Outer Masks: Chapter 5: Closer

Max smiled as he read the latest text he had gotten from Annika. He was not expecting it, but he found Annika to be very funny. 

Despite already hooking up with each other at this point, Max still found himself interested in Annika. He even surprised himself by how often he awaited the next call, text, or in person meeting the two shared over the last few weeks. 

“What the fucks got you all happy and giggly?” Rory asked as she stared at Max as if he grew a second head. 

“Annika.” Max replied. 

“Really?” Rory asked. 

“Yeah, why you sound so weirded out?” Max asked, looking up from his phone for a quick moment. 

“I mean you're not usual this… engaged with women after you sleep with them.” Rory explained. 

Max sat back as he thought about it and realized that Rory was right; Max did not care about women after sleeping with them a few times. 

After these few hook ups, Max would grow bored and end these causal relationships, not caring for the hearts he left broken in his wake. 

With his usual track record, he should have dumped Annika by now and moved onto the next woman that would catch his eye, but he did not. 

“Don’t make such a big deal about this, we’re just having fun.” Max rebuffed, not liking the prickly feeling that settled in his stomach. 

Rory sighed, “Alright then.” 

She knew that getting Max to talk about his feelings was like pulling teeth, so she decided to let the subject of Annika go. However, Max refused to grant Rory the same amount of grace when he asked his own question. 

“So, I’m not the only one who has been texting someone a lot. What have you and Peach been talking about?” 

Rory let out a loud groan while Max laughed at her expense, “Stop it, I don’t have a crush on Peach and there is nothing going on between us.” 

“Sure, you don’t.” Max drawled with a smirk, “So what you two texting about?” 

Rory rolled her eyes, “She was just telling me that she and Beck were going to her family’s home in Connecticut for the weekend.” 

“Wow already reached the point where you tell each other where you’re going and for how long. How fucking cute.” Max said in a high pitched and babyish tone. 

“Why are you like this?” Rory asked aloud. 

From the moment Rory met Max when they were children, Max had always vigorously latched on to any new thing Rory said or that he learned about her. It was something she is used to, but she still found it very annoying. 

“Yeah, yeah, keep pretending like you don’t love me.” Max waved this off before jumping off his couch and onto his feet. “Anyway, the reason I called you over is because I have an idea for my next video; shopping cart racing!” 

Rory looked at Max, surprised by his idea. “Oh, that’s actually pretty tame for you.” 

“Shopping cart racing through the streets of New York!” Max exclaimed, a large grin overtaking his features. 

“And I spoke too soon.” Rory deadpanned. 

“Now here me out, Roro.” Max began, seeing that he was already losing the woman. 

But Rory immediately began speaking again, “Max, New Yorkers are some of the craziest and most reckless drivers in the world and you want us to get into shopping carts with them? You’re just asking for us to get ran over.” 

“Exactly, this has a great amount of danger that will definitely get me trending.” Max claimed, “Besides, it either this or bungee jumping off of Hayden International.” 

“You are not doing that either and why do I have to be a part of this video, I’m not your cohost?” 

“Because it's been six months since you were on my channel, my fans miss you.” He then looked at Rory cheekily, “Plus you do owe me for all the money I’m spending for Peach to renovate your office.” 

“I didn’t ask you to do that, you did that because you’re an invasive asshole!” Rory argued. 

“And yet me being an invasive asshole is what led to you and Peach becoming closer. So, you should thank me by being in my video.” 

I need to get a new best friend...  

~X~

Hours Later  

Joe could feel his head pounding as he walked around the large mansion that he had broken into. 

The last thing he remembered was going into the bathroom to patch up the bleeding wound on his forehead.  

Joe realized that he must have passed out as he awoke to the sounds of Beck and Peach returning from their shopping spree. 

He quickly hid once the two women came upstairs, just barely avoiding being caught by Peach as he rounded a corner. 

“I can’t wait to see that dress on you. You have to try it on.” Peach said as she moved. 

“So cold. I think I’m gonna take a bath.” Beck said aloud. 

“Oh. Use the one in the master. It has well-placed jets.” 

“But I like the claw-foot tub.” Beck retorted. 

Peach smiled, “Of course you do. Because you’re classy. Cocktail? I’ll get you one. 

I want to give you a life this grand someday. God knows, you deserve it. Joe thought. 

“Darling, I made you a Negroni.” Peach said as she returned to the bathroom, drink in hand. 

Minus the unwanted pressure from an obviously unstable, obsessed person, of course. My hatred for Peach has practically become sentient.  

Peach led Beck over to the tub, “Now, take your time and relax, okay? I’ve got a surprise for you when you get out. Oh, and don’t forget to use that geothermal mud mask. It is life changing.” 

“Thanks.” Beck said plainly, the uncomfortable feeling she had since coming to Greenwich, returning with full force. 

Once Peach left the bathroom, Beck discarded her robe and climbed into the tub. 

Just as Peach was about to walk down the hallway, she paused, slowly turned around and leaned against the wall. She moved her head slightly around the corner, giving her a perfect view of Beck from behind. 

The blonde was oblivious to the other woman watching her as she allowed herself to relax. 

Look at that! How dare she invade your privacy like that? It’s perverse! It's shameful, its- God, I have to pee!  

Joe looked around the closet for a few moments before finding a mason jar on a shelf behind him. He did not hesitate as he grabbed the jar, unscrewed the cap, and urinated inside of it. 

Once he was finished, Joe covered the jar and placed it back on the shelf before turning his attention back to the women he was spying on. 

I’ll double back for that, now, how long is she going to stand there staring at you? Joe thought as he moved away, quietly making his way down the nearby stairs. 

