For people who believe in love

"Hey! What's wrong with singers?" The voice Mac knew too well caught them off guard and made their heart drop. Turning, they found Joe a few seats away at the bar with a beer.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Mac asked. Jack watched cautiously.

"I should be asking you that. I was here first," Joe pointed out before taking a swig. It was too late to try to change the venue, so Mac had to try not to let Joe ruin their night.

"This is my bar," Mac asserted.

"Really? Didn't know you were in the business of owning bars," Joe replied.

"Is he bothering you?" Jack asked.

"We actually know each other," Joe clarified. Jack looked at him, annoyed.

"Wasn't asking you. Mac?" Jack turned back to Mac who took a deep breath. "If you want I'll throw his ass out."

"No, that's alright. Unfortunately, he's right. Jack, let me introduce you to my roommate's brother, Joe," Mac introduced. "World famous drama king."

"Wow. That's all I am now?" Joe asked, ignoring the last part. "Just your roommate's brother?"

"Yup. What else would you be? We're not friends anymore. Oh, sorry, Jack. I made the awful mistake of dating him, too," they added. Joe scoffed. "And yes, he's a singer."

"Ah," Jack replied, nodding as he began making Mac their drink.

"Dating me was a mistake? Alright. Why not kick a man while he's down?" Joe asked.

"Please tell me you found this place by accident and you're not here to crash my date that I told Nick not to tell you about," they looked at him.

"A date?" Joe asked surprised. "No, Nick didn't tell me anything. I went for a walk in Brooklyn. Walked by your old apartment and just happened to find this place. It's nice."

"Out of all the bars in New York, you had to come to this one?" they asked.

"Maybe it's fate," Joe replied, looking at his beer before taking a drink. Mac scoffed. "Aren't you going to ask why I went for a walk in Brooklyn."

"Don't have to, I can guess. You and Alice probably got into another fight and you are cooling off before going back. What was the fight about tonight?" they asked.

"You were right," he replied. "She's been cheating on me for months." His words made Mac soften.

"Oh."

"Yeah. I know I was a dick to you the other night and I'm sorry. I didn't want to admit the obvious," he confessed. "I took out everything on you and you didn't deserve that."

"Can't say that I'm sorry, but it still sucks," they replied. "You didn't deserve that."

"No, I think I do. I never treated her like she deserved. Who could blame her for looking elsewhere?" he asked.

"That's bullshit. If she was unhappy in the relationship she should have dumped you like you deserved," they told him.

"Can't even be a tiny bit delicate?" he asked.

"Am I wrong?" Mac asked. "You weren't the best boyfriend to her. She's your Marc."

"Don't compare her to that asshole," he protested, making Mac laugh.

"She is though. Besides the fact that she cheated on you like Marc cheats on me, they were both the first relationships we jumped into when we weren't ready," they pointed out.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I am ready," he argued.

"No, you're not," they told him with a scoff.

"Agree to disagree," he replied. Mac rolled their eyes. "So what's his name?"

"Who?" they asked.

"The lucky guy who caught your eye and earned a date," he answered. Mac looked at him, concerned. "Just friendly conversation."

"His name is Duke," they told him. He tried to stifle a laugh but failed.

"Duke? No way. That's the name of a dog," he pointed out. "Isn't the Busch Baked Beans dog named Duke?"

"Shut up."

"What's his real name?" he asked.

"Duke."

"That's not a nickname?" he asked, concerned. "Mac, no. That's the name of a movie villain. Is he at least a nerd like you?"

"He plays Lacrosse," they explained.

"An athlete? You sure know how to pick 'em," he replied, laughing.

"Don't forget, I picked you once," they reminded him.

"But it was a mistake, right?" he asked, throwing it back into their face. "Mind if I move closer so we're not yelling over the bar?"

"As long as you promise to leave when he gets here," they replied.

"Of course," he promised.

"Your usual," Jack announced, placing a drink in front of Mac.

"Thanks, Jack."

"Your usual? And you're on first name basis with the owner? How often do you come here?" he asked.

"I try to get here three times a week," they answered.

"You go out that much now?" he asked, surprised.

"I have friends now," they replied sarcastically.

"That's not- you have never been the social outing type. You hated going out when we were together," he pointed out.

"Mike and I try to see each other at leas once a week, but sometimes life gets in the way so we can't make it out here. This is usually my go-to for first dates because it's safe," they explained.

"First dates? Plural? I didn't know you were dating again."

"First dates is misleading. More like I meet one night stands here," Mac clarified, making Joe choke on his drink. "Is that surprising?"

"Very," he replied, clearing his throat. Joe and Mac had gotten lost in conversation, when Mac's phone vibrated on the bar. They checked it.

"Damn it. Got all dressed up for nothing," they whined.

"What happened? He stood you up?" he asked.

"Said something came up with his mom and he can't make it. Hope everything is alright." Mac texted back.

"So I have you all to myself, then?" Joe teased.

"That almost sounded like a flirt," they replied. "Are you flirting with me?"

"No. Of course not," he denied. "Wanna go play darts?"

"So you can bitch and moan when you lose?" they asked.

"Thought you liked it when I moaned," he replied with a smirk. Mac looked at him. "Oh my God. No. That- can I blame the alcohol for that?"

"Yeah, sure. Let's blame the alcohol," Mac downed the rest of their drink and left the bar to go to the dartboard. Joe let out a exasperated breath and grabbed his third beer of the night before joining them.

Two games in and several drinks later.

"So how are you taking the breakup?" Mac asked, grabbing the darts from the board.

