Eric's Pov:

I parked and got out of my car moving slower then usual because I was sore and almost too fucking tired to move. That run yesterday had donkey stomped my ass but the aftermath with Steven damn near killed me. Oh but what a way to go. We didn't get kinky or anything. In fact most of it was taken slow but I honestly think that was the most mind blowing sex we've ever had.

I felt totally connected to him on a whole other level. I'd been honest about how I felt about him and even though he didn't say he loved be back he gave me something he'd never given anyone else.

His kisses felt deeper like we weren't holding back anymore. We'd dropped straight to sleep from exhaustion right after but spent the entire night wrapped around each other.

He'd woken me up with breakfast in bed then we showered together which usually we try not to during the week so we're not tempted to forget we both have to get to school. We'd washed each other and kissed and cuddled but nothing more and honestly it made me feel like even though he hadn't said it, maybe he does feel it. Or at least something close to love.

I strolled into first period and smiled when my phone vibrated with a text from Steven telling me to have a good day and he missed me already. I hit reply but my phone was snatched from my hand and I was being dragged out of first period before the bell even rang to begin it.

"Where do you think you're taking him? Class is about to begin." My bitchy teacher shrieked.

John didn't even turn around. "Family business, take it up with the Dean" John snapped pulling me through the door.

"What the hell stupid?" I snapped yanking my hand out of his.

He turned to face me and he was pissed. His eyes were narrowed and his jaw was clenched. He took a deep breath and sighed.

"The shit's hitting the fan bro."

"What's wrong? What happened? Do I need to beat someone's ass?" I asked because I'd never seem him this pissed.

He laughed. "Yeah we do but I don't know whose yet. We're needed in the Dean's office. There's something you need to see."

We walked in and the unusually packed office got silent.

"Get a fucking life and stop believing every god damn thing you idiots read!" John snarled.

Immediately everyone looked away.

"What the hell was that about?"

Before he could answer Delilah opened her door and motioned me in.

I dropped down in my usual seat. "What is up with everyone today?" I asked.

She sighed and looked at John. "He hasn't seen it yet?"

John shook his head and Delilah handed me the newspaper.

I looked down and felt my eyes widen at what I say.

Golden gay boy romantically involved with known anti-gay supporter Senator White's son.

Under it was a picture of John and I outside during lunch when we were talking about my feelings for Steven. Three pictures total and each one looked way more intimate then what happened. They were shot from a distance when John had forehead on mine trying to calm me down and when he had his arm wrapped around my shoulders whispering about what I should do. They looked like we were kissing then he was kissing my neck.

I skimmed each picture's blurb and rolled my eyes. Romantic lunchtime tryst my ass.

I looked up at John and sighed. Now I understand why he's so pissed. He'd never intended on telling his dad that he was Bi and now this shit was in the paper and the Senator religiously reads the paper every morning with his coffee.

"I am so fucking sorry. Look I'll explain to the Senator that we're not a couple and that shit wasn't what it looked like. I'll even tell him some of the details about why you were comforting me yesterday. Seriously man I'll clear this up and have the paper print a retraction."

He rolled his eyes. "Fuck what the Senator thinks. After our little chat this morning about certain events that took place at a certain teacher owned kink club he was only too happy to shut the fuck up and be supportive. He's having a very nice press release later about how he's had a change of heart and yada yada. That's not the issue here."

"Don't worry that Steven will believe this shit. He know's we're like family and I took your advice and told him last night. So I'll just explain that I was freaking out about loving him and you were being a surprisingly caring friends. Nothing more th-"

"Bro I'm not worried about him believing that bullshit. Please just shut the hell up and keep reading while I try to figure out our next move to fix this. I've got a few things on the back burner that'll help out. Just don't worry baby boy. I'll get it sorted."

I looked back down and skimmed the article about how John and I have been hot and heavy for months even taking a romantic trip to an unknown destination. But honestly nothing that could-

"Oh my fucking god!" I breathed as I flipped the folded paper over and was graced with more pictures.

Golden boy's reputation tarnished as he cheats on long time love with his coach.

Was captioned then pictures of mine and Steven's run were plastered with salacious blurbs. One of us running up to the our parking lot side by side which didn't look too bad. The blurb saying we'd run our usual route obviously enjoying each others company. As we were surprisingly upbeat after such a hard work out.

One of Steven on his knees rubbing the kink out of my leg, which looked kind of bad since I was pouting and he was smiling up at me with his hands wrapped around my calve. But the blurb said that the attentive secret lover was helping with my injured leg. Other then the secret lover part it wasn't bad at all.

