Absence of Peace

Part 4

Xavier was with the Hell Riders when Andre rolled up. Andre had a look on his face, a mixture between frustration and annoyance. Xavier got mad because he knows that Andre knows not to walk up into his hang out. They have their territory and for him to walk up in his spot after he got his crew to jump him and Liam, was asking for trouble.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

Xavier got up and walked up to him, trying not to show the pain that he was feeling. 

"You and I, we need to talk."

"Yeah we need to discuss why the fuck you are here? This is my territory and you know that."

They were now face to face.

"We need to talk to about Irene."

Xavier stops. He motions with his head toward Andre and they both walk out to the alley next door.

"What about Irene?"

"Irene is mad at me and it's all your fault."

Xavier looked annoyed.

"How the fuck is it my fault?"

"You just had to run to her like a pussy."

Xavier was done. 

He grabbed Andre by his collar and shoved him up against the wall. Andre then grabs on his shirt and pushes him off. Xavier slams into the door. They meet in the middle with Xavier uppercutting Andre in the stomach causing Andre to double over. 

But that didn't stop him.

Andre got up and body checked Xavier into the chain fence. Xavier was on the fence while Andre was winding up to punch him.

"Hey! Stop! Cut it out!"

Nick comes barreling out into the alley way. He grabs Andre and tears him off of Xavier. Nick gets in-between the both of them.

"What's going on?"

Andre and Xavier don't speak. All that can be heard was the heavy breathing from the both of them along with the noises from the neighborhood. 

"Answer me. What the hell is going on?"

Andre stands up straight and looks at Xavier in his eyes.

"Lets end this. Friday. Midnight. You know where."

Xavier knew where. It's McKnights Pub, the only other neutral place in West Corner. Besides Mr. Jay's Diner, which in no way they can do shit there. Irene would kick their asses. Xavier nodded and Andre walked away. Nick turned to him.

"You can't do this."

Xavier shakes his head and starts to walk back inside. Nick grabs his shirt.

"Xavier, you can't do this. Irene will be pissed at you guys."

He stops, grabs Nick's arm, and pushes it off of him.

"This is for Irene."

He walks inside. 

This conversation is over.

***

Nick is left standing there in the alley way and the only thing he can think about is how hurt Irene will be. Something that he never wants her to feel. He just wants her to be happy, no matter what. Before he knew it, he was headed towards the diner. 

The familiar ding of the door alerted Irene that someone was at the door. She looked up from the counter to see Nick standing here with his hands in his pockets. 

Her heart skipped a beat. 

As long as she can remember, Nick has been there for her and she always had a crush on him. It was like love at first sight for her, but I don't think Irene will ever tell him. Both of them are scared to tell each other about their feelings. The fear of losing them as a friend was greater than their need to tell them their true feelings for each other.

"Hey Nick."

She walks up to him with a menu and a smile on her face. Not the smile she has on when talking to customers, a true genuine smile.

"Hey Irene."

He looks her in the eyes and the smile he has on his face is warm.

"Your usual spot?"

"Actually can I sit at the counter?"

"Yeah no problem."

She turned and had a little pep in her step. Inside she was so giddy, her smile would not leave her face. He was right behind her, his smile wouldn't leave his face either.

MJ was in the window, watching the interaction.

Ahhhh young love

MJ had a small smile on his face and turned to his husband, who was right next to him. 

"Aren't they so cute together?"

Mr. Myers nodded his head and gave MJ a kiss on his cheek.

"They remind me of us. Remember when we first became friends?"

MJ started to blush and turned to the grill. Mr. Myers stands behind MJ and wrapped his arms around his waist, setting his chin on his shoulder.

"Remember how we would look at each other from across the table when we were with our friends? Or when we would touch fingertips under the table when we sat by each other? All the late night calls where we would stay up till 3 in the morning?"

"Yes babe, I remember all of it. When you didn't care about being seen with me at school, me being my extra self, that's when I knew you were the one for me. You didn't care about the outside. You only cared about the inside. That's when I knew you were the one, the one that will stay by me forever."

Mr. Myers smiled at MJ and tightened his arms around him. He gave him a kiss before he let go.

"I'm gonna go back to the office to order the food that we need."

MJ nodded his head and looked down at his hand to see the gold band that symbolizing the 15 years they have been together. They have been through some hard times, especially being gay in an area that's not that welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community. They started this diner as a safe space and because it has been his passion to bring people smiles on their face because of his food.

***

Irene sat Nick down at the counter. Her body lingering near Nick even though the diner is full of people. 

"I'll be right back, I'm gonna tend to the other customers."

"No problem."

He gives her a small smile that made her heart melt. She spent the next hour working, serving people their food and would walk back to Nick whenever she had a spare moment. They would always talk about anything and everything. Only stoping when she noticed MJ giving her a look and that kicked her ass into gear. 

Nick watched her do her thing. He watched as she served the people around her with a bright smile. He felt a linger of jealousy because that smile wasn't for him, but when she came around and gave him her real smile the jealously disappeared just like that.

"Hey Nick, I only got an hour left til my shift is over."

Nick finally looked out the window and saw that it was nightfall. He sat there all day talking and watching Irene, and he wasn't even the slightest bit mad or annoyed with himself. 

He felt calm.

"No shit. Wanna hang out after work?"

She smiled.

"Yeah, that sounds fun."

Nick smiles at her.

"I'll wait for you."

She nods her head and walks away, but Nick truly meant it.

I'll wait for you.