Dandruff

Bacon crackled over the fire, the smell wafting through the apartment and rousing Jacob from the shallow sleep he’d forced himself into. He sat upright and looked around the room, finding himself alone in bed and very much naked.

At first he was confused, but then it all came back to him, swift and sudden like a switchblade to the throat.

“Fuck.”

He threw himself back down, hitting the mattress with a bit more force than he’d intended. And yet he’d wished it was enough force to put him into a coma for a couple years. By then, Phoenix should’ve found a new trophy wife, Russell would have forgotten about him, and Felicity—fuck. He couldn’t imagine a happy ending for her, not after walking in on the love of her life a mere two seconds away from shoving his cock into someone she’d trusted.

God, he hated himself.

He rolled onto his stomach, burying his face into the pillow, and inhaled the scent of fabric softener and Pilot’s shampoo. Everything felt so fucking hopeless. He couldn’t see a way out of this.

He never thought the day would come when his conscience caught up with him, but alas, here it was. He just kept on seeing Felicity’s anguish and Phoenix’s disgust. And what hurt the most was that all he could think about was how much he wanted, no: needed, to see Phoenix.

“For fuck’s sake,” Pilot entered the room. “Do I need to crack a window open and let out the self-pity in here?” Jacob glared at him from beneath the tangled mop of his hair. “You’re acting like Phoenix.” “

Does that mean you’re going to throw yourself at me again?” Pilot retorted, taking a seat on the bed. He almost regretted the snide remark when he saw Jacob’s pitiful expression. “What’s the matter with you, huh? You’re even more miserable than you were last night.”

“How am I supposed to feel? This might be funny to you, but I feel like shit. I ruined everything,” Jacob said, staring up at Pilot with wet, startlingly childish eyes. It was shocking how defenceless Jacob now appeared; naked, small, young—lost. Pilot sighed.

“What did you really think was going to happen, Jacob? There was never going to be a happy ending. I dunno why Phoenix decided to fuck around with you; you’re just a kid.”

“Actually, I’m an adult now—“

“No, you’re not. You can’t even fucking drink legally. You turned eighteen a couple hours ago, and you’ve still got a lot to learn in spite of the kind of life you’ve had. Phoenix was wrong for this. I wish you’d listened to me.”

A bitter smile stretched the bruised skin of Jacob’s lip. “What? Your revenge isn’t as orgasmic as you thought it would be?”

“Don’t be a shit,” Pilot scoffed. “If you’re not planning to put out, put some clothes on and come down for breakfast. You’re on my property and on my time, and I’m not going to allow you to slash your wrists up here.”

It was Jacob’s turn to scoff. “Have you seen my hair? I don’t own a flat iron; therefore I do not slit my wrists.”

“Emo jokes, huh? A little 2007, don’t you think?”

“Forgive me for not being funny today. It’s kind of hard to be when your life is a fucking mess.” Jacob slid off the bed, standing on surprisingly tired legs.

“I thought you’d be used to it by now. So… Do you want coffee? Considering the circumstances, you might even be able to bribe me into giving you something stronger.”

The thought of alcohol made Jacob’s stomach upset. “Coffee’s good.”

After manoeuvring himself into a fresh set of clothes, Jacob ventured into the kitchen where a plate of crispy bacon and buttered toast awaited. Pilot was at the counter, pouring hot coffee into two mugs.

“I didn’t expect you to be so domesticated,” Jacob said as he took a seat, suddenly aware of how hungry he was.

Pilot set one of the mugs in front of Jacob before sitting in front of his own plate. “We’re not all shameless victims of capitalism like Phoenix is.”

Jacob laughed ruefully. “This is so fucking awkward. Can we just, not mention Phoenix and pretend we had a platonic slumber party or something?”

“Why?” Pilot looked up from his task of compiling a bacon sandwich. “It won’t stop you from thinking about him. I feel sorry for you, don’t get me wrong, but you’ve got to admit that you knew what you were doing when from the start. You can’t run away from this one.”

“I know,” Jacob sighed, running his fingers through his hair with a hopeless urgency.

“No, you don’t.”

“Oh, fuck off.”