But the last one was the one that I didn't understand. It was a picture of us when I'd told him I loved him and he'd put his hand on my back to propel me through the door. It honestly looked less bad then the one on his knees but the blurb was worse way worse. It said: wrapped in a their own love bubble undercover couple sneak into teacher's apartment for what sources said was the remainder of the night to spend some one on one studying time. Is he by chance an anatomy teacher?

"Eric we need to talk about this, I'll do my best to clear this up but I'm almost positive that by the end of the day the board with be demanding you and Steven go before the tribunal. Hell probably my self also since they're gonna assume I knew."

I gripped the paper tightly and breathed out slowly. "I'm going to leave. I suddenly have a lot of errands to take care of. Have you told Steven yet?"

"I'm fixing to. Why don't you wait and I'll excuse you and him for the rest of the day to work out your strategy while I investigate. I'll find no proof to back up the paper but that wont stop the board from doing their own digging."

"I cant be seen leaving with Steven that'll just add fuel to the fire. Besides I need some time to think and your brother doesn't help, just distracts. John have the Senator hold off on any public statement he's gonna make until I decide how this is going to play out."

"Done, let's go." He said walking to the door.

"No you need to stay here and stem the gossip about me and Steven. I'm so sorry you got dragged into this bro."

He rolled his eyes. "Ehh call this even for the few times you were lawfully detained because of me. Hit me up if you need help cracking any skulls. Let me know what you find out."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I stormed into the Dallas Observer's main entrance and to the receptionist.

"Hello how may I direct you?" The petite lady asked not bothering to look up from her computer screen.

"I'd like to talk to the Editor, now."

"Sorry sir, the editor is a busy man so unless he's expecting you it's not gonna happen."

"Listen here lady, I suggest you pick up your little phone and call that prick and tell him Eric Steven's wants to talk now or I'll have my attorney bring her bitchy ass down here to slap a lawsuit on the damn place." I growled not in the mood to waste time with niceties.

She rolled her eyes. "You'll have to deal with our legal department if-"

"Just get that fucker on the phone and tell him whose here." I snapped.

She picked up her phone and rolled her eyes. "Sorry to bother you sir but there is a Mr Eric Stevens here demanding to speak to you immediately." Her eyes widened. "Right away sir."

She set the head set down and stood up. "He'll see you, let me show you to his office."

She knocked but I turned the knob and flung the door open.

"You stupid son of a bitch! What the fuck could you have possibly been thinking?" I roared.

He stood up and smiled politely. "Eric, do have a seat. That'll be all Pamela. Thank you for showing him the way."

He walked around to the front of his desk and leaned against it. "Aren't you going to sit?"

"No I wont be here that long. Now explain what the fuck this morning's article was about!" I yelled.

He chuckled. "I had a feeling you'd end up coming by. I'm just the editor not the writer. I don't have any control over what my employees write. I'm just in charge of making sure everything is spelled correctly and looks tidy."

I ran my hand over my face resisting the urge to slam his face into something hard.

"Richard you will print a retraction immediately or so help me god I'm going to fucking lose it and wont be held responsible for my actions."

"Snuggle puff, I told you if you kept fucking the Senator's son it'd end up in the papers. You should have listened to me and dumped him."

"This is how it's going to play out. You are going to print a retraction with a formal apology to John, my coach and myself. Then you are going to stay the fuck out of my personal business or you will regret it."

"Come now darling I did you a favor. You're boyfriend's a bigger cheater then even I was. He's slept with more people in the last few months then I did our entire relationship."

"Not that it's any of your business but I never said John was my boyfriend, you just assumed he was. So he can fuck who ever he'd like. What's your excuse for dragging my fucking coach into this shit? You're going to get me expelled and him fired. Did you even think about that before you printed that bullshit?"

"Well I had to get your attention some how and that nosy bastard gets involved every time I try to have a simple conversation with you. It's none of his business and now he's learned his lesson about interfering where it's not his concern. Not to worry sweeting, one little call from me and I promise you wont get expelled from your precious private school."

"You were still following me? Even after I kicked your stalker ass the last time you did it? Look I don't have time to this shit. No matter how many mind-fuck games you play I am never going to get back with you. I want a retraction or I promise you I'm going to have my mom raise all kinds of hell and slap your crazy ass with a lawsuit for slander, defamation of character, and anything else the crazy bitch can come up with. On top of which it seems you've forgotten all the dirt I have on you. I will give every little piece of it to your competitor and sit back with a big mother fucking bowl of popcorn and watch while your perfect little world crumbles around your corrupt ass."

He glared at me. "You think you can blackmail me? The editor in chief of Dallas's number one newspaper?"

"I'm not blackmailing you. I'm offering a trade, you retract the lies you printed and I keep all your illegal shit hush hush."

"All of this just so your friend's faggot hating daddy doesn't get mad at him. No deal, besides I bet you don't even have any proof or you'd have turned me in a long time ago."

