Make A Move

JANUARY 2017

"There's someone else." Jace said. "I'm sorry."

He and Gretel were sitting at his bakery, after hours when he decided to break up with her. After that night on Christmas, Simon had stayed away from him.

"I'm not mad, I promise." Simon had said, when they spoke on the phone afterwards. "I just...I can't promise that I'll be able to keep my hands off you. And I need to."

Jace understood. He didn't like it, but he understood. Which was why he waited till after the holidays to end things with Gretel.

She nodded. "I see." And was silent. Jace was squirmed uncomfortably as she looked at him. "Is it Simon?"

"What?" He blinked. "What?"

"I know you guys have history." She said, "He's had a thing for you for as long as I have known him."

"We do have history." Jace said, looking away. "I can't get into it now, but, yeah..."

"So you are in love with Simon." Gretel said. She sighed. "It's going to be weird. I love being in the band with Simon. I don't want to leave."

"I don't want you too." Jace said. "I messed up, but...look, ask anyone, I don't handle emotions like a normal person."

"Tell me about it." She sighed. "I'm not going to pretend to be happy with this, but I guess I can't sit around waiting for you to realize I'm there. So I'm gonna go..."

Jace stood up when she did. "I'm sorry. I really am."

"Me too." She stepped closer and suddenly hit him in the stomach as hard as she could. It didn't hurt him, but it took him by surprise. She smiled.

"See you around, Jace." Then she turned and walked out of the shop.

******

Simon smiled at Jace as he opened the door. "You need to try harder to stay away from..."

"I did it." Jace said, handing Simon a bag of chocolate cupcakes. "I broke up with Gretel."

"Oh." Simon stepped back for Jace to come in. "Are you OK? How did she take it? She's not going to kill me, is she?"

"She wasn't surprised." Jace said. And she hit me."

"She did what?" Simon gaped. "Are you OK?"

"No." Jace gave a fake look of pain. "I might have internal bleeding."

"Sorry." Simon said, with one eyebrow arched. "Is she quitting the band?"

"I'm glad I now know where your priorities lie." Jace said, dryly. "Your precious band is safe."

"OK, come on, let me take care of you." Simon said, pulling him and navigating through boxes.

"You've started moving?" Jace said as he got into Simon's room. Monkey's tank was in there too. "Why is she here?"

"Be nice." Simon said, climbing on to the bed. "I'm moving in two weeks."

"So the place is ready?" Jace took off his jacket and gloves and got into bed with Simon. He wrapped his arms around him and pressed his cold nose to the back of his neck. "I've been thinking about this for too long."

Simon smiled. "Well, I'm not about to be your rebound." He turned till he was facing Jace. "You kinda just broke up with your girlfriend."

"To be with you." Jace pointed out. "I know it sounds...tacky, but it is what it is."

"Well, you wouldn't have had to if you had been honest with yourself in the first place." Simon shot.

"So you are completely innocent?"