Cause and Effect

Part 30

*Brent*

I was reading and drinking when my phone began ringing. I read the top and frowned. I hadn't spoken to Bradly in a few weeks and hadn't realized how much I missed my loyal friend. I clicked answer and held the phone to my ear.

"Bradly? What's up?" I asked into the phone.

"Um... Hey, Brent. I-uh- need you to come over. It's kind of important." He said, sounding distressed. A frown formed on my lips.

"What's the problem?" I asked, already in my room, slipping on leggings and KEDDS.

"I have a... painting problem!" he exclaimed into the phone. I grew confused.

"Painting? Bradly, you don't paint, you play the guitar." I retorted, then sighed. "Whatever. Do you need me to bring some paint?" I decided not to push it and inspect it when I came over.

"Uh, sure...?"

"Okay. What type of paint? Tempra?" I guessed. He paused.

"Yes." He said, sounding unsure. I laughed, grabbing my basket with Tempra paint in it.

"I'll be over in a couple minutes." I hung up and ran down the steps, knowing how long the elevator took. I had to walk over, seeing as my car was still in the shop from the other day's shooting.

My poor baby was dead.

We were still waiting for results on the blood we had picked up from the ally. There had been no cameras to get the plate number, but a little blood was better than nothing.

A scowl made its way to my face in remembrance. I took the stairs in the parking lot up to Jake and Bradly's room. I found my way to their door and found Bradly already waiting there for me. The door was closed behind him and he looked angry and scared.

"Bradly?" I asked. His hazel eyes shot up and I smiled at him.

"Brent... I didn't ask you here for paint." He said, right off the bat. I set my basket of paint down and sighed.

"I figured as much. So what's the real reason?" he ran a head through his caramel hair.

"Jake is the reason. He is a stupid son of a bitch." He said, almost to himself.

"What did he do this time?" I asked, sounding exasperated. I couldn't count how many times I have had to come get Jake out of trouble.

"Right now... right now he is in his room with an extremely slutty blonde." He said, cringing a little bit.

"You're lying." I said softly. My voice cracked I knew he was telling the truth, seeing the sincerity in his eyes.

"I'm going to open the door now. If you want to see for yourself, you have to walk to his room quietly. I'm so sorry, Brent... I just thought you should know." He said, quietly opening the door and letting me inside. I walked to Jake's room hesitantly. I could feel my pulse in my toes and I feared what I saw.

I barged the door open and saw a familiar black haired head in a sex position with a beautiful blonde. Hearing the door swing open, the girl tumbled out of bed and Jake scrambled to throw sheets on himself. I knew that if I didn't move, he would see me, so I slammed the door back shut and ran from the room. I grabbed my basket and bolted down to the garage, not waiting for Bradly.

I heard a cracking sound and wondered where it came from...

Oh,

It was just my heart shattering again.

I sat down on the curb, looking at Jake's car, wishing I had a hammer to smash it with. I suddenly remembered that I had my own personal weapon and sniffled, pulling myself to my feet and whipping out my brushes, paints, and bottle of water.