My phone rang and I groaned, grabbing at it.
“Hello?
“Hey Frank, it's Mikey. You're not gonna like this.”
I frowned, sitting up in bed and running a hand through my hair. “What?”
“Angelo told me that you need to ‘suck it up, grow a pair, and do it or get fired.’ I've had it with that man, Frankie.”
My nose stung suddenly and I took a deep, shuddering breath. “I c-can't,” I mumbled, half to myself.
Mikey sighed quietly. “I know, Frankie, I'm so sorry.”
The thought of what I’d have to do was enough to make me cry. I tried to hold it back, but the tears rolled down my cheeks anyway.
“Shit..”
I sniffed and bit back a sob just in time.
“Are you crying, Frank?” Mikey asked quietly, sounding worried.
“No,” I muttered sullenly.
“That's it, I'm coming over. I'll bring you McDonald’s.” Mikey hung up before I could protest.

---

I opened the door and Mikey smiled at me slightly. “You don't look so good.”
I stepped back to let him inside, the enticing smell of breakfast making my stomach growl. “I don't feel so good either. Sorry about my apartment, it's kinda tiny.”
Mikey glanced around, then shrugged. “I like it, it's super cosy.”
I sighed and looked down at the floor. It was only a studio with a little kitchenette, but it was home.
“Here..” Mikey opened the greasy paper bag, starting to pull out hash browns and breakfast sandwiches. “Where are your plates?”
I hurried over and grabbed two plates from the cupboard, setting them out for him. He sorted the items onto the plates, then handed me one back. “Here. Can I come sit down?”
I nodded quickly. “Yeah, go ahead.”
I went over to the sofa and sat down, smiling as Mikey sat down next to me. He glanced at me, rubbing my shoulder lightly as I turned the tv on for background noise.
“You wanna talk, Frankie?”
I nodded, pointing to my breakfast. “Let's finish this first.”
It only took me a few minutes to polish it off, and Mikey was even faster.
“That hit the spot,” he grinned, taking our plates and setting them in the sink.
I nodded slightly, running a hand through my hair nervously as Mikey walked over to sit back down again. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and rocked me slightly. “You can tell me anything, Frankie. You know I'm not a gossip like some of the other guys.”
I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder. “I know.”
Mikey brushed his knuckles over my cheek. “You're an amazing friend, and I owe you so much.”
I gulped. “Did you sleep with Vic?” I blurted out shakily, then blushed bright red.
Mikey stared at me for a couple seconds and sighed. “Yeah, but...I only really have casual sex...I'm not one for relationships much. I tend to just ruin them.”
I nodded and looked away, my stomach tight.
“How’d you get those scars?” Mikey asked softly, after a short pause.
I shivered and leaned into him again. “My ex, when we were still together.”
“Boyfriend? Girlfriend?”
“Husband,” I mumbled, looking down at my hands. “The police got involved and I was finally able to file for a divorce.”
Mikey squeezed me gently. “That's good, at least.”
I smiled sadly and nodded. “I just got all the court stuff and paperwork over with. It's easier cause he's in prison.”
“I'm so sorry, Frankie,” he murmured, kissing my cheek softly. “How long were you with him?”
“Eight years,” I muttered, looking down in shame. “Since I was nineteen.”
Mikey stared at me briefly, then seemed to shake himself. “Jesus. How long was..?”
“He was abusive for five years, yeah. I still can't figure out what the fuck changed.”
Mikey took one of my hands with his, lacing our fingers together. “I'm so sorry.”
“He wouldn't let me file for a divorce for ages..” I mumbled, blinking as a tear spilled over and ran down my cheek. “He found out I was trying to, and that's when he stabbed me. My neighbor called the police and they found him-”
I broke off and Mikey hugged me a little tighter. “They found him..?”
I took a deep breath as more tears poured down my cheeks. “They found him fucking my unconscious body.”
Mikey's eyes widened and he tugged me into his lap as I started to sob quietly. I grabbed onto him, burying my face in his neck gratefully.

Notes