1. A FLY IN THE OINTMENT

.

"The way this dude's been carrying on, you'd think he was the first dude in history to ever have a girlfriend!"

"Dude's dating Supergirl, no less!"

Brian broke into a happy grin. "Just wait till you see her. Supergirl has nothing on her."

"So, she's what, like, a total knockout?"

"No – " began Brian, then caught himself. "I mean yes, she is. But that's not what I am talking about."

"Ooh! That's even better! Don't you just hate it when a gal's pretty as a picture but all she ever does in the sack is lay there like a dead – "

"It's not that either. Okay, it's that, too. But it's still not what I mean."

"What else is there?! Gal's a knockout, great in the sack, and it's still not what he means? Seriously, dude?"

"Like I said, wait till you see her."

"And when's that gonna happen? When do we get to meet this fabulous creature?"

"Morning," said a sweet voice from the doorway. The men jumped and stared at the girl, barefoot, tousle-haired and wearing Brian's T-shirt which could be wrapped around her petite form three times.

"Morning! Wow!"

"What's wrong with ya, dude? You couldn't give us some warning?"

"Only because you both happened to be uncharacteristically decent. If you had had your junk hanging out as per usual, damn right I would've."

"Hey, when did we – "

"Maybe not quite your junk but just about." Brian put his arm around the girl possessively and kissed her on the top of her head. "Anyway, guys, meet Janet. Janet, the guys."

"The guys have names?"

"Eh, sure. I'm George. Great to finally meet you, Janet. And this is Steve."

"Stevo, if you don't mind. So, you are the heavenly creature this dude won't shut up about?" Grabbing Janet's hand, Steve gave it an exaggerated shake and forgot to let go.

"Down, boy." Brian inserted himself between Janet and Steve. "Ground rule No. 1: Look but don't touch."

"Thanks, but there's nothing heavenly about me, I'm happy to say. It sure is great to meet you both, George, Stevo." Her smile was like a 500-watt bulb coming on, at once impish and almost childishly innocent.

"You weren't kidding, Brian," muttered George. "At any rate, about the first part."

"First part of what?" She looked at Brian quizzically. "Have you been talking smut about me, Bri?"

"Absolutely not! Dude's been nothing but the perfect gentleman in his high praise of you!" Steve bowed to her. "Welcome to our humble abode! Your first visit, I take it?"

"Actually, not quite."

"Really? Brian, how did you get her in and out under the radar?"

"Yeah, dude, what did you do with this girl, hide her in your sock drawer? Not that she wouldn't fit in there."

"Stevo, you're so funny I forgot to laugh. One night, we got in pretty late, and she was out of here in the morning before your lazy asses even woke up."

"You guys are sneaky!" George chuckled into his full red beard.

"And also that one weekend when I kicked both your asses out."

"So, that's what's been going on here when we are not looking! Georgie, did you know we were living in the palace of lu-u-uv?"

"Give it a rest, Stevo, okay? What's the big deal? After all, Louise has stayed over a few times when I couldn't stay over at her place."

"Go ahead, rub it in. Both of you guys have girlfriends, and I have squat. Nobody likes me, nobody wants me – "

"Stevo, instead of wallowing in self-pity, you might want to think about how to change that – "

Brian pulled Janet to him. "Come on, baby, let's have some coffee and get out of here. That's a never-ending argument with no resolution."

...

Everything in Janet's life was an adjustment. Staying over at Brian's a couple of nights a week and on the weekends was part of her new routine, and whether she liked it or not, George and Steve were now part of her life.

George had the only other bedroom in the apartment. Steve slept on the living-room couch.

Janet liked George. He was truly a gentle giant with a Viking-like look about him. He didn't talk much, but whatever he said was good-natured and to the point. She could sense the same comforting vibe of honesty and kindness emanating from him as from Brian. The two young men had met a few years earlier through work, instantly hit it off and become best friends and later roommates.

And then there was Steve. Or, as he insisted on being called, Stevo.

George was out most of the time with his girlfriend Louise, where things were getting pretty serious. Stevo, however, seemed to be a fixture in the living-room. Eventually, Janet had to accept that he wasn't going anywhere and try to get comfortable with having him around.

