Even Now

Chapter 25: Heartbreaker

February 4, 1994: Seattle, WA, USA

Standing in the middle of the doorway is a bright figure, her red hair shining in the yellow-tinged light of the hallway.

It's Rosheen.
Of all people.

"Oh my God!" she shrieks, laughing as she points an accusing finger at Layne.

"What the hell? Get the fuck out of here!" Layne yells in a high-pitched voice, hands outstretched.

"Oh, okay!" Rosheen grins, whipping around to stumble down the hallway in the direction of the stairs.

Through the dim light around them, Jerry sees Layne's face fall.

"Wait!" Layne shouts after her, running outside.

Jerry stands, pacing nervously.

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit- she's gonna tell everyone.
She's gonna tell Demri. She has everything to gain from that.

Layne drags a protesting Rosheen back into the room, closing the door behind him.

"It's fucking dark in here," she whines. "Turn a damn light on."

Jerry doesn't dare say a word. What would he even say? Besides, the very sound of his voice would let Rosheen know-

"I know there's a guy in here, Layne," Rosheen snorts at them. "It's Jerry, right?"

Motherfucker...

Layne glances towards Jerry's outline in the dark, wincing as he flicks on the light. Jerry squints his eyes, heat rising in his face as Rosheen starts laughing again.
Layne walks towards her, rage on his face as he grabs the collar of her shirt. "If you fucking tell anyone, I swear to God-"

"What? What?" Rosheen challenges him, still laughing her head off. "You're gay. I'm sure Demri'd love to know that."

"I'M NOT GAY!" Layne seethes.

"Yes, you are!" Rosheen giggles, directing her smug expression to Jerry. "Or were you not just sucking this guy's face off?"

Jerry clenches his fists, feeling helpless.
What the fuck could he even say to that? To any of this?
He wants to help defend himself, to defend Layne, but he's frozen in place.

"Layne, Layne, Layne... how long has this been going on?" Rosheen jabs at him, snickering to herself when Layne looks to Jerry for an answer.

"N-not long. Just since Australia," Jerry mumbles, nearly choking on his words when Layne gives him a look as if to say, 'Dude, what the hell? Why did you answer with that?'

"Hey, Layne, when we dropped you off on that random street, I think I saw you with who I now assume was this guy. Have a nice tryst there, did 'ya?" Rosheen challenges them, arms crossed now as she straightens herself up, despite Layne still grabbing her collar. "How cute, though, really. Two bandmates, best friends. Against all odds."

There's a growl forming in Layne's throat as his ears turn red. "I'll fucking end things between you and Demri, you know I will."

Rosheen rolls her eyes. "Oh, because you've been so successful in the past."

"I will! I'll tell her... uhm, I'll tell her..." he falters, his grip on her collar loosening as he struggles to find the right words.

"What, you little fag?" Rosheen sneers. "Oh my God, how great is this? The whole time, you were fucking this guy behind her back, and at the same time, you were getting mad at her for 'jacking off' with me. You goddamn hypocrite."