Bulletproof Heart

Frankie's POV

Ray and I had been upstairs hanging out for just a short amount of time when I received a call. Blocked number. Probably something stupid like a telemarketer. I hit ignore. It was nice catching up with my cousin because we really didn't see each other that often. He was just telling me about his classes when my cell rang again. Blocked number.

“This people are so persistent. Think maybe Mikey's tech skills stretch into telemarketer blocking territory?” He laughed.

“There is very little Mikey Way can't do. He just won't draw attention to the fact.” When the phone rang a third time, I'd had enough. All my pent up anxiety was begging for an outlet.

“Hello?! If this is a sales call, I'm not interested. I DON'T want to change my cell carrier, cable company or internet provider. So what do you want?!”

“Francesca. It's so great to hear your voice. How are you sweetheart?” My mouth and throat were immediately dry. Ray's look of concern told me that my face was showing exactly how I felt.

“What the hell do YOU want, John? I have no interest in speaking to you ever again, something I thought I made perfectly clear when you showed yourself to be a creepy pervert.”

“What are you talking about Frankie? There's nothing perverted about our love. You're 18. A legal adult. I waited for you to grow into the beautiful woman you are today.” My stomach turned and I tried not to gag.

“First of all, there is no US. There is just YOU leaving ME alone. Either way, I'm getting a restraining order immediately. Second, the very fact that you had to wait for me to grow up and become legal proves my point. You're a pervert. How long have you been planning this? Did you love my mother at all?” Did I want to know the answer?

“Of course I did and I always will, just in a different sort of way. But after the first year or two, I realized I'd married the wrong girl. Linda was always gone, leaving us to spend time together. Didn't we always have a great time? I did and I thought you did too. That's why I thought you felt the same.”

“John, I'm sorry Mom is always gone and your marriage isn't what you thought it would be. Of course we had fun, but as a father and daughter. I needed a dad and that's what you always were. A step dad. I was 13 when you married my mom so if what you say is true, you waited for a 14 year old to grow up? You don't see how sick that is? If you love me like you say you do, you'll tell my Mom the truth so that she won't keep believing this crazy lie. Then, maybe one day I can find it in my heart to forgive you.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Yeah, me too..”

“No, I'm sorry but that's not going to happen. I'll just have to make you realize that you love me. I know you do. So pack your bags and be ready for me when I come to get you later on.”

“Are you insane? I'm not going anywhere with you. I'm in love will someone else. But even if I wasn't, I still wouldn't be able to give you what you want.”

“Ah yes, someone else!” My eyes widened as I realized that mentioning another guy might not have been the wisest move. He just laughed.

“I'm calling the police.” I hung up, threw the phone away from me and grabbed Ray in a tight hug. After crying on his shoulder for a few minutes, I spoke. “What do I do? He's says coming here to get me. He says he's been waiting years for me. It makes me want to throw up. This is worse than just being after my money. At least I'm used to dealing with that. I don't know how to deal with creepy crazy.”

“Yeah, I know,” Ray brushed some of my hair out of my face while still cradling my head on his shoulder. “It's going to be ok though. If shit is going to happen, at least you've got a brand new security system. You also have 4 guys who love you very much staying here with you, and 3 more coming tomorrow. That's almost as good as being in protective custody.” I laughed.

“You're probably right. I probably blew it mentioning that there was someone I had feelings for but at least I knew better than to say there were people staying with me. The last thing we need is that psycho bringing help. If he knew I had a houseful of boys, he'd hardly come alone. If we're really lucky, he'll come tomorrow when his sons are here.” We both chuckled despite ourselves. They would kick his ass and I would sell tickets to that show. “I just can't believe my Mom believes him.”

“Love makes people do crazy things.”

“Even experiment on the other side of the fence?”

“What?” Ray tried to look like he had no idea what I was talking about.

“Really? We're blood, remember? I see the way you look at each other. He's over the moon for you, so don't break his heart. Those are sweet boys you're friends with.”

“Yes, they are. So don't break Gee's heart. How did THAT happen? First you punch him, now you guys are... what? Dating? Casual?”

“Well, hmm. I apologized for punching him and tried to explain why I did it. He didn't deserve it, I know, and you know I only punch guys with a good reason. I didn't lure him up there if that's what you're thinking.” Ray just laughed then so did I. “Guess it could kinda seem like that now. After letting him know what was going on with John - “

“Wait, you told him about John before me?”

