At Odd's Ends (Bruce Kulick x Eric Carr)

Ch 4: Flashback

A/N: This is a flashback chapter just to be clear!

"Hey, um, Eric. Can I...can I talk to you real quick?" Paul asked quietly, face burning. Frowning, I nodded. "Yeah sure what's up?" I asked. He looked around anxiously before taking a step closer toward me, leaning forward. "Um...do you know...if Bruce likes me?" he whispered. I blinked, staring at him. "What?" "Like...do you know if he likes me? As-as more than a friend, of course." "Oh...hm, I'm not sure," I said slowly. He bit down on his lip, nodding. "Right. Could you...damn, this is kinda stupid and might be too much to ask, but could you maybe find out for me?" he asked.

"Oh! Oh you mean you like him!" I said, things finally clicking, and he jumped, clapping a hand over my mouth. "Shh! Shut up! Not so loud, damn! I really don't want him to figure out I like him until I know if he likes me!" he hissed. Nodding, I gently pried his hand away from my mouth. "Right, right, don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone. Yeah, I'll uh...I guess I'll try and figure out a way to tell if he likes you or not and get back to you," I said. 

Paul gave me a really relieved smile, clapping me on the shoulder. "Thank you. That means so much to me," he said, giving me a quick hug and walking off. I watched him go with a sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Shit, how am I gonna pull this off?" I whispered to myself. The door swung open as Bruce walked in, giving me a smile. "Hey Eric!" "Hi Bruce!" I said, giving him a wave. "Hey uh wanna grab dinner or something?" I asked suddenly. "Just seems like it's been awhile since we've hung out." 

"Oh yeah sure! You down for pizza? That sounds really good right now," he mused. "Damn, pizza does sound good. Yeah I'm down for pizza!" "Alright sweet, let's go," he said, ruffling my hair. Rolling my eyes, I shoved him away with a rueful grin. "Okay I get it you're tall and I'm short," I grumbled. He laughed, resting his elbow on my head. "You're just so small it's hard not to tease you about it." "I'm not even that short! 5'7 is the average height! All of you guys are just annoyingly tall!" I protested. 

Still laughing, he ruffled my hair again and started to walk off. "Well next to us you're short. Now come on, move those little legs of yours and let's go, I'm hungry!" "I'm already regretting this," I muttered, jogging to catch up with him. 

Of course I wasn't really regretting hanging out with him, I loved to spend time with Bruce. He was my best friend and a total blast to hang out with. We sat at a more private table in the back of the restaurant, doing our best not to get recognized like always. "Tell you what, as much of a pain as the makeup could be to apply every show, being able to go out in public without really being spotted sure was nice," I said with a sigh. He grimaced, taking a sip of his drink. "I know, I know. But hey, that's the price of fame." 

"Yep. Does kind of make dating a struggle. If I ever do end up dating someone I'll probably just try and keep it in the band," I said, hoping he'd confess he liked Paul. But at the same time, there was some strange part of me that really didn't want him to say it, and I couldn't quite figure out why. A faint pink blush ran across his face. "Oh, is dating in the band allowed?" he asked. "Allowed? Well, yeah! I mean no one's really dating right now but there's no rules against it. Why?" 

His face got redder and he took a deep breath. "Um...you can keep a secret, right?" I grinned, nodding. "Yeah, of course! I mean I know we've only known each other for a few months but come on man you're my best friend, I'm not gonna tell anyone anything you don't want told." He nodded, giving me a grateful smile. "Thanks Eric, I really appreciate it. But uh anyway...I kinda like Paul. Like I've got a crush on him and stuff, I like him as more than a friend." My eyes widened and I stared at him, trying to smile but feeling my heart sink. "Ooh, interesting! Are you gonna tell him?" I asked. He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. "I dunno. Maybe. I'm not sure if he likes me back yet, so if I ever figure out he does then yeah I'll tell him." 

"Well hey, that's a pretty solid plan," I said with a shrug, turning to the pizza as it was set at the table and trying to figure out why I wasn't happy knowing that my best friend's crush liked him back. 

Once I got home I sat on my bed, staring at the phone on the nightstand. "Alright. You figured out whether or not Bruce likes him, so call Paul and tell him the good news," I murmured to myself. But I didn't pick up the phone. Running a hand through my hair, I scowled, mentally kicking myself. "Come on man, what's your deal?! Just call him and tell him!" I snapped, snatching the phone off the hook and dialing his number angrily. 

"Hello this is Paul Stanley, how can I help you?" "Hey, it's Eric." "Oh, hey Eric! Oh are you...are you calling about Bruce?" he asked. "Yeah, I am actually," I said, freezing for a second. I didn't have to tell him the truth, he didn't have to know how Bruce felt. "Turns out Bruce also has a huge crush on you but is too shy to tell you for the same reason," I said. Paul let out a laugh and I could imagine  the huge triumphant smile on his face. "Oh, yes! Oh man Eric thank you so much! Oh wow that's perfect, you're a lifesaver!" he cried.

"Yeah. Of course," I said flatly, exchanging a few more pleasantries with him before hanging up. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall. My lip started to quiver, hot tears pricking my eyes before I burst into tears, burying my face in my pillow and bawling. I wasn't just unhappy that Bruce and Paul were going to be together, I was jealous.

Because I loved Bruce.