He takes a slow drag of his cigarette, feels in burn down is throat and let the smoke escape out of his lips in a mass of grey swirls. Clamping it between his teeth and lower lips, he slides his legs so they dangle off the sides of the bed. He tries to slide his pants back on but a rustling at the other side of the bed makes him stop in his tracks.
"You know I hate it when you smoke." Courtney's voice is quiet, with a hit of sleep at the edge of her words. She props herself up on one elbow, her cheek leaning on her hand. Duncan chuckles and pulls the lavender sheets up to cover her body.
"I know Princess." He blows a stream of smoke into her face and laughs as she wrinkles her nose in disgust. His phone vibrates in his pants pocket and he sees the sender.
1 new text message: Gwen.
The smile on his face comes naturally but really it's more of a half smirk that makes his teal eyes sparkle.
"I can never make you smile like that you know." She rolls over on her back, clutching the covers to her body. It's an argument they've had before, and will have again.
"She's my friend Courtney. Get over it." His easygoing mood is gone, replaced with irritation and a tinge of desire. He won't deny that the attraction between him and Gwen is high, but he loves Courtney.
Loves her too much to hurt her.
"I love you Court. You know that. So why even go there." She huffs in an angry silence.
"I'm not going to apologize, I haven't done anything wrong."
"Who's to say that you won't though? The whore…"
"Don't go there. She's my best friend, my sister."
"I don't want you seeing her anymore. Her or me Duncan" The ultimatum slips out if her lips before she can think twice about it. Duncan drops his cigarette on the ashtray on his lefthand side. Slowly, he flicks a match, watches the flame flicker and lights a new cigarette. The bright flame is the only light in the room. It's so quiet, if he listens hard enough he hears the paper burning, he hears the flame flickering, he hears Courtney's heart thudding in her chest.
How did things end up like things? He mused silently. He places his bare feet against the cold wooden floor, ice spreading up his calves and clawing his heart.
"I don't want to leave you. But you've forced my hand." In the darkness he manages to find a worn pair of cargo shorts and his favorite pair of red converse. He slides his favorite green and black hoodie over his head and turns to face her.
Her brown eyes have widened with shock and hurt and pain.
These are the types of things a man never forgets…
He turns away, every step louder than a gunshot as the floor finds it necessary to make the hinges groan against his weight.
"I'm serious Duncan. Step out of that door, don't bother coming back." Her voice is quivering and he knows there are silent tears running down her face.
"You've made your choice. I'm making mine. So, I guess this is goodbye." The brass doorknob is ice to the touch and for a second he wants to do nothing but run back into her arms and nuzzle her neck.
But he walks out, slamming the door behind him. He leans his back against the door suddenly feel in weak and his eyes drift to the night sky.
The stars seem duller tonight…
He swallows, trying to ignore the feeling of the burn under his eyes and instead lights a third cigarette, and he watches as the smoke drifts into the open air, disappearing into the cold nighttime sky.