And all the bad boys are standin' in the shadows

 The guestroom was hardly ready. Ari barely had enough time to tell Jade all about Justin. Of course, they'd never met in person.

Oh, he'd wanted to meet him for so long, and yet he didn't want Jade to know him. Ari wasn't sure why. Yes, in the beginning he wanted Justin to be his long lost brother. Now, he wished he could be him. He was certain Justin would find him boring. After all, Justin was a world-class traveler. What could they have in common? Would he even like the accommodations at Ari's and Jade's?

Well, he found out sooner than he knew when he got home from work and there Justin was in his livingroom. His smile was broad and he was several inches taller than Ari. Suddenly, Ari felt like the little brother, but Justin hugged him like he was family, and it took Ari's breath away. He hadn't expected this.

Of course, Jade was in the kitchen making snacks. Ari when to get them beers. Justin just keep smiling.

"Where have you been?" Ari handed over the local long neck beer.

"Where haven't I been?' Justin shrugged back. 

"Well, you look great. Aren't you tired?" Ari was serious.

"I'm always tired, man," Justin told him as he took a sip of beer. 

Jade brought hummus and a tray of carrots, peppers, and broccoli to the coffee table. Naturally, she'd be the one looking out for their health. 

Justin's bony knee persisted in a nervous twitch. Ari wasn't sure what that was about. He hoped Justin hadn't come all this way to take what was his.

Of course, Ari quickly put his arm around Jade as if to make it clear how together they were. At least, Jade didn't pull away. Maybe she was a little leary of Justin too.

Justin didn't waste time digging into the dip with a carrot. "I've been in a few places, I wished I hadn't been." He crunched on the carrot.

"Oh." Ari nodded.

"Thanks for having me," His lips curled at the end. Ari cleared his throat. He hoped he didn't regret this.

"What if he never leaves?" Jade had to ask someone about this, and the only person she could confide in was Liv.

"What are you talking about?" Liv sounded droggy, but Jade didn't care that she'd awoken her with a phone call.

"Justin, that guy Ari thinks is his brother," Jade could barely say above a whisper. The only place she could hide was in their bedroom. 

"He just got there," Liv reminded her.

"Yeah, I know, but there is something odd about him," Jade told her.

"How odd?"

"I don't know," Jade sighed. "It's like he thinks Ari can solve all his problems."

"Can he?"

Jade tried to sit back on the bed and relax. She wrapped her other hand around her belly as if to give her a hug that she needed. She pressed her lips in thought. "What do you think? Ari wants to help everybody." She thought he was a big fool sometimes. Still, she couldn't stay mad at Ari, but..but what if he wasn't strong enough to tell Justin no? What then? Would he be living here forever?