OFF TO THE STORY! SNAPS FINGERS OLAY!
Ahh…it's good to be back.
Chapter 21: Good Night, Good Night
"You look pretty knocked up" Robert said as adjusted the pillow that was now positioned safely under his leg.
"Thanks, I get that a lot" Michael said, wincing slightly. "This isn't the first time I've been shoved down the steps and it won't be the last. Besides, when ever something bad happens I can just pack up and move on bruised or not. But I guess I'll be grounded like this for a few days"
"Why did Jake shove you down the steps in the first place?" Robert asked, carefully approaching the subject.
"Little known fact: Jakey has a short temper. You'd never know it unless you're close to him, he snaps like a fucking twig. Especially when upset or under pressure, that's why he always has to be in control." His steel eyes sharpened a little bit, "He was very dominating when we were younger, and me and Rory would always end up doing the most interesting things. If Jake had a plan we just had to follow through with it, I mean, it wouldn't be a real day until we did so. Sometimes it was just pulling tricks on friends, sneaking out at night and going to parties and clubs, but as he got older it became more dangerous, more exciting. Stealing money from Kyle, the occasional whipping Jake would get when we got caught and he'd take the fall. To Rory it looked like he was in pain but to me I already knew what was going on inside that head of his: He was fucking loving it. He was happy that this was the worst thing that Kyle could do to him, and better yet, he could take it proudly like a man. Like I said, he always had his way"
"That doesn't answer my question-"Robert began when Michael snatched the ice from his hands.
"I wasn't done. I said a few…casual words, and he didn't like it. I exposed the truth, even before I got here. That's why he hates me, you know. I always was able to bring out the truth in him and well…" He lifted up his sleeves to revel rows or red marks on his skin," He brings out the worse in me." The bandages from before that Jake had put on were peeling off as Robert pressed the ice up against his skin; he looked sort of clammy at the moment.
"So, I heard you're a genus" Robert said casually.
"Yeah, so I've been told. Mix a few formulas and make a few web programs and colleges just throw themselves at you like 2 dollar whores." Michael snorted," But I didn't like the money and Jakey got sick so I had to stay back and watch him, be the good hero. Rory was also sick at the time, it was horrible how he'd just lay there, limp and lifeless. Sometimes he'd turn so pale…like a ghostly blue. He didn't deserve to die, he really didn't"
"What did Rory have anyway?" Robert asked softly, moving the ice across Michael's cuts.
He exhaled slowly." Oh, I dunno. What didn't that boy have? He was manic depressive; I know that for sure, um." Michael bit his lip," Health wise? Only God knows, he was in and out the hospital since as long as I knew him, 10 years strong. But he was a solider, to the very last breath." He sucked in his breath a little bit," But Jake- oh Jake was devastated. Mortified. Depressed. Lonely. Cold. Lost. Confused. It would take an encyclopedia to describe how bad he felt, it was almost angelic. Made me want to cry myself, the nights that I would just hold his hand while he sat in the tub in the summer time. He- he always would run the water cold and murmur into my right ear, always the right ear," If I ever get like this again, shoot me". And then every night he'd fall back into that mood and tease "Got that gun yet, Mikey?" I felt so…" Michael stopped.
"So…what?" Robert prodded.
"You know how it is when you take your first drug hit…"
By Robert's expression he would take that as a no.
"Okay, you know how in movies when people take their first hit…?"
"Yeah, they're confused. Mortally terrified by the outcome, but gets swept up in that euphoria that they're just too tired to care anymore. To stop being, dissolve in a mass of smoke or liquid and change themselves, until they can't feel anything at all"
"You're very insightful" Michael said, nodding his head," Exact- fucking- ly"
"So, you were really messed up then?" Robert asked, casually.
" Was? " He laughed," Look at me now; I don't think we need past tenses here. But that isn't the problem, never was."
"What exactly is the problem then, Michael?" Robert asked, patience wearing thin.
"Jake." Michael said simply.
"Jake?" Robert repeated.
"Did I stutter?" Michael snapped.
"No…"
"Well, anyways. There's a lot you don't know about Jake. Like his middle name is Simon, or the fact that when he was little, around 7, he had thought that if he climbed a tree enough, he'd be able to reach heaven and then have a long discussion about the stock market with God. Or that when he smiles it lights up a room no matter how dark it is, or the fact that we both thought that we'd end up being married buy the age of 24 after one unforgettable summer night?" Michael looked at the floor.
