Again, thanks for all the great reviews. They make me want to write that much faster.Sorry about the lack of updates lately! I just wanted you to know that I made a mistake in the last chapter. It is supposed to be August, not July as it said. This chapter is a continuation of Chapter 11 and is the next day

With Them or Without Them

Chapter 12- the next day

He opened his eyes and looked at the woman he had his arm wrapped around. She was sleeping peacefully next to him, breathing and sighing in her sleep. He brushed her hair out of her face.

He caught himself smiling but then remembered that it was Maureen. It was the same Maureen who had left him for another woman. There was a knock at the door. It was too early, Mark thought, but then glanced at the clock. It was almost noon.

Remembering that Roger and Mimi had a doctor's appointment that morning, he slipped out from Maureen's grasp and made his way to the door. "Coming," he said stumbling and adjusting his glasses.

He opened the door and saw Haylie standing there smiling. "Hey baby," she said leaning into kiss him. She pulled back and smiled again.

"What makes you think you can still do that," Mark asked quietly, putting his head down.

"I guess you talked to Roger," she paused and let out a small laugh, "Should have figured that much. I'm sorry, Mark." She pressed back into him.

"What? You couldn't have Roger and now you just think I'm going to just forgive you?" Mark was surprised at himself for standing his ground. He usually let people walk all over him, just like he had with Maureen.

She pulled away from him and her tone suddenly changed, "You honestly think I'd go for a guy like you Mark? Look at yourself and then look at me. I like you Mark, I really do. We've had a lot of fun, but that day you and Roger came in the store I just knew I had to have him."

Mark looked confused, "Haylie, he was buying an engagement ring."

"Exactly, he wasn't married yet," she shrugged as though it was nothing.

"So, wait. What are you saying? You had this planned all along?" Mark looked down. He felt betrayed. He shook his head, thinking to himself that he should have known. She did only stay at the loft, and she rarely went out when they were in a large group.

"Well, at first I did," she took his hand, but he quickly pulled it away, "but I didn't expect that I'd actually like spending time with you, Mark."

He nodded, cursing to himself. "So that first night when you stayed, it was all an act? Was it some kind of game to you?"

Haylie didn't answer and instead raised her eyes to meet Maureen standing in a button down shirt and underwear in Mark's doorway.

Maureen crossed her arms after stretching them and letting out a long yawn, "I think it's time you go."

"No, no," Haylie started, "you get all over me for hitting on your friend so I can sort my feelings out and you're sleeping with your ex-girlfriend?"

"Maureen?" Mark took a moment to look at the other brunette, "Haylie, Maureen's a lesbian!"

"I'm bi actually," Maureen pointed out quickly before letting Mark continue.

"So what would you have done if Roger would have gone through with it, slept with him?" Mark threw his arms out to the side and waited for an answer. He only got a shrug and a sigh. "I think I at least deserve an answer."

Haylie took a breath, "I don't know, ok? I was confused. Roger's my type, and you're, well, not! I'm really sorry Mark. Can't we just start over?"

Mark closed his eyes tightly at the suggestion. A part of him wanted to believe her and take her in his arms. This was the girl that he had been seeing for two months. It was the same girl that he secretly met for coffee everyday without his friends knowing. It was the girl who finally made him enjoy being himself again and feel. Was it all a lie?

"I don't think so," he said quietly. "I, I thought you were different." He turned away and silently climbed out onto the fire escape.

Haylie stood with her mouth open still. Maureen's arms were still crossed standing in Mark's doorway. "I think you've done enough damage. You should go." Haylie hung her head down and slowly walked towards the door.

She looked back once at the window but hurried out when Maureen raised her eyebrows at her again.

Roger and Mimi laughed their way into the loft moments later when they suddenly stopped at the sight of Maureen standing in the doorway.

"Why are you here?" Roger laughed as he ran over and caught her in a long hug.

"Take it easy and let me breathe," She said gasping for air, "What have you done with Roger Davis, Mimi?"

Roger laughed and kissed her on the cheek before Maureen gasped again when she looked at Mimi. She ran over to the young girl and placed her hands on her stomach. Roger noticed Mark sitting outside and walked over to him as the girls continued catching up.

Mark felt Roger's hand on his shoulder. "So Maureen came back last night." Mark looked at him and nodded. Roger rolled his eyes at him for the lack of explanation.

"Haylie came by this morning," Mark stated quickly. "Our whole relationship's been a lie. She actually thought that she could convince you to leave Mimi." Mark watched as Roger's face scrunched in confusion.

"Wait, I'm confused," he paused to rub his hand over his mouth, "She had this all planned?" Mark himself didn't know the answer and shrugged. "I'm sorry man. I didn't know, really."

"I know Rog. I just thought she was different." Roger wrapped his arm around the film maker, hearing him hold back a tear.

"Hey, you can't blame her though," he laughed, "I can't help it if I'm devastatingly handsome." Roger laughed but soon noticed that Mark wasn't joining him.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Mark looked into the busy street below them and said, "Let's just go inside and catch up."

Roger patted him on the back before pulling the smaller man up from his spot and quietly stated, "Can we not tell Mimi about this? With the way she's been lately, it would only end in tears and me out in the streets." Mark nodded and pushed the musician back through the window.

By the time the boys reentered the loft, Maureen had already planned for the four of them to go out to lunch. As they sat on the couch, waiting for Maureen to change, Roger noticed that the spark in Mark's had disappeared. He couldn't help but feel somewhat responsible.

"Hey Mark, should we call Haylie to come? Has she been busy at work? I haven't seen her around in a few days," Mimi said casually as they walked out the door.

"We're sort of fighting," he responded, his eyes shifting to the floor. Mimi uncomfortably nodded and smiled as she leaned into Roger's arms.

"You didn't need her anyway. Plus, look on the bright side, you have me to keep you occupied," Maureen squealed enthusiastically. "Oh the fun we'll have. You can help me start a new protest, and I can go filming with you, and we can even go out to a bar and I'll let you sing and dance on tables." Maureen rubbed her hands together as she thought, her eyes brightening with possibility.

"Yeah, sounds great," Mark laughed rolling his eyes and mouthing 'Help' to Roger. As much as they all hated to admit it, it was good to have her back.

As they sat at the Life Café eating their lunch, the phone rang in the loft.

SPPEEEAAAAAKKK

Hi, Mark, Roger? Maureen, honeybear, are you there? It's me. I-I just called to see if you were ok. I miss you. Please, please call me back. I'm sorry about what I said, I didn't mean it. I just wanted you to know that and that I agree with you- about everything. Bye Maureen.

Sorry it was on the short side. Next chapter will be September. Reviews are amazing!