Devil's Effect

Avoiding Reality Part 1

Amir didn't bother to open the door all the way. "You're back," he said flatly, narrowing his eyes at Mike and deliberately looking him up and down. "So, ready to sneak Chester off for another night? Yeah, I'd say that's what it looks like. I never would have taken you to be that kind of guy, Mike. Or maybe times have changed."

Mike crossed his arms over his chest and stared right back at Amir. "You don't have to be like that," he stated, trying not to let it bother him that his former co-worker was being so cold. He knew he deserved that, at least a little bit. For all he knew, everyone was blaming him for breaking up Jason and Ryan, and breaking Chester's heart. "I just came to take Ches out to dinner."

"Mmm-hmm." Amir glanced over his shoulder into the apartment. "Think maybe you could bring him back this time, and before you have your fun?"

It was a line-crossing statement. "Look, you're not his keeper, and I know you're just trying to keep an eye on him. I know I fucked up some stuff, but I'm trying to make it better. Just let me in. I'll bring him back tonight, I swear." Mike felt like he was begging a parent to let him take their child out on a date.

Amir sighed and stepped back, swinging the door open a little more. "You fucked everything up," he amended Mike's statement. "But I guess you're right. He's been better since the two of you started... eating together again."

"Right," Mike agreed hastily, stepping inside before Amir shut the door. "Food is important." He didn't wait any longer, or encourage any more conversation with Amir, taking off toward the bedroom. The door was shut and he knocked twice. "Ches. It's me," he called through the door.

Chester looked towards the door the moment he heard Mike. "It's open!" he called, staying right where he was on the bed. He watched as Mike stepped in and shut the door behind him. "You look a little frazzled," Chester said, sitting forward to get a better look.

"Amir," Mike said, gesturing at the door. "He's not thrilled I'm here." He stepped over to the bed and sat down, reaching for one of Chester's hands. "I understand where he's coming from, but I wasn't prepared. I guess we've spent a lot of time together the past few days."

Chester squeezed Mike's hand. "Amir saw me at my worst when everything went down. I think he's just trying to not let that experience repeat." He looked down at his phone, quickly checking the time. "So, I have to ask you something, and I want you to say no if you don't want to." He looked back over at Mike, the look of panic already on his face. "It's nothing bad," he said right away. "It's just, I have to change our dinner plans. Forrest called, you know, to check on me. We talked for a bit and he wants to take me to dinner tonight. He invited you, too. He, he doesn't know we broke up." Chester dropped his eyes to his lap where his phone was. He hated to admit that he'd kept the breakup from his boss.

"Oh." Mike sat very still for a moment, processing what Chester had just said, and the things that he had only implied. "So, you want me to go to dinner with your boss," he said slowly, thinking about each word carefully, "who thinks we're still a couple." He bit his lip a few times, thinking it through. They'd been acting like a couple for two days now, and it didn't feel like acting to Mike. It felt normal. It wouldn't be hard for things to come across as they always had in front of Forrest. Maybe even better. The last two days have been amazing. Like how we used to be. Is he really asking me to pretend we're still boyfriends? Isn't that confusing?

Mike looked up. Chester was still staring at his phone. "Ches? You want me to go to dinner as your boyfriend?"

"I'm sorry," Chester apologized immediately. "I should have told him already, I just haven't had it in me to have that conversation with him yet. He'll want to talk about it, and...it doesn't matter," he decided. He looked at Mike with his best serious expression. "Yes, I'd like you to go and be my boyfriend for the night, but you don't have to. I can make an excuse up for you. Mike, I totally get it if you don't want to."