He was invariably courteous to her in an exaggerated manner. But his constant whining about being lonely and forlorn while his roommates enjoyed the company of their sweethearts got annoying very fast. Especially since it sounded as if he blamed his unsatisfactory love life on them. He went out occasionally, trying to pick up girls, going on a date or two, after which he was back on the living-room couch lamenting his fate and accusing the world of a conspiracy against him.

But other than that, there was nothing she could put her finger on or make an issue of. He simply gave her the creeps.

...

"A-a-nd check and mate!"

"Hey, how did you sneak that one past me?" George stared in bewilderment at the chess board sitting on the coffee table between him and Janet.

She smiled mischievously. "Better luck next time, George."

"Chess is not exactly a game of luck," said Brian. "Seriously, baby, where did you learn to play like that?"

"I used to play with my – " she hesitated, "my old roommates."

"Were they any good?"

"No, they sucked. That's why I was winning all the time."

"Well, George here certainly doesn't suck, and by the way you've just ripped him to bits, I have to wonder if they did, either." Brian took the seat vacated by George. "Can I have a game with the champ?"

"I am all wiped out, Bri." Janet swept the pieces off the board and got up. "You don't want to have an unfair advantage, do you?"

"I wouldn't mind. Looks like I'm gonna need every advantage if I am to beat you."

"Sorry, chess club's closed for the night. Some other time."

"No problem, baby. Some other time it is."

"Man, you are so whipped!" scoffed Steve but changed tack before Brian could react. "So, what's the plan, folks? Weather's too nasty to go out. A quiet evening at home?"

"Speak for yourself, Stevo. I have a date with Louise later on. But for the time being, I am all yours."

"Ain't we lucky! Who needs you, George? Be grateful Louise does. Can't think what for."

"Cute, pal. Real cute. You are a regular fount of scintillating humor. TV?"

"Why not? Can't be worse than listening to you."

The TV screen lit up to show a group of long-haired young men on a stage, the lead vocalist with a sweet, high-pitched voice strumming an acoustic guitar.

California girl California girl

There must be something magic in your smile...

"Hear that?" George grinned at Janet. "It might've been written about you."

"Thank you, George, but hardly. I've been a California girl all of five minutes. I am Indiana born and bred."

"Not bad! Go Indiana!"

"Hey! Shouldn't you save your admiration for Louise?"

"Chill, Brian. I have enough admiration in me to go around. As long as you know I would never horn in on your – "

"You guys done with your little love-in?" snarled Steve. "Turn off this crap."

"Crap? What's your problem with Chilliwack?"

"Think you can sing better, Stevo?"

"Yes, why are you being so contemptuous?" asked Janet. "I, for one, love their sound."

"They are just a bunch of Canucks," said Steve with disdain.

"What's wrong with being Canadian?"

"Only everything! They are all totally uncivilized up there. No better than savages. What do they know about California? Or girls, for that matter? If a girl's any prettier than a grizzly bear – "

"Don't you mean polar bear?"

"Same difference."

Janet's eyebrows shot up. "No offense, Stevo, but you don't seem to know much about Canada or Canadians."

"Or bears," added Brian.

"Or girls," prompted George helpfully. "Although not for lack of trying."

"Go fuck yourself, Georgy girl!" exploded Steve. "I am outta here. You can listen to whatever drivel you like." He rose from the couch.

"Got a hot date, Stevo?"

Steve gave George the finger and stalked out into the kitchen.

Janet turned to Brian. "Georgy girl? As in that British movie?"

"Yep. That's Stevo at his wittiest."

"Quite the charmer, isn't he?" remarked Janet dryly.

"Why do you keep baiting him, George?" asked Brian in a quiet voice. "He's already pissed at the world as it is."

"Oh come on. He knows I don't mean anything by that. Shouldn't a guy be able to take a bit of harmless ribbing from his friends?"

"Not if it's his sore spot," countered Janet. "Does he have poor luck with girls?"

"If you can even call it that."

"If not for poor luck, he would have no luck at all."

"And what's his beef with Canadians? Or Chilliwack?"

"Nothing. He just lashes out at everyone and everything when he is in a foul mood. Which is pretty much all the time. Although – " George looked at Janet pensively, "I kinda think he likes you."