"I don't think it's fully sinked in yet. Don't get me wrong, I feel awful, but I thought I'd feel worse," he confessed.

"Remember when you said maybe you don't love her like you thought you did?" Mac asked.

"Was hoping you'd forget that," he relied.

"I think that was the most honest you've been with me since we broke up," they told him. "But you're doing better than I did. Though I never got cheated on. You know she tried suggesting that?"

"Who? What?" Joe asked.

"After I caught Alice and Leo she showed up at the apartment to try to talk and convince me to not tell you. Then she kind of hinted that maybe you cheated on my with Amy, but I know better," Mac explained.

"You're not that guy."

"What if I am?" he asked as Mac threw a dart. It went into the wall. "Whoa! You missed!"

"Was Alice right? Did you-"

"No. I mean Amy kissed me, but I didn't kiss her back and that was why I decided maybe we should break up," he explained. "I was just trying to see if I could mess you up. And it worked."

"You're still going to lose," they replied, throwing their last dart into the bullseye.

"A man can dream," he replied. "Let's up the stakes."

"What are you going to give me when I win again?" Mac asked.

"What if I win?" he asked.

"What do you want?" they asked. He thought about it before smiling.

"What? Don't make it weird. I will not be your rebound again."

"What? Who said anything about rebounds?" he asked. "How about if I win, you pay the tab."

"And what do I get?" they asked.

"What do you want?"

"I want to hear the demos for your album," they told him.

"Really?" he asked.

"You haven't released anything in almost two years. I am starved for new music," they told him.

"Nick dropped a new album last year," he pointed out.

"But you didn't. I wasn't just a fan of the Jonas Brothers, I'm also a fan of Joe Jonas," they told him. He laughed.

"Alright. If you win, I will play you some of the demos and maybe even some stuff I haven't even shown the producers yet," he agreed to.

"I can't wait to kick your ass again, then," they told him. He laughed.

As expected, Mac won. They had moved on from the dartboard to let other people play. Now they were sitting at a table playing Never Have I Ever.

"Never have I ever kissed my boyfriend's brother," Joe teased.

"I thought we all promised never to speak of that," Mac replied, taking a swig. "And it's ex-boyfriend. If that's how you want to play it, then let's play dirty. Never have I ever busted my ass on stage." Mac almost couldn't get it all out, laughing halfway through.

"And it won us the sympathy vote," he replied before taking a drink. "That was the best fall I've ever had."

"I was so stressed when I saw the blood," they admitted. "It looked worse than it was because of course you had to wear all white."

"Beyonce asked me if I was okay and I will cherish that forever," he replied, laughing. "My turn. Never have I ever drunkenly kissed my ex."

"The night is still young," Mac teased.

"Oh? Who's flirting now?" he asked. Mac took a drink.

"Stop pulling out my embarrassing moments."

"No promises," he replied with a smirk. Mac narrowed their eyes at him. "Come on. It's your turn!"

"Never have I ever shit myself in school," they replied. His jaw dropped.

"Why are you bringing that up?" he asked, taking a drink. Mac laughed.

"You're the one who started bringing up the embarrassing moments," they pointed out. "Had to match your energy. Can we do something else? This game is lame."

"Shall we switch to spin the bottle?" he teased.

"You just want an excuse to kiss me," they replied.

"I don't need an excuse."

"Then do it. I dare you," they told him. "I triple dog dare you."

"Fine." Joe kissed Mac. It was like everything around them froze. He pulled back and looked at them.

"Maybe these should be our last drinks," Mac suggested.

"Yeah. That- right." Joe pushed his drink away.

"No. I mean this should be our last drinks so we can get out of here," they told him. "I'll get us a cab while you take care of the bill."

"Yeah. Definitely."

Unable to keep their hands off each other, Mac and Joe made out the whole cab ride from Lucky Jack's back to the apartment. They would later blame the alcohol because neither had wanted to admit how much their bodies craved each other.

"Fuck, I've missed you," Joe was the first to admit. He'd only been single for a few hours and already ready to jump back into bed with his ex.

"Mhm," Mac acknowledged between kissed. Palming him through his jeans, they pulled a breathy moan from him.

"Save some room for Jesus," the driver joked. Not his first desperately horny couple and definitely not his last. The two passengers ignored him, too lost in each other. Messy, desperate hands, reaching for any piece of skin they could touch without ripping off each other's clothes. It felt like they were teenagers again. "I remember when my wife and I had that much energy." Another remark ignored. As the cab slowed to a stop, it didn't seem like neither Joe or Mac had noticed. The driver cleared his throat, but nothing. "We're here!"

"Shit. Sorry, man." Joe fumbled with his wallet. "Keep the change." Clumsily handing the driver some money, he quickly got out of the cab to follow Mac into the building.

"You two are out late," Marlin commented.

"Oh. Hey. Poor, Joe got his heartbroken tonight so we went out for drinks," Mac explained. Joe tried to fix their hair, but they swatted his hand away.

"Oh, sorry about that, kid. Consider it one heartbreak closer to finding the one," Marlin told him.

"Yeah. Thanks. Mac's been great at cheering me up," Joe teased.

"Have a goodnight, Marlin!" Mac quickly walked into the elevator, pulling Joe when he was too slow. As soon as the doors closed, they burst into laughter.

"Your hair is a wreck," he commented, holding their head.

"Because someone can't keep their hands out of it," Mac replied.

"Would I be a dick to say I'm glad you got stood up tonight?" he asked.

"Yes, but I'll allow it, because I'm kind of glad too" they confessed, before pushing him against the wall, kissing him.

