A New Year's Kiss (BoyxBoy)

18. We All Live in a Yellow Submarine

Jay

I thought my mum's funeral would be the end of it, and that I could start getting my life back in order again. I was wrong. Things just kept getting worse.

First my dad asked me to move up to Scotland with him.

"Please, think about it son," he said.

"Why would I want to do that?" I asked him in disbelief. "You don't seem to get it. You left! No goodbye, no explanation, no nothing!"

"I know, but I explained that to you, I wasn't in a fit state to be a father then. But now I'm better."

I laughed at him. "Being a dad can't just be put on hold until you're ready. I needed you then, not now. I'm 18 now, I'm perfectly fine on my own."

"Really son?" he asked. "Is that why you're stood with a beer can in your hand at 11 in the morning?"

"Don't you dare!" I shouted back. "Don't you dare judge me after what you put me through."

My dad clearly thought better of arguing the point any further, so he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me.

"Here's my number. If you ever change your mind, or just want to talk, or anything, please call me. Day or night, it doesn't matter."

I didn't look at the paper, I just balled it up and shoved it in my pocket.

By the time my dad had got in his car I was starting my next can of beer.

My relationship with Alex didn't improve either.

To be fair to him, he was really making an effort, but I couldn't be bothered. And Kyle was always there!

Alex would invite me over to play on the Xbox, and somehow we'd always play the games that Kyle wanted to play, and have whatever takeout Kyle wanted, and watch Kyle's favourite film. It's not like I put up much of a fight, but I would find myself drinking more to try to numb my brain from having to listen to him.

Alex had noticed my new found love of beer and had started dropping comments that were also winding me up.

Like, "are you sure you want another one Jay? You've already had 5." Yes, he was counting!

It all came to a head one evening when Alex had invited me over for a movie night.

I was arguing with Alex over what to watch. He wanted to watch Thor and I wanted Transformers. We were arguing pros and cons over the two movies when Kyle walked in. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

Alex frowned at me, then went to greet Kyle.

I looked away as they started kissing, my mood suddenly going downhill.

I went into the kitchen to get a beer, but when I opened the fridge, I couldn't see any.

"Alex!" I shouted, "Where are your beers?"

Alex suddenly appeared in the kitchen door. "I don't have any. I thought we'd have an alcohol free night."

Kyle suddenly appeared next to Alex and slipped his arm around his waist.

Nope, I was going to need alcohol.

"It's ok I'll go and do a beer run," I said, heading out of the kitchen to get my coat and keys.

As I passed Kyle, he put his hand on my shoulder and said, "no need Jay, we've got loads of coke and lemonade. We don't need to drink beer every night."