Everything Else; Maylor

Because He Was Jealous.

BRIAN'S POV:

This...this was eating me up. All I can think about is that disgusting, lying, horrible friend who hurt you. He hurt you, Roger. You may not see it but, I'm protecting you at all costs, no matter how far I must go. You are worth it. That's why I'm standing here, next to your flat in the garden. You're naive, your bedroom window is open with no blinds. I'll have to fix that once we marry, when its legal. Because right now I'm staring directly at you, and of course you're jacking yourself off to gay porno magazines. I wonder if your neighbours have ever bothered to look? See you sitting on the edge of your bed in broad daylight, only twelve-pm, head tilted back, mouth gaping open while your hand....you know the rest. 

The discomfort in my pants begins to irritate me the more I grow. However, I avoid it. You're more important. 

"Shit..." He moans, coming quietly when the telephone rings. He shoots a large amount of white ribbons with his mouth gaping. When he heard the phone he zipped up his pants and ran to his living room, out of sight. I look around before edging closer to the window where I can hear him on the phone.

"Roger Taylor." He sighs into the phone, "Oh, Jer!?" Wait, what? "I'm glad you called me back... I- Have you heard from him?" Were they talking about Freddie? "Would you like me to come visit you?" He weakly chuckled into the phone before finishing, "I'll boil the kettle now." Wait...Jer?

I remember the party. It was only a few days ago. Jer said that Freddie couldn't make it but, she never said why. No, I couldn't have! London is big and I'm sure there are many women named Jer with a son called Freddie. Right?

After Roger combed his hair impatiently and cleaned his...mess, he rushed off to the front door when a knock came. 

"Jer!" I heard him breathe out although I couldn't see him at the moment. Cautiously, I walked to another window where I could see the small kitchen and lounge room. To my luck, the window was open.

I saw Jer grasp Roger into a tight, loving hug but, I couldn't see her face yet. Finally, they pulled away and I caught a glimpse of her face. It was most definitely Jer, my aunty in law. 

"How are you and your husband? I haven't seen you since Freddie was back at home. How have things been?" He poured her a tea as she sat on the couch, fiddling with her dainty fingers.

"You know me, knitting away still. His name's Michael, I can't believe you haven't even met him yet. Its been a while since you and Farrokh came home from school, mucking around and eating my freshly baked cookies- all of them." She softly laughed. "It only feels like yesterday. But yes, Michael is so sweet and considerate. He makes me feel loved in a way I haven't been in a long time. And Kashmira is visiting and staying a few nights with her new boyfriend-"

"Oh, Goodness." They laughed. "Is he a sweet boy?"

"Hm...I'll give him a pass. But, at least I don't have to worry about you making flirtatious little comments to her anymore." She eyed while Rog nervously laughed.

"As long as she's happy."

"That's right." They sat in a content silence, sipping their teas and nibbling some sweet biscuits before Roger spoke up.

"About Freddie; what if he just has been out of town with some guy? Sometimes he does that. He usually calls me because we work together but, still." Roger randomly blurted out while Jer looked down sadly without saying a word.

"You were good for him, Roger." He looked down, not knowing what to say. "You kept him in line, took good care of him, loved him. Now he's going to bars every night, not looking after himself, sleeping around. I wish you two stayed together." My jaw dropped open. They were exes?

"We're friends now, Jer." She looked up and wiped her eyes before Rog leaned over and gave her a tight hug. They stayed like that for awhile. "I'm sorry but, its better for everyone. I hurt him and I regret it. I didn't want to make the same mistake."

"You wouldn't." She let go. "That was the only hiccup you guys ever had. You were boyfriends for nine years- since high school, since fifteen." He shook his head and turned away in disbelief not wanting to hear anymore. I felt the exact same. Nine years was a long time, that really hurt. "I'm sorry I brung that up."

"No, I understand. What Freddie and I had made me the person I am today." That hurt real bad. What!? Now they're friends as if nothing happened? Is that why Roger was upset when Freddie tried to ask me out- not because he liked me. 

Because he was jealous.

Roger loves Freddie.