Once he reached the bottom, Joe dashed through a door, closing it shut behind him. 

The sound of the door shutting drew Peach’s attention. Slowly Peach turned and made her way down the stairs and through the door, following the same path Joe took to the parlor. 

Peach moved slowly and cautiously before making her way to where she left her bag and the base of the home's grand staircase. 

Peach reached inside her bag and pulled out a gun, holding it in her hands as she moved around the parlor. “Hello? Anyone here?” 

The tension soon left Peach's body as the sound of the doorbell rang through the house. 

“Who is that?” Beck called out from upstairs. 

“Uh, it's the surprise.” Peach said as she put the gun back in her purse and went to answer the door. 

Joe continued to watch Peach from his hiding spot. She has a gun, Beck. She's not in her right mind and you know it. I have to do something; eighty percent of gun accidents happen in the home.  

Beck then came down the stairs in a form fitting dark red dress and heels.  

And why is Peach dressing you up like a doll?  

Beck only sighed as she waited for Peach, “Okay, I'm wearing this ridiculous thing. What's my surprise?” 

Joe’s fears did not lessen as he slowly followed his girlfriend and watched as a handsome and well-dressed man with short black hair and shiny olive skin, entered the house. 

“Oh, my God! Raj!” Beck exclaimed, shocked by the sight of her old college friend. 

“Hey gorgeous, long time no see.” Raj said with a smile, moving in to press a kiss on Beck’s cheek. “I can’t wait to catch up, doll.” 

~X~

The strums of a ukulele sounded off in Joe's mind and he turned to the side and saw her again.   

Candace.  

“Hey, I thought I said no phones.” Joe said as Candace's phone rang.  

“Sorry, it’s just my brother.” Candace replied as she turned her phone off and flipped it, so the screen faced the counter she was sitting on.  

“Do you know any Sabbath?” Joe asked his girlfriend.  

Candace pretended to ponder for a moment before wildly strumming her ukulele, laughing at the sound.  

Joe laughed too, feeling freer than he had in a long while.  

Joe’s eyes blinked open and the man realized that he must have blacked out for a moment as he was still standing in the hidden doorway, hearing the conversation of the other three. 

It's funny what sticks in your brain. Sounds, a bit of song.  

“Give us one second, Raj.” Beck told the man before pulling Peach into the hallway. 

And now I fear this chucklehead's voice calling you gorgeous. I knew Peach was an instigator, and this is when her trap starts closing in.  

“What the hell is he doing here?” Beck asked Peach once they were “alone". 

“I thought I’d be fun.” Peach answered, an easy-going smile appearing on her lips. 

Beck scoffed, “What happened to you not wanting to be around male energy?” 

“I feel much better.” Peach said as she used her hands to wave to her body. 

“Well, that makes one of us.” 

“You're still mad at me, I get that.” Peach sighed. 

“Do you?” 

“I said your poetry was self-absorbed, and I’m sorry my words hurt but…” 

“But?” Beck repeated, annoyed that Peach thought that her actions were defendable. 

“Hear me out. You are one of the most talented people I know, and I hate to see you conforming to a system that is designed to crush individuality.” Peach said. 

She continued speaking even as Beck rolled her eyes, “If you want to be a great writer you have to get out there and live a life worth writing about.” 

“What do you want me to do, Peach? Live off the land?” 

“Cousin Inez finally vacated the Paris flat. I talked to my dad; he said I can have it and oversee the renovation. She had a pet ocelot, did a lot of damage.”  

“Wait,” Beck said as she looked at Peach strangely. “You're moving to Paris?” 

Peach then pulled out a folded piece of paper from her back pocket. She opened it, revealing to Beck that it was a plane ticket with her name on it. “ We are moving to Paris, chérie.” 

Beck took the plane ticket, staring at it with a mixture of surprise, confusion, and happiness. 

But still a shy smile appeared on her face, “Peach this is crazy. I…” 

“I don’t need an answer right now, relax.” Peach said as she saw the hesitation in Beck’s eyes. “I just want you to trip on it.” 

Beck’s smile fell as she realized what Peach was doing, “Hence, Raj.” 

“Look, Paris could be a new beginning for the both of us.” Peach said, her face and tone taking on an almost pleading tinge. “Just say you'll think about it.” 

Don’t do it! Joe shouted in his head. 

Beck let out a breath, “Okay.” 

Peach had to fight the large grin that tried to appear on her lips, “Okay.” 

Peach then took one of Beck’s hands and held it as she pulled Beck along as they went back to where Raj was waiting for them. 

How can you even consider going to Paris, Beck? I mean, what about your education, your friends, your family, me? All those things Peach said are just lies, she doesn’t care about your life she just wants a pretty woman that sits around waiting for her. Arm candy who's only purpose is to feed her ego.  

Joe could not understand how Peach could show Beck her true colors and yet his girlfriend would keep going back to her. 

As he moved closer to the den, Joe watched as Raj handed the two women each a small pill that they washed down with alcohol before doing the same himself. 

“I haven’t been this relaxed in weeks.” Beck stated. 

“Just wait until that baby kicks in.” Raj smirked. 

“So, what did we take with utter blind trust in you?” She asked playfully. 

“Pure MDMA, with just a dash of organically sourced opium.” Raj replied. 

Beck laughed, “Well, way to go, Walter White.” 

Joe then looked over at Peach who had taken a seat on the couch, starting at Beck and Raj with a look of satisfaction. 

I could never blame you, Beck, not even for this. Peach is a master at her game.  

Step one, get you alone in a secluded house.  

