Chapter: 11 The Hardest Thing Special Thanks: Special thanks to Vernie for her help with this story. Rating: PG 13 Characters: Luke, Noah, Eddie, Roth Disclaimer: This site is no way associated with "As the World Turns", CBS, P&G, or Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann. This is not for profit. No copyright infringement is intended. Authors submit and write their own work.

Luke was sitting at a table in the quad. His mind was running a mile a minute. How was he going to break up with Noah? They had made love late into the night and fell asleep in each others arms. He just didn't know if he had the strength to do it. "Hey Luke."

Luke turned and saw Roth. Roth used to have a major crush on Luke, but then they became friends. "Hey Roth."

Roth sat down. "Thanks for the package. We had been waiting for it. Some premium stuff. I didn't know that you guys got into that kind of thing."

Luke was so upset about the package. He didn't know what was in it, but knew that whatever it was, it could send Noah to jail. He had thought last night that since they no longer had the package that maybe he wouldn't have to go through with breaking up with Noah, but Damian had said that he had ways of getting to Noah and Luke worried that his next plan would be even worse.

Luke saw Noah approaching. He put his hand on Roth's. "Well, things change."

Roth looked at Luke's hand on his. "What?"

Noah came up. "Hi guys."

Roth was startled and pulled his hand away from Luke. "Oh hi Noah. I didn't see you there."

Noah sat down. "What are you guys doing?"

Roth shook his head. "Nothing, Just talking about the package that you delivered. Premium stuff."

Noah nodded. "So you opened it?"

Roth nodded. "We were thinking about busting it out Friday. You guys are more then welcome."

Noah looked at Luke. "Sounds good. See you Friday."

Roth got up. He glance over at Luke. "Bye."

Noah looked at Luke. "I wonder how Mike would feel if he knew that Eddie was going to be showing his tape to other people.?

Luke just shrugged.
//////////////////////////////////////
Noah and Luke arrived at Eddie's. Roth must of cleaned, because everything was neat and there was food and drinks set up near the kitchen. Roth came over. "I'm glad that you guys could make it. I think you know everyone."

Noah was looking around. "Where's Eddie?"

Roth looked towards the bedroom. "He wanted a preview, before sharing with everyone. You know how it is."

Noah smiled. "Yeah. I guess."

Luke put his hand on Roth's arm. "Did you need help with anything?"

Roth looked down at Luke's hand and then looked at Noah. "No. I think everything is under control."

Noah and Luke talked to some of the other people. They danced a little, but Noah could tell that Luke was preoccupied. "Is everything okay?"

Luke looked at Noah. "Yeah. Everything is fine."

Eddie came out of the bedroom. He was feeling no pain. "Hi guys. What's up?"

Noah looked at Eddie. "Eddie your stoned."

Eddie waved off Noah. "No just a little buzzed. Nothing I can't handle. By the way I want to thank you again for that package."

Noah was worried about Eddie. "No problem. Roth said that you got a preview."

Eddie smiled and began to look around. "Yeah. Great stuff. I think I need a drink."

Noah shook his head as Eddie walked off. "I can't remember the last time I saw Eddie sober."

Luke was looking towards the kitchen. "Huh, Oh yeah. I'm going to see if Roth needs any help."

Noah watched Luke. "Why was he so worried about Roth?"

One of the other guest came up and started talking to Noah. Luke went into the kitchen. "Hi Roth."

Luke looked through the pass through to make sure that Noah could see him. "Hi Luke. Do you need something?"

Luke stepped closer to Roth. "Yeah, I do."

Luke kissed Roth on the mouth, full and deep. Roth didn't react at first. He had liked Luke and had hoped that they could have something, but he had realized that Luke loved Noah and settled on being his friend. He wanted to pull away, but couldn't make himself do it. So he began to kiss Luke back.

Noah looked up from his conversation and saw Luke and Roth in the kitchen. He walked up to the pass through. "Luke?"

Luke turned and looked at Noah. "Noah. It's not..."

Noah stepped back. "...what it seems. You weren't just kissing Roth?"

Luke came out of the kitchen and went to Noah. He took him by the arm. "Noah. I can explain."

Noah pulled his arm away. "Don't bother."

Noah turned and headed for the door. Luke followed. He had done what he had to do, but he didn't want Noah to hate him. "Noah wait."

Roth watched them leave. He put his hand to his lips. Still feeling the kiss that he and Luke had shared.

Coming Soon: All the Blame
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Chapter 12