[Spirit of Lust 2] Chapters 505 & 506. (Patreon)

Chapter 505: Another early Sunday with Alex. And…

“So then I’m behind this guy, right in his tail. I know he’s a good driver, so I’m confident I can put some pressure on him if I stay close without either of us crashing,” Alex said as he told me his story. Sunday morning meant I was meeting him again to continue helping him fix his new bike. I had my ears on his story while I cleaned some oily parts with a rag. “We’re getting to the finish line, and if we do, I win. You know, because I was the one chasing and he didn’t lose me yet. I figure I have this in the bag. But then he pulls something. Son of a bitch thinks he’s an anime character and throws his car to the side, putting his outer wheels inside the gutter for more grip in the tight hairpin.”

My jaw dropped. “No way it worked.”

“It didn’t. Idiot almost flipped the car and damaged the wheels and most of the underside. At least the guys who try to drift with a cup of water in the cup holder just get wet. This guy almost got us both killed. Thankfully nothing happened.”

“And you continue racing even after seeing something like that happen?” I asked him. “I’d be scared shitless.”

“Well, see, most people we race aren’t imbeciles who try to pull crazy stunts like that. We all love our racing shows and movies even if they’re dumb, but we know not to try the stuff we see in them because we’re sane. This happened back when I was 20 and it’s still only the second of three bad crashes I’ve seen.”

“I suppose there are always those who have a hard time differentiating truth from fiction…” Happens with games, too, at times.

“Yeah, that’s my point,” Alex said, casually waving a wrench around. “Though we still laughed about it later.”

Alex liked to tell me stories, and I was once more reminded where Alice got her obsession from. Most, if not all of her brother’s stories were about his time in races or car meets.

After he finished that story, though, he went quiet all of a sudden. He watched me clean up the parts without saying anything, and it was making me a bit uncomfortable. That said, I had an idea of what got him like that.

“So… Alice told you, didn’t she? I already have the deed to the lot. It’s official.”

“She did, she did…” He sighed. “Sorry. Still having a difficult time wrapping my head around it. I always knew she’d move on to make her own life, but I never thought it would be so soon. You know, I always believed she’d be the type to live with our parents for a long time.”

Considering I thought I’d be doing the same, myself, I had to ask, “Is that a good or a bad thing?”

“Neither. A lot of people make a big deal out of moving out of your parents’ house, and damn do I understand the desire for that freedom. Many also look down on those who stay with their parents, and I get that, too. I guess that, if Alice had stayed in our parents’ house, it would be because she had no need to move out and mom and dad like having her around.” He laughed. “Unlike me, who always fought with them.”

“Hm. I think it’s the same for my sister right now. She doesn’t need to move out and mom is happy that she’s staying instead of moving to a dorm.”

“And then there’s you, leaving the nest to make your own already. Five times bigger, too, supposedly.”

I chuckled. I was about to ask him what stuff I should add to the garage Alice wanted. but before I could, I heard my phone ringing.

“Go ahead, answer. I’ll take the chance to go pee.” Alex slapped his knees and stood up in one go.

At first I thought one of the girls would be calling. We were getting together after this. However, when I looked at my phone, I saw it was Thomas. I answered.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Oliver, are you free?” He sounded both tired and irritated at the same time. “I… Something happened and I need someone to talk at.”

“...Talk at?”

“Yeah, I need to vent. Please tell me you can meet today.”

“...” I sighed. I’d be going home after finishing up for today with Alex. I’d take a shower and immediately head to the park to meet the girls. At least that was the plan, but… I didn’t feel good leaving Thomas hanging like that. “For an hour, at least. I have stuff to do after.”

“Come on, make time for a brother! The girls will understand!”

“I AM making time.”

“Yeah, alright… Thanks man.”

“1:00 pm okay with you?”

“Yeah, let’s meet for lunch.”

“Sounds good. See you later.”

Had to text the girls right after. Told them something happened with Thomas and it seemed important. They didn’t have a problem with moving our meeting time an hour.

-Mila: We’ll just have to eat without you. Your loss.

-Noelle: We’re having sushi!

-Oliver: And what did you do to convince Alice to go eat sushi?

-Alice: Sarah found a place that also sells fried chicken.

-Oliver: Sushi AND fried chicken?

-Sarah: Yes.

-Oliver: Why?

-Sarah: idk.

That seemed like a weird combo.

-Grace: As much as I hate it, don’t be afraid to cancel with us if it’s something important, okay? Not like we won’t have other opportunities.

I threw my head back and let out a soft, drawn out groan. She wasn’t wrong, I knew, but I still didn’t want to cancel. I’d been looking forward to this. I’d go meet Thomas and hear him out, but I prayed that he kept it short.

I was thirsty and badly needed a big glass of water.

************

Chapter 506: Thomas’ old issues.