"Am I supposed to feel flattered?" Janet tried to keep her tone light, even though she noticed a shadow momentarily cross Brian's face. "Guys, I know you mean no harm. But as his friends, perhaps you should try to help him."

"That's my Janet," announced Brian proudly. "Always out to save the world, one jerk at a time."

"How do you suggest we do that? You have any girlfriends you wouldn't mind fixing him up with?"

Janet looked uncertain. Brian came to her rescue. "Look, George, isn't Louise studying to be a therapist? Perhaps she could practise on him."

"That's right!" Janet brightened up. "Why doesn't she try talking to him?"

"What for? Once she gets her certification, she'll be paid for talking to jerks. I love her too much to put her through that for free."

"You never know, George. She might suggest some coping techniques."

"We are the ones who need coping techniques just to be around him. Okay, I'll ask her. Anyway, I better get going."

Steve returned from the kitchen just as George shut the front door behind him. He took his former place on the couch with a disgruntled air.

Chilliwack had moved on to the next song:

I beli-e-e-eve

That it was meant to be
Can't you see
I believe in you and me

"What about you, baby?" Brian drew Janet to him. "Do you believe in you and me?"

"Gosh, Bri, you are so cheesy sometimes!" She laughed and resisted half-heartedly but then gave in.

He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her passionately.

Over his shoulder, she saw Steve's eyes fixed on them, the stark hatred and fury in them so potent that she shuddered in Brian's arms and couldn't stop shivering for the rest of the night.

...

"I am so sorry, baby." Brian hung up the phone, looking aggrieved. "It's work. They want me to come in right away."

"Can I come with you?" The question burst from her before she could check it.

"To the factory? You'll just be bored stiff. All that noise and dust and dirt. Besides," Brian grinned, "nobody's gonna get any work done with you there. We can't have zero productivity right before the deadline."

"Then why don't I go home? I can come over again tomorrow."

"Nah, you just got here. It's only for an hour or two tops. I'll hurry back as soon as I can, promise."

He kissed her and was off.

She picked a book and lay down on the bed in Brian's room. For a while, she valiantly tried to focus on her reading.

Even through the wall, she could sense Steve's presence. The waves of malevolence and resentment emanating from him.

I am not afraid, she told herself. I can't run and hide for the rest of my life. I won't.

She got up and stepped out into the living-room.

Steve sat on the couch, staring into the TV screen and nursing a beer.

He looked up with a wide grin as she entered. "Look who's decided to grace me with her presence, huh, roomie? Come sit!" He patted the couch next to him.

She sat down gingerly.

"Wanna beer?" he offered.

"I'm good, Stevo, thanks. Let's just watch TV."

"Ma'am, yes ma'am. Whatever you say." He did a mock salute.

For a few minutes, they sat in silence. Then he turned to her and nodded towards the TV: "Ah, to hell with it. How about we talk instead?"

"Sure, why not?"

"I say, no harm in talking. Right?"

"Absolutely. What do you want to talk about?"

"You, Brian, the whole setup."

"What setup, Stevo? There's no setup that I am aware of."

"If you say so." He gave her his disconcerting smirk. His eyes seemed to be cutting into her like twin razor blades. "You sure got my boy Brian well trained. You guys could perform in a circus."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know. When you say jump, does he even bother to ask how high?"

"What's your problem, Steve?" She turned to face him.

"Problem? What problem? I don't have one."

"And neither does Brian, as far as I know."

"He sure doesn't. You know what they say: None so blind as those who will not see."

"What is he supposed to see?" She looked straight at him, her eyes narrowed. The conversation was getting more and more unnerving with every second. "What is it that he can't see but I'm sure you can? If there's something you want to say to me, why don't you say it?"

Suddenly, Steve laughed. "Hey, roomie, relax! I was just kidding! What are you sitting all the way over there for? Come on, move closer! Let's just sit and watch TV like a pair of good buddies, okay?" He again patted the couch between them.

"Sorry, Stevo, I am not feeling too well." She got up abruptly and went back to Brian's room.

Once inside, she shut the door and leaned her back on it. Her heart was pounding.

