Title: The Other Man
Author: kieksterbanjo
Pairing: Nick/Greg & Greg/OMC
Rating: PG13
Warnings: Other pairings
Summary: Greg's found someone else...Short-ish songfic to The Other Man by Sloan
Disclaimer: Would I like to own them? YES. But do I? Alas No.
A/N: *** denotes the beginning and end of lyrics

***

The music has been pumping through the speakers all night and it's starting to ring in my ears. I don't even really know why I'm here; having been rooted to a bar seat for the past three hours. With a sigh and a turn of my head, however, I remember why I'm here and smile.

Out on the dance floor is Greg; dancing like no one is watching and even if they were he wouldn't care. Because most people ARE watching; he's had the whole bar's attention for almost an hour. He's memorizing to watch as he pulsates to as much the music in his own head as the music flowing from the speakers.

The song changes and I hope that maybe Greg is done, that he'll come over and we can leave, but I have a strange feeling I'm going to be rooted to a bar seat for some time now. I lift my eyes at the song change and can't help but find it slightly ironic. Greg probably doesn't even realize what song is playing, just another beat for him to dance to. From my seat at the bar however, I know what song it is loud and clear and cringe as I go back to my beer.

***You know he's not the one for you but that's no fault of mine.
He knows that I'm a friend of yours but doesn't know I've crossed the line.***

He doesn't. Know I've crossed the line, that is. I'm just ‘his friend'; harmless little me who goes with Greg to rock concerts he'd never even imagine consider attending with Greg.

He'd never even consider doing a lot of what Greg wants to do. It's all about his needs and Greg's get pushed to the wayside. So, yes, I'm Greg's ‘friend', but what he doesn't know is that after those harmless little rock concerts I take him home and fuck his brains out.

***I know you've got a man in the picture but it hasn't stopped me yet.
We've all been in one situation or another we regret.***

Do I regret it? I sit for a moment and think about that. Do I regret lying about it? Maybe. But do I regret actually DOING it? Probably not.

We've been friends for years and I've always harboured a crush for Greg, the man I could never have. So why should I feel guilty for finally getting what I've always wanted?

Maybe because he's in a so-called ‘committed relationship' with someone he's been friends with for longer then he's known me? Oh yeah, that's why I should feel guilty and I cringe once again at the thought.

***Now I'm the other man, no one's rootin for me.
If I'm the other man, nature will abhor me.

You know I want to keep my distance, does it happen anyway?
He knows you're going to drift apart and there's nothing he can say.***

I can see it already. Greg's pulling away from him and I shouldn't be so happy about it. If they did split up and people found out the REASON why they split up I would be on the chopping block faster then I could say ‘It wasn't my fault.' It'll probably end up that way anyway. Karma's a bitch and it's going to come and bite me on the ass.

It's not like I haven't tried to stay away from him. I wasn't raised to be a...there isn't even really a word for what I am. But it's like wanting the most fantastic toy for Christmas and after wanting and wanting it's finally given to you. Greg's my Christmas present.

***I know that he's a stand-up guy, but that's none of my concern.
We've all been in one situation or another, it's my turn.***

I've met him a few times; his name's like Rick...or something. He seems okay. I wouldn't necessarily say ‘stand-up'. In my opinion he treats Greg like shit; but is that because he actually does or because I just want him too to make myself feel better?

***To be the other man, no one's sympathizing,
When you're the other man that everyone despises.

He's going to find out that the rumours are true.
The love that I've still unbeknownst to you.
He'll found out so I'll tell you because,
You gotta find out before he does.***

There HAVE been rumours. Rumours that they're drifting apart and the reasons for that. I just keep my mouth shut, no need to add fuel to the fire.

I swallow the last of my current beer and absently wonder if I should order a new one. Greg could be out on that floor for hours more, which is one of the reasons I love him so much.

And THAT, that right there, is the reason for what I'm doing. I'm not in this situation to screw over Rick...or Mick...or...I should really learn his name. I love the man currently gyrating on the floor and I defy any man not to capitalize on it when an opportunity is put in front of him. I wasn't going to let Greg slip through my fingers.

As the song continues to its finish I lift a hand in the bartender's direction and then point to the bottle in front of me. He nods and turns to grab another Budweiser and I turn to watch Greg yet again as I wait for my beer.

***I know you've got a man in the picture but it hasn't stopped me yet.
We've all been in one situation or another we regret.

Now I'm the other man. No one's rootin for me.
If I'm the other man, nature will abhor me.
Yeah, no one sympathizes,
When you're the other man, that everyone despises.

Yeah, yeah,
We've all been in one situation or another,
We've all been in one situation or another,
We've all been in one situation or another***

The song comes to an end and another one unceremoniously takes its place. I spin on my bar seat to find my order beer sitting in front of me and I lift it to my lips. As I'm swallowing and about to bring my beer back to its position on the bar I get bumped from behind and almost spill half of it down my shirt. Arms wrap around me before I can protest the bump and I know its Greg. Even amongst the various bar smells that are a part of Club Omega's ambiance I can detect Greg's cologne as if it were the only scent in the room.

He's panting from his trip to the dance floor and I smile because I know how incredibly happy he is at this very moment. He leans in close to my ear and I shiver as his breath hits my skin, "Ready to go home Nicky?" He asks seductively.

I smirk and lean back to look at him over my shoulder, "Ready if you are." I say with a wink and he smiles bigger then I think I've ever seen him smile around Trick. Trick! That's the other guy's name! Well really not the OTHER guy's name, because I'M the other guy; but as Greg slips his hand into mine and pulls me towards the exit...I can't seem to care.

The End

***