I tsked and turned my back. "You're arrogance is just one of the things I hate about you and you're going to regret not taking my deal." I walked out of his office and down stairs, out of the building.

I had a pit stop to make before my next errand. I pulled up at my bank and went to my safety deposit box and pulled out it's contents. I pressed the little call button and the bank manager arrived promptly.

"How can I help you Mr Stevens?"

"Augustus I was wondering if by chance you had a document envelope, along with something to write out a quick note."

"Of course sir I'll get it for you right away."

I separated my box's contents into two identical groups and waited in my private cubical for the manager to return. He came back and asked if there was anything else.

"Actually I'm a little pressed for time and I was wondering if it's possible for you to have this delivered to the Editor of Dallas Morning News. She owes me a favor and I'm about to call it in." I asked quickly writing out my note and shoving that and one of my stacks of evidence into the envelope.

I sealed it and wrote her name across the top with my name under it.

"Absolutely sir, I'll have my secretary deliver it immediately."

"Thank you. Please make sure your secretary hands into her hands directly. It's very important."

"Absolutely Mr Stevens."

I grabbed the other half of my box's contents and left.

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I walked into the police station and to the seargent's desk.

"Hi I was wondering if I could speak with some one in charge. I'm here to report a crime, many actually."

"Just a moment let me see if Captain Stafford is in. Have a seat and he should be with you shortly."

Two hours later an older slightly pudgy bald man walked up to me.

"I'm Captain Stafford you asked to speak with me?"

"Yes sir, I'm Eric Stevens nice to meet you."

He laughed and held his hand out. "We've met before, at a dinner party your mother had but it was a long time ago. How can I help you Eric?"

"I'm actually here to help you. I want to talk to you about Richard Castillo, the editor of Dallas Observer. I understand a while back y'all were investigating him but your case got stalled."

"And how did you hear about that because it was all done very quietly."

I rolled my eyes. "Not quietly enough because he knew about your investigation. Anyway I had the unfortunate luck of dating him and well let's just say things got bad and very messy and I decided that I might need to keep some proof handy in case he tried something stupid with me. I have everything you could possibly need to put his ass behind bars."

He raised his eyebrows. "And you didn't feel it necessary to turn this stuff in until he printed the story about you and Senator white's son and your teacher? You know his defense attorney is going to tear you apart on the stand."

"Look I kept this shit just in case he wouldn't leave me alone and truthfully up until a few months ago he had. Then apparently one drunken mistake led him to believe we were back together and the crazy just started spiraling out since then. I know his defense team could question my motives and all kinds of other things but video doesn't lie nor do the recordings I have of him talking about his illegal activities. I can almost guarantee he'll take a plea deal from the district attorney."

"The stuff you have is that good huh?"

"Here check it all out and decide for yourself." I said handing him the stack of Dvds, audio recording, pictures, even documents in his hand writing that incriminated him.

"You may want to order in, it's a lot to go through but worth if it if you want to put his ass away for a very long time."

I made it all the way back to school just in time to catch John before he left. I parked in front of his car blocking him as he put it in gear. We got out and he looked me over.

"No blood anywhere does this mean you didn't kick anyones ass?" Asked sounding disappointed.

I leaned against the hood of my car. "No just stopped by the paper and had it out with Richard, then turned his ass in to the cops well actually I didn't turn him in. I turned in all the shit I had on him so they'll probably end up picking him up before the morning."

"Hold the fuck up. Your psycho ex works at the paper? You should have brought me with you. I'd have loved beating his ass at the newspaper in front of all the reports!"

"He's the editor with his own big private office so even if you had kicked his ass no one but me you and him would have seen it. What did I miss here?"

"Well the students bought my line about it all being bullshit. Mainly because they're like us, rich, famous families on the receiving end of the media drama and it's love of making shit up to sell papers. So you're good on that front, Dan, KT and I worked serious rumor control. Steven stuck the day out which added to our believability and Dean Becker made an announcement about an hour ago about how she'd looked into the allegations and they had all proved to be false. Then the sneaky little bitch went on to say that she wasn't going to play favoritism so if any of the students or faculty had any pertinent information could they please come forward."

I shrugged. "Smart move because she knows that only Me, you, KT, Daniel, Steven and her know the truth and none of us are going to say anything. Makes it look like she's really investigating."

"Awe I always knew there was a reason I liked her sexy ass, besides how hot it looks in them tight little skirts."

"Gross dude she's our principal."

He snorted. "And? She's still fucking hot. Besides Steven's our teacher and I don't remember you ever saying he was gross."

"Shuddup. Okay so what is the Senator going to say?"

