Cutting My Losses
Cutting My Losses 9/14
The Cost
Justin and Greg are long time friends and they're both having some relationship woes.
Cutting My Losses
Chapter 9
"Would you just shoot the damn ball, Nick? You know it won't go in."
"Yeah, yeah. Quit your trash talkin'." Nick kept his eyes on the rim, dribbling the ball a couple times before raising the ball and letting it fly from his fingertips. He watched the ball make its way to the hoop, only to bounce off the rim and into Warrick's hands. Nick tried to hustle up court but he was too late. Rick was already making a lay up. All Nick could do was watch the ball swoosh through the torn net.
"And that, my friend, makes 21. I think someone owes me a couple bills, Nicky."
"Yeah, Yeah." Nick walked to the side of the court to finish off his water bottle. They'd been at the park for an hour as the black asphalt beneath their feet absorbed the sun and Warrick had Nick running up and down the court. Nick was ready to call it a day, but Rick was still on the court shooting and doing lay-ups.
Before the game even started Nick knew Warrick would kick his ass. He always did when they played basketball, and while they were playing he wouldn't shut up. Warrick could trash talk with the best of them. Under normal circumstances Nick would never invite Warrick to play basketball. It just wasn't a fun experience. But these weren't normal circumstances.
Warrick and Greg, well mostly Warrick had ended things two days ago, and Warrick hadn't said a word about it yet. He hadn't even seemed all that upset by the break-up. The one time Nick brought it up, he'd simply said "what's done is done." Nick wasn't buying it. To him it was obvious that Warrick hadn't been sleeping, and just that morning, he snapped at a lab tech over something the guy had no control over. It was then that Nick decided to invite Warrick out for a game of b-ball.
Warrick passed the ball to Nick when he stepped back onto the court. He aimed for the basket, catching the ball after it bounced off the backboard. He passed the ball back to Warrick. "So, have you heard from Greg?"
"I have a feeling I won't be hearing from Greg again, unless he comes back." Warrick answered before shooting the ball. Nick jogged up court to bring the ball back to the free throw line.
"He's coming back, Warrick." Nick felt Warrick's eyes on him. He bounced the ball a couple of times before making eye contact.
"How do you know? You talk to him?" Warrick already knew the answer so Nick didn't bother answering. Warrick just shook his head and walked off court. Nick followed him, carrying the ball. "He gave you his fucking itinerary, but he can't tell his own boyfriend he's leaving town. Un-fucking-believable." Warrick hadn't been facing him until that moment. He spun around, getting into Nick's space. "So, tell me Nick, did you two stay on the phone, late into the night, sharing all your deepest, darkest secrets?"
"Rick." Nick knew not to take his anger personally. Warrick turned around and sat on the park bench, shaking his head in a silent apology. Nick just waved it off and sat down next him. "You're not still angry with him for leaving, are you? This whole break up isn't just because of that, is it?"
"No...No, it just made me realize it would never work. He's too young for me--"
"You mean you'd never be able to keep up, right?"
"He's spoiled and--"
"You love spoiling. Man, you bought your last girlfriend a $300 purse."
"We work together and--"
"You guys made it work."
"He's never been in a serious relationship before."
"Maybe you're his first love."
"Maybe...although, I doubt that's true. I mean his actions prove that he obviously doesn't love me or trust me, right?"
"You know that's not true, Rick. He worships the ground you walk on." Nick wasn't even sure he was paying attention. Warrick was staring out at the park and there was the crease in his brow, a sure sign he was deep in thought.
"Maybe that's the problem. Lately I've been thinking about why were even together. It was convenient more than anything. We worked to together. We got along okay. He says he loves me, but there's no way he can. I mean he doesn't even know me."
Nick had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. It was time to lay a little truth on his friend. "Rick, you know I'm on your side and everything, but you gotta stop putting all this on Greg. If you think Greg doesn't know you, it's only your fault. You never introduced Greg to your grandmother, you never let him in on your whole music thing, and you never let him get to know you. Those are two of the biggest parts of your life. You do this with every single relationship, man. You put all this energy into your relationships. You learn all about them, care for them, do for them, but you don't let them do the same. You weren't open with Greg. You kept things from him. And I'm sure he had no idea you would break up with him when he left. Because like you said, he doesn't know you."
Warrick took a long look at Nick before turning his gaze back to the park. "It isn't worth it anyway."
"What isn't?"
"Relationships. I could call Greg right now. We could kiss and make up. But it doesn't change the fact that relationships are temporary. It would have ended sooner or later. At the first sign of trouble Greg ran. And with our jobs and all of our differences there's always going to be trouble. I just never want to get so attached to someone and have them leave me. I'm officially a confirmed bachelor. I'll be the next George Clooney."
"You're not as attractive."
"I knew what you were up to when you invited me to shoot hoops. You do realize you just paid $200 for a conversation, right?"
"Worth every penny, my friend."
From their bench, they had an almost complete view of the park. There were a couple of teenagers making out against a tree on the left. There was an elderly couple walking along the far edge of the park, holding hands. There were two women pushing a stroller on the sidewalk. "Don't you hate couples?"
Nick laughed before answering, "Sometimes. You remember that night we all went to that bar? Greg had his camera and put me in charge of snapping photos." Warrick nodded. "You two were hanging all over each other. I swear at one point in the night I went to the bathroom, sure I was going to throw up. It was just all so sickeningly sweet. You two didn't even know I was there. You couldn't stop looking at him. And he just kept trying to make you smile. I don't think I've ever seen you laugh as much as you did that night."
"Yeah." Warrick nodded and started to gather his things. Nick followed suit. "I better get going if I'm going to get any sleep."
"Yeah, okay."
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Author's Notes: Gotta thank vanna12 for the beta job.