"You what?", exclaims Andrew incredulously. Raphael next to him looks at me from widened eyes. They are my oldest friends and always there for me. They know me and my life, know of my fears and deepest depths. And of course they also know that I never wanted to make a firm and final commitment in my life. Wordlessly, I slide my phone across the table and start the video. Elvis appears on the screen and Alec, who slips a ring over my finger.

I still wear the ring. The whole taxi ride I wondered how all this could have happened. I only noticed that I was deep in thought and playing with the ring when the taxi driver asked me how long I had been married.

He frowned at my answer and did not address me again until we had arrived at our destination. I still didn't realise what had happened and especially why.

"You got a new message. From your husband", says Andrew. The giggle turns into a laugh and Raphael punches Andrew's upper arm. He holds the sore spot, rubbing it, and silently lowers his head. They have a different kind of relationship. Both men are as different as night and day. But they love each other and are deeply connected on a sexual level.

Shortly after arriving in New York, I received a message from Alec. 'Thank you for breakfast.' Attached is the video of our wedding. Slightly nervous, I pick up the phone and open the new message.

'Please tell me you remember.'

My heart slips as I look at the photo. It shows Alec and me in a club. Next to Alec is Jace and Simon apparently took this explicit photo. I kneel in front of Alec and hold a ring out to him. Fuck. Where did I get that ring? I can't remember. Neither the proposal, nor the ring. Did Alec propose to me or did I propose to him? My head is blank, most of the images blurry. Only three are ever the same and clear. Blue eyes, black hair, Elvis. That's all. My only memory of last night.

Cursing, I drop the phone on the table and walk around the flat. I don't like losing control of my body. It feels like being controlled by someone else. Ragnor has promised to take care of the matter. I don't want anything to do with it. My life is a mess right now. The matter with Julian is also still unresolved. He has left and written several messages to me. My phone has been off since the incident. I only turned it back on in the taxi and was literally bombarded with messages and missed calls. Everyone was worried, and rightly so.

"Rapha, can I stay with you for a few days?", I ask him and see him nod.

"Now stop pacing around the flat so apathetically. Sit down. What do you remember?" His calm demeanour jumps out at me and I take one deep breath. Losing my cool now doesn't do anyone any good.

"Well, that's the problem. My only memory is blue eyes, black hair and Elvis. I know I left Julian and all our friends, as well as his family, at the church. I drove to the airport and got on the first available plane. My way led me to some bar. I drank and then it got dark. The next morning I woke up with a huge headache next to Alec."

Both men look at me and I can see the gears working in their heads. I feel the same way. I try to fill the missing hours with images and sensations, but there's nothing.

"He's really pretty. I can see why you chose him as your husband", says Raphael and I roll my eyes.

"Can we just not talk about this anymore? I'll sort it out with Julian. And then I can go back to my house in a few days. I hope." Exhausted, I run my hands through my face and feel the metal of the ring on my skin.

I've never been the type of man with a soft spot for jewellery. This ring feels foreign, cold and heavy. However, I have found myself stroking the smooth surface, lost in thought, and my fingertips have begun to tingle.

"Of all the things to happen to you", Andrew said.

"What does Ragnor say?"

"The marriage is legal. We can't avoid court proceedings. The judge annuls the marriage and then everyone goes their separate ways", I reply.

"And Julian? How are you going to explain that to him? You left your wedding ceremony, ran off to Vegas. There you married another man. That's tearing his heart apart." Raphael's words are accusatory. Even though I know he means no harm by what he says, it hurts.

"I slept with him", I say quietly, hoping it was quiet enough. But it wasn't. The shock is written all over their faces.

"With Alec?", asks Andrew in surprise.

"No, with Elvis. With Alec, of course. And I don't remember that either", I shout at Andrew. He flinches and Raphael looks at me reprovingly.

"I'm sorry", I mutter.

"It's okay. But you need to talk to Julian and then wait for the court date. And please don't yell at me anymore. I can't help your situation", says Andrew in a brittle voice. Andrew is a really nice guy, always wants to do everything right and avoids arguments where possible.

"What did I actually do that was so bad that fate punished me like this?", I ask with a sigh. My two best friends don't answer me. They know it was a rhetorical question. It's quiet, everyone is lost in thought. And just as I'm thinking of the right words to say to Julian, my phone rings. As if he had noticed that I was thinking of him, the letters of his name light up on the display.

"Hello Julian. Let's talk. I have some things to tell you."