“Are you sure? I wouldn’t be mad if you wanted to give it another try. He’s a great dude, and hot, too.” Chris lifted a shoulder as he turned around.
“I don’t know why we’re still talking about this.” Marc almost laughed in his face. As weird as he had felt when he read his email, he was done with Viktor. Had been for a long time. “I want nothing to do with him. Besides, he’s probably just trying to clean his conscience for how it all ended.”
“Really?” Chris raised a brow. “You think that’s why he contacted you?” Thick sarcasm laced his tongue.
“Jealous much?”
“Ugh. Fuck you.”
The bassist chuckled. “Look, people do weird shit all the time for no fucking reason. So I have no idea if he has ulterior motives or not. But, honestly, I don’t care.” He caged Chris between his arms and the counter and kissed his jaw. “It was wonderful while it lasted, and I won’t lie; Viktor took a piece of me with him, but I’m not the type of person to get distracted with the past. I’m happy with my current life. Plus, I have you now.” He stared into his eyes.
What the hell is wrong with you? Acting all nice and understanding so he doesn’t feel bad or insecure while you’re here hurting like a bitch because of him? You’re a masochist.
“Right.” Chris visibly relaxed. “And I’ll probably be around for a while if you keep fucking me the way you just did.”
“I know.” Marc smirked and stepped back.
The guitarist tossed his towel on the floor with a faint smile on his face. “Anyway, gonna let you do your thing.”
“My thing?”
“Yeah. My hair is gonna be dry in five minutes, but that”—he pointed at Marc—“it’s gonna take way longer.”
“Oh, yeah. Gonna use the hair dryer now.”
“Like I was saying, you do you.”
Half an hour later, with his mane perfectly smoothed and his mouth opening in a sonorous yawn, Marc walked out into the room again. Chris was already lying on his side snoring softly, naked back washed by the light of the night lamp he’d probably left on for him.
The bassist smiled at the gesture, putting on a clean pair of boxers as he let himself fall onto his bed, ready to pass out. But then he saw his phone on the bedside table and remembered Chris had said Viktor had messaged him again.
Marc might not be interested in recovering that relationship, but he was curious about what his ex had to say after over three years of not talking to each other. He grabbed the device and unlocked it, feeling his heart twisting uncomfortably as he read the last email.
Viktor Kravchenko
Thu, Oct 14, 2:41 PM
Hello again.
I’m glad you answered, and also happy to hear you’re doing so well. You deserve every bit of recognition after working your asses off like crazy for years. And just so you know, even if this is gonna make me sound stalker-ish, no matter how much time has passed or how far we are, I’ve kept an eye on you guys all this time. Love that your dreams are slowly coming true.
As for me… Well, I’m good, too. Can’t complain. After my mom passed away, it took me over a year to completely recover from the burnout I was drowning in. But having my family around definitely helped. I began sculpting again, experimenting with new materials and metal alloys. Seems like I should have started with this because seven months ago, an art gallery contacted me really interested in my work.
It’s insane. Who would have thought I’d go back to Germany after so much time? Because, yes, it is in Germany. In Hamburg, to be precise.
I actually wanted to ask you if you’d accept my invitation to have a coffee or something whenever you come to visit your family. Will be around until the end of the year.
Of course I’d understand if you said no, but didn’t want to miss the chance to maybe see you again.
Best regards,
Viktor
October20th,2017
Sydney, Australia
The harsh melodies of Absolute Zero were blasting through the amps, accompanying the brutal drumming and relentless cheering of the crowd. It was insane. Marc was excited, and with every second that ticked away, he could feel his pulse speeding a bit more.
