“Hi, could you tell me what room Zack Baker is in?” Brian tapped his fingernails on the receptionist’s desk impatiently.

“What is your relationship to the patient?” The plump woman with a perm asked from behind her desk.

“He’s family.” A strange voice called out to the woman who in turn nodded at the man and let him lead Brian away. “My brother is in room 209”

“Uh, I feel like an idiot asking you this but who are you?” Brian wondered stepping in stride with the new man.

“I’m Matt Baker. Zacky’s younger brother.” The black haired man stated shaking the hair out of his eyes. “Am I to assume you are the Brian Haner my brother wouldn’t stop fawning over all week before the accident?”

“Yeah that would be me.” Brian could feel his cheeks tinting pink, focusing on his feet as they walked.

“More so commonly known as Synyster Gates right?” Brian’s head snapped up and met Matt’s gaze. Somehow he could tell that Matt was Zack’s brother just by looking at him.

“How did you know?” Brian asked feeling his mouth go dry.

“My brother was pretty upset the day you left. He had talked a lot for the week you were gone. You hurt him real bad you know?” Matt looked directly at Brian when he stopped at the hospital door.

“How did he know I left?” Brian wondered threading his fingers though his hair.

“He went to your house the night of his shoot to tell you it was canceled.” Matt stated crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at Brian.

“What? Why?” Brian had spent the past week beating himself up knowing that he had hurt Zack. But he had also done a lot of thinking about Zack’s shoot. He hated himself for feeling so jealous but he couldn’t help it.

“The label can’t make you do anything illegal. Incest is illegal in this state.” Matt chucked, fiddling with his fingers.

“Wait, you were the one he was supposed to?” Brian cut off his sentence when Matt nodded. “So he didn’t do anything?” Brian pleaded with his eyes for Matt to give him the answer that he craved. This time Matt shook his head.

“He didn’t do anything that would be considered cheating if he were to be in a relationship.” Matt stated before turning and walking into the hospital room. Brian stood outside the door for a few seconds. Taking a deep breath he pushed open the door. “He’s just sleeping for now. When the accident first happened he flat lined but the doc was able to revive him. It’s been rocky but he woke up for a little while today.”

“I should have never left.” Brian nearly whispered to himself, taking a seat next to Zack’s bed in one of the padded chairs.

“Speaking of you leaving why are you back so soon? I thought you weren’t due back for a few more days.” Brian knew Matt was fishing for answers.

“My best friend and his wife heard about Zack’s accident on the news. They called me last night but the phone didn’t wake me so I didn’t find out until this morning. I would have been here sooner if I had known.” Brian quietly stated.

“Why did you leave?” Matt wondered, curiosity lacing his voice.

“I needed to get away for a few days. I broke contract the day I left and that night before Zack and I had fought so I needed some time to clear my head. I packed my son up and we went to Hawaii to see my aunt and her wife.” Brian couldn’t look up, he felt so damn guilty that he had left on bad terms with Zack and now his friend was in the hospital.

“You have a kid?” Brian nodded. “How old is he?

“Jared is six, seven February actually.” Brian smiled thinking about how his son’s birthday falls on Valentines Day each year.

“Was he the result of one of your shoots?” Matt asked out of curiosity.

“No actually. He was the result of a condom failure between me and my ex-wife.” Brian stated looking up at Zack’s pale face.

“So at one point in time you were strait?” Matt raised his eyebrow at Brian.

“I was bisexual at one point in time but not anymore.” Brian couldn’t help but feel like he was in an interrogation room.

“So you went all the way gay?” Brian nodded his reply, not taking his eyes off of Zack’s sleeping figure. “Please don’t hurt my brother anymore than you have Brian.”

“I don’t plan on it Matt.” Brian looked down at his watch to check the time, realizing that it was time for him to pick Jared up so Matt and Val could go on their date. “I will be back later. I have to go get my son from my friend’s, they have plans.”

“Have a good one man.” Brian replied then leaned down and kissing Zack’s forehead before exiting the room.

