"Your mother is a little too dramatic. And anyway we're all single you remember so it can't be a love problem," said Nathan.

"Oh yeah that's true. I have to stop listening to my mother. I think the divorce made him a little too sour."

"We're now the single parent's kids club now!" shouted Tetsuya a little too joyfully.

"Actually my parents and those of Nathan and Jonas are not divorced so technically we cannot be part of the club," said Nolan.

" Shit ! Bunch of traitors! How are we doing now for the club?" Asked Tetsuya, pretending to think.

Technically he was part of the group since his father was remarried but instead of pointing it out he kept quiet, if he said that Tetsuya would be a little too happy and the last thing he wants is to deal with now was a happy Tetsuya or worse an excited Tetsuya. He always suspected Tetsuya of hyperactive since he was always excited and could talked all the time without ever stopping, and never managing to move in all directions.

As they were finishing lunch, his friends have all gone home not without having accompanied them all to the entrance and having cuddled them each in turn. He was addicted to hugs and physical contact.

Alone at last, Jonas took a deep breath before putting away and cleaning the plates. He rushed to get his keys and his phone and started his father's car.

He hated driving, but today he was relieved to get in the car. He worried way too much.

Finally arriving next to Tyler's house he parked in their parking lot. Getting out of the car, he took a deep breath to give himself courage. His hands started to get sweaty so he wiped them on his pants before heading past the big Tyler house. Their house was a very bigger than his which could be understood because the Tyler family was quite a large family with four boys. And unlike Tyler, he was an only child so it wasn't like his parents had to buy a bigger house.

He thought about knocking then changed his mind to ring the bell, Tyler's family was a very noisy family, he doubted that they could hear him if he just knocked on the door. While waiting for someone to open the door for him, he noticed that he started to sway. So he tried to stay straight. And dried his hands. Ugh he hated having sweaty palms. But his concern for Tyler was such that he was starting to seriously panic, and it showed by his actions.

He waited for long seconds before someone came to open the door for him, he had the impression of having waited for interminable minutes. He knew it was ridiculous to worry too much like that. But he couldn't help it. He was a little too overprotective and a "daddy hen" as his friends so kindly liked to point out.

Tyler was his best friend, he had such a good evening yesterday removing the incident from last night, it was perfect he had the impression of finding his best friend whom he had not seen for so long because of major vacations and classes. And even if they had stayed in touch by phone, messages and phone calls it was not the same as seeing him in person. His best friend had missed him, and now that he could see him he had to leave so suddenly. Jonas wanted him to stay for dinner with the rest of his friends and for the rest of the evening to make up for all the time he had lost not seeing each other. But now his plan had fallen through.

Brandon, one of Tyler's older brothers, opened the door wearing only boxer shorts and headphone. He could easily assume that he was playing the console with his friends.

Brandon looks an awful lot like Tyler, The same muscular physique though Brandon was a taller and more muscled than Tyler, the same dark brown almost black eyes, the same flat, wide nose, the same facial features. Expect the tattoo on his bicep, which looked like a baseball ball. In fact they all look alike physically. But not only that, they also all look alike in their personality, they were all a little mocking and didn't hesitate to embarrass and tease shamelessly.

He suddenly realized that he had spaced himself out in his thoughts and hadn't heard what Brandon had said to him, who was visibly starting to get impatient.

"Um sorry Brandon I'm coming to see Tyler," said Jonas.

Jonas wanted to bombard him with questions, asking him if Tyler was okay and begging him to let him see, but he tried to stay calm.

"Yeah yeah get inside quick. Dude I told you to wait those assholes are forcing me to open the door when they know not to bother me. You guys better stay alice."

Jonas hastened to enter the house, the house was very large but above all it was welcoming. It was the kind of house you never wanted to leave. Even the house smell was divine. The house always smelled of good homemade food. And today it smelled of macaroni and cheese and the smell of waffles. The smell was exquisite and he could recognize it anywhere, after spending so much time cooking he could now tell by his sense of smell what dish it was.

Tyler's father was an excellent cook, he knew that after having eaten at their house several times. He always gave her several pieces of advice which always proved to be very useful and helped him.

"You can wait in the living room and if you need to eat or drink, go help yourself, dad made macaroni. No I'm not talking to you man, how can I invite you to dinner when you're not there. You're always so dumb George..."

Brandon's conversation fades as he walks away not-so-subtly scratching his crotch. He quietly settled on the sofa in the large living room where he put family photos and baby photos of the boys. It seemed no one was in the living room, they were all upstairs. He went into the kitchen to get a plate of macaroni and cheese and a glass of water before settling on the sofa in front of the TV to eat.

He had been so much at Tyler's that he had become comfortable with them, and with the idea of being able to quietly eat there or even relax there. And as expected the macaroni and cheese were delicious, they weren't too melty or overcooked. And the amount of cheese sauce was perfect. Tyler's father was truly a fantastic cook. He envied the boys for having the honor of being able to eat his meals every day. Even though he cooked well too, he always felt that the food tasted worse when you prepared it yourself than when someone else prepared it.

As he waited patiently for Tyler even though he couldn't understand why he couldn't just meet him in his room like he had so many times, Brandon always came back with his headphone. But his expression seemed more concerned as if he was worried. Shit was something going on with Tyler?

"Guys shut up, I can't hear myself anymore! Sorry Jonas Tyler can't see you, but I'll tell him you're through." Brandon said in a tone that sounded a bit too flippant, like he was trying to hide something.

"I just want to see him for a minute, it won't be long," Jonas said.

He was determined to see Tyler.

Brandon now looked almost uncomfortable. He opened his mouth and then closed it again as if afraid to say something the wrong thing or that would betray his lie.

"Uh yeah actually he's sleeping, and I don't think it would be cool to wake up now." Brandon said scratching the back of his neck.

"It's 2 p.m.," Jonas deadpanned.

"Yeah, he's taking a nap he must be knackered, last night he was at a party with some chicks and he's had a good time if you know what I mean," Brandon said.

"He was at my house last night," said Jonas, pointing out his lie

"Ah" said Brandon.

"Yeah Ah, listen I don't want to know why you're lying, just let me go see Tyler for a second and I'm leaving," said Jonas now tired of his lies.

"Damn no wait you can't. I can't tell you why but you really have to go now. You can't see him today."

"But why?"

"Look I shouldn't say this, but it was Tyler himself who personally that asked not to see you. So, if you could just respect his wish that would be cool for me and him. I really don't want to spend my time with you without wanting to offend you, I have a game waiting for me."

Knowing that it was Tyler who asked not to see him made his stomach turn. It hurt his heart to know that his best friend didn't want to see him, didn't want him. Had he done something wrong that made Tyler not even want to see him anymore? Or was just too embarrassed by yesterday?

Jonas smiled at Brandon despite the pain that seemed to echo inside him now, he knew that all the source of his worry was a few feet away from him, and that seeing him would probably take all that worry away from him but nevertheless, he would always respect Tyler and his wishes. And if his wish was not to see him for now, he will respect it no matter what it hurts him.

"Oh, ok sorry to have disturbed, thank you for the macaroni they were delicious," thanks Jonas while heading towards the entrance to return.

Brandon must have seen that something was wrong with him because a moment later he stopped him. He seemed to hesitate to say something then finally let him go.

Jonas got into his car with his shoulders down and started rolling with a heavy heart.

The determination he had to make sure he saw Tyler had faded to give way to bitterness.

He tried to convince himself that it was for the best, that Tyler probably needed some space and that he was fine, that he would be fine.

But why the hell did he feel like he was abandoning him?