Page 18 of Busted String

“I heard you’re playing tonight.”

“We are. Hope to see you at the after-party.”

“I’ll be there.”

With a soft ding, the elevator stopped, and they stepped out into the lobby then exited onto lively Main Street.

“I think the coffee shop has fantastic breakfasts,” Jace said.

“The one your father spotted you in?”

“Yes. I don’t care. I’m fine now.”

“Okay, it’s right here and I’m starving,” Nico said.

Jace watched as Nico took in the quaint café on the bustling street of Bakersfield. It was a familiar sight, a place he’d frequented countless times growing up. The warm, inviting atmosphere was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon.

“This place looks great,” Nico said, his eyes scanning the menu. “I’ll have the scrambled eggs, sausage, and hash browns.”

Jace nodded in agreement and ordered the same. As they waited for their food, a familiar face approached their table.

“Well, if it isn’t Jace,” Mary said, a wide smile spreading across her face. She was a former classmate of Jace’s, a bright and bubbly girl who had always been a friend.

“Mary!” Jace exclaimed, returning her smile. “It’s been a long time.”

After catching up for a few minutes, Mary left to get their food.

Once alone again, Nico turned to Jace. “So, about us…”

Jace’s heart pounded. He’d been waiting for this conversation. “Yeah?”

“I want to be with you, Jace,” Nico said, his voice filled with sincerity. “But it’s got to be just us. No more partying without me. And I need youto stop smoking and getting drunk to the point you have no idea where you are.”

Jace was taken aback. He hadn’t expected such a direct approach. “I…I don’t know,” he replied, his voice hesitant. Was his behavior preventing them from being together?

“No, Jace,” Nico insisted. “You have to try. I love you, and I want us to have a future together. But we can’t do that if you’re still stuck in your old ways.”

Jace knew Nico was right. He had to make some changes if he wanted to be with him. With a heavy sigh, he said “Let me think about all this.”

“Think about us? You don’t want us? You’d rather fuck around like a whore?”

“I said I need to think about it. I didn’t say no. You’re asking me to change who I am. I don’t know.”

“You’re going to lose all of us by your fucking behavior.”

Mary carried over a tray with their breakfast orders and set their platters on the table in front of them. “Is everything okay here?” Her eyes betrayed a hint of worry.

“Yes, Mary. Thank you,” Jace said.

Nico glared at him when she left. “Do you think you can fuck with me like this?”

“It seems you’re fucking with me. You’re the one with the demands for me to change for you. I want to be with you, but I don’t know about all of this.”

“What exactly don’t you know? You don’t know if you want to stop smoking? You don’t know if you want to stop drinking yourself into oblivion? You don’t know if you still want to fuck around with others? Tell me what exactly you don’t know.”

“I can’t. I just can’t right now.”

Nico pulled his wallet out and threw money on the table. “When you can, let me know. Until then, stay the fuck away from me.” He pushed his chair back with a screech and got up abruptly, walking away.

---