Step two, invite this Raj person over, fill you with drugs, and get you to cheat on me.  

Step three, steal you away to Paris forever!  

Joe clenched his fist, his body shaking with silent rage. He ignored the sounds coming from the other room as he tiptoed over to the staircase, but when he went to look for Peach’s purse, it was gone, the staircase now devoid of everything that was once there. 

You had to get everything put away and tidy for Raj, didn’t you?  

I need to find that gun! Joe thought as he silently made his way up the stairs. 

~X~

“So, what have been up to, Guinevere Beck? Still writing?” Raj asked as the trio sat down, letting the effects of the drug wash over them. 

“You should read her poetry, it’s beguiling.” Peach said. 

A shy smile formed on Beck’s lips before she let out a laugh. “Honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I thought I did, but lately it hasn’t been so clear.” 

“I bet you’re doing better than you think you are.” Raj said. 

“Beck's just having a little writer’s block, but it'll pass.” Peach said as she stared carting her fingers through Beck’s hair. 

Beck sat up as she spoke, her eyes becoming more animated. “I want to write a book about an injured soul. Someone who doesn’t feel like they have a place in the world as we know it, someone on the outside.” 

Peach let out a playful scoff, “You should write about my stalker.” 

Beck laughed, leaning back against the chair that she was sitting in front of as Peach started pulling her hair back. 

“I love that.” She groaned. 

“I know you do.” Peach said softly, her eyes entranced by slope of Beck’s neck as her head fell to the side due to her own movements. 

“What about you Peach?” Raj asked. 

“Hmm?” Peach sounded as she reluctantly looked away from Beck and at the man. 

“You weren’t all that forthcoming on the phone. So, what have you been up to?” Raj explained. 

Before Peach could respond, Beck did so for her, giggling as she did. “She made a new friend.” 

“She did?” Raj asked, looking between the two women jokingly. 

Peach felt a coldness overtake her, “Beck…” She warned, not wanting to hear what the woman would say to Raj. 

But her high had already hit Beck, causing her to miss the signs of her friend’s discomfort. “Yeah, her name’s Rory! She’s my boyfriend’s sister. Peach is even redesigning her office personally!” 

Peach clenched her teeth together, not liking the way Beck sounded as she talked about Rory. As if she was amused, as if Beck knew something about them that Peach did not. 

“Peach, you’re doing that?” Raj asked. 

The man was astonished, for as long as he knew the woman, Peach would never do something like that unless she was either getting something in return or it was for Beck. 

“Raj, come feel how soft this is.” Peach said instead of answering his question, hoping to end the discussion of Rory Hayden. 

Raj looked at Peach for a few seconds before putting his drink down and making his way over to the two women. 

Barely and space was between him and Beck as he too started playing with Beck’s hair. 

“It is soft.” Raj replied, his voice taking on a deeper tone. 

“You smell good.” Beck told the man, feeling her eyes starting to droop. 

Raj chuckled, “So do you.” 

“We should go upstairs; it'll be easier to relax.” Peach told them as she stood up. 

Beck and Raj followed Peach as she led them to her bedroom. 

~X~

Where is it, where is it?! I know it’s here, she has a gun, I’m not crazy!  

Joe was not sure how long it had been since he started looking for the gun, but he had yet to find it. 

He then started looking through each of the drawers on her nightstand and when he got to the last one, he saw it. 

Just when Joe was about to grab the gun, he heard footsteps and laughter quickly approaching the room. 

With no other option, Joe was forced to shove the drawer closed, leaving the gun behind as he dove under Peach's bed, hoping that he would remain hidden. 

“Platonic massage train!” Beck shouted as she threw open Peach’s door and threw herself on the bed. 

“I need a sec. I’m spinning out.” Raj said as he turned around and fell backwards onto the bed. 

Peach smiled at Beck as she slowly climbed onto the bed. “I got you.” 

Beck grinned, sitting up as Peach moved behind her. 

Joe slowly moved forward, looking at a nearby standing mirror that allowed him to see everything on the bed. 

Is this rock bottom? Because it sure feels like it. Do you see now? I would do anything for you, Beck.  

But as he kept watching, Joe started to see Candace in Beck’s place, her head thrown back and the straps of her dress having fallen down her shoulders due to Peach’s touch. 

I don’t know why Candace followed me here, it's like I hit my head and bad memories jolted loose. It's a coincidence, Beck. You and she are nothing alike.   

Nothing or maybe you are? I can’t tell anymore. Joe thought as ‘Candace’ started looking at him through the mirror, smiling as Peach’s hands continued to travel across her body. 

“How does that feel?” Peach asked as she watched Beck begin to move her hand down Raj’s chest. 

“Oh, my gosh.” Beck sighed as she felt Peach’s hand digging into a particular part of her neck. 

Beck, run! Joe shouted in his head as he felt the bed move above him, hearing moaning and laughter. 

Can’t you feel what she’s doing? What she wants? Don’t you want to run?  

Joe had started to lose hope as he watched Peach lean in to kiss Beck, and it started fading as Beck had yet to stop the various kisses Peach laid on her lips. 

Maybe you don’t...  

Before the kiss could get deeper, Beck broke contact, rolling to the other side of the bed and climbing off. “Okay, way too far.” 

Yes!  

Peach looked away, having to fight the scowl that wanted to form on her face. 

Beck readjusted the straps of her dress and fixed her hair. “I said platonic massage train.” 

“Oh, Beck, you’re always so skittish.” Peach tried to play off, brushing her hair to the other side, giving Beck a smoldering look. 

“Yeah, platonic means friends just being friendly.” Raj said, not seeing anything wrong with what was going on. 

