Page 109 of Strange Lad

“That was fast,” Jorge blurts, rushing over to me. “I didn’t have time to tell anyone—”

“Oli?” Phoenix says, confused by my presence. He looks at Jorge and narrows his eyes.

Devon, their bassist, studies me suspiciously while Kelly, their keyboardist, waves and approaches me. “Ah, the infamous Oliver.”

Michael then appears from the sound booth. “What’s going on?”

“Whatisgoing on?” Phoenix asks me.

I can’t decide where to look, what to say, or where to start. Jorge looks downright guilty as he chews his bottom lip. Devon sighs dramatically and blurts, “He brought his boyfriend because you won’t talk to him,obviously.”

“Damn, Sawyer, something in the blood or what? Who is next? Devon?” Kelly teases.

Devon scoffs. “The other two are married, and Nyx is twelve.”

“She’s nineteen,” Phoenix growls, then clears his throat. “Seriously, Jorge?”

“Can you fucking blame me?” Jorge explodes, pointing his finger at Phoenix. “You won’t talk to me! Won’t look at me! I’m sick of the silent treatment, you fuckdick!”

Phoenix pops off right back at him. It’s a tidal wave crashing over everyone. Their yells are belligerent, almost unintelligible,and when Jorge starts crying, Phoenix cries, too. I’m not sure what to do or say.

So, I let them ride the damn current, hoping when it’s said and done, I’ll be able to figure out what the fuck I intend to do.

Jorge

Sill Life

“Iamin love! Love! With rainbows and sparkly shit, okay? I wasn’t going to betray him!”

“No, you just betrayed me. Lied for over ayear! You’re the fuckdick.”

I puff out my chest even though I’m crying like a baby. “You’re the one actually getting fucked by dick!”

“Can anyone understand them?” Kelly asks randomly, but I ignore her. Phoenix and I understand each other perfectly fine.

He’s my other testicle, even if I feel like removing it.

“Everyone else got the understanding Phoenix. And what do I get? The pigheaded, stubborn bitch Phoenix!”

He turns bright red, throws his hands in the air, and yells, “Because it’s you! You! I love you, stupid asshole! You’ve been my best friend since I was seven. Hell, my only friend for a good chunk. And you lied! Why!”

“Because of this, you turd nipple! This!” I gesture at him. “Would you seriously have been okay with it? Me being Oli’s friend while he didn’t want to talk to you? No, I don’t think so.”

“I might have. You didn’t give me a chance. You kept shit away from me. How could you?” he cries now, the heat leaving him in a big puddle of 6’4 metal head, broken-hearted goo.

“I fucked up,” I cry too. “I fucked up. And I’m sorry. Just forgive me, okay? Please? I can’t take it.”

Phoenix sniffles and wipes his face. “I am trying. But you’re so damn impatient.”

“Because I’m needy. And I need my best friend,” I confess. “I was trying to protect two people. You and Oli. He wasn’t ready to talk to you, and you wouldn’t stop trying. What was I supposed to do?”

“Tell me!” he roars andspears me.Like Roman fucking Reigns. I go down with a loud thump. My head bounces off the carpet, and I howl in pain. Phoenix pins me down and presses his forehead to mine. “All that subtle shit, all the wise words, it was all because you knew. Youknew.”

“I did,” I rasp, going cross-eyed, trying to look at him.

“But because of it, you helped me. You helped me see Eli. Really see him. Made me try to be better.”

“That is true,” I agree because Phoenix is caving. He can’t stay mad at me forever. “And I really did try to help with Oli, as well.”

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