"Um about that, he already made the statement. By the time his dim witted secretary dispatched me through he'd already spoken to the press. Said he'd had a change of heart and after our long heart to heart he understands how wrong he was to be so judgemental and how he fully supports me and you. But that he didn't think we were still together because the strain of hiding it from everyone was too much and how he'd like to extend his apologies to you because he knows he was the reason I was hiding being Bi. He went on to applaud our school, Especially the Dean and Mr B for there above and beyond support and guidance for us during our difficult time and how the school's so lucky to have such wonderful pillars to uphold the moral code without prejudices and basically dude he tweaked the news story to his, our and the school's benefit."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Good soooo I guess it's over then."

"I don't think it is but we're gonna handle it. I had a friend on the board put some feelers out and it seems there's some guy named after a dog that's pushing for a tribunal. Apparently he was given the pictures before the news paper along with a statement from someone and you'll never guess who, saying he'd seen you and Steven be inappropriate and that the Dean knew and condoned it."

"Shit! Please don't tell me it was that ass hole."

"The very same. Man can you pick em. Let's hope Steven doesn't turn out to be half as fucked up as your ex is."

"I'm going to fucking kill him!" I growled.

"Nah, we're going to go to the gym and you're going to let out all that frustration out on a punching bag. While we think this through."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I dropped down panting and wiped the sweat from my forehead. "An hour to drive here and three hours beating this stupid fucking bag and all this accomplished was tiring me out. I'm still pissed off!"

John set his phone down and rolled his eyes. "Dude put your big boy undies on and stop whining. Everything is gonna be all good baby boy. Just go home and spend some time relaxing together before the tribunal tomorrow."

"How the hell do you know that it's tomorrow before I do?"

"Cause I have many friends that love helping me out. It comes in handy being a slut. You'll get the call to inform you that the tribunal will be held in some random office at the school tomorrow morning. Less chance to prepare your counter arguments if they notify you last minute."

"Great" I muttered pulling my boxing gloves off.

"Just a word of advice, you can pretty much bullshit your way out of anything cause I've seem you do it first hand. Except when you talk to or about Steven. Then you start stuttering and stammering and smiling like an escapee from the asylum. So you need to figure out a way that you can lie straight faced and say no I am not dating him. Think of like dead puppies, the deformed malnutritioned kids in Ethiopia or KT sticking a tampon up her vag. Anything to keep that sappy smile off your face."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I unlocked Steven's door and walked him. He jumped out of his desk chair and rushed to me.

"Baby are you okay? Where the hell have you been? I've been calling and calling you and Del said you stormed out of her office and KT and the guys had no idea where the hell you went. You had us all worried. John said something about you going to kick someone's ass. You look like shit."

I snorted. "Thanks Steven that's exactly what I needed to hear." I sighed and pulled him to the couch.

"I went to see Richard then to the bank to pick something up. Sent a copy of it the Morning News paper and took the other copy to the cops. Went back to school and picked John up and went to the gym to punch the shit out of a punching bag while John did his thing and found out that me, you and Del have a tribunal tomorrow because Richard's bitch ass sent a statement along with pictures to the board."

"Okay only about half of that made any sense to me. Do I even want an explanation?"

"No all you want right now is to feed me cause I haven't eating since breakfast and I'm starved."

"I was busy on the phone with Del all evening so I didn't cook but I did order pizza. I'll get you some."

"Thanks. Oh god is Delilah mad? I feel so bad she's getting pulled into all of this."

He kissed me then pulled back and pulled me up and to the kitchen.

"No she's not mad, oddly enough she's kinda looking forward to it. She's decided she's our attorney and cant wait to make some guy that she's been feuding with look like an idiot. She was worried about you today though but she said to tell you that everything will be okay and not to worry about being expelled but that if by chance you did, she'd be more then happy to home-school you."

He handed me the pizza box and I inhaled three pieces before I spoke. "We're all scheming and planning and I have no doubt that between me, you, Delilah, John and no doubt KT and Daniel we'll make it through tomorrow fairly unscathed."

I took a deep breath and looked up at him. "The only problem we have is that I cant lie about us. I can lie about whatever else but I wont be able to say me and you aren't together if we are. I think it has something to do with being in love with you. So I think we should break up."

He froze with his drink half way to his mouth. "You love me so we should break up?"

I groaned and ran a hand over my exhausted face. "I'm physically and emotionally drained right now so I'm sorry if I'm not making any sense to you but yeah that's sorta what I meant. Because I feel so strongly about you I cant keep a straight face and say we're not together. Because as lame as it is apparently I get chickish with the smiles and giggles when I talk about you. So the best thing to do is break up. That way I wont be lying and I wont stutter and make us all look hella guilty."

"I see, well if that's what you want but it can wait until morning. It's late and you stink and look like you're about to pass out so we're going to take a shower and get some sleep."