“Yeah, well, I have a boyfriend.” Beck replied. 

Joe quietly sighed in relief. Yes, you do, my perfect girl.  

“Well,” Peach started, “I don’t.” 

“Me neither.” Raj added, turning his gaze to Peach. 

“I think I need to dance” Beck exclaimed as she watched Raj lean in and start kissing Peach’s neck. 

“I gonna go dance!” And Beck jogged out of the room, her pervious awkwardness leaving her as she was distracted by a need to dance. 

Peach watched Beck leave as Raj continued kissing her neck. Her anger and jealousy were palpable after Beck turned down her advances. 

I feel bad for Peach, really. It's tragic not to be able to show who you really are. And it's turned her poisonous.  

“That feels good” Peach loudly moaned as she settled for her willing friend. 

Joe froze as he realized what Peach and Raj were about to do above him. Oh, my, I bet Harry never had to do this for Sally.  

“Like that?” Raj asked 

“Yeah.” 

Joe flinched when he felt and heard his phone vibrate in his pocket. As quickly as he could without drawing attention to himself, Joe reached into his jeans pocket, pulled out his phone and silenced it. 

“I have something, okay?” Peach told Raj as she straddled him. 

Joe unlocked his phone and saw that Beck had texted him. 

-Hi  

Joe smiled, -Hi . He replied. 

-I think I’m done being made at you now. Beck texted, referring to the argument the two had before she left about how Peach was in love with her and wanted to keep Beck dependent on her. 

-Okay, brb, just gonna climb in from off this ledge. Joe sent to the dancing Beck in the parlor. 

Beck sent him the eye rolling emoji in response. 

-I really am sorry. Joe sent immediately. 

-I know...Joe?  

-Yes?  

-I don’t want to go to Paris  

-Note to self: No Paris. Despite his current position, Joe could not be happier as he read Beck’s message over and over. 

-I miss you  

Before Joe could reply, Peach’s hand was soon in his face, causing Joe to scoot back as Peach blindly searched for something. 

“I know he’s down here somewhere.” Peach said as she kept moving her hand around. 

Joe looked around, quickly spotting a see-through box near his leg. He then moved it towards Peach’s hand. 

“I swear it was here, I just used it.” Peach said before her fingers brushed against the containers lid, “Oh, okay.” 

Peach then pulled the box out from under the bed, leaning over as she used both hands to open it. Now that the box was brought into the light, Joe could see the assortment of sex toys that were inside, one of which Peach pulled out as she resettled herself. 

Another thing I keep learning... Things can always get worse.  

“You want this?” Joe heard Peach ask. 

“I don’t not want it.” Raj replied, a sliver of fear and discomfort was noticeable in his tone. 

“Okay. Here he comes, Big Daddy.” Peach said and the bed soon began to rock. 

Joe silently hit his head against the floor despairingly. Oh, Beck, I'm so boned. But not as boned as Raj is about to be.  

“Oh, God! That’s... interesting.” Raj exclaimed. 

I’m in fucking hell...  

~X~

Peach had been staring at the ceiling for the last few minutes, she knew she should get out of bed, but her thoughts were weighing her down. 

She looked to her left and saw Raj was still asleep next to her, the man was dead to the world around him, obvious to the war that was waging with her. 

Raj was attractive, rich, fun, had access to the best drugs, he would have been the perfect catch for any other woman, but not her. 

Even though she had sex with him, Peach only did so because Beck had left her horny and Raj was within her vicinity and willing. 

As she fucked him, Peach was not surprised that partway through she started to imagine that it was Beck she was having sex with. It was not the first time she had done so when sleeping with others, but what shocked her was when her image of Beck very quickly turned into Rory. 

She tried to get the woman out of her mind, but more intense scenarios would form in her mind each time she tried to. Soon she gave up, letting her thoughts run rampant and guide her movements. 

But in the end, Peach was left unsatisfied, confused, and angry, even as Raj melted into the sheets and quickly fell asleep. 

And now hours later, Peach still could not get the thought of Rory Hayden out of her head. 

How would Rory look naked? Would she be a good lover? Would she be confident? No, I bet would act cocky but get all shy and awkward as she usually does.  

Then the picture of Rory underneath her, her head thrown back as she moaned in pleasure, pleasure that only Peach could give her, soon emerged. Rory’s golden skin was flushed and sweaty, her pupils dilated, and her legs were spread open for Peach, allowing the woman above her to plunge into her core with her strap on. 

Peach slapped her hands against her cheeks, wanting to stop herself from going too far with her thoughts again. 

What the fuck is wrong with me?! I don’t want Rory, I want... I want Beck. I’ve always wanted Beck. Wait, that's it! Beck was talking about Rory last night, that’s why I was thinking about her, of course I’m not attracted to Rory. Peach thought, in denial over the unfriendly image she had of Rory only a few moments ago. 

With her sanity restored, Peach threw her legs over the edge of her bed, putting on her slippers and making her way downstairs. 

As she walked down the staircase, Peach immediately noticed Beck’s bags were sitting at the base. A frown appeared on her lips as she walked by them and towards the dining room. 

When she walked in, she saw that Beck was facing away from her, looking through the windows as she drunk a cup of coffee. 

“Packed, already? We don’t leave for another two days.” Peach said to the woman, hoping that what she was thinking was not true. 

Beck sighed as she turned, “Yeah, about that, I’m going back to the city.” 

Peach blinked, her voice cracking slightly, trying to make her smile not look fake. “Good. Great. You have stuff to wrap up and then, Paris!” 

