Head On Collision

"Jack? Is that you?"

There was a rustling in the bunk above Alex's, and he didn't find it very likely that any of the other men he toured with would be making Jack's bed their location of comfort for the night. Lately, the only time the two ex-lover's had seen each other was when they did a show. Then, they got along for the sake of the fans, but usually Jack's humor was dry and bitter. The fans didn't catch on to this, though, they thought it was just playful shit-talking, normal for the band. Usually, Alex would stay in his bunk, watching movies on his laptop or texting Lisa on his phone. She was unhappy with the fact that he'd used her to get back at Jack, but he could tell by the cheer in her voice that she didn't mind pretending, because that left a chance for it to become reality. Alex didn't know what Jack did when he wasn't around. Lately, he and Zack and become freakishly close, always together except for when they went to bed or showered, even then they usually passed out in the lounge. Alex was almost jealous of the bass player, until he remembered that it was he who brought the two of them together. Alex deeply hoped that's exactly what Zack was trying to do again.

The moving on the bed above him didn't stop, which made Alex curious. He poked his head of the curtain and saw Jack's long leg hanging out of the bunk. He rose an eyebrow and grabbed the leg, yanking it down so that Jack's other foot hit the ground and he caught himself.

"Being loud isn't the best way to avoid me, Jack."

"You speaking to me isn't the best way for me to avoid you either, Gaskarth."

"Ouch, using the last name," Alex sighed, letting go of Jack's leg. No matter what he did or said, it wouldn't be good enough for Jack, not anymore. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Make it quick."

"Do you still talk to her?"

"Who?"

"Alexa," Alex frowned. "Do you still keep in touch with her?"

"Everyday," Jack shrugged, glancing around the room to avoid Alex's eyes. "Why?"

"Because I don't talk to Elana anymore."

"There's a difference in me being friends with Alexa and you being friends with Elana. I never fucked Alexa."

"I understand that..." Alex trailed, grateful that Jack was speaking to him, even if his words burned like venom. "I miss you, you know."

Jack didn't say anything. Instead, he tugged on his bottom lip and nodded his head. There was a strange look in his eyes, almost sadness, or anger, but definitely longing. He missed Alex, so deeply, he missed him. It took everything in him to hate the older man. Honestly, it was killing him.

"If you would just be my friend, Jack, you'd give me a chance to make it up to you."

"When was the last time you talked to Lisa?" Jack's neck snapped so he was looking down on Alex.

"Tonight.." Alex groaned, realizing that he probably should have stopped talking to her, too, because he'd recently fed Jack enough bullshit for him to want the brunette dead. "But I swear it's nothing like you think."

"Cut her out, Alex," Jack said sternly, his long arms grabbing on to the top bunk again. "Cut her out of the picture, and then come talk to me. When you do that, maybe then I'll believe that you're really trying to win me over."

"Jack," Alex pulled himself out of the bunk and tossed his phone where he'd recently been sitting. Jack had officially made it back in his bed, and he was leaning out of the curtain, looking irritated. "That's not fair. Lisa didn't do anything."

"She stole you from me once, Al." Jack rose an eyebrow, wondering if Alex didn't remember their high school days, or if he was simply hoping Jack was the one who had forgotten. "If there's anything you can do to prove a point to me, it's that. Get rid of her, Alex. When you do that, then I'll know you're trying."

Jack slid his curtain shut and laid down. The swift movement of the bus, and the comfort of knowing Alex was still trying, was enough to put him to sleep. They still had a long, bumpy road ahead of them, but at least it was a start. Jack smiled to himself, snuggling closer to his blanket, praying that Alex could do this one thing for him.

Meanwhile, below the smiling boy, Alex was staring at Lisa's face on his phone. Through the screen, he could see the light in her eyes and the brightness of her smile. Did he.. Did he miss her? Yes, far more than he should, in fact. But his heart belonged with Jack. Now, if he only had the strength to do what it took to win the younger boy back.

Notes