Are You Serious?

'Was he really being serious?' Clay thought as he sat at his desk daydreaming a few days later.

Originally, he had laughed at what he thought was a joke until he noticed Daniel's serious expression. Daniel had told him he was being serious and that it was the better option. He could take him up on his offer or stay in the hotel and use up all his savings whilst he tried to find a decent place.

Aiden had assured him that there was plenty of room for him and that he would be happy to help. So, Clay had asked for a few days to think about it but he still had no idea if he should take him up on his offer.

"Good morning Clay!"

Clay jumped as one of the older nurses walked up. He smiled sheepishly at the woman when she smirked at being caught slacking.

"How are you May? What do you need?" he asked trying to sound professional.

"I'm good sweetie, you have a visitor," she said.

"Oh ok, erm send them in."

One of the things he enjoyed about his job was that he had a small little office to call his own. It was outside his boss's office and consisted of his desk, a couple of chairs and a coffee table, a coffee machine as well as the hugest inside plant he had ever seen that he, luckily, doesn't have to maintain.

The door opened and Clay slapped on his best professional smile until he saw who it was. Nick, his ex.

"Thanks, May," he said politely standing up and walking around his table.

He motioned for Nick to take a seat and begrudgingly took the other one.

"I don't have much time Nick, what do you want?" he asked keeping his voice as even as he could.

"What's going on Clay? You haven't been home in days. Every time I call you don't answer and the one time I finally get through some guy answers for you. Who was that guy? Are you cheating on me?"

Clay started laughing, "Are you kidding me!"

Nick gave him an incredulous look as if he had no idea what he was on about.

"You're asking me if I am cheating on you? Are you being serious?"

Nick once again looked confused at him before becoming a little annoyed.

"Can you be serious for more than two minutes please?" he demanded.

"I can't believe you think I am cheating on you," Clay said quickly sobering up. "I'm not you!"

Nick visibly paled and he suddenly looked nervous.

"That night we were supposed to meet for dinner. After waiting an hour, I came home to find only the bedroom light on and clothes thrown about the living room. Guess what I saw?"

"Well ... I ... it's not ... I mean it's not what you think!" he stammered.

"Not what I think? What else could it be? You were both naked, she was bouncing on top of you and you were both moaning. Do you really think I am that stupid?"

Clay sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"Ever since I got this job you've been acting like a complete douche. Whilst I was waiting for you that night, I met a friend from work and talked with him about you. He suggested that maybe you were a little insecure about me finding a higher-paying job, so I rushed home to talk with you about it."

"Clay, I can explain!" Nick rushed out.

"Explain? Go ahead, this I want to hear."

"Well ... I ... I ..."

After several minutes, Clay sighed once again and stood up. Nick stood as well and went to grab his hands but Clay moved them away.

"I'm sorry Clay, it was a mistake! A terrible mistake! I was drunk and didn't understand what I was doing. I thought it was you," he said.

"Are you fucking serious! How is that an excuse? You thought it was me? You were with a woman, I look nothing like a woman and she had long flowing blond hair. How the hell could you have mistaken her for me even drunk?"

Nick fidgeted and Clay had his answer. He didn't.

"If it really was a mistake then why is this the first time I've seen you? You should have been here the very next day begging for my forgiveness."

Nick visibly shrunk as he hung his head.

"Answer me honestly, have you cheated on me before and have you slept with her or anyone else since I've not been home?"

The look on his face gave Clay all the answers he needed.

"I thought so, I need you to get out of my office we are done! I will come after work to get my things."

Clay made to move back to his desk but Nick stopped him once again.

"Where are you going to live? You've only been gone for a few days, you couldn't have possibly found a place in time. Just come home, I'll do better, I'll be better I promise it won't happen again. Please, Clay!"

"Clay, can you get me the Baxters file ... oh I'm sorry I didn't realise you had company," Daniel said as he walked into the room and stopped.

"It's ok Daniel, Nick was just leaving. I can get you that file," he said moving away from Nick.

Nick stared after him before glaring at Daniel. Clay wondered if he was going to pick a fight but after a pause, he just left without a word. Daniel watched him walk away before going to Clay.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

Clay handed him the file and nodded with a sad smile.

"Yeah, I'm ok. If you hadn't figured it out, that was my ex. I told him about what I saw and he tried to tell me it was a drunken mistake, he said he thought it was me. I asked him how he could have mistaken me for this slim-looking blonde woman. Then I asked if he's cheated on me before and if, whilst I've been gone, he's made that mistake again. His face told me everything I needed to know."

Clay could tell he was on the verge of tears so he quickly turned around to hide it but Daniel had seen it. Without a thought, Daniel walked up to him, turned him around and pulled him into a hug. Clay hesitated for a moment before hugging him back.

"Clay, honey, I need to ... oh!"

Both men jumped apart and Clay blushed whilst Daniel tried to straighten his tie. He cleared his throat and turned to the nurse that just walked in.

"I'll come back later," she said with a smirk and quickly walked back out.

Clay nervously rubbed the back of his head whilst Daniel once again corrected his tie.

"Thank you for that Daniel," he said quietly.

"You're welcome Clay, anytime," he added with a blush of his own. "Are you feeling better?"

Clay nodded and wiped away a stray tear. Daniel fought the urge to wipe the tear away so he clenched his hands to keep them still.

"Have you come to a decision in regards to my offer?" Daniel asked.

"I have and I'm still unsure. I feel like I'll be taking advantage of you," Clay told him blushing once again.

"Clay, how are you taking advantage of me? I was the one that offered."

Clay looked at him for a while before smiling slightly.

"Well, if you're really sure."

Daniel nodded a little too enthusiastically than he meant to and blushed once again. Clay laughed and instantly felt lighter.

"Ok, then I accept your offer. I'm going to get the rest of my things tonight after work and then I will be over."

"Do you need some help with your things? Just in case your ex makes things difficult?"

Clay thought about it for a moment. Nick isn't known to be calm and understanding when things aren't going his way. Having someone there might be a good idea, he doubted Nick would cause a scene with someone else there.

"Well, if you have the time, some help would be greatly appreciated."