“Okay, I’ve thought about it; thank you, but I belong in New York. I’m not ready to give up yet.” Beck said. 

“Give up?” Peach asked, the smile finally fading away as her anger took root. “I’m asking you to take a leap of faith. I mean, do you want to be an artist or an institutionalized cliché?” 

“You’re asking me to quit my MFA, leave New York, my friends, my relationship...” Beck tried to say. 

Peach rolled her eyes, “oh, good God, you’ve known him for like five seconds.” 

Beck glared at the other woman, “I’m just saying that...” 

“Do yourself a favor, have some self-esteem and lose the creepy retail loser.” Peach spat with smirk. 

“Do we have to go there?” 

“I’m just being real.” 

“Okay, you want to be real? What was that last night?” Beck asked, crossing her arms, and staring at Peach more seriously. 

Peach’s eyebrows scrunched together as she tried to be oblivious, “What was what?” 

“You kissed me.” 

After a few seconds, Peach let out a disbelieving chuckle, “We were all rolling. You always do this.” 

“What? What do I do?” Beck scoffed. 

“Drama out of nothing. I mean, you were really high, you were leaning into me and quite frankly, being very initiating.” Peach said, attempting to spin the accusation back at her friend. 

Beck looked at Peach like she grew a second head, “What?” 

“And I went with it, because whatever, it was a party. I didn’t want it to be weird, cause I’m your friend and that’s what friends do.” 

“That is not what happened.” 

“Jesus Christ, Beck. Be an adult, okay? Take a little responsibility.” Peach sneered. 

“Can we slow down? I’m just saying... Shit, I’m trying to say I am your friends so if...” Beck stated, trying to find the right words. 

“Jesus Christ.” Peach scoffed, not believing that Beck was trying to go down this route. 

Beck continued, “I know your family, I know how they are, I know they wouldn’t be okay...” 

 “No, No.” Peach growled, getting in Beck’s face as a mixture of anger and shame swirled inside her, “I’m sorry, you have issues, okay? Don’t make your desperate unending need for attention about me. This entire conversation is insane. 

Beck laughed nervously, “Okay, can we back up for one second? I am not attacking you; I came here to take care of you.” 

“Of me? Oh, that’s rich, it really is.” 

Beck finally had enough, “God Peach, you know Joe sees it too. He’s been trying to tell me.” 

Peach scoffed, “Of course Joe is behind this. Joe is trash, Joe is nothing. You’re my family, I’d die for you. Would he?” 

Beck took a deep breath before looking back at Peach, “I need a break.” 

Peach laughed maliciously, “And what? Go slum it with a proletariat? I give you a week.” 

Beck did not rise to the bait, “My Uber is here.” 

Beck began making her way to the parlor, going to get her bags, and leaving like she said she would. 

“So what? You’re just going to abandon me when I need you the most?” Peach asked as she followed Beck, desperation leaking into her voice. "What about my stalker?” 

“I’ll text you the number of a private security company. Call them.” Beck said as she made her way to the front door. 

“I can’t believe you. After all I do for you!” Peach yelled. 

“You just use people!” She shouted, watching as Beck ignored her as she walked to the Uber waiting outside. 

Peach slammed the door once it became clear that Beck was not going to turn around and come back to her. 

“Hey,” Peach turned around and saw Raj standing on at the base of the stairs in nothing but his underwear, “What’s with the yelling? Fuck, my head is killing me.” 

“Leave, Raj” Peach said, her voice eerily calm. 

“What? But it's like eight in the morning and I thought I was supposed to stay for the next two days?” Raj asked, confused by Peach’s sudden change of mind. 

Peach glared at Raj, “I don’t give a damn, Raj. Just get the fuck out of my house!” 

Raj’s eyes widened, and he unconsciously took a step back. “O-okay, Peach. Geez...” 

The man immediately turned and went upstairs, intent on grabbing his clothes and leaving quickly. He did not know what pissed Peach so much, but he knew better than to stick around while she was in this state. 

Peach did not wait to watch him, quickly going to the den and grabbing the nearest bottle of scotch, downing its contents within seconds. 

She needed to forget, she needed to get Beck’s betrayal and rejection out of her mind. And for that, the alcohol in the room became her new best friend. 

~X~

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” Rory groaned as she sat in one of the shopping carts that the two had ‘borrowed’ from Whole Foods. 

Max scoffed from his place besides her in his own shopping cart, “I can, I’m very persuasive.” 

After a few hours of refusing, Rory finally gave in and agreed to take part in Max’s shopping cart racing video the next day. Now the two were at the entrance of Haffen Park, taking their first break of the day. 

Both were wearing helmets with biking cameras attached to them and each had four additional cameras on the front, back, and sides of their carts. 

“I almost got hit by two different buses!” Rory exclaimed, thinking about how close she came to death with each street they rode through. 

“Yeah, but you were able to use your steering wheel broom to move out of the way in time.” Max said as she waved around his own broom, brooms that the two were using to push themselves forward, turn, and stop. 

“Besides, don’t pretend like you completely hated it. I saw you laughing when we went through Central Park, and I almost took out that grandma.” 

“That was pretty funny. I’m pretty sure if her son hadn’t stopped her, she would’ve kept chasing you with her cane.” Rory said, giggle as she remembered the elderly woman that tried to swing at Max with her cane after he rolled over her foot. 

“See, this was a good idea, best on I ever had.” Max said. 

Before she could respond, Rory’s phone rang. It took a few moments, but she finally found her phone, pulling out of her pocket, a smile forming as she saw that Peach was calling her. 

