Nathan York

Shy turns onto his side and watches TJ sleeping, the man's breathing slow and steady. It's comforting to have someone warm next to him, someone who cares about him and is willing to help. He reaches over and pushes aside some hair that's fallen over TJ's face. Shy can't help seeing Orlando when he looks at him, and that makes him feel awful, not because he misses his husband but because that's the reason he slept with TJ. With the curtains drawn to make the light dim in the bedroom, he could pretend for a little while that Orlando still loved him and wanted him. Now, he just feels like a user and no better than dirt. TJ deserves so much better than that. The fact that his friend would understand and be the first to tell him it's not a big deal makes it even worse. How come he couldn't have met a nice guy like this before he ever met Orlando? Hell, if he's going to go there, why couldn't he have met Tom before he met Orlando? If he had, they'd be together and Tom wouldn't be married to someone else. If... Shy's really starting to hate that damn word.

Sighing, he moves closer and kisses TJ's cheek. The man had given him exactly what he needed and now Shy has to make a decision. Either he can stay here with him and take advantage of his kindness, or he can move on completely and leave everything and everyone behind him. There's only one other person he knows he can trust right now to help him do that.

He carefully gets out of the bed and digs his cell phone out of his jeans pocket. Going into the living room so as not to disturb TJ, he dials Tom's number. He could really use some advice.