Chapter 2: The match that lights the fire*

When things get complicated, it is much easier to ignore the problem.

Jacob looked over at Jaydan. “Your mother slapped you and kicked you out? In a time like this?” The look on his face expressed his disgust.

“Yeah. And when CeeCee accidentally found out about it...she wasn't pleased to say the least.”

“Accidentally?”

“She walked in when Luis and Brandon were talking about it.” Jaydan said sitting down at the kitchen table.

Jacob brought over her cup of ice cream and sat down across from her. “Jay I'm sorry.”

“It's not your fault. I'm just glad that you're home. If you weren't I’d have to go suck up to Nora. Or Daniel.”

“He's always had a soft spot for you.” Jacob said smiling.

“All you Ruidiaz boys do.” She smiled as she began to eat her ice cream.

“Hey, we have some pretty good taste.” Jacob said with a smile on his face as Houdini, his father walked into the house.

“Jake! I brought dinner!” He called taking his coat off and hanging it on the coat hanger. He took a few large strides up the hallway and turned into the kitchen. “Hey Jaydan.”

“What did I say about calling me Jake? You named me Jacob for a reason.”

“Actually I had no say in your name. I suggested Butch, and your mom shot me down.” He placed the bags on the kitchen counter and walked over to the fridge.

“Thank god!” Jaydan said laughing as Jacob rolled his eyes.

“You kids want some food?”

“No.” Jacob said while Jaydan nodded.

“Looks like someone appreciates my efforts.” Houdini said as Jacob stood up.

“Whatever Houdini.” He mumbled walking into his room.

“I'll go talk to him.” Jaydan whispered hurrying up the hallway after Jacob. She softly knocked on the door and opened it slowly. “You okay?”

“No.” Jacob sat in the beanbag chair by the TV, not sure if he should look at Jaydan or not. “He thinks he can come in here and be all fatherly. He's been gone 9 months. 9 fucking months! And then he waltz on in here as if he's the best damn dad around! And it pisses me off every time he calls me Jake.”

“That's what your mom used to call you....”

“I don't want to talk about it.” Jacob said turning on the TV. And just like that he was lost in a game of Grand Theft Auto 5.

Daniel looked at his phone as I vibrated on the table. Nora. This was the 6^th time in a row that she's called. And it will be the 6^th time in a row that he ignores her. He has absolutely no interest in talking to her. Or anyone for that matter. He just wanted to be left alone.

“Daniel!” Ronnie, his older brother called walking up the hallway. He attempted to open Daniel's bedroom door, but it was locked. “Okay. I just came over cause mom needs toilet paper and I don't feel like going to the store. So I'm just going to take a roll and go home.” He waited a minute for Daniel to reply and when he didn't Ronnie just left.

When his parents first split, Daniel got stuck with David, while Ronnie got to stay with Cindy. Now that they're back together, David is spending all his time over at Cindy's place, while Daniel refused to go back there. He refused to see her again. She gave him up and it was easy for her. She never once looked back. Never once called him to say Happy Birthday or Merry Christmas. She meant nothing to him and how his father got over all of that is beyond his belief. He's the one who said day after day that Daniel didn't need her. That he and Daniel were better off without her. And then what? They run into each other in the super market and everything is forgotten? Bull-fucking-shit!

Brandon sat on the porch and watched as Luis walked over to the Jaydan's house. Maybe, just maybe they could actually grow up a little and raise a baby. After all they were the only couple in their group of friends that has lasted longer than two months.

Two months. That was the cut off. It was what was instilled in these boys minds since day one. They were taught that girls only lasted two months. Sometimes shorter, but never longer. The more that Brandon thought about it, the stupider it sounded. He let out a deep sigh as he seen Melody open the door, and Luis walk in. Odd. Why hadn't Jaydan opened the door? They could barely get their hands off of each other.

“Brandon!!!!” Michael yelled walking out of his house.

Brandon's head shot up and he turned to the left. He watched as Michael walked over to the porch and slowly up the steps. “What's up?”

“Abuela is staying at my house.” His voice was toneless and Brandon knew that Michael was less than pleased about the news.

“You can stay here. I think Luis is staying with Jaydan.”

“They're staying at Jacobs?”

“What? No! They're at her house.”

“No cuz, Jaydan is at Jacob's house.” Michael said pointing at Jacob's window where you could clearly see Jaydan.

“What? Luis just went over to Jaydan's like 5 minutes ago—and Melody opened the door.” Brandon's eyes widened as he put two and two together.

“You don't think....?”

“Oh, I think!” Brandon said standing up.

“What are we gonna do?”

“We're gonna write an anonymous letter!” Brandon said laughing.

