hello, goodbye, hello.

Chapter 13: But That's The Way It Is

Ricky waited in the living room for what seemed like an eternity. He felt every second tick by in his mind, every minute passing through his skull like an arrow from a crossbow. It was agonizing. Ricky wanted to get up and get his phone that he'd left in his room. He wanted to run out the door and down the stairs and make sure EJ was safe. He wanted anything other than to be here, alone, in the dark, waiting. But he couldn't bring himself to move. What if EJ came back and Ricky had run out the door to find him? Or worse, what if EJ didn't come back? Worse yet, what if Tyler came back? The image of his ex's raging face was burned into Ricky's head.

He thought back on everything that had happened tonight; on everything that had happened for the last three years. It just didn't make sense. Ty was always a little on edge, especially nowadays, but bursting into Ricky's dorm before sunrise in a blind rage, and for what? To pick up his play station? It seemed out of character.

I'll always be there for you.

The words echoed in Ricky's mind.

Finally, Ricky heard someone approaching the door. He was prepared for the worst. But, the worst didn't come. EJ walked in and locked the door behind him.

"EJ, thank god I thought maybe you-" Ricky began to say, but he was cut off when EJ pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Are you okay?" EJ said, pulling away.

"Yeah...I think so. A little frazzled but I'm good. Are you?"

"What? You thought that chump could take me on?" EJ said with a smile.

Ricky laughed weakly.

"Thank you. I know I've already said that a million times tonight, but thank you EJ. I don't know what I would've done if I was alone here when he showed up. He hasn't been like that in a very long time. I don't know what happened."

"He's treated you like that BEFORE?" EJ said, a hint of anger in his voice.

"Not exactly...but he's gotten...angry, like that before. But this was...insane."

"I'll say. Well anyway, I don't think he'll be back around here anytime soon. Maybe we should call the police and-"

"No! no. It's not worth it. I think you scared him off, I don't really think he'd hurt me anyway."

Ej raised and eyebrow. Noticing this, Ricky continued.

"NYPD isn't worth shit anyway."

They laughed.

"What made you get with a guy like that anyway?" Ej asked.

Ricky looked at EJ with a hurt expression.

"Sorry if that's...too fresh. He just seems like..."

"An asshole?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah, well, he didn't used to be like that. When it all started, he was so sweet."

"How long were you all together?"

"Until today..three years."

"You guys broke up TODAY?"

"Why do you think I was at the bar tonight?"

"Fair...You certainly know how to pick 'em don't you." EJ joked.

"Hey! Let's not forget that one of my exes is currently in this room. Self burn."

EJ shifted uncomfortably and let out a light laugh.

"Yeah...I guess."

Silence fell over them for a few minutes. Until EJ let out a yawn.

"Well...I better get going I guess-" EJ started

"Wait." Ricky interrupted. "Will you...stay..for tonight? I mean, after everything I might feel...um."

EJ wrapped and arm around Ricky, pulling him in close.

"Yeah. Of course. I'd love to...Just as long as I don't have to sleep on this couch again. I've got a crick in my neck from earlier."

Ricky laughed and stood up, grabbing EJ's arm and leading him to his bedroom.

Minutes later they were in bed together, EJ's arms wrapped tightly around Ricky, their legs entangled together.

Ricky snuggled down into EJ's embrace. He hadn't felt this safe, this good in a long time.

"Thank you." Ricky said whispered into the night.

"You're welcome, Ricky. Goodnight." EJ said, instinctively kissing his little spoon on his forehead.

EJ's lips felt warm and familiar on Ricky's temple. Ricky thought it should've felt...wrong, considering everything, but it didn't. He quickly fell into a deep slumber, safe for now, but he couldn't shake a question from his mind.

How did I ever get myself into this mess?

🌼🌼🌼

Had to calm things down a bit. That last chapter was crazy!

I'm publishing this one with the next chapter as a package because I think they go together well and I CANT WAIT to have you guys read what's up next!

Peace, Love, and Joy

Flora T.