"No…but I'd love to hear about it…"
"And I'd love to remember without convulsing on the floor and having a heart attack"
" Michael…I-"
"Look, I think I've answered enough of your questions for one day, alright? Can you just, just shut off the lights for me? I'd do it myself, but I might bust my ass hobbling over to the lamp" Michael's tone was neutral, but Robert didn't want to push it.
" Sure…"
As Robert clicked off the lights Michael murmured out," It was wonderful talking with you, Robby, we have to do this again."
" And one, two two, three, two two, four, two two, five , two two, six…straighten up boys. Again! One, two two, three, two two, four…" The instructor looked like a woman that should be in the playboy mansion with the voice to match a valley girl. She wore a tight black leotard with her hair in a pony tail, yelling at the children for perfection.
Too bad Mikey and Jakey weren't interested.
Damn.
Not to say that Rory wasn't, because he was staring at her like a fly's attracted to a zapper, but they had more important matters at hand.
Much more important.
Spherically, another one of Jake's beautiful ideas was coming into action.
"One leg, boys, higher, higher…" The woman snapped at them.
Jake pulled his leg up and bent down, and swooped to the left, accidentally kicking Michael in the nuts." Oww….owww….OWWWW" Michael yelled out, doubling over, causing Rory to kick him in the head while spinning. Jake busted out laughing while Rory cooed over him," I'm sorry, so sorry Mikey, gotta watch it when I move my legs…"
Jake dropped to the floor in tears, laughing so hard.
Michael glared at him," This is not funny. I want to have kids someday, you know"
"And I'm sure you'll be pregnant after our honeymoon" Jake said cheekily as Michael blushed.
"Say you're sorry." Rory commanded.
"Why?"
"Say it"
"Why?"
"Cause I'm your brother"
"So?"
"And I'm older"
"So?"
"Because I'm sexy…"
"You got that right" Michael murmured, causing Jake to glance at him. He twinkled his fingers shyly.
"Just say sorry, if I kicked my best friend in the sack he'd probably smack me" Rory said, standing over Michael with his hands on his shoulders," Look at this poor kid. Say your sorry"
"I'm sorrrryyyyy Mikey for kicking you in the nuts, cause I'm pretty sure that it hurted a lot" He used his baby tone with him, making Rory roll his eyes.
"Give him a hug…"
Jake reached over and hugged Michael.
"Kiss and make up" Rory said, teasingly.
"Hey, will do" Michael said, closing his eyes.
"I don't do that much public display of affection" Jake said softly, patting Michael's head. " Besides, you kicked him too."
"I'm sorry, Mikey," Rory said playfully, hugging Mike, kissing him and doing a spin with him before letting go. He snapped his fingers together and smirked." Olay!"
"You're an idiot" Jake said as he laughed and picked a overly happy Michael off the ground. " Come on, stop leading on my boyfriend. We have to get these moves down right"
Sighing, Rory took his place back next to being in the middle between Rory and Michael and resumed his moves," Why are we doing this anyway? Am I supposed to get some hetro kick out of Barbie over there?"
Rory glanced at Michael," Well, at least let me enjoy it. I mean, you get all the hot gyrating that a boy your age can handle."
"Well, for now, this gyrating Barbie will have to do. Now learn your moves boys, or you'll have to be spanked…I want this plan to be perfect" Jake commanded. As Rory sighed and bent over again, spinning Michael whispered into his ear," Is that a promise?"
"Ryan's fucking weird" Pete huffed out.
"Put that cigarette out, damnit. It's going to mess up my complexion" Andy said tiredly. Pete had been complaining the whole night about Ryan." If I didn't know any better it'd seem that you were the jealous boyfriend"
"Simple, Peter Pan, but I'm not going out with him because he's straight" Pete replied dauntingly.
"Okay, and if he wasn't…"
"He'd be next to me instead of you right now"
Andy smiled," Awww, you are jealous."
"Shut the fuck up" Pete barked out," I could kiss anyone right now, and he wouldn't be on my mind"
"I never said that he would be, but I'll put you to the test. I can make you reveal the truth, my tongue is magical you know" Andy warned, moving closer.