“Ya know, Nora finally made me watch that episode of Jersey Shore the other day!” Michael said following Brandon into the house.

“That show's been over for like 4 years.”

“I'm slow, okay?” Michael said as they sat in the kitchen and contemplated what to do.

“ANTHONY!!!!” Shay yelled walking up to Anthony's room.

“What?” He asked turning his chair away from his computer to look at his mother.

“Go over your aunts and borrow some sugar, butter and milk.”

“Why don't you just go to the store and get your own milk, butter, and sugar?”

“Just go!” Without another word, Shay left the room and walked back to the kitchen.

Anthony do this. Anthony do that. Can this woman do anything for herself? Anthony put on his sneakers and walked down the stairs, half stomping, half sliding. He slammed the door while he left and walked over to Brandon and Luis's house, mumbling to himself.

He rang the doorbell and Michael got up to let him in. “Get in here!” He dragged Anthony into the kitchen and shoved him into a chair.

“What? I just came over here because my mothers lazy.”

“We think Luis slept...well is sleeping with Melody.” Michael said unable to contain himself. He sank into the chair across from Anthony and placed his hand over his mouth.

“WHAT!” Anthony asked standing up.

“Yeah. He said he was going over to Jay's, although he fought with me about it. And then Michael comes over and we see Jaydan over at Jacob's, but Luis hasn't left Jay's house yet.” Brandon said looking around the kitchen.

“You gonna tell Jay?”

“I don't fucking know!”

“You shouldn't.”

“What? Why?” Michael asked looking up at Anthony.

“Cause that'll just stress her out. And that;s not good for the baby.” Anthony said matter-of-factly.

“Nah. If I get found out, so does he.” Brandon said standing up. He looked back at Anthony and Michael before quickly rushing out of the house and over to Jacob's.

“Cassandra, I don't know what to do. He won't answer my calls!” Nora said falling back on to her bed. She looked over at Cassandra playing on the computer, while she turned to look at her.

“Well would you answer his calls if you found out he and I were sleeping together?”

“I mean...probably not. But it's not like I meant for me and Brandon to happen. We just kind of did.”

“Nora, you don't just accidentally fall into a mans pants. And of all the men you have to choose from, you picked Brandon—Daniel's best friend. That's probably why he's so upset. You just have to let him cool off for a day or two and try again later.” Cassandra kept her voice calm and slow.

“No Cassandra, you don't understand. If I let him cool off he'll hurt himself. Or worst—he'll go after Brandon. That's the kind of person that Daniel is. He is NOT calm. He turns his emotional pain and anger into physical pain for someone else.”

“Then Brandon should have thought of that before he fucked you.” She had a hint of jealousy in her voice.

“You're not mad at me too, are you?”

“Me? Mad at you? Why on Earth would you think that?” Cassandra quickly turned around in her chair to look Nora in the eyes.

“Because I slept with Brandon....”

“Why should I care? It's not like Brandon and I are dating or anything. It's not like I had a crush on him that you knew about. It's not like I confided in you about him! You stabbed me in the back Nora! How the fuck could you do that?”

“I'm sorry...” Nora mumbled barely able to speak.

“Fuck you Nora. You and Brandon deserve everything that Daniel has coming your way!” Cassandra stood up and walked out of the room, not looking at Nora as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Luis looked over and seen Melody laying next to him, her breaths calming. She looked up and smiled at him. “Hey cutie.” Luis quickly looked at the clock and rolled out of bed. “Where are you going?” She sat up and stared at him as he pulled up his pants.

“This was a mistake.” He picked up his shirt and fumbled putting his head through the hole. His head shot to the left as Melody got out of bed. “What are you doing?” She moved closer to him, her skin darker in the shadow.

“Stay with me.” Her voice was hardly above a whisper.

“No. I need to see Jaydan. I need to make sure she still needs me.”

“If you leave I’ll tell her where you've been.”

“She won't believe you. She hates you.”

“And why would I lie Luis? Why would I claim to be with you? I mean, you've been with everyone else. Would it really be a stretch if you were with me too?”

“I love Jay and she knows it!”

“If you really loved her, you wouldn't be with me.” Melody placed her hands around his neck and gently left a trail of kisses.

“Stop.” He gently pushed her away and when she gripped him harder he shoved her on the bed.

“You're ready for round two? Or should I say round three?”

“This was a mistake Mel. And you know it as much as I do.” He hurried out of the room and down the hallway to the front door.

“You'll be back Luis!” Melody yelled before shutting her door.

As Luis walked out of the front door, he seen Brandon quickly walking toward Jacob's house, Michael and Anthony not far behind.