When Brian got home he relieved Val of her babysitting and decided to take Jared out for something to eat. They stopped by a local diner and had a nice meal. The whole time they were out Jared had questioned Brian about Zack. He wanted to know how the man was feeling and if he was okay. Brian was nearly kicking himself in the ass for telling Jared about Zack’s accident. Finally Brian had had enough.

“Jared how about I take you to see Zack; that way you can see for yourself that he is still alive and getting better?” Brian asked from across the table. Jared nodded and jumped from his seat, leaving his half finished food at the table. Brian had the waitress bring them a few take out boxes and packed up their food before heading out.

When they arrived at the hospital Brian got them their visitor’s tags and led Jared to room 209. Before opening the door Brian insisted that Jared keep his voice quiet so he didn’t wake Zack. Jared nodded with a big smile and let his dad lead them into the room. When the door was fully opened Brian was surprised to see not only Matt but Jimmy and Johnny in the room as well.

“Who are you?” Jared whispered looking at the three men.

“Buddy, this is Zack’s brother Matt.” Brian pointed to the younger baker before introducing his old friends. “And the tall one is Jimmy, the shorter one is Johnny. I’ve know them since I was a kid.” Jared just nodded and waved. His eyes caught onto Zack and he made his way over to the bed. Climbing up into the chair he kept his gaze on Zack.

“I never thought he would be so adorable.” Jimmy stated his eyes wide and looking at Jared.

“He looks like his dad.” A whisper broke the silence. Everyone’s attention snapped to Zack. His eyes were squinted open. Jared quickly leaned forward and wrapped his hand around Zack’s. The older man returned the favor and held the boys hand in a comforting manor. “Will you guys take Jared downstairs and get him some ice cream or something I need to talk to Brian.”

“Yeah sure, come on little man.” Jimmy stated standing from the chair and holding his hand out to Jared. The boy looked at his dad. Brian nodded and Jared took a hold of the hand offered.

“Don’t eat too much sugar buddy; you remember what happened last time right?” Brian asked looking at his son.

“Yeah dad but this time I won’t get sick.” Jared stated smiling up at his dad.

“Don’t worry I wont let him make himself sick.” Matt stated leading the group out the door. Brian took the seat his son had just occupied and looked over at Zack.

“How are you feeling Zee?” Brian asked taking in his friend’s pale complexion.

“I have honestly been better but for the most part I am lucky to be alive.” Zack whispered out in a scratchy voice. Brian grabbed the water pitcher from beside the bed and filled the clean up next to it before handing it to Zack. He helped the younger man sit up and take a few sips of the cool liquid. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Brian sat back and ran his finger over the top of Zack’s hand in an attempt to soothe the man. “I couldn’t do it.”

“Couldn’t do what?” Zack asked looking over at Brian.

“I couldn’t go through with the shoot. As he was about enter me I realized that I couldn’t do it. I was so confused and upset that I took Jared to visit my aunt.” Brian stated looking down at his hand now entwined with Zack’s.

“Why couldn’t you and what were you confused about?” Zack wondered, he pulled Brian’s hand over so their entwined fingers rested on his chest.

“I was trying to understand why I felt the way I did; why I couldn’t go through with it. I got confused because I broke contract and I didn’t understand the reason why I did it. Going to see my aunt’s was the best thing that I think I have done in a while. They helped me understand the feelings I was having and believe it or not Jared helped too.” Brian chuckled.

“How did he help?” Zack asked looking directly into Brian’s eyes.

“He helped me realize that I don’t need to be so afraid of being with a man.” Brian replied not breaking their gaze.

“He knows that you’re gay?” Zack was surprised. Brian nodded and leaned back again, letting out a sigh.

“Yeah and apparently he wants you in my life.” Brian smiled at Zack’s wide eyed expression. “He wants you to be a part of our family Zee; so do I.”

“What about my contract? Brian I can’t be with you while working at Dirty Visual.” Brian could hear the sadness in Zack’s voice. “By the way I talked to a lawyer; your dad has no legal right to keep you in contract. You have been out for a few years because you never signed another contract after your third year.”

“We will figure something out Zack. Even if we have to take this to court I will get you out too.” Brian smiled; feeling like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He was finally free to be and do what he wanted.