Alex and Jack were entirely wrapped up in one another. The large couch in the living room now seemed too small. Jack was on top of Alex, with both of his legs wrapped around Alex's left leg so that Alex's right leg could fall over Jack's hip. Their lips were crashing down roughly, their tongues occasionally meeting in the middle of the fight for dominance. Both of the young men were gasping for air, but neither had the heart to pull away. Jack's rough fingertips ran from Alex's hair to his hips, where he would apply pressure and thrust his hips into the older boy. Alex moaned into Jack's mouth and threw his head back with his eyes shut tightly. Smirking to himself, Jack allowed his teeth to slide across Alex's neck, while his hand jumped from Alex's pants to his stomach. Pushing the shirt up, his hands felt Alex's bare skin, which made his jeans become two sizes too small.

Alex grabbed Jack's hand without saying a word, and slid it down to his crotch. His own erection was begging for freedom, he could only imagine how Jack felt. The sensation of Jack's long fingers running up and down his member was enough to make him see stars. He needed Jack, point blank.

But just as fate would have it, as Jack was starting to unbutton Alex's jeans, they heard a car pull in the driveway. Alex shoved Jack off of him, a little more harshly than he had meant to, and slid to the other side of the couch. Despite how willing and ready Alex felt about being with his best friend, he found himself still unable to be open about their 'relationship.' It's not like they were even official, anyway. Alex hadn't even broken up with Lisa yet.

"This is getting ridiculous," Jack growled, pulling one of the throw pillows over the buldge in his pants. "Seriously, dude, you could have just locked the door."

"I know, and I'm sorry," Alex groaned, adjusting himself so that what was left of his erection didn't show. "Just don't rush me, okay? I told you, I'm working on it."

"Fine, but when whoever this is leaves, you're mine."

Alex shot a wink to his best friend and nodded. He found himself becomming oddly comfortable with the situation. If anything, he and Jack had just become closer as friends, but when it comes to the sexual aspect of their relationship.. He found it to be just as pleasurable as it had been the first time. New and exciting, not awkward and dirty.

"What's up fuckers?!" Zack Merrick flung the door open and happily walked through the house. He sat an ice cold case of beer down on the table and smiled to his friends. "We're having a party."

"What kind of party?"

"The kind of party that people have when they want to celebrate something," Rian Dawsom chimed in from behind the couch. He was wearing the same smile he wore the day he found out about the audition- One that the group hadn't seen in a few days. "Check this out."

Alex and Jack turned their bodies so they could see whatever it was that Rian wanted to show them. The boy held up a yellow bag, pulling out a brown teddy bear, a pack of white onesies, and a yellow hat that read: I LOVE DADDY. It was a strange sight, but relief filled the room. Rian had finally come to terms with the fact that he was going to be a father.

"I know it's a sudden change, but Kara and I were talking last night, and she told me I can either accept it for what it is, or declare that it's too much to handle and be on my way. She's right, ya know? There's nothing I can do about it now but think the way Alex said. That little speck is a part of me. I might be scared shitless, but I love that little Mexican Jumping Bean. I really fuckin' love it."

A sense of joy washed over Jack Barakat. Just a few weeks ago, he and Rian had hit their lowest low, and now, here they were. Standing stronger than ever, knowing what they want and not being afraid to go after it. Alex had accepted Jack into his heart, and Jack had accepted that Alex needs time. But Rian? His acceptance meant the most. He had finally wrapped his head around this wonderful blessing; he no longer saw it as a curse. They had no where to go but up.

Jack tossed the pillow to the side and climbed over the back of the couch, embracing Rian in a large bear hug. Grunting slightly, Rian hugged him back, nestling his head in the crook of Jack's neck.

"I am so proud of you, Rian," Jack whispered. "I know you guys think I'm just the idiot of the group, but I was so afraid that you'd be the dumb one this time. Congrats on the baby, bro. You're gonna make a great dad."

"Thank you, Jack-O," Rian whispered back. A large weight was lifted off of his heart, now knowing that his friends supported his parenthood. "That means a lot.. But you're totally still an idiot."

"Fuck you!" Jack snickered, pushing Rian away from him. "Well now that we've gotten that out of the way, there's another issue I think we need to discuss."

Alex's eyes flickered to Jack. He was nervous. Jack wouldn't tell everyone, would he? He respected him more than that.

"The song," Jack smiled at his best friend, loving the fact that he could still put a blush on that pale face. "We have to write a really awesome song for the audition."

That was true. The four of them had been so wrapped up in their own lives, that they hadn't come back together as a band to prepare for their big day. It seemed nearly impossible to think about writing something decent when their worlds had been falling apart. Perhaps now that they'd come back together in a brand new light, it wouldn't be so difficult to create perfection in a song.

Zack shrugged his shoulders and ripped open the case of beer. He smiled to his friends as he handed each of them a beer.

"We'll get there, but right now we don't need to worry about that. This is supposed to be the best Summer ever, remember? Let's not dwell on something that could get in the way of that."

"Zack's right, we'll get there," Alex smiled, popping the tab of his beer. "I have a feeling that soon enough we'll all be able to be totally open about everything."

"Who isn't being open?" Jack questioned with a grin. "I feel very open. In fact, I think I might just chug this beer and run naked down the street!"

"No fucking way."

"Oh yes," Jack beamed, pulling his shirt over his head. "Who wants to go to the public pool?"

Alex sighed, shaking his head. It was nice to feel like nothing more than a regular teenager. He didn't have to worry about who he was, or what anyone would think when they found out. He wasn't scared that one of his closest friends would do something stupid with such a heavy weight on his shoulders. He wasn't even ashamed to admit to himself that he found Jack even more attractive when he was shirtless.

It was always so hard, having the spotlight on him. Everyone always wanted or needed something, and frankly, Alex had nothing more to give. Of course, he'd be expected to write the most amazing song he'd ever written so that he and his friend could live out their dream, but he knew he'd have their help and support. There were only a few more things Alex had to do before he could stop hating who he was. Tell Lisa that it's over, and tell his friends that he's managed to fall wildly in love with Jack Barakat.

Notes

I know this chapter is kind of sucky, but it's important.
Sorry its been so long. I've managed to get sick, again, and pinch a nerve in my neck.
It took me forever to write this because I can't really use my right hand! >.<<br /> Love you guys! <3.