"I don't have any condoms," he warned them between catching breaths and kisses.

"I'm sure Nick had some," Mac replied, not missing a beat.

"You seem desperate," he teased.

"Fuck off."

"Don't worry, I'll give you exactly what you need," he promised. Their eyes met his. "Who'd have though you'd look so good in shitty elevator lighting?"

"That's the alcohol talking," they accused.

"Maybe." He smiled, taking them in. The elevator doors opened. They grabbed his hand, pulling him out into the hallway to the apartment door. As Mac fumbled with their keys, he kissed their neck. His hands feelings them up. Finally getting the door opened, they stopped him. "What?" he asked as Mac surveyed the apartment. "Scared we're gonna get caught by my brother?"

"Shut up. Come on." They snuck into Mac's room just like they used to sneak around his parents trying not to get caught. "I'm going to go find condoms. I'll be right back."

"Don't be too long," he requested.

"No promises," they replied, kissing him. Leaving their room, they walked into Nick's room. He lay in bed asleep. Mac carefully opened his night table drawer, feeling around the any box. The sound of things moving around in his drawer awakened him.

"Who's that?" he asked, his voice groggy. Rolling over, he turned on his the lamp on his night table and was surprised to see Mac. "What are you doing in here?"

"Shit. I am so sorry," they whispered. "Do you have any condoms?"

"Why?" he asked.

"I need probably a roll," they told him.

"So the date went well?" he asked.

"Sure. Let's go with that. So condoms?" Mac asked. Without eve looking, Nick reached into the drawer and grabbed he box and handed it to them.

"I want it back tomorrow," he told them.

"You're a real one, Nicholas. I owe you. Thank you." Mac playfully planted a kiss on his cheek. He groaned.

"Try to keep it down, please," he requested.

"I will try my best," they promised before slipping out of his room and back into theirs. Joe lay on their bed in nothing but his boxers. "Wow. Hello." He was posed on his side, with his head supporting his head. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"

"Like what you see?" he asked. Mac sized him up, their eyes lingering on his erection tenting his boxers. Sure it had been over a year since they last slept together, but he was still hot as ever. Maybe even hotter. "You can stop eye fucking me and actually fuck me, you know?" he teased.

"Shut up." Mac tossed the box of condoms onto the bed. "We need to try to keep the sound to a minimum because I promised your brother we would," they warned.

"No promises," he replied with a smirk.

"I told him I'd try. So don't make me put a gag on you," they threatened.

"That sounds hot," he told them, standing up.

"I can't with you," they replied. He kissed them, as he assisted with the removal of their clothes. It took restraint for him not to just rip their shirt off. Kissing their neck, he led them back to the bed. He unclasped their bra with such ease, it took them by surprise. "I see you've had some practice."

"Maybe I have." He sat back on the bed, watching Mac remove their bra. His lips parted at the sight of their tits. "You look incredible," he complimented, pulling them onto his lap.

"You're not too bad yourself," Mac returned. Peppering kisses on their chest, he took his time before wrapping his lips around their nipple. Moaning at the sensation, Mac grinded their hips against his. Joe groaned, unintentionally sinking his teeth into Mac's breast. It added to the pleasure. "Fuck," they hissed.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to," he looked at them, apologetic and worried.

"It was hot," they admitted.

"Really?" he asked.

"How do you want me?" Mac asked.

"On your knees."

"Oh? Not even going to ask nicely?" they teased. "Gotta be so rude after you just bit me?"

"Sorry. Would you like to get on your knees?" he asked sarcastically.

"You're lucky you're cute," they told him, climbing off his lap. Mac knelt down in front of him.

"Always looked good on your knees," he teased. Pulling his boxers off, his cock sprung out. Mac spit in their hand before stroking him. He moaned not so quietly.

"Quiet!" Mac demanded, making him sit up.

"I don't know how you expect me to be quiet when-" He was cut off by Mac licking a stripe straight from the base to the tip. "Fuck," he breathed out. They continued to tease him with their tongue before wrapping their lips around his cock. "Yeah, baby." He leaned back, allowing himself to get lost in the pleasure. They sure knew how to take care of him. Taking as much of him as they could, their nose brushed against his pubes as they gaged. "You alright?" He asked, wiping a tear from their face with his thump. Mac pulled back completely, looking up at him. "Too much for you?"

"On your back," Mac demanded, standing up.

"Anything you want," he submitted immediately. After ripping open the packaging, he rolled a condom onto his cock and laid down on the bed. Mac straddled his lap. Sitting up, he kissed them. His hands exploring every inch of their body that he could reach before landing on their ass. He pushed them up toward his body.

"Someone's impatient," Mac teased, placing their hands on his chest.

"Can you blame me?" he asked, watching as they sunk down. Letting out a breathy moan, he watched as they fucked themself on his cock. The way their tits bounced was memorizing.

"Sorry. I- I thought you were getting a call, so I was going to bring it to you," he lied. "Why does Leo keep texting you?"

"Are you reading my messages?" she asked, snatching her phone from him.

"No, I swear. I just- why is he texting you so much?" he asked.

"Am I not allowed to have friends now?" she asked.

"I don't even text you that much," he pointed out.

"Maybe you should. Do you want some popcorn?" she asked.

"No. Are you seriously walking away?" he asked, following her to the kitchen.

"It sounds to me like you're picking a fight right now and I don't have the energy tonight, Joe," she told him.

"Then let's not fight. Let's just talk. What's going on between you and Leo?" he asked.

"What do you think is going on with me and Leo?" she asked. "What are you accusing me of? Let's just say it."

