#slg1e2

Just about that time, Seth appears outside where Mark and Ian are embraced in a hug...

SETH- “Hey guys, what the hell here, you two hiding something from me?”

Even though Seth is only joking, Ian doesn’t realize that he is and becomes very nervous.

IAN- “Oh, God, no!  I would never do anything like that, I am so sorry. ---

MARK- “Ian... calm down, he was just kidding.”

SETH- “Sorry, didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. So I take it from what I walked in on that Mark told you that we need you to move with us.”

IAN- “Yes, you both have made me very happy.  I mean I am not going to be there forever, but once I graduate, I need to find work, and then get a place of my own, but no worrying about where I am going to go until then is a big relief!!”

SETH- “Get ready to work for your bed so to speak.  We have a lot of work to do even before we can move in. By the way, Mark; I got the results back from the electric inspection. The entire house needs to be rewired, but they can start immediately.”

MARK - “Not what we had hoped, but at least they can get things moving.”

The three of them sat on the edge of the pool. Ian’s anxiety had been relieved and was excited now about the future and not having to move away right now.

IAN- “So once you close, what is the first step?”

SETH- “We need to get the electric completed, then once the plumbing inspection.  Depending on that then we can move in. We will start by adding an addition on the main floor, extending the living room and adding a sun room.”

MARK- “The we are going to work on the exterior, new siding, windows, doors and then paint, rehabbing the floors.”

IAN- “So once the electric and plumbing are completed will we be moving in?”

SETH- “That’s the plan.”

IAN- “I would love to work on the basement area, seeing where that is where I will be staying.”

SETH- “That would be great, I have plans already made up, love to have your input on them.”

IAN- “Dude..seriously, what was that?”

JAKE - “A kiss, haven’t you ever been kissed before?”

IAN- “Sure I have been kissed before, but we just met, less than ten minutes ago. And how is that going to help me deal with not being with Mark?”

JAKE- “Sorry, but one of the best ways to get through a situation like that is to get with someone else. And I am one to not wait around when I see someone that I like.  And I like you Ian.”

“IAN- “Well I don’t make it a habit to just kiss someone I just met.”

JAKE- “And maybe that is why, you and this Mark guy are not together now? I am telling you, if he is engaged to someone else, you just need to count him out. Find someone new. Enjoy yourself. Get involved, or just get laid.”

IAN- “You get right to the point don’t you?”

JAKE- “I do when I meet someone that I like and I am attracted to. You are just my type, So what do you say we go back to my place and get to know one another a little better? We can drink there, it doesn’t cost anything. I am sure I can make you forget about this Mark, at least for tonight.”

IAN- “That is tempting, but--”

JAKE- “But, what? I live right around the corner, we can leave your car here, and take mine. If you don’t want to do anything other than talk, that is fine. Just relax, and try to forget this guy.”

IAN- “You know what?  I think I will take you up on that. I need to get back out there, look and see what I am missing.”

IAN- “I thought you were going to take a swim, Mark?”

MARK- “Yeah, just finishing up my morning routine. So you’ve been quiet the last few days, are you okay?”

IAN- “Yeah, all good here. So do you sign the papers on that new place today?”

MARK- “Yeah, Royce is coming over tonight, and if everything goes well, we can close next Monday and get the keys then.  You ready to start renovating?”

IAN- “Well, sure. I can help.

MARK- “There, all done, I feel so good after a nice workout. Let me change over into my trunks and I will join you, that pool looks amazing!”

IAN- “It is nice. You going to put a pool in the new place?”

MARK- “We have talked about it, and we will, but not right away. We have to wait and see how much we have left after all the renovations before we splurge on non essential things.”

IAN- “Well, in my opinion, a pool IS essential!”

Mark runs inside and changes and comes right back out and sits on the edge of the pool.

When Mark returns to the pool, he sense that Ian is a million miles away in thought.

MARK- “Hello, World to Ian, where are you?”

IAN- “Oh, sorry, so I was just wondering, when will you guys be actually moving?”

MARK- “We have to have the plumbing and electricity checked out, but once that is up and working okay, we can move a few things over. I think it would be easier for us to stay there and kind of camp out instead of coming back here every night and then back over there in the evenings once Seth is off of work.”

IAN- “So, maybe in a couple weeks then?”

MARK- “Hopefully. You are going to be ready, right?”

IAN- “I haven’t really been looking for a place. But I will be ready.”

MARK- “Wow, this area is huge, and the original floors! It is beautiful in here.”

SETH- “How can you see anything with those sunglasses on?  All I see is a lot of work to even be able to move in.”

ROYCE- “But you can make it your own. It would make a beautiful family home.”

MARK- “He is right, Seth.  And it is away from town, it has it’s own private drive and gate...”

ROYCE- “Come on out back, and look at the view and the property.”

MARK- “So with the renovation loan, are there specifics that you need to follow in regards to what you can use it for?”

ROYCE- “Not really, just restoration.  Of course you couldn’t tear it down and build a new home but----”

SETH- “Mark.... do you see that?.... Mark??”

MARK- “What?”

Ian jumps out of the pool and takes a seat next to Mark on the pools edge.

IAN- “I’m looking for a place to live Mark, I mean I didn’t expect to move with the two of you. You two are going to be getting married after graduation and starting your lives together---”

MARK- “Ian, marriage is a long way off, and we have already started our lives together. Seth and I have talked about you, and Seth never even thought about not asking for you to move with us. Why would we just throw you out. I thought you knew me better than that.”

