In Love and Lust

"It's fucking 2016, no one gives a shit about relationships anymore." Bob stated bluntly. Ray shot him a glare as he passed two overflowing shot glasses our way. I chuckled lightly, trying to stay out of it as I reached for my shot. Ray and Bob always got into heated conversation at the bar. Ray usually didn't mind, but this time Bob was being a bit too harsh after the circumstances Ray was in.

"So what are you gonna do?" I asked quietly.

"Take this damn shot." Bob said as he held it in the air, spilling some of the strong substance on the bar.

"Not you, asshole." I said, slapping Bob's chest playfully. "Ray?"

"I'm not sure." He said softly, throwing a dirty towel over his shoulder after cleaning up Bobs mess. I shot Bob a little glare, hopefully he got the point to be a bit more sensitive to Ray's feelings this time. I didn't expect it though, that's just how my best friend was. Blunt and out there.

"If you stay with her she's just going to keep cheating." Bob said, immediately taking his shot after. I kicked his foot and he nearly choked on the liquor. "What?!" He exclaimed, shooting me a look.

"Ray, don't listen to him." I said. "You need to talk to her and figure things out." Ray nodded silently as he began to wash the dirty beer mugs.

"Easy for you to say," he chuckled. "You have a good man. Frank would never do anything to hurt you."

"I know." I beamed at the thought of my boyfriend.

"Where is that short fucker anyway?" Bob spoke up again. That small moment of silence was golden. "And are you gonna take that damn shot or should I take it for you?"

"He'll be here soon," I stated, pulling my shot glass closer to me. "You know, most people can't sit at a bar at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on a weekday and get drunk for little to no money. He's still at work."

Ray started to laugh and Bob sent a bland chuckle his way. "Who are you trying to insult?" He said turning back to me. "You're taking part in getting drunk at 3 in the afternoon on a week day."

Bob reached for my shot but I slapped his hand away. I grabbed the glass and tossed the harsh liquid down my throat. I put the glass back on the bar swiftly, turning to Bob. "My job allows me to." I smirked.

"Oh yeah? Since when?"

"Since I became my own boss." I stated proudly.

"Oh lord," Bob shifted in the bar stool. "Whoever decided that created a disaster."

For years I worked as a photographer for a huge company based in Minneapolis, Lifetouch. You may have heard of them, you may have actually been photographed by them. Lifetouch specialized in school portraits and yearbook photos. While photography was a strong passion of mine, photographing school children wasn't. I began working hard to build my own company and get my name out there. With some help from Frank, I finally became a portrait photographer for upcoming bands and artists.

Now Frank, he owned his own record company out of Newark, New Jersey. Despite the usual struggles of any company, it was successful. I would help promote the bands by being their photographer for their photo shoots, as well as being their photographer at local shows. I dreamt of the day I became a personal photographer for a well known band, but I knew I still had to work hard to get to that point.

"Becca?" Bob snapped me out of my thoughts. "You ready for the check?"

"Uh yeah," I said. "Let me see if Frank is close." I pulled out my phone as Bob called Ray over.

Bob was my best friend of 10 years. We were always there for each other through thick and thin. He knew about everything about my life, and I knew everything about his. Most people would kill for this platonic friendship, and we knew it too.

I met Ray through Frank once we started dating. He worked with Frank at the local record store growing up, and they've been best friends ever since. Frank always held a job for Ray at the record label, but Ray loved his bar to death. He would say "I could not be cooped up in an office setting all day long, I'd rather serve beer and break up the occasional bar fight every once in a while." Frank respected that.

"What kind of number is that?" Bob shook me from my thoughts once more as he looked down at my phone.

"Huh-uh, what number?" I said, focusing down at my phone.

"Are you alright Becca? You've only had two ciders and a shot, you can't be drunk yet." Bob chuckled at my confused state before snatching my phone out of my hand. "What number is this texting you?"

I snatched my phone back back and looked down at my screen.