"Fine. Are you cheating on me with him?" he asked. She scoffed.

"Did Mac tell you that?" she asked. "You know she's jealous, right?"

"They," he corrected.

"I don't fucking care! They're so desperate to get you back, she'll tell you anything!"

"And you guys were just rehearsing a kissing scene, right?" he asked, bringing up a lie she had told him months ago.

"Bringing up old shit, really? Are you really that childish?" she asked.

"You haven't even denied it once!" he practically yelled.

"Do not raise your voice at me," she replied.

"Then deny it!"

"What's the fucking point!?" she asked. "We both know there is no point, because you already made up your mind."

"I just want the truth," he told her. She took a deep breath. "Because I'm tired of fighting."

"Me too. That night in London you made me feel so bad. That was the night I finally accepted that you were nowhere near over Mac," she told him. "I was broken. There was absolutely no reason for you to invite me that night. Your ex and her date paid me more attention than you did. I should have ended things, but I thought I loved you. I really did."

"Alice-"

"When I went back to my hotel, I went to the bar and Leo was there. Saw me crying and he- he knew exactly what to say. We had sex that night," she confessed. Hearing it from her lips shattered him. "It was supposed to be a one time thing, but then- I don't know. He was always there for me whenever you weren't. Every time we got into a fight, he'd meet me for drinks. The more we fought the more I saw him. When I'm with him I don't have to wonder if he's thinking about his weirdo ex-girlfriend. He gives me the attention you don't and I love it, Joe. I'm not sorry for that. What I am sorry for is not ending things that night with you."

"Wow." Joe scoffed. He bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to cry. "You know what's crazy? Mac has always been on your side until they caught you and- and him together."

"Are we going to have to get PR involved?" she asked.

"Seriously? That's what you care about right now?" he asked.

"What more is there? We haven't been happy in this relationship for a long time," she pointed out. While it wasn't untrue, Joe still couldn't believe what was happening. "We're not normal people. When we break up the tabloids take whatever rumor and run with it."

"Well, they won't have to do much work, will they?" he asked.

"No. Natalia and I have stopped texting and I'm kind of too embarrassed to show my face there again," they admitted. "Which sucks because I think I'm ready to get back on the horse again. Everything is settling down to a new normal. I'd like to date again."

"Alright. Anyone in mind specifically?" he asked.

"Not really. There's this guy I share English with, but I don't know. His name is Duke," they explained. Mikey made a face. "I know."

"Is that his God given name?" he asked.

"Yup. Showed me his ID and everything," they confirmed with a laugh.

"So are you guys flirting?" Mikey asked.

"A little, but- it's weird, I guess. I haven't really flirted with many people," they pointed out.

"Yeah, your flirting game is weak," he teased.

"Excuse you! If I remember quickly we almost hooked up several times," they reminded him.

"But not because of the flirting," he replied laughing. "So have you and Duke exchanged numbers? That's a dog name, right?"

"Shut up. No we haven't. We're building up to getting coffee after class," they explained.

"Hm. You should get his number next time you see him."

"Maybe I will," they replied. "He's cute and he plays Lacrosse so you know he's hot."

"An athlete? Interesting. Is he a total jock or does he have a brain?" he asked.

"He has a brain. He likes history, which is how we started talking," they told him.

"I can already see your first date at a museum. A match made in heaven," he teased.

"Shut up!" Mac pushed him playfully. "Let's see what happens. We have class tomorrow."

"Hey, maybe we can finally double date. You bring Duke and I'll bring Lisa," he suggested.

"I thought you said she likes things causal. Doesn't sound casual to bring her on a double date," Mac pointed out.

"Fair enough."

"Nick's been talking to Selena again. Wants to have her over, so I might have to drag you so I'm not a third wheel," they told him.

"Gomez?" Mikey asked.

"Yes."

"Alright. I'll be there. You and Joe still aren't on friendly terms?" he asked. Mac looked at him, as if he knew better than to bring Joe up. "I was just asking. You haven't given me an update in a few weeks."

"He's been ignoring me to my face," they explained. "He's being real mature."

"Is that why you're always here now?" he asked.

"Not completely. I have missed you. You never make time for me anymore," they whined.

"I don't make time? You're the one with classes and a fancy internship. You're more busy than I am," he pointed out. "Except when you're avoiding Joe."

"I can't believe I ever thought I could be friends with him." They scoffed. Mikey sighed dramatically and leaned back. "What?"

"You're annoying sometimes. You know that?" he asked.

"What? Why am I annoying?" Mac asked.

"Because you're obviously still into Joe and that's why every time anything happens between you two it's ten times more dramatic than it needs to be," he told them.

"I am not still into Joe," they denied. "That ship has sailed."

"Just because you keep saying that doesn't make it true," he replied. "If you didn't care anymore, you wouldn't be so hurt that he's ignoring you to your face."

"It hurts because-" Mac took a deep breath. "Why are we having this conversation?"

"Because someone has to call you out on your bullshit. If I can't call you out, can I even call myself your best friend?" he asked. " I am tired of hearing you whine about how things are between you."

"Because it sucks, Mike," they admitted. "I'm sorry I'm so annoying about it. I just feel like you're the only person I can complain to about him."

"Can't talk to Nick about it because that feels weird. Dani is protective of me so if I even hint that the way Joe is treating me is hurting me, that affects how she treats him and I don't want to do that," they told them. "Can't really vent to any of my new friends because then I have to explain the entire story and catch them up on everything and no one has time for that."