Max leaned over and saw that Rory had saved the name of the caller with the word queen with a peach emoji next to it. “Ooo! You already have a cute contact name for her, how cute!” 

Rory rolled her eyes, raising her middle finger at him before answering the call. “Hey, Peach. You called to brag about what you and Beck are up to?” 

Ever since Peach had gone to the Hayden’s for brunch, the two women had been texting back and forth before tentatively calling each other, which led to them spending time together in person with almost no pretext of Peach working on Rory’s office.  

“Rory...” Peach said, and Rory noticed that her voice was hoarse and weak, as if from crying or screaming. 

“Peach? What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Rory shot out the questions. 

“Rory, sniff , Beck’s gone sh-she hates me!” Peach cried. 

“Oh, I’m sure that’s not true.” Rory tried to placate, wondering what had happened. 

Peach let out a few sobs before becoming quiet, and Rory was sure that the call had ended until she heard Peach speak again. “I need you.” 

Rory’s eyes widened, “What?” 

“I need you.” Peach repeated, “I need you here, Rory. Please, can you come?” 

“Of course! I’ll leave now.” Rory said with no hesitation. 

“Thank you.” Rory heard before the call ended. 

Rory stared at her phone screen, watching until it turned black and then looking at Max. “I got to go.” 

“Wait, what? What happened?” Max asked as he watched his friend take off her helmet and climb out of her shopping cart. 

“Peach needs me. I’ll see you later.” Rory said, taking off down the street. 

“Damn.” Max said as he slumped deeper into the cart. 

He did not know what was worse; the loss of his co-star or not being able to tease Rory about how whipped she was for Peach despite the two of them not being together. 

“What am I going to do now?” 

As he said this, Max saw a man sitting on a bench a few feet away staring at his phone. 

He looked to be a few years younger than himself, with red hair, freckles, and green eyes. 

“Hey, hey you!” Max shouted gaining the man’s attention 

The young man looked up, he stared at him for a few seconds before his eyes widened and he jumped to his feet and pointed at Max. “No way! You’re Max Rockefeller! From Daredevil Nation!” 

Max grinned, “Yep, that’s me. Say, what's your name and how old are you?” 

“Oh! My name is Ryan, I'm twenty-two.” 

“Perfect. How you'd like to be in a video of mine and make five thousand dollars, Ryan?” 

Ryan’s jaw dropped, “I’d love that!” 

Max smirked, “Now, do you have any experience with shopping carts?” 

~X~

Hours Later, Greenwich, Connecticut  

Rory took a deep breath as she pulled into the Salinger estate. 

After she left Max, Rory returned to her apartment so she could get her car and drive to Greenwich herself. 

The entirety of the drive was spent with her wondering just what could have happened between Peach and Beck and why Peach thought to call her for comfort. 

Well, I did tell her she could call me at any time, but with how she acted, I didn’t think she’d do it.  

Rory walked up the steps and knocked on the front door. But when her hand touched the door, it opened slightly. 

“Uh, Peach?” Rory said loudly, looking into the crack to see if anyone was there. 

When she did not receive a response, Rory sighed before pushing the door open and entering. 

“What the fuck happened here?” She asked as she looked around and saw the parlor floor was covered in broken glass. 

The first place that Rory went to was the den, seeing that was even worse condition than the parlor. The chairs and couches were thrown aside, books and spilled alcohol covered the floor, and somehow a log from the fireplace was lodged inside the glass of one of the windows. 

Damn, did Peach do this? Honestly, I’m kind of surprised by how strong she is. Rory thought. 

Rory searched the rest of the ground floor, and it was all in the same state, furniture thrown around and alcohol all over the place.  

Eventually, Rory went upstairs, going towards the master bedroom but turned away when she saw an open door from the corner of her eye. 

Rory slowly pushed the door open, finally finding Peach lying on her bed. 

“Peach?” Rory asked aloud. 

Peach let out a groan, her eyes opening slowly as she shifted towards the sound she heard. 

Rory could see how terrible Peach looked. Her eyes were red, her hair was messy and tangled, and there was a bit of vomit on the corners of her mouth. 

“Rory? What… what are you doing here?” Peach asked, her voice was hoarse and shaky. 

“Oh, uh, you call, me! You called me earlier. You said you needed me, so here I am.” Rory rambled, forcing herself to maintain eye contact, realizing that she showed up just because Peach asked. 

Peach sat up and looked down at the floor, embarrassed by her actions. “You didn’t have to come. I was drunk and emotional when I called you.” 

Rory went and sat down in front of Peach on the bed, unknowingly waking someone up with her movements. 

What the hell? Joe thought as he rolled onto his side.  

He looked around and saw that he was still under Peach’s bed and from the light coming out of the window that it had to be the afternoon. 

“You said that Beck hated you, is that why you tore this place up?” Rory asked. 

Rory? Why is Rory here? Joe thought as he looked in the standing mirror and saw his sister and Peach sitting on the bed. 

Wait, Peach and Beck fought? Where was I when this happened? Is Beck still here? 

Peach brought her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them, scoffing at the question. “Huh, is that what I said?” 

I really am pathetic… Peach thought. 

“So, what happened?” 

Peach glared at the other woman, “We are not doing this.” 

“Doing what?” Rory asked, acting as if she did not understand what Peach was telling her. 

“You know what, you fucking ass. We are not going to talk about Beck.” 

“Okay.” Rory said with a shrug, she then pointed to the door. “So do you want me to-" 

“I mean I just can't believe her! After everything I do for her, she just leaves and tells me she needs a break. A break? From me!” Peach started to rant, cutting off Rory as her anger returned. 

“I mean, did you do something to piss her off?” Rory asked. 