“Have you even thought about what you’re going to tell that boyfriend of yours?”

“No…” Jacob pushed his plate away; the quicker reality was catching up with him, the more his appetite depleted. “I’m too much of a pussy to even turn my phone on.”

“You should put the poor bastard out of his misery.”

“I know… All my shit’s at his place, too… God, can you imagine what he walked into when he went to pick me up?”

“Call him and find out then.”

“You are being really fucking unsympathetic right now,” Jacob snapped. “Fuck you and your bacon.”

“No need to get nasty; I said I’d fuck you today if you wanted.”

A knock on the front door prevented Jacob from throwing his scalding coffee in Pilot’s face.

“I’ll get that.” Pilot stood. “Eat your breakfast and stop being a baby.”

Jacob took a vicious bite out of a strip of bacon, glaring balefully at Pilot as he swaggered out of the room. Fuck. This was messed up. He didn’t want to think about anything.

He closed his eyes and willed his mind to go blank. He could hear Pilot’s heavy footsteps and the front door being opened, followed by a female voice: “You wouldn’t believe what I’m dealing with right now. Sorry I couldn’t call before dropping by, but I’m my life is currently something from the Twilight Zone… Is that bacon I smell?” And then heels were clomping in the direction of the kitchen until Jupiter was in plain sight; dressed in a sheer, white blouse which had her ample chest and red bra on display. Light reflected off her leather pants and the even shinier vinyl of her red pumps. Jacob froze when their eyes met.

“Jacob!” she exclaimed, surprised. Pilot appeared behind her a second later, and she turned to him. “This morning’s fucking insane! What’s he doing here? I thought I heard he was moving somewhere else?”

“Long story,” Pilot replied. “So what’s going on with you?”

“Oh, dear brother, you have no idea,” Jupiter dramatically fell into the chair beside Jacob’s. “Phoenix fucked up big time.”

“Is that so?” Pilot feigned innocence as he fixed Jupiter a plate of bacon. “What’s up?”

“This will definitely make your day,” Jupiter said a tad sarcastically. “Get this: it’s midnight, my condo smells like Chanel No.5, I’ve got the heir to some cigar company on my couch, a bottle of champagne open, Victoria’s Secret under my dress, and an ex-fiancé to forget…And Felicity is in hysterics on my doorstep, banging the door down.”

Jacob felt like he was going to vomit, but Pilot looked like he’d just won the lottery and a night with Angelina Jolie circa ‘Tomb Raider’.

Jupiter continued, “I let her in and she looks like a mess! I was just like…freaked out! So I take her to into the guest bedroom and try to get her to calm down, and she’s just apologising over and over because she didn’t know where else to go. Meanwhile Fernando’s in the doorway asking if he should leave, and this makes Felicity feel worse because she’s interrupting my night, so she cries more!”

“Oh wow,” Pilot served Jupiter’s plate and reclaimed his seat, grey eyes gleaming with fiendish glee.

“Yeah, I know. So I had to get Fernando to leave in a way that’d ensure he’d come back some other time instead of turning to some eighteen year-old, swimsuit model, and then I had to deal with Felicity. When she finally calmed down, she told me Phoenix had been cheating on her and she’d walked in on him last night!”

“No fucking way,” Pilot grinned, briefly eyeing Jacob, whose face went white.

“Yeah, I know! I tried to ask her who the bitch was, but she wouldn’t tell me anything! I can’t fucking believe Phoenix would do that! Felicity’s such a sweetheart!”

“Tell me about it.” “They had a huge fight; broken dishes and everything! And then she left because she couldn’t take it anymore. Could you believe Phoenix fucked that home-wrecking slut in their house?”

‘Yes, keep talking about me like I’m not here,’ Jacob thought miserably as he fought the urge to leave and bring unnecessary attention to himself.

“Anyway, she’d been driving around for hours; trying to clear her head, and then she just broke down and came to my place. After she cried herself to sleep, I called Phoenix but he wouldn’t answer. I ended up biting the bullet and driving all the way to his house. Wasn’t there!”

“Did you ever find him?” Jacob found himself asking, and he wanted to kick himself in the teeth for breaking his silence. The few senses he had always flew out the window when it came to Phoenix.

