Feel My Heart Stop Beating (SkyMU)

Chapter 24

5000 YEEEEEEEE ily guys so much *kiss* (#^.^#)
~~

-Adam's POV-

November - sixty

This afternoon, I was doing the dishes when Jason asked to borrow my car. I handed him the keys, kissed his cheek, and told him to drive safe. He said he would.

An hour and a half later, my phone started buzzing. I picked it up to find him calling. I answered.

"Hey, Adam." He mumbled.

"Hey. Whad'ya call for?"

"Yeah...about that. There was a drunk driver, and...yes, officer. Yes sir...no, I didn't catch it.."

I let the news sink in. I waited for him to finish talking to the officer, while I tried to imagine the damage done to my beauty. She was a Ford '65, and it had taken years to pay for her. I had my head in my hands.

"Adam...your car..I'm--"

"Don't say a damn word about it. I'm coming. What interstate are you on?"

"I-29."

I hung up then dialed one of my friends to come drive me to the scene.

Once I arrived, there she was. The front fender was crumpled up, the hood dented in. Her windshield was cracked, and I flinched at the smoking engine. I pulled my hair back and squinted my eyes shut, hoping that when I opened them, my truck would be shiny and untouched. Why me? Why my car? Whoever the hell did this...

I looked over to Jason and he had his head in his hands. I puffed my cheeks out with a gust of air. My breaths came very slow and drawn out. I didn't know what to do.

~later~

I sat in the vintage car repair shop ('Where all your Dreams Come True!'), and glanced at my watch. Ten minutes to one. A blinking neon sign in the corner of my eye read "There's nothing we can't mend", and I turned away from the distraction. The bill for repair was in my hand. It was more expensive than a modern car, I can tell you that. I looked around at the glowing room and the empty chairs. Jason was curled up in the chair next to me.

I shook him awake.

"We're going 60/40 on this bill," I grouched.

His eyes bugged after I handed him the paper.

"Do I pay the forty?"

"Of course not! You were the one driving the car," I raised my voice.

"Hey, I wasn't the drunk one! He ran straight into me, Adam, how could I have avoided it? You know I'm a safe driver!"

I was pretty pissed now.

"Oh! I'm sorry Jason, why don't I just pay the whole damn bill while you laze around and keep your entire paycheck, huh? Why don't I just KISS your feet and fall to the ground in your presence?"

"I'm not some selfish bastard who begs for attention and riches! You don't realize the situation! I couldn't have avoided him. He was in my lane, and if I had swerved to avoid him, the car would have hit a tree anyways!"

"The least you can do is pay the larger half of the bill."

"But neither of us had any responsibility to it!"

"How fucking lazy that is of you. When you drive, it's your job to drive defensively. I can't believe you, Jason! You're being so selfish!"

"How am I being selfish? You're the one making me pay more since I was the one driving that stupid Ford!"

"Don't insult my car. I worked hard to earn that money, and you need to help pay. I'm done with your pointless arguing."

"Adam, you can't just walk away from your problems. You need to--"

"I'm getting real tired of your shit, Jason," I growled.

I walked out the door.

As I leaned against the hood of some rusty old car, I looked back towards the shop. Jason was curled up in his chair again. I sighed, and kept staring at the neon lights adorning the place. It glowed brightly in the empty road.

I turned around and kicked at the car, then growled in frustration. My breath fogged up in the air. At least Jason was warm. I knew the accident wasn't his fault, but I had needed to yell to get out the anger. So, yeah. I was the selfish one.

I went inside the building very quietly so I wouldn't wake him up, and I saw his wet little cheeks. My heart squeezed into a knot. I tapped him cautiously, but it gave no response. Scooping him up in my arms, I carried him out to a decent-looking car with unlocked doors. I jogged back in, and asked the employee for some blankets. I was surprised that there were some, so I toted them back out to Jason.

I snuggled into the ripped, leather seats and tucked the blankets around both of us.

I kissed Jason goodnight.

The neon sign went out.

~~

The morning fog made me shiver.

"What the..." Jason said groggily, just waking up.

"I found us a better place to sleep than in a tight chair," I stated.

He all of a sudden remembered our argument, and awkwardly turned away from me. He stepped out of the car and started towards the building, to see if the car was ready.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" I call out after him, even though I knew.

He didn't reply.

I trotted over to where he was standing by the front desk, and approached him.

"Jason. I'm sorry for yelling at you last night. I was really stressed."

He just looked at the ground. He always was very good at holding grudges.

"Jason."

He quickly glanced at me, then turned away, blushing.

I decided to play along.

"Hey. I know you have a crush on me," I said, as manly as possible, "I think it's disgusting and gay."

"What? Adam, what are you saying?" He said, obviously hurt. My acting skills are amazing.

"Yeah. You heard me. I think you're too gay to be true."

"Adam. Stop."

"Stop what, little boy?"

He blushed deeper, and I stifled a giggle.

He finally got fed up, and leaned in to kiss me. He instead got a mouthful of oxygen.

"Adam?"

"Yeah?"

"Fuck you."

I grabbed his waist and hoisted him up. He wrapped his legs around my torso. I kissed him. Nothing more. Nothing less.

"I don't like you when you argue, Adam. It's scary," Jason sulked.

"I'll keep my cool next time, sweet heart."

He buried his head in my shoulder.

The neon sign came back on.
~~