Jake took the deepest breath. He couldn't believe that this moment was finally here. All he ever looked for was to find the perfect man to love, comfort, hold in his arms and would do the same for him. He strongly felt that Michael was the one. He was the guy Jake wanted to grow old with, wanted to lay next to, wanted to celebrate all his victories with and all that lovey dovey crap couples do.

"Give me a few minutes." Jake responds.

Henry left the room, shutting the door behind him. Though he loved Michael very much, Jake couldn't help but feel nervous. The idea of being committed to one person in such a way as this, well it made him just want to jump out the window and never return. But he couldn't and he wouldn't. He would never do such a thing to Michael. A man whom he knows loves him dearly. So he took a deep breath as one final plea to calm the nerves and walked out his dressing room.

As Jake walks towards the big doors, decorated blue and gold, leading him to his destiny, he is suddenly pulled back by an unnerving sense of doom. He stops walking and takes off running to the bathroom. He bursts into the bathroom tears crowding in his eyes. He stares into the mirror and tries his best to assure himself that everything is gonna be okay.

"What's wrong with me? ," Jake thought. "I love him! I know I do?" All of a sudden, Jake heard a shuffling noise in one of the stalls. Realizing he wasn't alone, he made his way to the exit back out into the hallway. When he opens the door, he finds his best friend, Alex.

"Alex!" Jake shouts as he wraps his arms around his neck to give him a much needed hug. "Jake, I've been looking for you." Alex says returning the hug. Alex lets go of Jake and looks at him.

"Listen Jake. I know this is probably one of the worst times for this but I need to talk to you or tell you something rather." Alex quietly says in a flushed tone. "I don't think I can do this!" Jake replies completely unaware of Alex even saying words. "I love Michael! I'm sure I do but there's just...something pulling me back", he continued. "Jake! Can you please shut up and listen to me! I'm trying to tell you something!" Alex interrupts mid-breakdown. Jake looks at him out of words. Alex has never really talked to him or anyone like that ever. "What is it?" Jake questions. Out of concern, he placed his arm on Alex's arm which made him tense.

For you see, Alex was about to confess to his best friend since birth that he had fallen madly in love with him. How he always was but was such a pussy for waiting until this very moment. How he wanted to be the one to hold him, kiss him, caress him. How he wanted to be the one to comfort him and be the one to celebrate his victories. Be the one to tell "life sucks sometimes but I'm here with you so we'll be okay" when shitty stuff happens because let's face it, life is pretty fucking shitty. How he wanted to wake up and Jake be the first thing he sees in the morning. How he wanted to be the one with Jake at the altar and spend the rest of his life with him.

"I-" Alex hesitates out of fear of rejection and their friendship never being the same again if Jake didn't reciprocate his feelings. "What is it, Alex?" Jake asks. "I'm about to get married...I think and I'm already late to my own wedding." Alex looked at him deep in his eyes then he dropped his eyes down to Jake's lips. His pink rosy lips. Those lips that he's imagined kissing a thousand times.

"Yes." Alex says and sighs, "you are about to be married." He looks down to the floor in defeat. Maybe it was best he never told Jake how he felt. "Ok Alex. We need to go. Maybe we can talk later." Jake blurts out unaware of the sad expression spread across Alex's face. He lets go of Alex's arm and starts heading back towards the room where the dozens of people and soon-to-be forever partner was waiting for him. "C'mon Alex! We're already late!" Jake yells to him when he notices Alex isn't walking behind. He proceeds to walk away.