“It wasn't like that. It was one of the main reason I punched him. The assault, John, everything was so fresh. Then he explained his comment that came out wrong. He told me about Lindsey and how everything with her was still fresh with him too. We both realized that we actually had a lot in comment and got along well, despite our really bad introduction. Mostly we just talked, until we didn't.”

“And then...”

“And I'm not telling you anymore. Gee is your close friend. It would be weird to tell you. Why are you so nosy? Besides, do you really want to hear about one of your best friends with your cousin?” He shrugged and nodded his head like he was ok with it. “Were you dropped on your head as a child?” It was time for a subject change. “I never heard any details about you and Mikey?” Now he looked a little uncomfortable.

“Oh, well, I don't know...”

“If you tell a little, I'll tell a little.” His face lit up. “The fact that you are that excited disturbs me. “You first Ray. What? Don't give me that look. You can trust me, Jeez. How about we each tell the first move, then promise not to let on to anyone else that we know.” I hold out my pinkie for him. He hooks onto it with his pinkie, something we haven't done since we were children.

“Ok, Mikes and I had our video game on pause to talk to Gee. Once you get to know Mikey better, you'll find that he has days where he's virtually silent. When Gee left, I kept mentioning things and all he would say was 'yup'. Looking back, I guess my comment was pretty rude but I didn't mean it to be. In my frustration, I told him that I could never tell if he was listening to me and that I felt sorry for his future wife. That's when he said he always listens to everything I said, he just doesn't always know what to say back. Then he grabbed my face and kissed me.”
“You're lucky he didn't punch you after that comment.”

“Yeah, it wasn't too cool. I didn't even know he liked boys.”

“I didn't know YOU liked boys.”

“I uh, didn't. I told him I had no idea he liked me, of course. I was really shocked at first and he was getting ready to leave upset when I grabbed his wrist. I told him not to go, he just took me by surprise, but it was a nice surprise. It was the best kiss I've ever had. Seriously, I think that's what sold it at first. I told him that was really hot, so I wanted to give it a try. We made out … heavily and you know took things from there.” I put my hand up, nodding. Yup, didn't need to think about my cousin getting off which was what I was trying to tell Ray before. “I was really honest with him about everything. I know there's a chance of one or both of us getting hurt but if I'd turned him down he would have been hurt too. And I started developing feelings for him right away. It's just that it's Mikey. I don't know that I'd ever be interested in another guy, if things don't work out with us.”

“Well, I'm glad you're both happy and I hope things do work out with you both. I liked Mikes as soon as I met him.”

“Yeah, and you would not believe what an amazing kisser he is. So much better than all the girls I've made out with.”

“How many girls have you made out with Cassanova?”

“I don't know, maybe 25 or 30.” Wow, I'm impressed. And Mikey bested them all. “So...”

“Ok, ok. So I can't remember what we were talking about at that exact moment, but I do remember crying and him comforting me. But not in a sleazy way, you know? Then he asked me to please not punch him again. He started to lean in to kiss me, clearly hesitant because I had just punched him early. So I went for it. He is also the best kisser I've ever been with, so maybe it runs in the family. Then I'll just say heavily made out.”

“Uh huh. And that's why Brendan ran out of the house practically crying.” I just rolled my eyes.

“This is the first time a boy had hit on me with sincerity, at least I think so.” I smiled at the memory. The lewd behavior, sexist bravado, overconfident pushiness, I had seen that so many times. Every one with the same generic look in their eyes. Just another scumbag trying to score another conquest, yet too pathetic to realize how transparent they were. Did girls actually fall for this crap? “And I figure that since he is a close friend of yours, he's sort of pre-screened? I know he's not a complete asshole.”

“Right. No, he's not at all. I'm happy for you guys too. So he told you about Lindsey?” I nodded. “Then you know he's too nice for his own good sometimes. Whatever he told you, it's probably 10 times worse. I really don't think any of us know the extent of it. I'm just glad they are through. 2 weeks of exams and they will never see each other again. He's going to SVA in the fall, so he'll be on the other side of the country, thankfully. She got in somewhere in Oregon, I don't know. I always stopped listening when the subject turns to her.”

“Hey, I'm getting hungry, wanna go downstairs?” Just as we both got off my bed, my phone went off. “Ugh!” After a little searching, I found it on the floor where I'd tossed it. It was a text. From you know you. Then another. And another. “Shit!”

Notes

You want action? I'll give you action! (I actually had most of this planned out already, but I needed a nudge to move it along.)

B