From: 973-844-9408
3:15pm Hey you.

I rubbed my thumb over the familiar number, wracking my brain to find any memory that would lead me to who's number this was. There was a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach telling me I knew exactly who it was.

"Becca?" Bob repeated. He must have saw my furrowed brows and sensed my mind racing. "Here," Bob pushed another full to the brim shot glass my way. "Ray said it's on the house since you weren't an asshole about his girl cheating on him."

I looked up and smiled, debating whether or not I should take it. I was starting to feel a little tipsy and I didn't want Frank to have to carry me up the steps of our apartment. "Thanks Ray!" I called across the bar before turning to Bob. "I guess assholes finish last here." I giggled, turning my attention back to my phone again.

"Yeah yeah." Bob said, taking a swig of his beer.

To: 973-844-9408
3:17pm Who is this?

I hit send and immediately shoved my phone in my pocket. It wasn't a second later that I felt my phone vibrate.

"You better take that shot before I do." Bob stated, peering down at his phone and tapping his foot.

"One second." I chuckled, pulling my phone out of my pocket once more.

From: 973-844-9408
3:17pm It's Gerard.

My heart sank faster than I could read the two words written so boldly in front of my face. A million thoughts ran through my mind. Why did he still have my number? Why was he texting me now?

I shook my head and tossed my phone down on the bar, immediately grabbing the thick shot glass and forcing the liquid down my throat. "Ray, I need one more." I called out, hoping the liquor would make me forget about my past that's popping up on my phone through a two word text.

"Whoa whoa," I heard a familiar sweet voice from behind me. "Have a rough day baby?" I felt a pair of familiar arms wrap around my waist, and the sweetest pair of lips plant a kiss on my forehead.

I turned and saw Frank take his place next to me at the bar. "Hey baby," I said calmly as I grabbed my phone and tossed it back into my pocket rather quickly.

Bob noticed my sketchy movement and gave me the side eye. I sent a sheepish smile his way and mouthed 'I'll tell you later'

"I didn't know you'd be here so soon," I said to Frank as I put a hand on his leg.

"Yeah, me either." He smiled. "Things wrapped up early at the studio so I decided to show up unannounced. I know you and Bob got a thing going on, I just have to catch you two in the act." He joked, knowing Bob and I have never been attracted to each other in our lives.

"Don't worry Frank," Bob piped up. "I'm too busy fighting men off her to even have a chance to get with her."

"Yeah, if anything I'm glad my girlfriends best friend is a big burley dude. It makes her seem so much less approachable."

Frank was right. When I go out with Bob men don't bother to approach me. They always think he's my boyfriend, and for that I'm thankful. I've never felt comfortable telling men to go away. The "I have a boyfriend" card no longer works these days, and they continue to push their limits. Maybe Bob was right. No one has respect for relationships anymore.

"What's up dude?" Ray greeted Frank as he passed me another shot. I took it without question and received another suspicious glance from Bob.

Ray and Frank engaged in small talk as I silently excused myself from the bar, making my way to the dingy restrooms. My eyesight was becoming wavy as I locked myself in the pink stall.

I sat down on the toilet and pulled my phone out of my pocket. I stared down at the last text I received, nibbling on my bottom lip nervously. "Nine, four, zero, eight..." I recited the last four numbers. "Gerard." I whispered softly, gliding my thumb over the bold text.

I let my curiosity get the best of me as I quickly tapped reply. What trouble could it cause?

To: 973-844-9408
3:27pm Hey you.

I steadied my breathing as I watched the word 'delivered' pop up beneath the blue bubble. What did I have to lose?

Notes

I've been contemplating on writing this story for a while now. For some reason it's always harder to write something based on a true story. I have been stressing over getting every detail right.

Yes, this is based on a true story of something I went through over summer 2016. I figured it was interesting and drama filled enough to become an awesome fan fiction. This is only the beginning...

Feedback would be greatly appreciated! I'd love to know what you guys think!