"Bring it on" Pete murmured as Andy practically suctioned his lips to Pete, pulling him forward. Pete's eyes watered. His leg twitched and before he could help himself he groaned out," …oh….Ry- Ryan…"
Andy let go and smiled cockily," Works every time. And you're not a bad kisser"
Pete just sighed and leaned against the carpet," You cheated."
"The lips never lie" Andy pointed out.
Marco looked around, holding his breath and gritting his teeth. It was a severe flash of pain he felt, not because of Kyle hurting him, but of Jake's fingernails digging into his skin sharply. He was trying with all his might to hold the boy back from attacking Kyle, and was so far failing at that.
"What?" Marco asked, finally, shocked.
"Me and Angelina are getting engaged. " Kyle repeated sweetly. Calmly.
Jake's heart ached murderous tones." Lemme go, dad. I mean it, I might hurt you …"
Marco glanced down at the struggling teen and rolled his eyes," Jake, please" He moved again, tightening his hold on him," Stop"
"And then we'll be together again, Jakey and I can show you how sorry I am for what happened before-"
"Stop…"
"And then you and me…-"
"Jake…"
"-and your mom…-"
"Shut up…-"
"-will be together, like last time. You liked last time, didn't you…before Jeremy-"
"-don't…"
"Died"
"Jake!" Marco yelled as Jake broke free and propelled himself onto Kyle's body.
"Adrian?" Michael asked, quietly, holding the phone close to his ear, and swallowing slowly," Can you come and pick me up, please?"
"Already, Michael?" The voice was soft, but laced with regret." I thought I'd give you more time…"
"Yeah, me too. You were right, it was a lie, another one of his puzzling games. And I'm-"
"Tired of playing? " Adrian finished simply.
Michael smiled weakly," I think he broke my leg"
"I think you're breaking my heart" Adrian mumbled.
"As always"
"As always" Adrian repeated," Michael, come on home, you'll be safe with me, at least"
"Someone to protect me?"
"Someone to care for you, boy" Adrian corrected," Don't make me get sappy, um…back your bags…"
"What bags?"
"The ones that you left out the house with…"
"About that…" Michael trailed off.
"No, Mich-"
"I had to…" Michael protested.
"Are you addicted to prostitution or something?" Adrian snapped.
"No, no no no. Nothing like that, it was raining and this girl was at the corner, and she was like 'I'll give you a place to stay for the night' and I couldn't resist that, I mean, she looked my age." Michael stated smoothly," I simply staid at her house and when I woke up I was in- in a rush and I for- got my stuff…"
Adrian ran a tried hand through his hair, biting on his cheek he drawled out," Are you hurt?"
"Am I hurt?" Michael repeated.
"Don't play stupid" Adrian said, angrily.
"Yes."
"Bad?"
"No worse than last time" Michael said softly.
"Oh…" Was all he said," I'm going to be busy this whole week, Mike, can you hang in until the weekend?"
"Do I have a choice?" Michael asked.
"No"
"Do you promise to come in a week?"
"No"
"Wh-"
" You broke your promise to me, how I can make a promise to you too?"
"But-"
"You said there'd be no accidents…" Adrian said dryly," No more mistakes. I can't believe that, now can I?"
"No" Michael replied, erectly.
"Alright then, I um. I uh…" Adrian began at a loss of words," Don't hurt yourself…okay?"
"I'll be careful"
"Jenny says hi"
"Tell I send my love"
"Rip it out of the heart of Jake's"
"Adrian?"
"Michael?"
" I'm sorry" They both said at the same time.
"It's the past" Michael said slowly.
"Keep telling yourself that" Adrian said and hung up.
Michael laid back down on the couch, he was just getting smacked around both verbally and physically today.
Marco gripped Jake's wrist violently and pulled him against his chest," STOP JAKE" He yelled out angrily. Jake automatically stopped moving around, he had never heard Marco this angry before.
"Kyle, he's my son. Stop causing drama, leave my kid alone. You want to get him back, take me to court and have a custody battle. And if you win, then try living with the fact that every time you talk to this boy he'll have a burning hatred for you, if you can handle that, then so can I" he turned around, pulling Jake with him as Kyle stood there, shocked.