Peach rolled her eyes, “Of course you would ask that. I didn’t do anything wrong, I offered her a trip to Paris and a stay in my family’s flat.” 

“Did you ask if she wanted to go, or did you try to force her to?” 

If looks could kill, Rory would have died a thousand times from the one Peach was giving her. 

Rory raised her hands up defensively, “Hey, don’t bite my head off, I'm just asking. From the brief time I’ve known you, you sometimes bulldoze your way through things because of your personality.” 

“And you expect me not to take that as an insult?” Peach deadpanned. 

Rory shrugged her shoulders, “It’s not the worst thing I’ve said to you. Plus, I definitely remember you calling me a flat ironing board with rocks for brains once.” 

Peach could not stop the chuckle that left her, and Rory felt proud of making her do so. 

The two fell into silence for a few moments, both just staring at each other. 

It was broken when Peach sighed and looked away, “I told Beck that she's an attention whore and that she uses people.” 

“That all?” Rory asked, she did not know much about most people’s friendships, but she knows that she and Max have said worse things to each other. 

Although, most of the time me and Max don’t mean what we say.  

Peach hesitated, “I… I also told her that… that she should break up with Joe, that he was not worth her time.” 

Joe had to keep himself from growling as he continued to secretly listen to the women’s conversation, he already knew how Peach felt about him, but hearing that she tried to make Beck feel the same angered him. 

Of course, she would try to break us up, Beck. She’s and never and manipulative woman. An evil and manipulative woman who has a gun in her drawer that she could use on you because you rejected her!  

Rory did not feel the same anger that her brother did, continuing to talk emphatically with Peach. “I know you and Joe don’t like each other, but shouldn’t you know that Beck would react poorly to you saying shit about her boyfriend? Just like I’m sure she would react poorly to Joe saying shit about you.” 

“Your brother has already said enough damning things about me to Beck and she did nothing about it.” Peach sneered, thinking about what Beck said during their fight. 

God Peach, you know Joe sees it too. He’s been trying to tell me.  

“Well, I’m not going to ask what Joey said, but wouldn’t it be easier for everyone if you and Joe at least agreed to tolerate each other for Beck’s sake?” 

No way in hell!  

I would sooner kill myself!  

Joe and Peach thought, respectively. 

“Why would I ever do that?” Peach asked incredulously, “Your brother is impossible to like.” 

Rory rolled her eyes, “I disagree on that, but whatever that’s your opinion. It doesn’t change the fact that Beck cares about my brother, so trying to break them up because you don’t like him won’t end well for you. Eventually Beck may get tired of listening to you badmouth him and trying to control her life and decide to live you behind.” 

Peach thought about this, earlier when Beck said she needed a break, Peach thought she was bluffing until Beck entered that car and left, not looking back at her once. 

Now she felt like this break was serious, that Beck genuinely wanted distance between them, and she feared it would turn into something more premiant. 

“What should I do?” Peach whispered. 

“You should give Beck the space she needs—don't, hear me out.” Rory said as she saw Peach try to disagree with her. She waited until Peach was looking back at her, knowing that she would listen to what she had to say. 

“You should give Beck space because she asked you for space. She might see it as you not respecting her and her boundaries if you just show up today or tomorrow wanting to be forgiven.” 

“And who says I want to be forgiven? That I did anything wrong?” 

Rory then pulled out a tequila bottle that she spotted from under Peach’s pillow, “Well, you wouldn’t be crying and trying to drink yourself stupid if this all didn’t bother you.” 

Peach glared at Rory, but it lacked the heat it usually did, and she could not deny that Rory was right; she did want Beck to forgive her. “So that’s it, just wait for Beck to hopefully forgive me?” 

“You could text her to let her know that you respect her wishes, but yeah.” 

Peach moved her arms and rested her head against her knees, “Maybe I should go to Paris then?” 

“Maybe you should if you want to be a coward about it.” 

Peach quickly lifted her head, staring directly into Rory eyes. “Excuse me?” 

Rory returned the look, “You heard me. If you go to Paris now, then you’re just running away from your problems instead of dealing with them like an adult.” 

“How dare you?! Who the fuck are you calling a coward, you little street rat?!” Peach had never felt anger like this before, it was all consuming, demanding that she spill Rory’s blood. 

“I call it like I see it.” Rory smirked, “Unless you want to prove me wrong?” 

“So that’s what you’re doing; trying to play into my pride and rage to get me to stay?” Peach scoffed, seeing through what the other woman was doing. 

Rory grinned, “Yeah but just think; you move to Paris, trying to enjoy life there and all you can do is think about how you proved me right, that you are a coward.” 

Peach closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “I really fucking hate you.” 

She then threw one of her pillows at Rory, hitting the woman in the center of her face. 

Rory laughed, placing the pillow in her lap, “So, no more Paris?” 

Peach rolled her eyes, “Since you want to keep me here so badly, why don’t you pack my bags and carry them to your car?” 

“Why do I have to do all of that? You're not invalid.” Rory asked. 

Peach raised an eyebrow, “Do you want me to tell your mother about how you refused to help a vulnerable young lady in need? I thought you were a knight in shining armor.” 

“Dang, we haven’t been friends that long and you’re already playing the mom card? That’s cold, I would never do that to you.” Rory exaggerated the pout on her lips. 

Peach looked Rory up and down, “Don’t act like you don’t get off on being a good little girl, helping people every person in need that you come across.” 

“I... uh, well, tha-that's... uh.” Rory stammered, her cheeks burning, and squeamish feeling appeared in her stomach when she heard Peach call her ‘a good little girl.’ 

