young god

“You’re never in the mood, Jakey. Sometimes I wonder why you even keep me around,” she said with a dramatic sigh, picking up her glass to take a sip of the dark liquid. He was probably asking himself the same question right about now, but she hoped he was to nice to agree. “I don’t really get it then. Shouldn’t you be happy it’s over if you didn’t see it going anywhere?” Blue sobered slightly when he brought up the actual reason why things had ended between them, her eyes quickly dropping to avoid his. “Oh, please, I wasn’t even that mean to her. If I’d given her a hard time then maybe I could see where she’s coming from, but I was on my best behavior. She had no reason to hate me that much. It’s not like I gave her any reason to see me as a threat.” The second reason pissed her off even more than the one that concerned her. She might give Jacob shit about his save the world shtick, but she never so much as implied she wanted him to change in any way. Because she didn’t. “She’s an idiot. The girl’s a socialite. Is she aware that that’s not a ‘real’ job? She makes a living of showing up places and socializing. At least you’re trying to make a difference.”

“Yeah, I’ve been wondering the same thing” Jake replied with a forced smile before it simmered right back down to a frown. Of course he knew why he kept Blue around. She might’ve been difficult but they were the same in a lot of ways. They weren’t part of the socialites despite how much Blue tried. She wasn’t them. And that might have been the most beautiful thing about her. “You never call her by the right fucking name, you never even gave her a chance. It’s over, you don’t gotta lie about how terrible you were about her” There was no point. Most of the time he tolerated since it never got out of hand but right now he found it a little annoying that she wanted to pretend she was perfectly nice. It was fake. Something Blue never wore very well. “You know she might’ve been a socialite but she tried to help people, she really did. So can we not turn this into trashing my ex because that ain’t what I want to do. That ain’t what I’m about.”

Blue could tell Jacob was annoyed, but that never stopped her from harassing him some more. In this case, she actually wanted the information he was keeping to himself too, which wasn’t helping his case any. “People don’t just break up, there has to be a reason for it,” she said between two bites, her mouth still somewhat full. “That’s it? I don’t believe it. You saw each other often enough and she seemed completely into you last time I saw her at the Women’s March. I even think she was trying to make a point with all the PDA she was packing on.” She pocked at his side with her foot insistently. “It’s been a week and you say you’re fine, so… I don’t see what the problem is with me asking questions. Come on, tell me. We’re basically best friends and best friends tell each other everything.”

“I’m really not in the mood today, Blue” Jacob said, shaking his head. He didn’t want to drink or talk trash about his ex-girlfriend. While he was sad that the relationship was over, he didn’t wish her any ill will despite the heartbreak she caused. “We just wanted different things. She wanted more. I couldn’t give it to her” To put it vaguely. Still, as Blue continued, Jacob decided that if he just told her then it’d be done with so that’s what he did, “She didn’t like you and I hanging out. I told her I’d never be the guy who gave up his friends for a girl” He shrugged his shoulders because he was still sticking to that decision, “She also thought I should get a real job, give a shit about my own life instead of everyone else’s.”

The brunette put the bag and the bottle on his living room table and headed for his kitchen for two spoons and glasses––completely ignoring his complaints. “Like I said over texts, I call bullshit,” she said, coming back to the couch with her arms full. She had no idea what exactly happened between the two of them, but there was no way Sabrina dumping him had left his pride completely unscathed. Sitting next to him, she leaned over to pour two glasses and uncap one of the ice cream pints. “If I had better things to do, I wouldn’t be here. Now take your drink and put that away for a second. I still don’t know what happened between you two.” She slid his glass his way on the table and proceeded to eat ice cream right from the container, sitting so that she was facing him. “Come on, I want details.”

Finally closing his laptop, Jacob pushed it onto the coffee table and let out a heavy sigh. Once Blue made up her mind it was hard to get her to change it so he figured he’d play into whatever faux girls night she wanted to have right now and then it’d be over and he could go back to his routine. “We broke up, that’s it” He was simplifying it but at the end of the day the result was the same. He was alone. “Didn’t fit into each other’s lives or some bullshit” he shrugged, since that had been said somewhere along the way. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t hate her or anything, I’m just trying to deal on my own time, so you comin’ around askin’ questions ain’t helping.”