IAN- “Really, you both want me to come with you?”

MARK- “Of course silly. This house is huge and our plan is to create a small apartment in the basement area, kind of like a mother-in-law suite. Seth wanted to make sure that there was somewhere for his mom when she gets older. But that too is a long way off, so until then, you can stay there.”

IAN- “Wow, this really means a lot Mark. I really had no idea you guys wanted me to go with you.”

MARK- “Well there is an ulterior motive, you know.  We are going to need a lot of help restoring this place, so we need all the hands we can get. This isn’t just a little do it yourself project, this is a major overhaul.”

IAN- “Of course, yes, Of course you can count on me to help. I have done a little construction work in High School, I mean I helped my dad build a garage.”

MARK- “Every little bit of knowledge is a plus.  And as far as rent, you can just pay what you have been paying Lila.”

Ian stands up to jump in the pool and Ian grabs him giving him a big bear hug.

IAN- “I just think that---- oh...

Jake grabs him and begins kissing him, there was no conversation. And before he even realized it, Ian was in Jake’s bed...

Early the next morning, Ian wakes up and sits on the edge of the bed. Jake wakes up and mumbles something.

JAKE- “Thanks, stay for breakfast?”

IAN- “Listen, Jake, this shouldn’t have happened, and I am sorry that I---

JAKE- “No apologies, Ian, I enjoyed myself, and like I said last night, I like you.”

IAN- :”Well, I should get home. I have a class at 11, and Mark does as well. Plus I want to get home before Seth leaves for work.”

JAKE- “Seth?”

IAN- “Yeah, that’s Mark’s fiance, they met on the bachelor show. Mark won.”

JAKE- “Is that right...interesting. Well if you need to go I understand, maybe dinner sometime?”

IAN- “Yeah,  I will call you.”

Ian grabs his clothes gets dressed and heads out the door back towards the the Wharf to pick up his car. As he prepares to leave, Jake lays in the bed and thinks to himself.

MIMI- “Hey so you new here? Haven’t seen you before handsome.”

IAN- “Been in town a few weeks, yeah. Needed to get out of the house for a few. Can I get a glass of wine, white if you have it.”

MIMI- “Sure thing. I’m Mimi, I own this place, and seeing how this is your first time, the first drink is on me. So things a little tense at home?”

IAN- “No, not really.  Just feel like a third wheel there. Living with friends for a while.  They are all “in love” and shit.  I thought a change of scenery might help.”

As he and Mimi make small talk, another guy sits down next to Ian.

JAKE- “You are new, not seen you here before. I am Jake, and the next one is on me.”

IAN- “It’s okay, one should be enough.”

JAKE- “Don’t be silly, no one drinks just one, isn’t that right Mimi?”

MIMI- “Certainly not you Jake. You want your regular?”

JAKE- “Yeah, ...so stranger, what’s your name now that you know mine? And what brings you to the Wharf?”

IAN- “Ian, I’m Ian. Nothing really just need to get out for a while. So this place seems like the place to be.”

JAKE- “Mimi runs a fine establishment here. No bullshit goes on here. Everyone is laid back here and gentlemanly... I guess that’s the word for it. So you new to the Bay?”

IAN- “Yeah, been here a few weeks. You from here?”

JAKE- “Nope, moved here back a few months ago, from San Myshuno. Needed a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. What brings you here, Ian?”

IAN- “Moved here with a friend.  He got engaged and moved in with his fiance.  We are students at Foxbury, so him and his fiance invited me to stay until the semester. Cheap rent, so I couldn’t pass it up. Be heading out sooner than expected it seems though.”

JAKE- “Really? And why is that?”

IAN- “His fiance’s mom is selling her house, that’s where we all stay. So they are looking to buy a new place, and I am sure they are not going to want me to tag along. So I suppose it’s back to Britechester for me. Plus, I am done being a third wheel.”

JAKE- “Well drink up my new friend. Life is never as bad as you think. Things always seem to work out.”

IAN- “Not likely in this situation. The man your in love with is in love with someone else, and your stuck living with them.  That is pretty bad if you ask me.”

Both Mark and Ian have moved into the Schrieber home. Mark loves it. Ian not so much. Seth’s mother has put her home on the market and decided to move in with Corrine and help with Jackson. Seth’s job at the clinic is going well, and will soon be taking over the running of it. Mark has six more weeks before graduation and is eager to start looking for a job in his field of psychology. He and Seth have been looking for houses in Brindeton Bay with very little success, which Ian is pleased with. He knows once they buy their own home, he will put out on the street...

ROYCE- “This one just came on the market, so you two will be the first to see it. I know it’s in town and you guys wanted something a little more in the coutry, but I think you will like it.”

SETH- “It’s right across the street from where I grew up Royce.”

ROYCE- “Come on, just look at it. Give it a chance.”

MARK- “It’s nice from the outside, Seth. We should look. I know you wanted to go out of town, but this has plenty of room and---

SETH- “Okay, we will look.”

10 minutes later, they were back in front of the house...

MARK- “It’s move in ready, Seth.”

SETH- “Yeah, with the average run of the mill renovations, cheaply put in place to sell quickly. They removed all the character from the house. If I wanted to stay in town I would just buy mother’s home.”

MARK- “There is honestly not much to choose from here. We have seen almost every available home for sale in the area.”

ROYCE- “Well, there is one... I haven’t shown it to you because it has been empty for quite a while. A lot of work is needed to even make it habitable. But it is further out.  I just didn’t know if it was something you would want to invest in.”