Jupiter scoffed. “Well, I know where he is. I went to our parents’ house to see if he went there, but I’d just missed him. Apparently he dropped by to get the keys to the beach house.” Her brow creased with frustration and she exhaled heavily. “I can’t even deal with him right now. I’m sickened by this whole thing! And he’s got the audacity to go chill on the beach!”

“How are Mom and Dad taking it?” Pilot interjected.

“Oh, that’s the funny part! Phoenix didn’t tell them anything! He fed them some bullshit about being stressed and needing a break! But I can’t say Mom seemed too shaken up; we all know how she feels about Felicity. Dad was pissed about Phoenix not mentioning it, but I don’t think he’s going to get into it unless the divorce heads in the direction of Felicity taking Phoenix’s ass to the cleaners.”

“Intense,” Pilot whistled, sipping his coffee.

“Felicity was such a wreck this morning, too. Wouldn’t say a word, but who can blame her? I managed to make her some tea and get her back to bed. I hope she’ll be a bit better when I get back home, provided she’s still there.” Jupiter sighed heavily and began to eat her breakfast. With a mouthful of bacon, she said, “I still can’t believe Phoenix!”

“Now you see him the way I see him,” Pilot supplied with all the opportunism of a mayoral candidate.

“I can’t hate him the way you claim to. He’s still my little brother and I don’t think there’s anything he can do to break the bond we have,” she paused, chewing on her scarlet bottom lip. “I am  disappointed, though. Felicity never deserved to have her heart broken like that.”

      

      “I warned her.”

      

      Jupiter rolled her eyes. “You warn anyone who’ll listen, Ye Olde Prophet of Doom.”

      

      Pilot gave a flippant shrug. “So she really mentioned a divorce, eh? The golden couple has finally melted.”

      

      “Well, she didn’t explicitly say that, but I can’t see her going back to him. Hell, I wouldn’t <i>let</i> her go back to him! She’s way too intelligent and gorgeous to waste time on a man who can’t even respect her enough to not fuck someone else in their bed!”

      

      “I personally look forward to watching how this goes down,” Pilot nodded. “You think she’s gonna take the yacht? He fucking loves the yacht.”

      

      “You are such an asshole.” She shook her head and turned to face Jacob who looked an inch away from a heart attack. “Are you okay?”

      

      “Yeah, I’m good. Why?” Jacob winced at how panicky his voice sounded. Convincing.

      

      Jupiter shrugged. “You just look all pale and tired.”

      

      “I’m Irish.”

      

      “That explains a lot, actually.”

      

      “Well, my mom was Irish. I think. I assumed she was because of the alcoholism and pastiness and people say I look just like her. I don’t know. Are you guys Irish?” Great, now he was rambling. He was nervous. Jupiter obviously had no idea that the ‘home-wrecking slut’ was him, and he didn’t know how to act. He was too tired and shaken up and he was caving under an imagined pressure.

      

      “Are you sure you’re alright?” Jupiter blinked a few times and then giggled. “God, that was so random. Thanks for the laugh, kid; I needed it.”

      

      “All in a day’s work. I’m pretty much the comic relief of the known universe,” Jacob laughed nervously.

      

      “We’re just white as fuck,” Pilot said, getting up to put his dish in the sink. “As far as I know, we’re English, Norwegian, and German. And as such, Phoenix is a direct descendent of Hitler.”  

    

    “Ugh. I don’t even want to hear his name right now!” Jupiter threw her hands up dramatically. “Jacob, I’m so sorry for dragging you into this. I probably ruined your breakfast.”



    He shrugged and offered her an uneasy smile. “It’s cool.”



    “Well…You don’t have to answer this if you don’t want to, but did you ever, like… see Phoenix with anyone?”



    Jacob’s blood ran cold as Pilot hid a bark of laughter behind a sputtering cough.



    “Phoenix and I don’t get along. I wasn’t exactly keeping an eye on him, so I didn’t see anything like that…” Jacob’s hands were trembling in his lap, his palms cold and clammy. This was situation was certainly not the most pleasant and he wished Pilot would choke on his own spit.