"Then if you're going to complain, can you at least be honest?" he asked.

"Honest about what?" they asked.

"That you still love Joe. And not in the 'of course I still love him, I'll always love him' bullshit." The way he mocked Mac's voice made them laugh. "Be honest."

"I hate you."

"I know." He laughed.

"Fine. Yes, I still love him. I don't think I'm in love with him, but- when I saw Alice and that fucking guy I- I wanted to scream. She has this incredible guy who loves her and wants to be with her yet she- she cheats on him. Joe isn't perfect. He's stupid sometimes, but that doesn't change that I wish he still loved me the way he apparently loves her," they admitted it out loud for the first time. Mikey smiled. "Fuck you, Michael."

"See! I knew it!"

"Shut up! I know! It sucks because when he accused me of being jealous he was right, but at the same time- I don't know. I love him and I wish things were how they used to be. I miss having that relationship with him. Being able to tell him everything and him telling me everything. I miss that, but I don't want to get back together with him. There's a lot of things I realized after we broke up that I just- I'd rather not revisit."

"Like?"

"Why are we doing this?" they asked. "Can we go back to talk about Duke?"

"No. Keep going. What are some things you realized about your relationship after you broke up?" he asked.

"Well the biggest thing is I didn't really have a support system outside of his family. That's a huge problem. So I'm trying to branch out now, but then at the same time his brother is my roommate and I'm pretty sure Denise is still my emergency contact. I gotta change that, right?" they asked.

"You should. I could be your emergency contact," he suggested.

"See, but then what if you and Lisa become serious?"

"So what? Stop trying to argue. I'm glad you're making more friends is good. Though I will always be number one," he teased.

"Of course. Plus Joe is a little full of himself sometimes. Not to the point that he's narcissistic, but just enough for it to be annoying. His ego needs to be checked once in a while. Marc was like that too. That's why I've decided to never date another musician."

"Fair enough."

"But he's sweet when he wants to be," they added.

"Marc?" Mikey asked.

"No. Joe."

"Oh. Right."

"That's why I still get weak in the knees sometimes," they confessed. "It's not healthy for me to be going back and forth on him as much as I do, is it?"

"I don't think so."

"What is wrong with me? Why can't I let him go?" they asked.

"Because I don't think you wanted to," he told them.

"There's not enough alcohol in my body for this conversation. I'm gonna pour myself something. Want anything?" they asked, getting up from the couch.

"I'll take a beer."

"No, Michael. If we are having this conversation, we are getting fucked up tonight."

"Don't you have classes tomorrow?" he asked.

"I should get going. Promised Alice I wouldn't be out too late tonight because she made plans for us in the morning," Joe explained.

"Before you go, can we talk?" Mac asked. "There's something I gotta tell you." Despite all the time they had to figure out what to say to him, she was having an issue coming out with what they had rehearsed over and over again.

"Oh boy, I'm not in trouble, am I?" he asked, jokingly. "You know we haven't really talked since that morning. I was exhausted. I didn't know what I was saying. Can we pretend it never happened?"

"Are you sure?" Mac asked. "Because that actually sounded like clarity to me."

"I love Alice. I was too in my head after the fight, but she had every right to be upset with me. I shouldn't have come here. I- I had a lot of time to think about our relationship while I was in Cali," he explained. Mac nodded. "So if we can forget I said something so stupid, that would be greatly appreciated."

"Alice is cheating on you," they blurted out.

"Whoa. What?" he asked.

"A month ago, I ran into Alice and Leo Paulsen," they explained. "They were literally sharing a pastry as if they were a couple. When I confronted them and asked her when you were coming back, their demeanor changed because they knew they were caught. Then Alice showed up here and asked me not to tell you, but how could I not?"

"If it happened a month ago why are you only telling me now? Why didn't you call me the day you saw them?" he asked.

"Because I- at first I wasn't even sure if I was going to tell you and I wanted to tell you in person," they told him.

"Sure," he replied sarcastically. "You just waited to tell me, conveniently." "Not conveniently. It's been eating me up inside the whole time," they admitted.

"Sure it has."

"What is going on?" Mac asked.

"Let me guess, when I said I thought I didn't love Alice, you thought maybe that was your chance?" he asked. "For someone who hates gossip, you sure did take some headline and run with it."

"What are you talking about?" they asked.

"There's been rumors about Alice and Leo since they worked together. They're just friends," he explained.

"No, they're not."

"I never would have thought you'd make up something like this," he told them.

"I'm not making anything up, Joe."

"I get that things are complicated between us, but that doesn't give you a right to lie about my girlfriend," he told them.

"I'm not! Alice is cheating on you. Why the hell would I lie about this?" they asked. He scoffed. "Are you being serious right now?"

"You've been jealous of Alice since I started dating her. Let's not forget about the kiss," he reminded them.

"I am not jealous of Alice, believe me. I was her once, Joe. Remember? If I wanted you back, don't you think I would have taken you back when you begged me to?" they asked. "Grow up, Joe." He laughed.

"You want me to grow up? I am not the one making up stories," he replied. "I just can't believe you thought I'd fall for it. Do you hear yourself?"

"Why would I lie!?" they asked, raising their voice. "I don't want you back!"

"Keep telling yourself that."

"You are delusional. Why the fuck would I want an immature little boy who can't even make a commitment because he gets bored? Why would I want an egotistical drama queen who thinks the whole world revolves around him?" they asked. They knew exactly what to say that would hurt him. "Why the hell would I ever want to get back together with you?" Nick walked back into the apartment carrying a package.

"What's going on here?" Nick asked, only catching the end.