Blue barged into Jacob’s apartment, one hand holding a bottle of whiskey while the other held a plastic bag containing an assortment of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. To anyone that wasn’t her, this would just look like an attempt to cheer up a good friend after a breakup, but really this was her way of celebrating the fact that she wouldn’t have to hear about Sabrina anymore. Wiping off her grin, she closed his front door with her foot and forced an exaggerated pout on her lips as she walked deeper into his apartment. “How are you feeling, Jake? Not too heartbroken over Samantha?” She asked him, messing up her name on purpose for old time’s sake. It was hard to forget her name when it was regularly mentioned in the magazine she worked for. “I brought some booze and some comfort food. Don’t say I never do anything for you.” @jacobxowens​

It had been two weeks since Sabrina had broken up with Jacob. Unfortunately, Jacob still wasn’t quite over it. Did he even love Sabrina? No. Not yet. But the potential had been there and for Sabrina to end things over something Jacob found rather trivial, well, it was a bit devastating. The reason for their break-up, however, was still unknown to everyone else since he refused to talk about it and he doubted Sabrina would be running her mouth either. He was sitting on his couch catching up on an NPR podcast when Blue seemed to have left herself in –– not empty handed of course, which was probably the only reason why he didn’t look so offended. “Like I said over text, I’m fine” He reiterated with a heavy sigh as he continued to scroll through his computer. “Already ate and not in the mood for a drink right now. Besides, pretty sure you have better things to do.”

“Glad you think so,” Devin replied, a cocky smirk flashing across her lips for a moment. “And it’s nice to meet you, Jacob.” She stumbled a bit on his full name; she’d barely met him and already she itched to shorten his name to Jake, though that was hardly anything new. There was just something about him that kept Devin from assuming any kind of familiarity. “Oh, no,” she answered seriously, then, teasing– “Usually we find innocent young women to make out with …” Though there was some truth to that, as well. It was just that that night wasn’t really usual at all. She took a sip of her new drink. “You’re gonna have to work a hell of a lot harder if you want to sell that innocent act.”

“Well, I don’t know, I’m just being hopeful –– verdict is still out, though” Jacob corrected with the quirk of his brow and an amused look across his features. So far, it was a pleasant experience, nothing he could truly complain about after all. “Sounds even better, honestly. I would actually really enjoy a front row seat to that” He said with a small chuckle, only half-joking. “What? My halo ain’t bright enough for you?” So maybe he wasn’t all that innocent to begin with, in fact, his hands were very much stained with some bad deeds. “Besides, there aren’t any innocent people in this city. At the very least I’m a decent human being, that should count for somethin’ right?” 

HOME SWEET HOME w/ jacob owens 78-16 166TH ST. QUEENS, NY 11432

Devin raised a shoulder silently – she didn’t mind the apology, but she didn’t exactly need it, either. She knew that in New York – in any city like it, really – driving wasn’t really the way people got around. Subway, rideshare, taxi, or, for the truly wealthy, a chauffeur. None of which required strict sobriety. But driving wasn’t the only reason to keep a sober friend around when there was excessive drinking happening, and Devin wasn’t about to defend that choice, either. “Soda,” she replied, a surprised smile lighting her face. “Thanks. I’ll take a coke.” She hesitated for a moment, then added, “Devin.” Her name was the very least she could offer for his being so decent.

“Alright, Devin. Nice to meet ya” Jacob replied, flagging the bartender over for a round of sodas for the two of them. Despite the fact that this woman was a mere stranger and Jacob tended to keep to himself most of the time, tonight he said fuck it and decided to be at least a little social. “I’m Jacob” He added with a nod, “So do you and your friends do this a lot? You know –– getting wasted at bars and finding innocent young men to make out with?” He couldn’t help but grin considering the bout of sarcasm that hinted in his words, still he was a little curious. 