    “Were you there last night when they were fighting?” she prodded.



    “I was having dinner with my friends at a restaurant.”



    That answer seemed to satisfy her, because she nodded and returned her attention to Pilot. “I should probably get going. Today feels like it’s going to be a long one. Thanks for breakfast; it was just what I needed.”  She stood.



    “No problem. I’ll walk you to the door,” Pilot said, looping their arms together.



    “See you later, Jacob. Good luck with your new place.” She blew him a kiss and then Pilot and led her out, a way too chipper spring to his jaunty step.



      As soon as Jacob figured they were out of earshot, he darted to the bathroom where he violently emptied his stomach into the toilet. He felt Pilot’s presence behind him before the other man even spoke.



    “Well that was nice of Felicity not to rat you out.”



    After spitting and dry-heaving, Jacob warbled, “I don’t think she’d be too keen on telling people her husband found more satisfaction with an underage, high school drop-out than he did with her.”



    “Don’t be so hard on yourself; I think you’re more fuckable than Felicity is, too. She’s too conventional. You look like a cross between a choir boy, a punk, and a hooker. It’s pretty sweet, and anal is guaranteed.”



    Wet sounds of bile splashing against porcelain filled the room.



    “Jesus, can’t you take a compliment?”



==



    Russell’s face was impassive when he opened the door to the loft apartment the following morning. He wordlessly stepped aside, leading Jacob through a small, cluttered maze of boxes full of things that Jacob recognised as his own, until they were seated on the artfully shredded leather couch.  The silence was uncomfortable; Jacob shifted in his seat, the leather squeaking embarrassingly loudly under his ass, sounding like a giant, echoing fart. Great. This was off to one hell of an awkward start.



    “I don’t really know what to say right now, but I’m guessing small talk isn’t what you want to hear,” he said nervously, gnawing on his lower lip and finding eye contact impossible to make.



    Russell sighed and crossed his legs, scuffed combat boot resting on the crate which served as an occasional table. “What is there to say, Jacob?” He sounded tired. “I haven’t heard from you in two days. I think you made your point. If you’re here to get your stuff, then you’re free to take it. No obligations.”



    Jacob instantly felt like someone had slit him open from throat to groin and left him to rot alongside the freeway. He swallowed thickly. “Don’t you want to hear what happened?”



    “Do I want to hear it?” Russell challenged. “Is it going to be the truth?



    “I feel like you’ve already made your mind up about breaking up with me.” Jacob hadn’t expected that to hurt as much as it did. He hadn’t known what to expect in coming here at all, but he felt like he couldn’t do it over the phone, so he’d gotten on a bus and dove headfirst into the fire.



    “Breaking up with you? I thought you’d made <i>your</i> mind up about that before I had the chance to. Honestly, what am I supposed to think right now? I came to get you, no one answered the front door, I went round back and fucking <b>heard</b> Felicity screaming at Phoenix about having an affair with you.” Russell paused; taking in Jacob’s shocked, guilty face.  “I know I came onto you strong and sometimes I felt like your mind was elsewhere, like there’s someone else you were thinking about, but you played me for a fucking fool. I wanted to believe I’d heard the wrong thing, but then you wouldn’t answer your phone and that was all the proof I needed. How long have you been fucking him? From before we were even together?”  



    “Russell—”



    “Unless you’re going to tell me that I misinterpreted this entire thing, I don’t want to hear it.”



    Jacob’s mouth clicked shut.



    “How long has it been going on?”



    “From the start,” Jacob said quietly, truly wishing the earth would just open up and swallow him whole.  



    “Do you have any idea how fucked up that is? Were you just planning to let this drag on until he magically left his wife for you?”



    “I wanted to get over him… I didn’t mean to hurt you…”



    Russell let out a humourless bark of laughter. “You didn’t mean to hurt me? That’s bullshit! Jacob, you fucking used me!”



    “It wasn’t like that!”



    Russell was standing now. “Then tell me what it was like! Did you laugh at how stupid I am when you were alone with him? How stupid I was for thinking I had a future with you?”