"She's going to break your heart and when she does, don't come crying to me," Mac told Joe.

"Wow. You are unbelievable, Mac," he replied, trying to hide the hurt in his voice. "Un-fucking-believable!" Joe stormed out of the apartment. Nick looked at Mac for answers.

"What the hell just happened? I was gone for like five minutes," Nick pointed out.

"Alice is cheating on Joe, but he doesn't believe me. He is convinced that I am making it up to break them up because I'm still in love with him and want to get back together. I wouldn't get back together with him if he was the last guy on Earth!" they spoke so quickly it'd make Nick's head spin if he wasn't already used to it. "He's so-" They groaned.

"Hold on. You said Alice is cheating on him? So he's the friend? The one you lied about me not knowing?" he asked. "You found out she was cheating on my brother and didn't tell me?"

"It doesn't fucking matter anymore, Nick!" they told him. "He doesn't believe me and I don't want to deal with him if he's going to act like a child."

"I should have known better than to leave you two alone," he replied half joking.

"What's this about? Is this your way of asking if I'm on my period?" they asked.

"Are you?" he asked.

"We've been living together half a year and you still have to ask that?" they asked, laughing. "No, I am not on my period. So what's eating you?"

"You've been in a mood lately. So I thought- I don't know what I thought," he told them. "You can't be fighting with Joe because he's been in L.A. for like a month. I don't think you're mad at me. So what's going on?"

"I am not fighting with Joe and I'm not mad at you. Good observation," they teased. "There's just a lot on my mind. That's all."

"Care to unload? I'm not Mike, but I can lend an ear," he offered.

"If you saw your friend's girlfriend cheating on them would you tell them?" they asked.

"Who's cheating on who?" he asked.

"Doesn't matter," they told him. "What would you do?"

"I think it depends on the friendship, I guess. Are you sure you saw cheating?" he asked. "Sometimes friendships are just close. Like you and Mike."

"No. It was definitely cheating. No ifs ands or buts about it," they insisted.

"You're not going to tell me who?" he asked.

"When did you get so nosy?" they asked, laughing. "It's not anyone you know. I just don't know what to do. Would you want to know?" Nick sighed and thought about it before responding.

"If you saw my girlfriend cheating on me, yes, I would want to know. I am so glad I'm single right now," he told them with a chuckle. "Is this a good friend? An acquaintance?"

"It's complicated. I guess I'd say they're a good friend."

"Is it Mike?" he asked. "Because if it is, you definitely should tell him."

"It is not, Mikey. If it was, I would have told him the day I saw her. Would have showed up at the restaurant," they admitted. "I want to tell this friend in person, but he's currently away…on vacation."

"I think telling him in person is a good idea. Especially if he's a good friend. Is that what's been eating you up?" he asked.

"Pretty much. Thank you for letting me unload." Mac playfully nudged his shoulder. "Sorry I've been weird."

"I'm just glad I didn't do anything to piss you off," he replied.

"Hey, Alice," Mac greeted the woman, taking her by surprise.

"Mac? Hi. What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Picking up coffee. Hi, I'm Mac," they introduced themself to Leo.

"Leo," he returned.

"Love your performance in Kashmir," Mac told him.

"Thanks," he replied, smiling. "So you're a friend of Alice?"

"Sure. Let's go with that," Mac replied, turning their attention back to Alice. "When is Joe coming back to the city?" Alice looked like a deer in headlights.

"Oh shit," Leo remarked.

"I gotta get back to the office, but it was great seeing you," Mac told Alice before leaving the cafe. Alice quickly followed them outside.

"Mac, wait!" she grabbed their attention. "Can we talk about this?"

"I don't have time to talk," they replied.

"Please. Let me explain. Leo and I are just friends," she insisted.

"Yeah, sure. Save it for the press, Alice." Mac walked away.

"Mac, please," Alice begged.

"I gotta go." Mac descended down the stairs to a train station.

Mac couldn't stop thinking about Alice and Leo. They had to tell Joe. It was only right. Getting off the elevator onto their floor, they were surprised to see Alice standing outside their apartment.

What are you doing here?" Mac asked.

"Can we talk?" Alice asked.

"There is nothing to talk about," they replied, fishing out their keys.

"Just let me explain, Mac," she begged.

"Explain what? Why it's okay to cheat on Joe?" they asked, scoffing.

"You don't know what it's like, Mac. He doesn't love me," she told them. "Not like he loves you. He won't admit that to himself," Alice explained. "You saw how he was in London. Now imagine that all the time."

"So break up with him."

"It's not that simple!" Alice argued. "It's not that easy when there are so many eyes on you. What happens if I break up with him? His fans see me as a heartbreaker and tank my career."

"And you think they'll be kinder to you when they find out you're cheating?" Mac asked.

"Leo sees me. I don't have to worry about someone else being on his mind when we're together. He- he makes me feel good," Alice explained.

"Then break up with Joe," Mac repeated.

"You don't get it because you're normal," Alice replied. "He's more famous than me. If we break up and any of this gets out the tabloids will paint me as the villain."

"There's already rumors about you and Leo and I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt because I used to make up bullshit all the time, but after today-" Mac shook their head. "He should know."

"Mac, please."

"He's doing to be crushed because he does care about you."

"But he doesn't love me," Alice replied.

"So what? That makes it right to do what you're doing?" Mac asked. "I get it. Joe's not perfect and sometimes he does stupid shit without thinking, but he would never hurt you deliberately. He would never do what you're doing to him."

