Part one: Into the Fire
I can hear his voice even now, calling to me.
"Conall. Conall!"
He won't leave me. He thinks he belongs to me, because I saved him. I only saved him from himself. He's like a child, always relying on others, hoping that if he loves them enough, they'll move the earth for him. I almost fell for it, almost believed he loved me as much as he said. He didn't even know if he loved me. Now, because of him, my world is ripped in two.
Five years earlier
"Keelin, why?"
"Why? How can you ask me that, you know damn well why!" Keelin paced around the small apartment, gathering her things. "You hurt me, Conall! Every day, you hurt me. Every day, you come home late, smelling like alcohol and cigarette smoke!"
Conall followed Keelin every step, occasionally pulling things from her hands and putting them away. "What's so wrong with that, going out to have a few drinks with the boys? Since when is that a crime?"
Keelin stop pacing and whipped around to face her boyfriend. "You go out every night! You never spend time with me, only with the boys! What is more important to you, them or me?"
Conall said nothing, he only dropped his eyes to the floor.
"Of course," Keelin scoffed, "Of course you'd choose your friends over me. It makes perfect sense, right?" She tossed her free hand in the air, giving a pained laugh.
"What do you mean, 'it makes perfect sense?'" Conall stood there, puzzled.
Keelin shook her head and shoved a few more things into her bag. "Forget it. Just- No. Goodbye, Conall."
Conall could only stare after Keelin as she walked out the door.
"Would you believe that?" Conall slurred, "That bitch had the nerve to walk out on me, just because I like to have a little fun once in a while. I mean, come on! It's not like I've ever cheated on her. Three years together, and I treated her like a fucking queen. And this is how she repays me?"
He growled and took another shot of tequila.
"Really, Conall, is it so bad? What made Keelin so special that you're so broken up about it?" asked his best friend, Justin.
"Are you kidding me? She was great! We had everything in common, and she was so beautiful. 5' 10", long dark hair, blue eyes, and a perfect ass. What more could a guy ask for?"
Justin chuckled. "Methinks you exaggerate a bit, my friend," he said, patting Conall on the back. "Besides. . . Are you really sure she was your type?"
"My type?" Conall furrowed his brow, as if he didn't understand what his friend had said. "Of course she was my type. I told you, we had everything in common! We even looked good together! I mean, she looking how she did, and me with my silky blonde locks, my big beautiful brown eyes, rippling muscles, and great stamina. We were perfect together."
Justin laughed and shook his head. "You're exaggerating again. For one, your eyes are green. Two, Samantha told me you have no stamina. Not to mention you're a bit on the scrawny side."
"Samantha? How would she know how much stamina I have? I've never slept with her."
"I should hope not, considering she's my girlfriend, and I'd have to kick your ass. Keelin told her," he smiled.
"The bitch," Conall muttered again.
"All right, Conall. Let's get you home," Justin said, lifting his friend off the bar stool.
"No," Conall protested, pushing Justin away. "I can get home on my own."
Justin let go of Conall and started towards the door. "Fine, fine. Just be careful."
"Yes, mother," he rolled his eyes at his friend's retreating form.
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To be continued.