    “It’s not like I didn’t care about you! I wanted to move on with you!”



    “That’s not good enough! You obviously don’t think of anyone but yourself! You might think you’re making this better by telling me you had a crush on me and that you found me attractive enough to let me fuck you for a couple months, but you’re really not. You’re just telling me that I was a substitute for some old, married pervert!”



    “He’s not…old!”



    “What?” Russell took a step back. “Are you seriously defending him right now?”



    “I… I don’t know,” Jacob sighed quietly. “I’m sorry.”



    Russell shook his head. “I don’t know what to do with you. I just feel like breaking every bone in your body. That’s how fucking much I hate you right now. But yet I can’t seem to hate you as much as I should.”



    Jacob winced, taking a slight step back. “I really am sorry. This is just what I do: I fuck everything up. I guess you probably found it endearing until recent events proved otherwise...”



    Russell chuckled bitterly. “There’s something about you that makes people love you, and you take advantage of it. I guess we all like to hope there’s something good under the mess, but now I’m not so sure. You’re selfish, you’re manipulative, and you don’t think about how your actions affect anyone else.”



    “I know.”



    “No, you don’t. You’re only starting to feel bad because you fucked yourself over in the process.”



    Jacob didn’t know what to say. A part of him wanted to punch Russell in the mouth for thinking he understood him, for saying things he didn’t want to hear, and for being right. The other part of him just wanted to cry like a bitch. He was losing everything. Russell had always been a sure thing, like some sort of backup plan, and now that was gone, too. And as usual, he was the one to blame.



    “So I guess this is goodbye then,” he forced himself to say.



    Russell frowned and ran a hand through his hair. “As much as I hate myself for asking this, do you have anywhere to stay?”



    “Yeah, I do. I’m staying with a…friend right now.”



    “Of course.” Russell rolled his eyes and shook his head, obviously interpreting Jacob’s pause before the word ‘friend’ to mean something more than it had.



    “He’s not that kind of friend!” Jacob exclaimed, even though he already knew that he and Pilot would probably end up in bed together at least once during their indefinite cohabitation.



    “You don’t owe me any explanations. You never thought you did when we were actually together, so why would you now?”



    “Because I meant it when I said I care about you. Why won’t you believe me? I’m talking about <i>feelings</i> here! I’m willing to make myself sound like a pussy for you!”



    “I’m sure you believe that, and maybe it’s true. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feel true. You really hurt me, Jacob. I’ve never been played like this before, and quite frankly, it hasn’t been a good experience for me. Actually, this has pretty much been the most fucked up thing I’ve ever been a part of.”



    Jacob nodded slowly, staring down at the floor and feeling very much like the chastised child everyone took him for. He wouldn’t have been surprised if someone burst through the front door at that very minute to deliver the news that he’d been somehow responsible for World War I and II. Lord knows he already felt like it.



    He sighed heavily. “I guess I’ll just get my shit and get out of your hair.”



    Russell only shrugged and flopped onto the couch, crossing his legs with a practiced air of nonchalance.



      And just like that, the uncomfortable silence was back.



    Russell’s eyes followed Jacob around the room as he collected his scanty belongings, kicking them into a pile in front of the door. There wasn’t a damn thing he did that those pale hawk eyes missed. He felt the anger and disappointment in the weight of that steely gaze, but he could also feel just how much Russell still wanted him, too. It made his skin tingle and blood rush to his cock. Fuck his lack of self control.



    He turned to utter a goodbye that was certain to fall on deaf ears, almost falling flat on his ass with shock when he saw that Russell was right behind him. And the next thing he knew, Russell’s tongue was crammed into his stupidly gaping mouth and his back was up against the front door.



    He tangled his fingers in Russell’s hair, pulling him impossibly closer. It was desperate and urgent and unlike anything that had ever transpired between them. And as soon as it started, it was over.



    Russell shoved Jacob away as though Jacob was the one who’d initiated the kiss in the first place.



    “What the fuck, Russell?” Jacob angrily demanded. “This is messed up enough without you sending all these damn mixed signals!”



    “It’s not a good feeling, is it?” Russell deadpanned, his wide mouth pulled into an unimpressed frown.



