The Taste Of Rebound Love

Part 6

Mark dropped his phone back across the table carelessly.  He didn't want to think about the past.  He had spent years trying to move on from it.  Felix wouldn't drag Jack into this... would he?  It had been a few years.  They weren't those same kids anymore.  Sure they had their fights... but they had grown past that.  They were friends.  Felix wouldn't try something after all these years... or would he?  Was it possible he was just waiting in the wings?  Mark ran his fingers through his red hair as he dropped his head onto the tables edge.  Frustrated, Mark slammed a hand flat against the table and got up to let Chica in.  As Chica trotted past him, a memory crept up on him.  He didn't know what had triggered it... but staring through the glass backdoor, Mark recalled Felix telling him bitterly.  "Jesus Christ, Mark! You're giving me whiplash! Make up your damn mind"!  The words rang heavily in his head even after all these years.  They felt even heavier in his heart.  He had always been on the fence.  He was straight, but he experimented from time to time to get girls... at least until Felix.  Felix had been an unintentional fling.  A dirty secret that he had kept very well hidden. 

When Mark felt like he had outgrown Felix, he decided to leave him.  Only to end up seeing him on and off over the next few months.  It was better then being lonely.  Then Jack had entered his life.  Mark locked the back door just as a thought clicked in his mind.  Felix had been all over Jack from day one!  From the contest shoutout, to following him on twitter, to the jokes to make Jack laugh... or make Mark jealous?  Dashing back into the kitchen, Mark checked the time on his phone.  It was nighttime in the U.K., but he couldn't bare to wait a second longer!  If he couldn't get ahold of Jack, then he was going to call the source!  He had to clear this up!  He didn't want Felix using Jack to get to him!  Again, he told himself as he dialed Felix's number.  He wasn't jealous!  He just couldn't sit back and watch Felix hurt Jack! 

Jack searched every square inch of the guest bedroom, but his phone was nowhere to be found.  Trying to retrace every step he took since arriving, he started searching the living room.  Felix soon walked into the door, shaking the rain from his hair.  Jack popped up from behind the sofa, calling out to Felix, who had started unhooking his dogs.  "Felix? You seen my phone"?  Felix straightened up slowly, setting the dog leashes aside, as he casually answered.  "No. Where did you see it last"?  Jack climbed to his feet, tossing his arms up in defeat, while replying a bit snippy.  "I don't know. I thought it was in the bedroom, but I looked and nothing. Can you call the damn thing for me"?  Felix fumbled in his jacket pocket for his phone.  Pulling it out, he dialed the number and they both waited in silence.  Nothing.  Cursing, Jack dropped his face into his hands, mumbling out to himself.  "Oh god... I must have left it on mute! Ugh"!  Felix crossed the room, patting him on the shoulder, and cheerfully telling him.  "Don't worry about it. I'm sure it will turn up".  Reluctantly, Jack nodded but he just didn't like not knowing where it was.  He didn't loose things!  Especially, not his phone! 

When Jack didn't perk up, Felix reached out to playfully pinch Jack's nipple through his shirt.  Jack flinched and clamped his hands over his chest, wincing out.  "Ow! My nipples are still sore, you asshole"!  Felix chuckled softly, shrugging off his coat and throwing back playfully.  "It wasn't that bad".  Jack rubbed his nipples through his shirt, mumbling out.  "It was for me. You zapped me way harder"!  Felix waved a dismissive hand at him, replying sarcastically.  "You're imagining things".  Jack rolled his eyes and was about to head to his bedroom, when Felix hooked his arm to stop him.  Jack turned, and Felix asked curiously.  "How about we play another game? Just us. No cameras. Say...? VR soccer? Just a quick match or two before we turn in"?  Jack had thought about turning in... but he did love VR games.  Nodding, Jack followed him into Felix's small recording room. 

Felix went first and Jack couldn't stop smiling.  Felix was terrible at this game!  Just watching him fail to protect the goal was starting to make Jack chuckle.  Felix was completely focused on the game, but managed to snap innocently back at Jack.  "I can hear you laughing. this isn't easy to do"!  Rising to the challenge, Jack dared Felix.  "I bet you dinner tomorrow that you can't score this next time".  Felix couldn't see him, but nodded, chiming out loudly.  "You're on"!  Felix started to line up his shot, and just as he was going to make his move... Jack quickly stepped in behind him to blow against his ear.  Felix jerked his head around, barely missing Jack's face with the headset.  The headset tracked Felix's movement and the ball was easily blocked by the A.I..  Chuckling softly, Jack told Felix casually.  "You owe me a dinner".  Felix paused the game.  Removing the VR headset, he headed it off to Jack smugly replying.  "Prove you can do better". 

Puffing up his chest, Jack took the headset.  Felix tried the same tactic on him, but Jack had expected him to do it.  Having done much better then Felix, Jack handed the headset back.  Felix wanted one last chance to redeem himself!  When it was clear that he hadn't improved, Jack playfully goaded him.  "You do know the object is to hit the ball, right"?  Smirking wickedly, Jack watched Felix pull off the headset and drop it roughly onto his desk.  Grabbing the scruff of Jack's neck, Jack tried to pull away.  Only to find himself trapped in the corner!  Pulling him in close by the scruff of his neck, Felix leaned over him to playfully scold back.  "What did you say? Oh, you're going to pay for that, leprechaun"!  Still trying to pull away, Jack added devilishly.  "I'm not scared. Sweden has never beaten Ireland at anything"!  Felix stiffened for a moment, and Jack glanced up at him, adding with a wicked smile.  "Did I hit a nerve? Good. At least one of us hit something".  A mocking grin spread over Felix's face, before he hefted Jack over his shoulder in a playfully aggressive manner! 

As Felix carried Jack off toward his bedroom, he heard his phone start to ring in his pocket.  He had no choice but to ignore it at first, because Jack was doing his best to escape.  At least, until Felix slipped his hand high up Jack's thigh to tickle him.  That settled him pretty quick!  Dropping Jack firmly across the bed, he kept a strong hold on one of Jack's ankles, and pulled out his ringing phone to check the caller I.D..  Mark was calling him.  Frowning a bit, Felix pressed the button to ignore the call.  It made perfect since to Felix.  Mark couldn't get ahold of Jack, so he was calling him to see what was going on.  Muting his phone just incase Mark tried to call again, Felix slipped it back into his pocket.  It always amazed him how Mark could shut you out one minute, but come aggressively back when he felt left out.  He wanted to see Mark get jealous.  It was the best way to get his attention.  To Be Continued...