"Why are you so-" Alice groaned. "Didn't he dump you to be with someone else? You don't think maybe he was cheating before he realized he had to end things?"

"Don't you dare!" Mac raised their voice. "He's a lot of things, but he's not a cheater."

"Why are you so sure?" Alice asked.

"I am going to tell him." Mac opened the door to their apartment.

"He won't believe you!" Alice insisted

"I've known him a lot longer than you have," Mac reminded them.

"So what? If you try telling him that I'm cheating, he'll think you're making it up because you're jealous," she told them. "You've been tryin to get between us since that kiss."

"Fuck off, Alice. What the hell is wrong with you?" Mac asked. "He doesn't deserve this!"

"If you tell him, you'll destroy your friendship."

"Hey!" Mac greeted them from the kitchen.

"Is that the piano?" Kevin asked, approaching it. "You did good, Mac."

"Didn't they?" Nick asked, standing up. "Hey." He greeted his brother and sister-in-law.

"I know you can't drink, but we brought wine for Mac and cannoli," Danielle explained.

"Wine is always welcome in this household!" Mac replied from the kitchen.

"Can I try it out?" Kevin asked, sitting at the piano bench. Danielle joined Mac in the kitchen as he began to play.

"Hi," Danielle greeted Mac with a hug. "Cute apron."

"Thanks. It was a gift from mom. How are you?" Mac asked.

"I'm alright. How are you?" Danielle asked suspiciously. Mac looked at them, confused.

"I'm okay. Glad to have Nick back. Why'd you ask it like that?" they asked.

"Well," Danielle looked over to Kevin and Nick who were occupied by the piano. "Joe told Kevin and Kevin told me. So how are you?" she asked in a hushed voice.

"Told you what?" Mac asked. They had no clue what Danielle was talking about. How could they when she was being so vague.

"Didn't he admit he still loved you?" Danielle asked.

"Oh! Yeah, but he admitted that weeks ago at Nick's going away party," Mac explained.

"And you didn't tell me?" she asked.

"There's nothing to tell," they replied. "Joe and I are friends trying to navigate some weird complicated feelings. That's all. So he didn't tell Kev what he said about Alice?"

"What did he say about Alice!?" Danielle asked, intrigued.

"Hello, family!" Joe walked into the apartment with Alice.

"I'll tell you later," Mac promised.

"It smells amazing!" Alice joined Danielle and Mac in the kitchen.

"Hey!" Mac greeted her. "How are you?"

"I'm okay. Do you think they'll serenade us before dinner?" Alice asked, motioning to the three men around the piano. Mac and Danielle laughed.

"Only if we're lucky," Mac replied.

Mac and Joe avoided each other when they could. Barely speaking a word, not just to each other but in general. Even during group conversations. They had either gotten better at avoidance or Kevin and Nick knew better than to say anything during dinner.

"Anything fun coming up?" Alice asked. "Besides Joe's album that we're all anticipating."

"Nick's coming back to Broadway which I am very excited for," Mac explained.

"Really? When?" Alice asked.

"Start of next year. We start rehearsals soon," Nick replied. "I'm looking forward to it. I've enjoyed returning to theater."

"What about you, Kev? Anything up your sleeve?" Alice asked.

"Nope. Just enjoying the time off to enjoy being married to the best woman in the world," Kevin explained, giving Danielle a cheesy smile.

"Get a room," Mac teased.

"How's the internship going?" Nick asked.

"It's going well. I'm getting to know everyone in the office and helping where I can. It's been interesting learning everything and getting to know the people who have been there since the beginning. Desmond has been very patient and gracious with me," they explained.

"What have they got you doing?" Alice asked.

"A lot of transcribing and watching. They have included me in the big brainstorming meeting every week. So that's nice. I've gotten the opportunity to throw some ideas into the ring, but as far as writing anything that'll be published I am not ready for that," they admitted.

"But Desmond said once classes start off, I'll be promoted from office intern to his assistant which he said has other responsibilities."

"Like what?" Joe asked. Mac looked at him, surprised that he addressed them at all.

"Uh- helping him schedule meetings and interviews. Helping out with some housekeeping stuff. Stuff like that," they replied. "How's the album coming along?"

"Recorded the first demo," Joe replied. "Playing it for the label in two weeks to update them on how things are going."

"Can we hear?" Nick asked.

"Uh- yeah, but I don't have my laptop here. So-" Joe trailed off.

"Unless you want to play it for them on the piano," Alice suggested.

"It's not a piano song," Joe replied. His usual confidence was lacking which Mac found odd.

Mac and Nick cleaned up after everyone had left. It had been a nice dinner, but there was a weird tension left behind.

"So what's up with you and Joe?" Nick asked. "Are you guys fighting again?"

"What makes you say that?" they asked. "There's nothing going on between me and Joe."

"Things are weird between you guys again, but this time it's different. What happened while I was gone?" he asked.

"Nothing," they denied.

"You guys barely said anything tonight and usually it's hard to get either of you guys to shut up. Did you notice how weird he was when we were talking about his album? Do you know anything about that?" he asked.

"You know Joe and I have been broken up for over a year now, right?" Mac asked. "I am not your brother's keeper. Why do you think I know what's going on in his head?"

"Whoa! Chill out. I was just wondering because he stayed here for a week and you two must have talked during that time, right?" he asked. Mac sighed.

"It's nothing. I don't know why Joe was weird about his album. I can't speak for him being quiet tonight. I was quiet because I am exhausted from cooking all day," they told him.

"As long as you guys don't make things weird again. I thought we got past that," he replied.

