“There are you happy now? Now you know how fuckin’ pathetic I am. My dear old mother fucked me up when I arrested her drug-dealer who also happens to be her new boy-toy. But just before she could finish me off, the good guys showed up.” Ruxs’ voice was so dead of feeling; Green was scared he would do something crazy and permanent if he let him go.
“Chris. Is everything alright?” His date’s timid voice asked from just a few feet away. He still had his forearm across Ruxs’ chest. As soon as Ruxs looked up and saw her, he shoved his arm down and went for the door.
Green grabbed for him again and this time Ruxs’ physical protest was stronger than before. “Fuck. Ruxs don’t make me take your ass down. You’re not leaving.”
“Go back to her. That’s who you want!” Ruxs yelled in his face. “You don’t want me! Nobody fuckin’ does!”
Green felt like his heart was being squeezed by Ruxs’ large fist. He thought he actually got it now. He knew why his partner had flipped on him. He knew what had changed. Green threw his body against the front door, slamming it closed.
“Get out of my way, Green. Or I’ll move you.” Ruxs’ forehead was up against his and Green could only imagine what poor Cynthia was thinking. Two very big and heavily muscled men – one extremely drunk – vying to go toe-to-toe.
“I said you are not leaving.” Green hooked his arm on Ruxs’ shoulder moving him out of his way. “Cynthia. I’m sorry but I’m going to have to end our date now.” Green was careful not to say “postpone” or “we’ll get together again later.”
“No. I’ll go.” Ruxs grabbed Green’s wrist off his shoulder and twisted it hard, spinning Green around and pushing his chest against the front door. “Let me go. I don’t even know why I came here.”
Green heard his date gasp. “Oh my goodness. Chris do you need me to call someone?”
Green turned his head to the side, his cheek flush up against the cold metal door. He grinned and spoke in the calmest voice he could muster. “Cynthia it’s alright. We do this all the time. We’re just joking around. Honestly. Can you wait in the living room please?” Ruxs twisted and pulled his arm up higher. Green yelped then busted out laughing. As soon as he was able to contain the situation he was going to make Ruxs pay for this.
“Fuck you. You’re always laughing at me. I’m done with this shit. I’m leaving,” Ruxs said harshly. His speech was still slurred but the venom and pain behind his words were crystal clear.
With Cynthia gone back into his house, he could talk to his partner. “Don’t leave, Mark. I know you’re hurting. Just give me a minute. Let me walk her to her car, I’ll be right back. Let me take care of you,” Green whispered.
Ruxs panted his whisky-laced breath against the side of his face. “No. I know you want to be with her. I can smell her on you. Sorry I interrupted,” Ruxs said nastily, releasing his arm.
“Don’t go, Mark. Please.” Green tried to hold the door closed, but Ruxs yanked it open.
“Veto,” Green said softly, just loud enough for his partner to hear. “Stay. Stay with me.”
Ruxs stilled with his hand resting on the doorknob. Green watched him squeeze his eyes shut. Fighting against Green’s power.
“You heard me. Don’t you dare walk out that door. You can’t and you know it.” Green stood directly behind him. He put both hands on Ruxs’ broad shoulders. “Come on. Just wait upstairs for me.”
Green sighed with relief as soon as Ruxs slammed the door shut and turned back to face him. “Why should I stay?”
Green put his chest to his partner’s and leaned in close to him. Ruxs’ breath hitched and Green knew that he had it right. His partner had fallen for him. He whispered against the side of Ruxs’ mouth. “Stay because I told you to. Now go upstairs.” They stared at each other for a few tense moments before Ruxs finally turned and went up the metal stairs.
Green took a deep breath and turned to retrieve his date. Only she was standing right there, her cashmere coat draped over her arm. When he started to speak she put her hand up and shook her head, as if telling him there was no explanation needed.
“It’s perfectly okay. I understand.” She smiled sweetly.
Green pinched the bridge of his nose, walking over to her. “I’m so sorry. I really don’t know what to say.”
She put her petite palm on his cheek. “Go take care of him. He needs you.”
“Are you going to be okay? I can make sure you get home safely. He’s going to be out like a light in a few minutes.”