“I think I am.” Sabrina nodded, grinning widely. “Clearly you’re a terrible influence” She teased, a light in her blue gaze. “And by that I mean, exactly what I need in my life…so thank you.” It was a rush, to liberate herself even in such a small way like this. The blonde chuckled softly at her boyfriend’s follow up comment. “You’re damn right they do.” She agreed, still laughing softly. When he sat down on the bed beside her, she paused for a moment to listen. The lightness of the moment evaporated slightly as he mentioned Blue. For the life of her, Sabrina had yet to figure out Jacob’s friend. She seemed determined to dislike her no matter what she did or how nice she tried to be. A few months in Sabrina had essentially given up on trying to win Blue over. Which sucked, because she knew how important she was to Jacob. But no. Nothing was going to ruin her mood today. She was happy and free and enjoying the day with her boyfriend. “Mmm walking all morning, huh? Maybe we should warm up just super quickly.” She smiled, grabbing the front of his shirt gently and leaning in to kiss him, long and slow. “I mean, to be safe.”

Jacob didn’t expect a thank you, truth be told he was pretty sure he added a lot more drama to her life than not. He wasn’t like the other guys in her realm of the borough and even though he had never been a fan of the upper east siders, Sabrina had somehow won him over. “Well, this terrible influence doesn’t mind stealing you away from work for a better cause” That cause was keeping him very entertaining at the moment. “Yeah, all morning. And it’s gonna be real cold, too” Jacob added with a nod, the smile across his face still present as she leaned in to kiss him. If she was trying to distract him then it was certainly working because his mind had successfully went elsewhere in that moment. Pulling Sabrina into his lap, Jacob had that look on his face like he was up for some fun. However, even as his lips pressed against her neck, the vibrating phone in his front pocket proved to call for his attention. Letting out a disappointed sigh, Jacob shook his head, “Fuck” He muttered under his breath at the timing before he had to peel his gaze from Sabrina and take his phone out of his pocket to see who it was. Blue. Of course. With a string of text messages, he knew it was best not to keep her waiting, “Alright, maybe we can continue this after the march” he suggested, “Apparently we’re late.”

Devin could take rejection – maybe not well, depending on who you asked, but she could take it. It was just a stupid dare, after all, a dare both she and her friends were much too old to be engaging in (without the cover, the excuse, of alcohol, anyway.) What she couldn’t take, or it seemed she couldn’t take that evening, was false assumptions. “As much as I appreciate you thinking of my friends,” and she suspected, that thoughtfulness wasn’t wholly genuine – or wasn’t wholly selfless, at the very least, “I’m the designated driver. Designated navigator, technically, but it doesn’t have the same ring.” She’d had a few drinks, sure, but nowhere near as many as her friends, and nowhere near enough to make the whole thing unfair. “Anyway, I’m mostly sober,” even if her humouring them didn’t seem that way. “For the record, since it’s apparently a bad idea.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just that I don’t see that a lot” Jacob had been working as a bouncer at bars like these for a few years now and he had to admit he didn’t see a lot of designated drivers, so it was a bit of a pleasant surprise. “In that case, how about I buy you a drink –– a soda or a sweet tea, ladies choice” he clarified with a smirk. Besides, it seemed like a small price to pay for the confusion. He had some time before he had to get back to the front door so he figured a little company couldn’t hurt. 

“They do get useful information, Jake. It’s a fashion magazine. There are other publications for politics. The New Yorker is a huge one. Maybe you should be the one working there and changing things. It’s your passion, not mine,” she pointed out, even though he’d heard all this from her a million times before. It sure as hell would be a career more worthy of him. “Oh, come on, you’ve wanted to take me out since high school. Timing’s just never been on our side. I was dating Thomas and now you’re dating Samara.” She knew very well that wasn’t her actual name, but she could be slightly petty when she wanted. “I don’t think I need to tell you to come to me again if the pawnshop won’t take her shit again, right?” It felt so unlike him to be an ‘Instagram boyfriend’ and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Part of her felt like it meant he must like Sabrina a lot to put up with shit he had no interest in, but how much could he really like her if he was willing to steal from her? He was nothing if not a walking contradiction. “Please, I doubt you would give me the date I deserve. What exactly is your idea of a perfect romantic evening?” 

