Two Player Game

~Chapter Fourty~

Evan ends up spending the night. When Michael gets into bed with Jeremy he just says,

"Please be careful with me. The last thing we need is a trip back to the hospital." Michael snickers

"All right buddy, will do." Jared's got passed out Evan in his arms. He kisses his head. Rich stares at the ceiling. He can't believe he's the only one alone.

Once Michael's asleep, Jeremy slowly sits up to look at Rich and whispers. "Rich."

"Mm?"

".....you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm chill. Why?"

"Just.... thought you looked uncomfortable with the conversations they were having.... you looked sad."

"Nah, just... Maybe a little jealous. I'm kinda single yknow."

"Maybe you should try like.... a dating site. Find a nice girl or guy that you like."

"Maybe. I heard parties around here are wild too. Maybe I'll try that."

"There you go. You were always a party guy."

"Yeah.."

"......can I ask you another question?"

"Shoot."

"Who were you talking to earlier? When Michael was out of the room? You were talking to someone and it wasn't me."

"... Nobody. Myself. I do it a lot. Trying to keep my lisp under control. It's slight, but it's just barely there. I practice."

"....okay."

"If you tell anybody you're dead. That's sacred to me, that information."

"....that you have a lisp?"

"That I practice NOT having a lisp. That's lame as hell."

".....well I mean if you say so."

"It's not like... Bad to have a lisp, but I think I sound cooler without one."

"Well I mean... stereotypically yes. Jared has a small lisp and he was the most popular kid in his school."

"Eh. It's just something I've always kinda hated. Figured if I can fix it, might as well."

"Yeah. Do whatcha want with it. It's your voice." Rich nods.

"Well..., good night."

"Yeah, good night Jer." Next morning, Evan is always first one up. He just lays there this time, in Jared's arms. It's peaceful. Jeremy hasn't slept at all. Not even a minute. Evan stretches and makes a soft noise. He needs to get up soon. He'll have to go back to his hotel to get dressed for the day.

".....Evan?"

"hm? Jeremy?"

"Thank god, what time is it?"

"Uh... Hopefully before seven. I've gotta get going soon. I've got stuff to do today."

"Alright.. can you help me before you leave? I can't get up."

"Yeah, totally. Soon as I can detach Jared from me." Jeremy chuckles.

"And Michael."

"And Michael, you're right." Evan has to stealthily sneak his way out of Jared's arms and once he approaches realizes Michael might be a bit harder to move. He's all wrapped around Jeremy.

"Yeah, he's a hugger."

"Well, here goes nothing." it takes them ten minutes to get Michael off of Jeremy. They get him up and into his wheelchair.