Bows and Eros

H&H Chapter 10: Two shades of Gabe

        I was crying my eyes out in Eros’ bed, not really thinking about where I was. The sound of voices drifting out in the hallway filled my ears, and I tried to wipe my eyes.

“I haven’t had whiskey in years,” Jericho said, laughing. “Thanks man. I had fun today. You know, you’re kind of a badass cupid.”

The door opened.

“That’s not my name,” Eros said.

His smile faded when he saw me, probably looking like a complete disaster, tears plastered on my face.

“Macy, what happened to you?” Eros asked, rushing to my side.

“And where’s your boyfriend?” Jericho asked. “I assumed you two would be, you know…”

“So did he…” I said, breaking into sobs.

“Jericho, can I have a moment alone with Macy?”

Jericho nodded before turning to leave.

              “Macy, what on earth happened to you?”

“Gabe and I were…we were kissing and he got intense. I told him to stop, and he got really angry. He said that since I was with Hades, that I owed Gabe… I mean, it’s so stupid.”

“So he wanted you to sleep with him, and when you said no, he insulted you.”

“No,” I said. “I think he is just jealous. He thinks I was with Hades.”

“Which is not his business. You don’t owe him anything, you just freed him from the goddamned underworld.”

“I don’t know,” I said. “He just so angry, so unlike Gabe.”

“Gabe, even before the underworld, was a liar and a murderer. Maybe you’re finally seeing the real him.”

“I don’t know, but I do know that he looked at me like…”

“Like what, Macy?”

“Like I was damaged, tainted,” I said. “I mean, I know that I didn’t sleep with Hades. But if I had done that to save Gabe, it wouldn’t make me less worthy of his love. He made me feel so cheap.”

“Macy, that is not ok,” Eros said. “I am not the person to ask, but you deserve better. I’d treat you better, Macy. Gabe is free now; you owe him nothing.”

           “Why can’t it be like before,” I asked. “We were good together before.”

“I don’t know,” Eros said. “But I will talk to him. I don’t give a shit if he’s your boyfriend, he can’t treat you like that.”

“Ok,” I said. “But stay with me first, ok? Just talk to me. How is the underworld?”

“Well,” Eros said. “The crack is closed. Helena is missing, apparently. And there are still a hundred souls missing. Team two is working right on that now.”

“Ok, good,” I said, my voice distant.

“Macy, you got all quiet,” Eros said. “What is going on? Are you still upset about Gabe?”

“Yes,” I said. “Eros, I think he hates me. I kind of deserve it. Do you I’ll ever be happy? I mean, I know that I am dead. I’ll never get the white picket fence or even that chance to go on a normal date. But I just kind of hoped Gabe would be my second chance. But he’s so different. What if the half-blood was right, and Gabe is too damaged by the underworld to be with me?”

“Gabe is being a jerk,” Eros said. “But he is a good guy. This time tomorrow and he’ll be begging for your forgiveness. And if he can’t make you happy, I would be more than willing to volunteer for the job.”