“Every publication is about politics –– their backers, their supporters, their audiences –– nothing is just for fun” Jacob corrected with a scoff, “I’m trying my best” He added. While being a bouncer was his day job (or night job more accurately), he did have a side hustle that made him able to live with himself. “Whatever you have to tell your ego, Blue” He was choosing to deny deny deny. After all, what good could come from it now? They were friends and that was enough for him these days. He even ignored the fact that she purposefully got his girlfriend’s name wrong. Did it bother him? Not really to be honest, but he’d never give her the satisfaction especially when it just seemed cruel. He wasn’t about that pettiness and he wasn’t going to engage with it either. “How about you get nothing until you earn it, otherwise con your fake friends to buy you shit” He shot back at her. “If you wanna know, ask Sabrina” He said, throwing it back at her. If she wasn’t going to be nice than neither was he.

“Here’s the deal.” Palms flat on the counter, Devin spared half a glance for the surrounding patrons (but nobody at the ridiculously trendy bar had any interest in anyone who wasn’t themselves, or on the other side of a phone screen.) “My friends—” She twitched her shoulder to indicate a table of women clutching umbrella’d cocktails and who were watching the interaction like it was the season finale of The Bachelor. “—are in town for the weekend, and they’re really enjoying their drinks, and they dared me to come over here and make out with you.” No blushes, no beating around the bush, not even as she added, “‘Cause you’re cute. So. If you’re game …”

Another night meant another bar to work at for Jacob. As trivial as working security was for the upper east side bars, it was easy money so he couldn’t complain. He was taking his fifteen minute break at the bar, taking a sip from a water bottle when a woman came up to him. Taking a quick glance over at her group of friends, Jacob tried not to smile but it was hard not to at the amusing predicament he found himself in, “Very flattering –– pretty sure you just made my ego’s day” he said half-jokingly with a small chuckle, "Even though I’d hate to disappoint your friends over there, probably not a good idea” For the simple fact that he had a girlfriend, not to mention he was working and that was something he could potentially get fired over, “Besides, I’m very sober right now and you and your friends aren’t. Wouldn’t seem fair.”

Sabrina was still in bed, wrapped up in a cocoon of covers and enjoying the peaceful radiating warmth that snuck into ever crevice of her body. She opened her eyes lazily, sleep still evident in her blue gaze at the sound of Jacob’s voice.”No, but I’ll help you find it.” She offered, slowly moving into an upright position and peeking her toes out from under the blanket, as if testing the water. It was far colder in the room than under the covers but alas, she would brave it. 

The blonde rose from the bed and began wandering around for a moment, looking under the bed, behind it, etc in hopes of glimpsing her boyfriend’s misplaced jacket. After a moment, the glint of a button caught her eye and Sabrina gathered the jacket up from its hiding spot just behind the bathroom door, walking over to Jacob. As she handed it over with a smile, pressing a kiss to his cheek she considered his offer. 

Technically she had three pitch meetings and a business lunch to attend to today, but…the idea of playing hooky and for such a good reason was incredibly tempting. Sabrina loved her job, but she was also afraid to leave it. She’d done everything in her power to prove she belonged and hadn’t just been gifted the position by her father like some Balenciaga bag. So the concept of slacking off or taking time off, even for a day, to enjoy herself and do something that mattered, it felt wrong. She opened her mouth to explain away her absence but Jacob spoke up again, and there was something in his words that offered just enough encouragement. “You know what? Screw it. I’m coming with. The world will keep spinning.” A grin appeared on her face as she nodded, reaffirming her own words. “Also, for the record, heels are terribly uncomfortable but a necessary evil.” She chuckled, sitting back down on the edge of the bed, gently interlocking her fingers to his so he was pulled closer.

Taking his jacket and sliding it over his arms, Jacob cuffed the collar and tucked his wallet into his jean pocket. Truthfully, he expected Sabrina to blow off his invitation since she was always busy with something at work and while he had no issues giving his opinion on the issue, today he was in a bit of a rush. So when she said screw it and said she wanted to come with, Jacob had to raise his brow at her, “You serious? Are you finally saying fuck it to the man? Because I gotta say I like it” he asked with a hint of a smile. He was a bit surprised since it wasn’t everyday he could convince her to ditch work to hang out with him so he considered it a major feat. “Oh, I have no issue with high heels... they make your ass look perfect, so” he said as if that was explanation enough but the wide grin across his face probably gave away the fact that he was mostly joking despite the truth to his words.

