Don't Break The Rules

Chapter 5 - Owner

Joe had been seeing Fred around very often. The worse was that this had been his old friend, someone he had known for years, had even slept at his home when he went through his initial divorce and did not want to return to his grandmother's home. Even with Jamie, Fred had been the one Joe had confided in, trusted him with every single ounce of blood in his being.

And here he stood with such a long mocking smile and he could not do anything about it other than state and despise him to no use.

Fred's eyes were a dark muddy brown, matching curls with the front hairlines gelled backwards. His hair had lengthened to his jawline, and he had tiny prickles of hair he left to grow along his jaw. He had changed only slightly, now that he was a divorced man and had nothing to lose. Not because he never loved Maria because he had, but because he realized life had more to offer than a quiet life in a home with a wife.

He pulled back the opening of his suit and shoved his hands in his pockets, his eyes jumping from one of them to the other. The only one that he had not known for very long was Leo, a six foot four beast that even he would not mess with. But he only interrupted their little gathering and he was not going to leave without his duty being fulfilled.

"I'm here to return Joe where he belongs."

Chris knew of Fred's loyalty to Connor, which was why he was someone they could not trust. He cleared his throat, scratching the side of his head. "Geez, I can't run away with Joe for a few minutes without him having a panic attac—"

"Why d'you switch the masks then?"

Although Chris was sweating underneath his suit, he knew how to save himself and this was the moment where he was needed, in hopes that their entire plan was not ruined. "To give him a bit of freedom. It's a party!" He stepped forward towards Fred and furrowed his brows, "You and I both know Connor would not even let him out of his sight to have fun.

Joe has been stuck in the house with him; I wanted him to enjoy the night at least."

Fred did not yet seem convinced and pointed to Leo. "Then what about him—"

"That's my friend! We were planning to steal all the champagne bottles, that's why we're out here. Jesus." Chris rolled his eyes and stepped past him, shoving his shoulder right into Fred who did not move at all. "If every time there's something with Joe, you have to come to save the day," he paused before turning back to face him, "then maybe there really is something you both are hiding."

Fred thought his heart had skipped a beat

"Oh and here's Joe's mask," he threw the red mask at Fred's feet. "I knew Connor longer than you Fred so you better watch it when you come up to me with conspiracy theories."

Fred eyed Chris' back as he stormed away before the balcony doors closed. Chris was filled with sweat the moment he stepped away from the encounter and soon enough, the doors opened with Leo himself, his eyes wandering across the hall to find him.

Fred and Joe were left alone on the balcony, and Fred sighed, eyeing the glasses doors before leaning onto the railings, reaching inside his pocket. He retracted a cigarette and lit the end, instantly inhaling as much of the fumes that could put his mind into ease. Maybe he was simply paranoid; he had never favoured having Chris around since he always appeared as if he was up to something, but Connor never believed him.

If he told him about this and what Chris said, Connor would be furious with him. Connor had told him multiple times there was nothing to worry about, that Chris would never find out the truth. Fred evidently had his doubts which Connor always fought back. That was why he cleared his throat and said, "You can't tell Connor about what Chris said."

Joe simply shook his head. He had never done any favours for Fred and he was not going to start now. Fred had never been his friend and this was the day to start acting as if he had been. That was why Joe stepped past him and said, "Don't speak to me."

"Joe, please." Fred grabbed his shoulder before he could leave, swirling him backwards. "What's it going to take? This one simple thing."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Bring my grandmother back to life."

It was clear Fred was stressed, touching his curls repeatedly and biting the nail on his thumb. He then whispered, "You know I can't do that."

"Find a way." Joe shoved his hand away and started walking towards the doors. "Your call."

***

"Where was he?" Connor hissed, rapidly putting his arm around Joe's shoulders and pulling him tightly against his side, his eyes stuck on Fred. His face seemed to have been through a frenzy and his heavy breathing was enough to let them both know that he had been panicking for the entire half hour Joe had disappeared.

Fred forced a smile. "Balcony."

"With who?"

"Chris," Joe spoke. Connor's eyes sharply faced him, and he squeezed him tighter before placing a peck on his forehead.

Connor exhaled a long sigh. "Alright, then you were fine."

"Except that Fred came out of nowhere and accused Chris of something and Chris said that since Fred keeps doing that, it means you both are hiding something." Instantly, Connor's head violently turned to look at Fred who was too embarrassed that he kept his eyes locked on his dress shoes. He had told him multiple times that Chris would always be loyal but Fred never trusted that and continuously made mistakes, causing more attention than they needed. "And we all know you guys are."

"Are you kidding me Fred?"

Fred sighed, leaning forward. "Connor, I only did this to protect us," he hushed, glancing around to make sure no one was listening on their conversations.

But Connor didn't care. "I told you to stop it with him and you go and do this."

"Connor," Fred chuckled uneasily before attempting to reach of his shoulder, to which Connor dodged him. "Let's talk about this later, alrighty? Come on."

The look in Fred's eyes made Joe scoff because it was the same look Joe saw in the mirror when they had first been married. Filled with delusional love, as if he was all life had been about and had to offer.

Connor turned away from him. "I'm headed home for the night. You've messed up enough—I need to figure out how to fix it in the morning."

"Connor, please—"

"Stop trying to touch me," he spat, shoving his hand away. "I'll talk to you later."

He left a dumbfounded Fred who stood still, watching Connor's back shuffle as he stepped away. Connor had an arm around Joe as they walked towards the exit, with both their masks on. However, the moment they began crossing the guests slowly entering the hall, Joe could not help but stop when his mind recognized a smell. It was subtle but it had been there, one he had been swamped by a year ago.

He even stopped in his steps and turned back; he was certain it had been the very one and it only belonged to one person.

But it was only his mind playing tricks on him.

"Something the matter?"

He sighed, slowly shaking his head. "No, nothing wrong."