There was no bolt on the door. She pushed the heavy armchair against it and lay down on the bed.

Just once, she thought she heard a faint noise outside, as if somebody was tentatively trying the door. She couldn't be sure she hadn't imagined it.

An eternity later, she heard the front door opening and Brian's voice in the hallway. Jumping up, she pushed the armchair out of the way just in time for him to step in.

"See, baby? I told you it wasn't gonna take long! Hope you weren't too bored. Did you take a nap?"

...

Damn, how he hated her.

Almost as much as he hated her boyfriend. His best friend and roommate, Brian the Do-Gooder. Why wouldn't he just leave him alone? No matter how many times and how badly he screwed up, Brian was always there to clean up his mess, to pick him up, to tide him over, to lend a helping hand. Well, he could take his helping hand and shove it up his own ass. Maybe if Brian hadn't always been there, expecting him to screw up, he wouldn't have screwed up every time. But Brian was always waiting for him to fail and give him another chance to prove what a good person and great friend he was.

And now, there was this little slut of his, always hanging around the apartment.

How he hated her. Almost as much as he wanted her. Why did she have to be so hot?

Of course, nothing but the best for Prince Brian Charming. All the hottest chicks were his for the taking. He just had to crook his little finger.

Except this girlie was damaged goods. Brian might be too dumb to see it, but she wasn't fooling him none. He knew women like that. They were always waiting for another chance to be a victim. Well, she wouldn't have to wait long.

Today, that had been a reconnaissance mission. To see how badly she was damaged. As it turned out, just badly enough.

He could almost taste it. She would be trembling, terrified out of her puny mind, those huge eyes of hers like a deer's caught in the headlights. Her subconscious mind was already convinced that it could only end one way, whether she wanted it or not. She wouldn't put up any resistance. Or dare breathe a word about it afterwards, to Brian or anybody else. She would be too consumed with shame and blame it all on herself. It would be almost too easy for his liking.

Of course, Brian the Perfect Boyfriend was always there. But someday he would have to leave for a while longer – and this time he would be ready to make his move.

Someday soon.

...

"I know this is not what you had in mind when you rented out the room, Mrs. Starr. But it's just this one guy, Brian, and only once in a while, and I wouldn't be asking if there was any – "

"Child, relax." Mrs. Starr sighed. "History shows that no tyrant has ever been able to keep boys from girls or girls from boys. So I am not even going to try. As for what I expected, I wanted to rent to a nice young lady, not a nun. You still qualify."

"Oh, Mrs. Starr, thank you so much!" Janet hugged the older woman impulsively. "This is such a relief."

"But I need to meet him first before I let him stay over in my house."

"Of course! I'll bring him over anytime you say! Oh, you are gonna love him."

"If you do, I certainly will," said the landlady softly. "I will expect the pair of you to dinner this Friday night."

"We'll be there. He'll be so happy to meet you! I've been singing your praises to him all this time."

"Excellent. Don't forget. 7 PM Friday night."

"Would I forget something like this?" chuckled Janet, then grew sober. "Mrs. Starr… You know, that thing… right before I went over to Brian's for the first time… You know what I am talking about?"

"I do indeed. What about it?" asked the landlady sharply.

"You – you won't say anything, right? Please?"

Mrs. Starr fixed her with a silent stare.

"I am sorry." Janet blushed with embarrassment. "I know better than to ask. But I had to make sure. He must never know."

…

Brian and Mrs. Starr hit it off right away.

One morning, while Janet was in the shower, Brian sought out the landlady and started swearing up and down that his intentions with Janet were most honorable.

She cut him short. "I know, son. I can tell. I am not concerned with that. Even if it were any of my business, which it's not. Better tell me, what's going on at your place?"

"What's going on at my place?" echoed Brian, bewildered. "What do you mean?"

"That girl is scared. And she's no coward. It takes a lot to scare her. What do you think might've spooked her this badly?"

"Beats me," shrugged Brian. "Believe me, there's no boogeyman at my place. Just my two roommates. We've been pals for years, all three of us. Granted, one of them is a bit of a jerk but how bad can it – "

"Morning, Mrs. Starr!" rang out Janet's lilting voice behind him. "Coffee, Bri?"