Jacob gave her hand a gentle squeeze and took a seat beside her on the bed, “Wear somethin’ comfortable. We’re gonna be walking the whole morning. Plus Blue’s coming and she’s gonna complain a lot” He half-joked. His friendship with Blue was probably one of his longest standing ones but he still wasn’t quite sure how Sabrina felt about it. He knew Blue didn’t care very much for her despite the fact that she was his girlfriend but he never let that get in the way of their friendship.

July 1, 2019 J out and about...

Seems like J had a late night visit to a pawn shop. Word is he left with a very sizable ring. Is he finally ready to settle down with S or is Mr. Morality trying to cash in his relationship for something more his pedigree?

Maybe the bracelet he brought along with him that we’ve definitely seen on S last year was a token of her appreciation... or maybe J saw an opportunity to make some quick money.

It was early and Jacob was trying to find his other boot since he had somewhere to be. More than that he was meeting up with a friend. Not just any friend, but Blue. He had somehow convinced her to join him for the women’s march taking place in the city and she reluctantly agreed. “Hey babe, have you seen my jacket?” he asked, riffling through the dirty laundry on the floor before pulling out a clean shirt and pulling it over his head. Most night he stayed at Sabrina’s home but last night she had somehow managed to stay at his place for one. It wasn’t much, nor was it in the best area, but it was his home and he liked sharing it with her. 

“You sure you don’t wanna come?” He asked with the raise of his brow. He had brought the idea up to her a bit late last night so her plans probably couldn’t be changed but he still extended the offer. “I mean, I know it ain’t your style but, would love to give you a reason to trade in your heels for some sneakers.”

“I wasn’t aware subtlety was your thing. That title would definitely get me in trouble, though. You realize who buys Vanity Fair in the first place, right? The people I said I would eat,” she pointed out, even though she knew he was smart enough to figure that out on his own. That was the thing with Jacob—he was way too smart for his own good. The way she saw it, he let his brain get in the way of opportunities. He had no business being a bouncer, but that was none of her business. It was hard to miss the annoyance in his features when she mentioned the clothes, but it didn’t bother her at all. He had access to something she wanted and that was as far as her thought process went. “Come on, Jacob. You know I’m extra grateful when you get me stuff. I might even agree to let you take me out one day.” It wouldn’t be much of a sacrifice in all honesty, not that she could tell him that while he had a girlfriend. The flirtation between the two of them always felt a little bit like a missed opportunity, like their timing was always terribly off. “I think you and I have exactly the same idea of fun and that’s kind of the problem.” Blue sighed as if his idea was the worst thing she’d ever heard, not willing to admit she wanted to go already. “And they’re great legs at that. Fine, we can go together. I hope you’re good at taking pictures because I’ll need a few for my Instagram,” she added as an afterthought, going back to the shallow facade she tried to project. “Is this your idea of a date, by the way?”

“I think a lot of young impressionable women still buy Vanity Fair and it’d be great if they’d actually give them some useful information instead of bullshit, that’s all” Jacob said with the shrug of his shoulders and leaving it at that. He’d scrolled through the website once or twice if only to see what Blue was spending all her effort on. He could blame her if it was a passion project but it was very obvious to him that Blue liked fitting in with people she was far better than in his opinion. That bothered him. “Not interested in taking you out at all. Besides, I only gave you that bracelet that one time because the pawn shop wouldn’t take it” Half-true. So perhaps he’d given her a bracelet and a jacket and a pair of earrings so far, but that was it and he didn’t want it to become a habit. “Yeah sure, I’m the perfect instagram boyfriend –– Sabrina’s got me trained on all the angles and filters” he said with a heavy sigh, “Starts at nine am so hope you get enough beauty sleep tonight. And no, this ain’t a date. If I took you on a date, you’d know it” he added with a charming grin before taking another sip from his coffee. In high school he wanted to take her out, unfortunately when she moved it sort of ruined those plans. These days he was content to keep up their friendship despite the fact that he’d always have a sweet spot for her.