NO FUN CLUB

12

'Are you sure you're ready?' Gerard asked when he got to No Fun Club and found Frank smoking outside.

He blew out smoke from one side of his mouth, and then answered, 'Not really. But my other choice is to stay home and cry and drink until I pass out, and I'm tired of that.'

Gerard didn't say anything, and just hugged Paco, before they both threw away the last of their cigarettes, and walked in. Jamia seemed to have arrived first, and she was already setting everything up, while the truck guys were unloading. 

When she finally heard the door closing, and the guys' voices, she went running to Frank. 'You're back!' she said, hugging him.

'Barely,' he said with a fake smile. He had bags under his eyes, and his scruff and mustache were growing into a beard.

'I told you, you could take as long as you needed.'

'I know. But being home by myself was too pathetic. And I missed you.'

'We missed you, too.'

Frank still felt too anxious to be working as bartender, and he didn't have the brain to do any important tasks, so he helped with the truck and restock, then helped at the kitchen for a while. 'How is he doing?' Jamia asked when it was just Gerard and him.

'Not good. I stayed the night with him, and he was drinking.' He looked around to make sure Frank, or anyone else, wasn't there. 'I don't know if he's like that usually, or if that's what it's like having a boyfriend, but he just needs attention constantly, and I wish I could give it to him, but I'm just afraid of what he'll do when no one is there. Maybe that's why he had so many boyfriends?'

Jamia gave him a look. 'You might have a point. And yes, he's like that usually. But the kind of attention he needs now is different, and I know it's too much for you.'

Gerard nodded.

'It'll take time, but he'll get better. And I know having you can help him a lot, but it's not fair for you to have to deal with this.'

'I know.'

'I'll talk to him.'

'Thank you.'

***

In the meantime, Frank was outside, having a smoke break.

He had lost count of how many cigarettes he had had, or how many beers he drank before work, but who cared anymore. Not him.

He knew he had promised Gerard and his dad to get better, but he felt like he couldn't. Everything was going to shit.

And to make matters worse, his phone started ringing. It was Victor.

Fuck, he wasn't really in the mood to talk to him, or anyone, but he figured it was easier now than later. 'Hey,' he said, in a bitter tone, though he knew it wasn't Victor's fault.

'Hey – I've been calling you.'

He knew. Of course he'd seen all the missing calls. But he was pretending he didn't exist and hoping he'd get the message. But clearly he didn't. 'I'm sorry. It's just – there's been some shit going on. My grandfather died.'

'Oh.' There was a moment of silence. Frank knew it would work. 'Are you doing well?'

'Not really. I need some time. Just spending more time with my dad and my family.'

'I get it. Just let me know if you need anything, okay? You know I'm here.'

'I appreciate it.' He did. But he didn't want to talk to Victor. Or anyone. He did miss having sex, though. And Victor was so good. So it was for the best to stay away or he wouldn't be able to resist.