After finishing up with Alex and going home to take a shower, I met Thomas outside the usual burger place. I saw him standing there with his hands in his pockets and a thoughtful frown. He looked… moderately pissed, but not quite angry.

“Should we order to go and talk somewhere else?” I asked him as I approached, even before saying hello.

Thomas smiled wryly. “You know, that sounds like a good idea.”

We wordlessly shook hands, went into the restaurant to order and left with two paper bags with our food inside. We ended up going to the basketball courts, or half-courts, rather. They were nearby and we didn’t see anyone there.

We sat at a bench, opened our bags and quietly dug in. I admit, even though I wanted to go meet the girls already, I like hamburgers better than sushi.

“So? What the hell happened that has you all riled up?” I asked, eating a single fry.

Meanwhile, Thomas swallowed a handful of fries and drank his soda almost like it was strong booze. He let out a sigh and shook his head.

“Lyla asked me to prom.”

…

…

…

“What the fuck!?”

“RIGHT!?”

For those of you who don’t remember, and I don’t blame you if you don’t, Lyla is Thomas’ ex-girlfriend. The girl who broke up with him because, according to her, their sex life was bad because Thomas’ dick was too big. Ended up giving my guy here a huge complex. And now…

…

Okay, so there’s something I haven’t told you. I haven’t because it’s not exactly important, but I suppose it is now.

Lyla had been going to the same gym I went to, remember? We only saw each other on Saturdays, and even then not often because she came in about a half hour after I began my own routine. What I’m trying to say is that I talked to her every so often, or rather, she talked to me. It was never anything important. Just small talk for the sake of it. At times she asked me for advice on how to work out, but that was it. I never bring her up because, like I said, it’s not important. There were plenty of other people I talked to at the gym that were only just acquaintances, and I deliberately kept Lyla there, too. The thing is, she’s also still Thomas’ classmate, so… the changes weren’t lost on him. Or anyone, really. 

Lyla had gotten fit. She used to be pretty overweight and then lost quite a bit of weight. Honestly, it was kind of shocking. Her physique was closer to… I was going to say Sarah, but no. Sarah has a body that’s the result of years of persistent and smart workout routines. Lyla was more similar now to, say, my sister. Slender and fit.

“No wonder you’re pissed,” I told Thomas.

“It’s not just that she asked me to prom. Actually, that’s the least of it. I asked her why she was doing it. I asked her why after SHE was the one who broke up with me. We finally talked like we were supposed to all those months ago.”

“And what did she say?”

Thomas clicked his tongue and snarled. “That she broke up with me because she felt inadequate with herself. That she felt she was fat and ugly going out with me, tall, muscular and handsome. Said she didn’t deserve me.”

“...” Okay, can’t say I don’t relate, because goddammit I do, HOWEVER… “And she thought breaking up with you was the best way to go about it?”

“Yep.”

“And… Now that she’s fit and all…”

Thomas nodded. “Everyone knows Isabelle and I aren’t a thing, so she’s not exactly going behind her back. What very few know, though, is that I already have a girlfriend, Maria. Of course, Lyla’s one of the many that don’t. As far as she knows, I’ve been single since we broke up. Really, I don’t blame her for shooting her shot.”

“All that isn’t important, Thomas. What matters is this: How do you feel about it? About her?”

After a deep breath, Thomas looked up and smiled. “You know what? I’m over her. I really, finally am. I’m venting with you now, but I talked to her like a reasonable person. Told her I didn’t feel that way about her anymore, that she… damaged me. Told her I’m with someone else, someone she doesn’t know. Now I really feel like I got my closure.”

I smiled with him. “Glad to hear that. I was afraid you’d start having second thoughts.”

“Hah. I thought you’d be afraid that I’d start my own harem.”

I frowned and tilted my head, confused. “Why would I be afraid of that?”

“Right, I forget how pure you are.”

I shook my head. “Pure? Far from it. Before I found my own, it wasn’t rare for me to have days cursing other people’s happiness.”

“I’ll drink to that.”

We made a toast with our plastic soda cups and finished our meals.

“By the way, are you telling Maria about this?” I asked him as we threw the bags in a trash can.

He flinched. “D-Do you think I should? I mean, I rejected Lyla. Not only did it end in nothing, but we’re even more over than before.”

“I get that, but consider that your current prom date is working for your girlfriend. Isabelle is bound to let it slip at one point or another. Is that how you want her to find out?”

“...” Thomas took out his phone and began to text. “I’m going to her place now if I have to.”

“Wise man.”

“Wait, what?”

“Hm? What is it?”

“She says she’s busy… She’s at Diana’s place… With your mom!?”

“Oh yeah, Maria’s going too.”

“You knew!?”

“That my mom and Diana were getting together today? Of course. Forgot Maria was joining them.”

“...W-What do you think they’ll talk about?”

“I never want to know.”

“And you’re wiser than I’ll ever be for it.”