    Jacob laughed bitterly. “Point taken.”



    Russell patted his shoulder. “Good luck, Jacob. You’ll need it.”



    Jacob caught Russell’s hand before he could pull it away completely. “I know this’ll just add to my whole bad reputation of being selfish, but I really don’t want to lose you. We had a lot of fun, didn’t we?”



    Russell sighed. “Jacob, I can’t promise you that I’ll ever get over this, but how can I trust you?”



    “I was honest with you about everything else.”



    “Maybe I’ll come around, maybe I won’t.” Russell gently pried his hand from Jacob’s weak grip. “Don’t push it right now.”



    “I guess it would be stupid to ask for more than that. Thanks for not bashing my face in.”



    “Well, after you let me fuck you all those times, I might as well show my gratitude somehow,” Russell smirked, his eyes brightening a bit with amusement.



    In spite of everything, Jacob smiled. “You’re honestly too good for me.”



    “I know.”



==



    “Can you explain to me why I just had to pay an angry, Pakistani cab driver $300?” Pilot asked with a wholly unimpressed expression.



    “I had to get my shit home somehow. Besides, you’re rich. I didn’t think the fare would go up that much for having him wait for you to get back and pay him.” Jacob shrugged.



    “What about using your own money?”



    “Didn’t you just hear the part where I said you’re rich?”



    Pilot rolled his eyes. “Well, it’s good to see that you’re almost back to your old, ridiculous self. How’d it go with the boyfriend?”



    “As well as could be expected. I feel like we’re going to be alright, though… Not dating, obviously, but friends.”



    “Really?” Pilot raised an eyebrow. “Does he know about you and Phoenix?”



    “Yeah; he came by while Phoenix and Felicity were fighting. He knows pretty much everything.”



    “And he still doesn’t hate your guts? Jesus, why do people put up with your shit?”



    “I don’t see you making a fuss about having to pay $300 for my cab.”



    “Touché. So, what are you planning to do with yourself now?”



    Jacob pressed himself deeper into the couch. “I don’t know. I’m thinking about looking for a job in the area so I can get enough money to find a decent place. Can’t stay with you forever.”



    Pilot nodded. “I’ll keep an eye out for any places with job openings.”



    “Thanks, man. I really owe you a lot for helping me out.”



    “Don’t sweat it; I’m sure you’ll figure out some to repay me for my gentlemanly hospitality.”



    Jacob raised an eyebrow. “If you think I’m going to whore myself for favours, you’re going to have to ask again tomorrow. I’m fucking exhausted right now.”



    Pilot laughed, toeing his boots off. “You’re incredibly fucked up, do you know that?”



    “If I didn’t know before, current happenings have taught me that.” Jacob sat up, tucking his feet under. “So what’s for dinner? Destroying lives is dreadfully hard work; I require sustenance.”



    “I was thinking of ordering a pizza or something. I’m too tired to cook tonight. What are you in the mood for?”



    Jacob shrugged flippantly. “Pizza’s cool. I just wanna eat something. I’m so hungry I’ve got a headache.”



    “I’ve got food lying around, you know. You weren’t shy about making me spend $300, so what’s the big deal about helping yourself to a sandwich?”



    “I dunno. I guess I was just caught up in my head. I think I’m fucked this time. For real. Every time I think it’s sunken in, it sinks deeper.”



    Pilot frowned and took a seat beside him. “Are you alright, man? I don’t know how I’d explain you killing yourself to Phoenix,” he said, his expression completely serious.



    Despite the dreary mood the room took on, Jacob couldn’t help but snicker. “Phoenix wouldn’t give a fuck. I think that’s what’s killing me the most.”



    “Jacob, do you really think Phoenix would’ve risked all this if you were just a piece of ass to him?” Pilot shook his head, reaching into his pocket for a cigarette. At Jacob’s uncertain expression, he continued, “Phoenix isn’t worth all this. How many times do I have to tell you that? He’s a fucking asshole. You’re young, your life isn’t over. My advice to you is to get over him, learn from this mess, and make something of yourself. Even if he’s got feelings for you, in the end it won’t bring you anything but misery. Trust me on this one.”