Peach, being as sharp and perceptive as she was noticed and was able to pick up on what caused Rory’s reaction. Instead of saying anything, Peach smirked, sensually throwing her legs over the side of the bed and standing up. 

Peach leaned down, her lips just barley grazing Rory’s ear. “So, are you going to sit there or are you going to pack up my stuff? You’re my pack mule, remember?” 

Rory swallowed the saliva that had built up in her mouth, “Ye-yeah, of course. I’ll... I’ll get right on that.” 

Rory stood up and immediately went around the room, putting clothes and other belongings inside Peach’s suitcases. 

Peach watched Rory move around her room, pointing to whatever she wanted Rory to pack. After about ten minutes, Peach heard a strangled gasp from Rory. 

“What’s wrong?” Peach asked, seeing that Rory was facing away from her and holding something in her hands. 

Rory slowly turned around, but she kept her gaze on the floor, “Uh... what... what do you want me to do with this?” 

Peach looked at Rory’s hands and saw that she was holding her see-through box of sex toys. 

Peach rolled her eyes, “And you said that I’m not an adult. You’re acting like you’ve never seen sex toys before.” 

“Well, I don’t see other people’s sex toys!” Rory exclaimed. 

It was not the sight of the box that led to her embarrassment, but the thought of Peach using them that caused her brain to short circuit. 

“Well, don’t faint, Miss Prude. I still need you to carry that to your car.” Peach said nonchalantly. 

“You’re the worst.” Rory muttered as she packed away the box. 

Soon, the suitcases were full, and Rory quite easily lifted two onto her shoulders, and Peach could not deny that she looked twice when Rory's shirt lifted up and a sliver of skin could be seen, allowing Peach to see the beings of a v shape and her bottom two abs. 

“I’m going to take these to the car. You want me to come back and take the other or wait for you to change?” 

Peach cleared her throat when she realized that Rory was waiting for her to respond. “Uh... you can come back for the other two suitcases.” 

“Alright.” Rory said as she left the room. 

Peach waited until she heard Rory start to walk down the stairs, and made her way to her nightstand, bending down to open the bottom drawer. She pulled out her handgun and was about to put it in her purse when she saw that the safety was off. 

“Did I not turn it on?” Peach asked aloud, confused as she was sure that she had turned the safety on when she had put the weapon away. 

She did not have time to ponder this as she heard the front door open, signaling that Rory was coming back. Peach quickly put the gun in her purse, moving it further on her bed so as to not look suspicious. 

When Rory returned, she once again put the remaining two suitcases on her shoulders before looking back at Peach. “So, do you want me to me to wait for you in the car? I can clean up the house while you change.” 

Peach shook her head, “No, it's fine. We have a cleaning crew that comes by every week, I’ll just tell them to come a few days early. Just wait for me? I won’t take long.” 

“Don’t take too long? I'm burning a lot of my gas waiting for you.” Rory smiled. 

“Just wait in the car, you little gremlin.” Peach groaned. 

Rory laughed as she left the room, enjoying that Peach was no longer as upset as she had been when Rory first arrived. 

Peach stared at Rory as she left, scolding herself as her eyes started to wander. 

What the fuck is wrong with me? Peach thought as she quickly discarded her nightgown and robe, wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans. 

As she left the mansion, closing the front door behind her, Peach could not stop the smile on her face when she saw Rory leaning against her car, waiting for her. 

“Hey.” Rory said, smiling at the woman. 

“Hey.” Peach said back. 

Her smile grew even larger when Rory walked ahead of her to the passenger side, opening the door for her. 

“You really are trying to live up to the knight in shining armor title.” Peach said as she slid into the car. 

“I try.” Rory said as she closed the door and made her way to the driver’s seat. 

Peach did not know how to feel when Rory started to drive, and she realized that she had not thought about Guinevere Beck since Rory told her to give her space. 

Beck, since the moment they met at Brown, had become the center of her world, her best friend, her obsession. Beck was good and kind in all the ways that Peach was not, an innocent person not from her world. 

But with Rory, Peach did not have to pretend to be a good person, she did not have to buy her gifts or take her to the best parties to get to become her friend, there was no undercurrent of judgement or fear whenever she did something unseemly. 

Sure, she and Rory did dislike each other, and Rory most certainly did not trust her when they first met, but Rory could dish back Peach’s cruel words and actions just well as she could take it, Rory treating her as someone who just did not know how to express herself instead of someone who was evil. 

For the first time in a long time, Peach felt relaxed, not worried about anything, only focused on the woman sitting next to her. 

~X~

I failed you, Beck. I was supposed to protect you, but I couldn’t get the gun away from Peach. Joe thought, finally crawling out from under the bed once he heard Peach close and lock the front door. 

There is no way Peach will respect your wish to be left alone, I know her, she’ll be back at your feet, begging for forgiveness with her silver tongue. She’s a vindictive snake, who knows how she’ll be when she sees you again?  

Joe walked through the house, intent on getting his car and heading back to New York. As he moved, he could not help but wish that Rory had not arrived. 

Peach was going to leave; she was going to go to Paris and be out of our lives for good, but Rory convinced her to stay. I know that Rory and Peach had become closer, but friends? It seems that I have gotten Peach out of your life, Beck, only for her to latch onto my naive little sister.  

I have to get rid of her, neither you nor Rory is safe as long as Peach is around. She’s too unstable and unpredictable, she has to go.  

Joe resolved himself as he got into his car and drove away from the mansion. To him going after Peach again would be just as easy as it had been when he bashed that rock against her head. 

Only this time, Joe will make sure that he does not fail again.