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Jay seemed hesitant to answer, but he eventually said, “I wanted to make you feel like those poor fuckers I had to hurt in prison. I also planned on taking photos like you did to Anthony and blackmail you.”
Chris seemed unaffected. “Well, you can still do that, I suppose.”
“Stop it.” Anthony took a step forward. “I’m done with this craziness, and you can shoot me if you want.”
Jay rolled his eyes. “Ease up on the drama, Ant, I wasn’t about to shoot anyone.”
“I don’t know if I believe that.”
Jay raised the gun and aimed it at Anthony. Before I could jump him, he pulled the trigger.
I screamed, my stomach crashing to the floor, but all I heard wasclick.I stared at the raised gun, my fists clenched tight. “It wasn’t even loaded?”
“Of course it wasn’t loaded. I’m angry, not mental. Like I was gonna shoot you guys and end up back in prison.”
Chris snickered. “Cool.”
“It wasn’t fucking cool!” Anthony shouted.
“You’re right, it wasn’t,” Jay said. “But you better believe I’d rather shoot myself than shoot any of you stubborn idiots.” He made eye contact with Anthony and me, leaving Chris out of that statement.
Anthony crossed his arms. “I think we can all agree that we’re done with the crazy for tonight.”
Chris shook his head. “I’mnot done.” He glanced around at all of us. “I want my redemption.”
“I’m not taking this further,” I said.
“But you wanted to.”
“What are you proposing?” Jay asked.
“What you all had in mind—to fuck me.”
Jay snorted. “Yeah, your story just now sort of killed the sexual vibe, and despite how I might have acted, I’m no homo.” He looked at Anthony and cleared his throat. “I mean, I’m not homosexual.” He shrugged. “But you three can do whatever.”
“I’m done,” I said.
“I need this to happen,” Chris said, voice assertive. “I want to make it right.”
“Sex won’t make it right,” Anthony said quietly.
Chris got up and took a step toward him. His nudity felt natural by now. “I turned you into my toy, Ant. I made you do things you didn’t want to do because I knew how to play you.”
“Why?” Anger lit in Anthony’s eyes.
“I’ve spent years pretending to be a decent person, while you made it seem so goddamn effortless. I always resented you for that. When Melissa offered to open up our relationship, I only agreed because I knew you were about to be single again. That was my chance to see if I could taint you like they tainted me.” He shook his head. “By the time I got sick with myself and tried to make it right, it was too late. Both of us were in too deep.” He took a step forward until he was right in front of Anthony. “I’m begging you, let me have this.”
Anthony seemed ill and distressed. But despite it all, a part of me understood Chris's desperate need to turn back time, to make things right. To have control over his mistakes in any way possible.
“I’m in,” I said. They all turned to look at me. “I’ll do it.”
Chris nodded. “Thank you.”
Anthony rubbed his face. “This is wrong.”
“Pretending we can stop now like nothing happened is even worse,” I said. “Anthony, do this with me.”
He turned to Chris. “You need help, but not the kind of help you think.”