"We are. Maybe he's just having an off day. I don't know." Mac shrugged, grabbing another left over cannoli. Nick looked at them, trying to figure them out. "What?"

"So nothing happened between you guys?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Good! You're awake!" Joe's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Motherfucker!" Mac yelled, relieved that their worst fears weren't true. Letting out a sigh of relief, they lowered the bat. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" he asked. Mac opened the door.

"Nice bat," he commented.

"I almost hit you with it. What is it? Why are you here?" they asked.

"Can I crash here for the night?" he asked.

"Why? You know what? You can tell me about it in the morning. You scared the shit out of me and Frankie. What's wrong with you knocking like that?" they asked.

"I had to wake you up somehow. You weren't answering your phone," he explained.

"Between the hours of 10pm and 4am my phone is on do not disturb for a reason. Even on weekends," they informed him. "You can take the couch."

"Or Frankie can take the couch," he countered.

"I don't give a shit. As long as there's no fighting and I can go back to sleep," they told him. Walking back to their room, they found Franklin sitting on their bed still holding their phone. "It's just Joe. At ease."

"Joe?" Franklin questioned. "What's he doing here?"

"I don't know, but I am going back to sleep." Mac climbed into the bed.

"Does that mean I have to sleep on the couch?" Franklin asked.

"If he gives you an issue I give you permission to sleep in Nick's room," they replied. "As long as you both stay quiet and let me sleep."

Mac awoke to the smell of breakfast. At first it didn't alarm them, forgetting that Nick wasn't home, but then they remembered Franklin. Sitting up abruptly, Mac rushed to the kitchen to find Joe at the stove cooking.

"Good morning," he greeted them. They let out a breath of relief.

"What? Wh- I thought last night was a dream," they admitted.

"Not a dream. Thanks for letting me crash here last night. I'm sorry I freaked you guys out," he apologized. "Consider this breakfast an apology."

"Since when do you know how to cook?" they asked. "I was scared Frankie was trying to cook."

"He's still asleep," he explained. "I made coffee."

"Thank you. Why aren't you still sleeping?" Mac asked.

"Never went to sleep," he admitted. "Alice and I got into a fight."

"And she kicked you out?" they asked.

"No. I went for a walk to cool off, but it didn't really work, so I decided to come here. Is it cool if I stay for a couple of days?" he asked.

"I guess, but you know Frank's here for three more days," they informed him.

"You act like I didn't live with him his whole life," he pointed out.

"Do you need to talk about what happened with Alice?" they asked, knowing that the answer was probably yes.

"Yeah, but with you- I don't know. It's weird because you're my ex and I feel like you're going to take her side. Say I was in the wrong," he explained.

"I will not choose sides," they promised. "As a friend of both of you I can remain neutral."

"She's shooting in Hawaii and wanted to plan a trip with me after she finishes shooting. She said it's about time we have a little romantic getaway," he explained. "I don't mind that and it could be nice, but with everything going on with the album right now, I can't really just take a vacation. I'm working with so many people right now. I need to keep my schedule flexible."

"That is understandable. Let me guess, did she have a problem with that?" they asked.

"She said-" he hesitated. "She said that if it were you trying to make the plans I wouldn't give you a hard time." Mac froze. They weren't expecting to be brought into the argument.

"What do I have to do with anything?" they asked.

"That's what I said! I said to leave you out of it but she said that she couldn't leave you out because you'll always be the shadow on our relationship," he explained.

"What did I do?" Mac asked. Joe scoffed. "Is she mad at me for something?"

"I don't know," he replied. "She asked me if I still have feelings for you. I didn't want to lie, but I also didn't want to make her feel a certain way, so I kept trying to change the subject."

"Wait, wait. Hold on. Reverse. You still have feelings for me?" Mac asked.

"That's not what we're talking about right now," he replied.

"It should be! I thought we agreed that-"

"It's complicated!" he yelled, interrupting them. "Don't act so innocent because I know your feelings for me are just as complicated."

"What is happening right now?" they asked.

"Anyway! Alice and I kept going back and forth about you, but it wasn't really about you," he pointed out. "At that point we were fighting just to fight, so I left."

"Frankie said you guys fight a lot," Mac told him.

"He exaggerates," he accused.

"Are you sure about that?" they asked. "So you and your girlfriend were arguing about whether or not you still have feelings about your ex and you decided to come here and crash at said ex's apartment. Great idea, Joe."

"Where else was I going to go?" he asked.

"Could have gotten a hotel room," they told him.

"I wasn't thinking straight," he replied.

"Clearly!" they replied. "Poor Alice is probably spiraling especially because you didn't come back."

"You said you weren't going to take sides!" he pointed out.

"It's hard not to! You haven't been great to her," they admitted. "Alice is having some insecurities, but who could blame her with how you acted in London."

"We are past London."

"Doesn't sound like she is," they replied. "I don't think she's worried that you're still in love with me. I think she's worried you're not in love with her."

"I- sure, I still love you, but not like I love her," he told them.

"Maybe don't tell her that," they replied. "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not," he admitted. "I just don't know how to show her that she has nothing to worry about."

"Don't act like you don't know how to show her you love her because I know you do. You had no problem showing me," they reminded him. "If you love Alice as much as you say you do, it should be easy."

"Then maybe I don't love her." His confession sucked all the air out of the room.

"On that note, I am going to hop in the shower." Mac needed to get out of there as soon as possible. "Maybe you should get a hotel room and think about what you just said. Maybe write some songs about it. I- I don't know what to tell you. Maybe you should go to sleep."

"You're not going to have breakfast?" he asked.