Frank was standing out in the parking lot having a smoke when it happened. That when everything he thought he knew about the world flipped upside down. Frank had gone out at first, looking for some sweet relief. The stress of being in the same room, let alone, the same table as Gerard was causing him to go knutz.

He’d left only five minutes before he’d been followed out. In fact, he was just about to head back in side, when he heard him.

“Hey Princess.” Frank froze in his tracks because he hadn’t been called that in years. Frank looked up, debating to make a run for it and go inside, or to pop out another cigarette and chat with Gerard. He threw his first cigarette onto the ground and watched as Gerard took a long drag out of his cigarette. Although, Frank had just had one, it made his mouth damn near salivate all over his shirt like a rabid dog. Welp, that was it, Frank decided, he was having another smoke.

Frank pulled his pack of cigarettes out of the back pocket of his jeans flicking one out with a familiar ease of years-worth of the routine. In a matter of three seconds he’d had a cigarette out of his pack, lit and settled neatly between his lips taking his first of several long drags.

“Fuck off.” Frank muttered, back sounding muffled as he tried to keep his cigarette in his mouth.

“Whoa there. I didn’t mean anything by it.” Gerard countered.

“Sure.”

“I really didn’t. Old habits die hard I guess.”

“Whatever, what are you doing out here anyway?” Frank damn-near growled at Gerard.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Gerard laughed, motioning to the cigarette in his hand.

Frank looked Gerard up and down looking for some sort of an in indication as to why he was out here other than taking a smoke....he didn’t seem to find any so he went back to smoking. They stood in an awkward silence for about a minute before Gerard opened his mouth to speak again.

“So, how is California?”

“It’s good. A lot better than life was here. I really missed Jersey though, not the people but, the place.” Frank muttered.

“I’m glad. I wouldn’t want to have to go to California just to beat someone up.” Gerard laughed, a soothing sound that made Frank relax.

“Why would you have to beat anyone up?” Frank asked, confused.

“Because, only I’m allowed to fuck you up.” Gerard laughed again, tossing his cigarette onto the pavement. Frank was caught off guard and nearly choked on his cigarette. Gerard had begun to strut back inside the building when he turned around and said, “Oh, by the way. I was supposed to tell you. You get to ride with me back to your place. Ray is taking Matt to go check out some new drum set his friend might have for him. So, if you need anything from Ray’s car, let him know.”

Without waiting for Frank’s reply, Gerard had headed back into the building leaving Frank feeling faint.This was going to be one hell of a car ride and he wasn’t sure he was ready for this type of thing. An hour in a car alone with Gerard was bound to bring up some old familiar tension.


Notes