Chapter Forty-Six

"You been out again?" Harry asked as Philip walked out of his room. "Still don't have a job. Still sitting around. Bernard left for work an hour ago and all you did was lolly gag around town and come home to sleep." Philip continued to ignore his dad as he warmed up some left over food. "You know your mom is disappointed. She left almost crying cause she's so disappointed in you. Look at you."

Philip finally turned to face his father who was downing a beer with a few more cans piled up in the trash. "When did you start drinking?"

"You don't get to ask me questions in my own damn house!" Harry snatched the newspaper off the kitchen table and threw it at Philip. He ducked before it hit him in the face. "You are such a disappointment! You failed in school and dated a black! Worst thing in the world is to have a baby by one of them! Who raised you!"

Philip looked his father up and down before simply walking out the front door. His mind was set on Cindy's house since he had no where else to go. Hopefully he could even stay with her for a while.

"Philip? What the hell are you doing here?"

He smirked before quickly giving her a kiss on the lips. She pushed him off with all her strength in complete disgust. "I came all the way here for you. What's wrong?"

"Cindy babe! Who's at the door?" Joey's voice landed directly into Philip's ears and for a split second he thought about running away but Joey's footsteps were already closing in.

Cindy leaned closer to Philip just enough that only he could hear her. "I told you he comes home on the weekends."

"Philip?" The door swung open revealing Joey in nothing but skin tight jeans and no shirt. Philip rolled his eyes before forcing a smile on his face seconds after. "You're alive... what a joke."

He started to slam the door in his face but Philip stopped it with his foot. "You wanna talk then lets talk. You wanna fight then fucking hit me to get this over with. But you're my best friend and this cold shoulder you give me is not healthy."

He looked at Philip for a solid second then shrugged. "Get your ass in here then. Let's talk. I've been working all week so lucky you I don't have the energy to wipe the floor with your face."

Cindy avoided all eye contact as Philip stepped past her and into the home. It was quiet as she went to get beers for everyone. What made it worse is the death stare Joey and Philip were sending each other from across the room.

"Beers for everyone," she sang.

"How do you know where I live?" Joey asked with the intent to not waste another second in silence.

"Jane."

"She hates you. Elowen too. We had a nice gathering and guess who wasn't there 'cause they'd rather be a hero. Well, I don't see you flashing a metal." Philip scoffed at Joey's hostile attitude. "You know Elowen is getting engaged to a nice guy. One who isn't a slimy, manipulative, goof ass."

Cindy massaged Joey's knee to deescalate what was bound to turn violent. Philip was so red in the face that his vision began to blur. He wasn't one to cry when he's angry, but Joey has never said anything like that to him.

"We were best friends man."

Joey slammed his beer on the table causing Cindy to jump back. "Friends? You think I wouldn't find out that you're screwing around with my girl!"

"W- What?!" Cindy sputtered. "Joey, what are you talking about? Me and Philip... we've never..." She looked at Philip who was too busy smirking in his exposure to lie for Cindy. "Philip. Tell him."

"You found it didn't you? Screw you and your whore! It's because of you two filling Elowen's head with nonsense that she isn't here with me now!"

Joey didn't say another word. Instead, he took a swing that connected with Philip's cheek. The moment Philip lost his balance, Joey was on him like white on rice. Cindy let out blood curdling screams as her living room turned into a boxing ring.

"Fuck you, Joey!" Philip choked out as Joey's headlock tightened around his neck.

"Stop! You're gonna kill him!"

Joey started yanking at Philip's hair in attempt to get the most damage out of him. In return, Philip sent punches to Joey's side. There was nothing stopping them from tearing each other apart. Not even Cindy forcing herself in between them.

"Your life is in shambles because of how evil you are!" Joey then released Philip with a shove that sent him stumbling across the living room. "We could have made this work, Philip. When Cindy told me you stopped by... I was so fucking happy man. But you ruined it. You didn't give it a chance. You just ruined it for no reason." Joey let the tears fall from his eyes despite the fact that he was still beyond angry. "You always ruin it with everyone. And we were still there for you when you screwed up. You were never there for anyone. This just proved that."

Philip wiped the blood from his nose. Everything Joey said meant something, just not now. "You're not perfect either." He stormed out the house before Joey could get ahold of him again. "I don't ever want to see those fuckers again."