Don't Break The Rules

Chapter 13 - Surprise

You lost last night.

Clean the whole house, the windows and go apologize to the neighbours since your eggs hit their apartment window. Your phone is in your bedroom. Also clean the glob of drool on the couch, you disgust me. I don't have work today, so I'll be back early.

He crumbled the note and threw it in the trash can. His head was pounding from last night even though he didn't feel as if he drank as much as he usually did at the bar. It was the first time he had truly spoken to Jamie on an equal level. That was why to make it right, he swallowed a few ibuprofens and shoved gloves on, equipping himself with cleaning supplies.

He spent most of the morning scrubbing the windows. The eggs had dried and it was difficult cleaning it without creating any scratches. When he had finished, he freshened up quickly, shoved his sneakers and began making his way to the second floor.

At first, he told himself he would knock, apologize, offer to clean the windows and run away as fast as he could. However, when he stood in front of the door with his knuckles lifted, he froze for a second. He was unsure which story he would explain as an excuse—he definitely couldn't admit to throwing eggs against their window as revenge, they'd ridicule him.

Before he could knock, the door swung open and a pair of light golden eyes stared back at him. At first, Joe froze on the spot, thinking of any words that could ease him away from the situation. But then, he realized that face was much more familiar than he thought it would be.

"Joey?" The neighbour burst into laughter and his face filled with glee. "Is it the Joey McAvela!" He threw his hands in the way, shaking his head in disbelief. "There's no way!"

Joe shuffled at his feet, a few uneasy chuckles escaping his barely opened lips as he said, "Hey Chris."

Chris Terri was Connor's Chief Financial Officer at Delirium. They had been friends before Connor had divorced him and ever since, he had not been in contact with Chris nor had he seen him anywhere. And he had not expected to see him now, or anytime soon. More or less because he was embarrassed about the divorce, but also because he had to admit that he was the one to have egged his window.

Chris was very tall, with brown luscious curls that appeared as charming as Joe could remember. Although he had comparable success to Connor, he was always so delightful, a bright smile plastered on his lips as if he was bragging his straight white teeth. He had everything going for him; his looks, his physique, his career — but he never let go of his morals and humanity.

"I haven't seen you in forever!" He widened his arms, motioning for Joe to return the embrace as he wrapped his arms around him amicably. "It's so nice to see you! How have you been Joey?"

Also the only person to call him by his full first name.

"I've been alright," he murmured.

Chris' eyes still shined, examining Joe from head to toe again and placed his palms on his hips. "I heard you lost your job at Morning's a while back," his voice sounded sullen, the smile fading from his lips for a moment. "I wanted to reach out to you but never had the time to." Joe slowly nodded his head, his lips tightening into a line without a response. That lead to Chris slamming his palm against his shoulder and squeezing tightly. "No need to be so stiff!"

After a few seconds, he stepped aside and motioned for Joe to enter. "I'm sorry I look a mess, come in, why don'tcha?" Before he could even hear of Joe's response, he turned away and walked down the hall of his appartement. "I was just making breakfast, you want some?"

"Actually I—"

"Come on," Joe swallowed hard when he saw the sulky eyes Chris sent him, "stay for a little."

Although he was reluctant, Joe eventually sighed as he stepped inside the apartment, unlacing his shoes and closed the door behind him. The apartment was practically the same as Jamie, except Chris had more decorations and more life to his atmosphere. "Alright I can stay for a little."

He pulled a seat for Joe at the dining table, bringing him a plate before grabbing the food from the kitchen. He had cooked bacon, an omelette, homemade potatoes, sausages and pancakes with a drop of whip cream. He saw Joe's eyes light up when he presented all the food which made him beam. "You can admit I'm a good cook."

Joe rolled his eyes. "I haven't tried it yet, it's all about taste isn't it?"

"Connor always tells me that," Chris laughed before instantly closing his lips when he noticed the way Joe's face tightened. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"It's alright," Joe shrugged his shoulders, "can't keep avoiding his name forever."

Chris sat across from him and chose his food options. "Can I ask what ended up happening between the two of you?"

Although Joe felt his chest squeeze, he resisted the urge to run away from this conversation and simply shrugged his shoulders again. "I'm not sure. He said he didn't love me anymore and the next minute, all his stuff are moved out of our appartement."

"I was shocked when he told me; you guys were inseparable." Chris paused for a moment before lifting his eyes towards Joe. "If you ever need anything Joe, you can always come to me, you know that."

Joe shook his head. "I'll be alright—"

"Do you still need a job? I can set you up with someone?"

Joe's mind thought of the blue eyes of Jamie, and he smirked. "I have one, but thank you."

"Anything I can do to help, I will."

The kind heart of Chris made Joe remember the times they had cheered together and clanked their drinks against one another in celebration of the success of Delirium. Connor had travelled through burning bridges to build the company's reputation, and Chris had been his best pal throughout. Joe had always known Chris had a genuine heart, and it was the first time, in a long time, that he didn't miss Connor in the conversation.

As Chris chewed on his crunchy bacon, he pointed one towards Joe as he asked, "Why did you come down anyway?"

"Oh, I-I...uh..." The dried egg on his windows had completely slipped his mind. He avoided Chris' gaze, attempting to find the right choice of words to vaguely explain the issue without mentioning Jamie. He didn't want Chris to ask as many questions as Fred had, or else it'll be another troublesome situation he did not need.

But the atmosphere changed the moment there were knocks on the door. Chris raised an eyebrow. "Another surprise maybe?" He stood to his feet and went to answer the door, and Joe heard gasps. He couldn't quite see the doorway, but the sudden rush of the familiar cologne that only one person ever wore around him, made his throat clench and cut his air supply.

"Connor, I didn't kn—"

"Chris." Connor stepped inside the appartement. "Chris, I told you we had a meeting at seven a.m today."

The sharp black hair of Connor was gelled backwards and he had one strand waving in front of his grey eyes. His dark navy suit was tight against his upper body and with his hands in his front pockets, he narrowed his eyes at Chris.

"Our meeting was with the supervisor of—"

"I'm sorry I forgot, I can get ready now. Wait for me outs—"

"I smell food," Connor sniffed, and with his nose perked upwards, he followed the scent of the food. "Crispy burnt bacon; did you know I was coming?" he laughed, making his way to the dining room.

And that was when he met the gaze of Joe.

Joe was seated at the end of the table, his mouth puffed from the pancakes he was chewing. The moment he saw Connor, he choked.