    “I know, but it’s still hard.”



    “It’s as hard as you make it, kiddo.” Pilot patted Jacob’s shoulder sympathetically and stood. “I’m going to have a smoke and order some pizza. Any particular topping you want?”



    “Anything but pubic hair and anchovies.”



    Pilot gave him an odd look. “What?”



    “I come from a sketchy neighbourhood, believe me. I’ve seen shit on pizza that shouldn’t even exist.”



    “Man, living with you is gonna be a hell of a trip.”



==



    The house was silent: nothing but the howl of the wind and waves crashing gently against the shore could be heard. It should’ve been relaxing, but it was anything but when Jupiter Scofield was glaring a hole into your skull.



    Phoenix sighed, loosening his tie and pouring himself another glass of whisky.



    “I can’t believe you! I just <i>cannot</i> believe you! You even went to work today? Are you serious right now?!” Jupiter finally screeched, having had enough of watching her younger brother calmly drink himself into an early grave.



    “What do you want me to do?” Phoenix scoffed. “I can’t put my life on hold because of some drama. Why are you even here?”



    “I’m here because you’ve obviously lost your mind!” She snatched the drink away, throwing the glass onto the hardwood floor here it shattered.



    “Yes, I’ve lost my mind because <i>I’m</i> the one breaking things. That was a tad melodramatic, don’t you think?”



    Jupiter shoved him, not in the mood for his admittedly lacking sense of humour. “How could you do this to Felicity? She didn’t deserve any of this! Can’t you keep your cock in your pants, man? I thought you grew out of this shit!”



    “I don’t have to explain myself to you, Jupiter. Just stay out of it. This doesn’t have to affect our relationship,” Phoenix said tiredly, taking a seat on the white armchair and unlacing his shoes.



    “You haven’t explained yourself to Felicity, either. She’s a mess, Phoenix!”



    Phoenix sighed, itching for another glass of whisky. He was too fucking sober for this confrontation. “So I’m assuming she’s talked to you.”



    “She’s been at my place for the past two days! Have you even been back to your house? She’s started moving her things out.”



    “I see.”



    “You see? That’s seriously all you have to say? I’m so disappointed in you, you have no idea.”



    “Jupiter, I can’t go back into the past and change any of this. What else do you want from me?”



    “You could at least have the decency to look sorry. You haven’t even tried to contact her.”



    He rolled his eyes at that. “As if she’d listen to anything I have to say at this point.”



    “So you’re just going to let this end like that.”



    “I’ve been talking to a lawyer. I assume she’s been doing the same.”



    Jupiter was beyond incredulous. “You’re insane.”



    “No, I’m practical. And while we’re on this subject, I’m just letting you know that I’ve been in correspondence with a firm in New York. After the divorce is finalised, I’ll be moving.”



    “You can’t be serious.”



    He shrugged. He couldn’t put it any simpler than that.



    “So I’m guessing you’re going to run off with whoever this mistress is?”



    Phoenix allowed himself to chuckle at that. “You watch too many soap operas.”



    “Then why are you leaving? Phoenix, I just don’t understand any of this.”



    “I can’t stay here. I need a new start. What’s so hard to understand about that?”



    “Uh, how about EVERYTHING?! You fucked everything up and now you want a new start? That’s fucking selfish, Phoenix. And you don’t even know the half of what you’ve done!”



    Phoenix massaged his temples. He needed a drink. And a fuck. But thinking about fucking made him think about Jacob. And he couldn’t do that right now. “What are you talking about now?”



    “Phoenix, Felicity is fucking pregnant.”



    Phoenix reached for the whisky bottle.



    ==

    The Munez Feed:



    So, it looks like November 2010 as misspelled as February 2011. But here’s an update! If people are still interested, I’m terribly flattered. The truth is that I’ve just been very busy, and this story is a weird area for me. I feel like my writing style’s changed and that every time I add more to it, I fuck it up! I let it drag on too long. However, thanks to those who stuck by it. I promised you guys I would finish this, and I will. Remember, I always reply to emails if you’ve got questions!



OH THE DRAMA GUYZ.



    Munez