2. Closer

Not a word was being spoken while eating pizza and watching an old re-run of 'Full House' on the couch. Neither one of them felt much like talking – not because they were still uncomfortable around each other, but just because it was not necessary to talk. Only some occasional laughter broke the silence between them now and then.

When the end-tune of the series started to blare out of the speakers, Eric turned off the TV and put down the remote.

He was always in charge of the remote, Jack thought with a smile. It was such an typical Eric thing, but he had never really noticed it. Strange, actually, how after so many years, it was only this moment when he started to become truly aware of the habits and manners of his best friend. The way he laughed, that sound that lit up the room; the way he could, with all his attention, be completely focused on something; his enthusiasm and energy. All the things he had taken for granted, now seemed like valuable treasures to him – because he felt like had almost lost Eric, and all those things with him.

Then, Eric put down the remote and finally broke the silence.

"Jack – can I ask you something? Something personal?" It sounded cautiously, with Eric wearing a pensive look on his face, eyes on Jack.

Please. No more confessions, please… Jack thought with growing fear. He slightly shifted his weight on the couch, trying to find a comfortable position. It didn't work.

"Sure, bud. What is it?" he replied though, trying to keep his tone light-hearted, a fake grin plastered onto his face.

"It's about Rachel." Uncomfortable silence. "Don't mean to be rude man, but uhm… Why did she break up with you, anyway? I tried to come up with a good reason, but you – you were seem to be doing great lately…" His voice died away, uncertain of how Jack would react to this.

Jack on the other hand sat in amazement for a moment. How strange... He hadn't thought of Rachel all evening, since he had made up with Eric earlier on. He hadn't even felt the pain of their break-up anymore, till Eric mentioned it again. And even then, it seemed like it wasn't that important anymore. His heart had almost stopped aching over it, it was merely a sore spot on his heart. And it was only two days ago.

What had happened to him? What had changed so fast?

"Jack? I'm sorry bud, I- I shouldn't have asked. Forget it about it, okay?" Eric hastily tried to take his words back. He picked up the remote again and fumbled with it, not daring to look at his friend anymore.

Eric obviously had mistaken Jack's brooding silence for another round of rage building up inside of him, him getting geared up for another fight. Eric seemed to finally realize it was a sensitive subject – or at least, it had been until this night. Jack smiled to himself, feeling just a bit sorry for Eric, and decided to take him out of his misery.

"Why she broke up with me?" To his surprise, Jack still found it a little hard to try and talk about his break-up, although no longer because of that particular girl that had dumped him. It just… dented his pride, in some way.

Eric lifted his head and let out an almost inaudible sigh of relief because Jack hadn't flinched over his question.

"It's just… She said… She thought I was in love with someone else. She said that she could see it in my eyes, the way I behaved when we were together, when we kissed, when we- Anyway, she was absolutely convinced I didn't love her anymore."

Eric just nodded, waiting for the rest.

"She actually put it something like this: 'I know you would never cheat on me or anything, because you're not that type of guy, but I do feel like you've done exactly that.' I didn't understand what she meant by that, but she wouldn't explain it any further. She- she actually stayed very calm and cool, just a few tears - and then she said it was over. Just like that."

"Okay," Eric said, finally. "And… did you deny it? Or is it true? Is there another girl?"

"No!" Jack exclaimed. "That's the whole point! I told Rachel over and over again that I loved her - and only her - but she just wouldn't listen! She kept saying she knew there was more, and that she knew when she had to step back. I told her that in general, most people know their own feelings pretty well, but she… she just would not believe me. She didn't believe me…"

Although he didn't want to, Jack started to get upset again over the incident. Tears already started to burn behind his eyes again, and he desperately tried to push them back. He had thought it was over.

Well, think again, Hunter.