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[Jared Bell]

"Next time I'll just leave it." Jared said softly. He was in the wrong and he knew it. He wasn't dumb enough to keep trying to convince Odion it had been a good idea. One look at his surroundings said it all. He knew it had been stupid, but in the end it was just another thing they could chalk up to rotten luck. Something almost all gambling addicts shared. The few times he did manage to win the payoff was always enough to have him come back for more.

It seemed like the assault was over for now. Jared let himself relax as Odion's weight shifted off of him. They had both made a mess out of this situation. He let a small chuckle escape his mouth. "Well that escalated bloody quickly." He joked. He was already starting to feel like himself again. He covered up the grin that wanted to come to his face. He knew well that his friend wasn't ready for that quite yet. After all the events of today though, he knew he'd have to pay Rhett a visit.

Jared laughed openly now and took his friends hand. "I think you mean insult myself that horrifically." He said softly. The impish grin that so often occupied his face was back. He reached into his inside jacket pocket and found that his cigarettes had remained intact. "Thank god... You want one mate?" He asked as he lit his up and extended the package to Odion. He couldn't help but wish that they had a bottle of something to sooth the headache he was sure they both had.

“"I think I can push it out if your willing to stomp the gas while I do it." Jared said hopefully. Walking a few miles back wouldn't be so bad but driving would make it a lot better. "I'll push it and if you stomp the gas pedal as it rocks we should be able to get it out and grab some lunch still. Maybe even some drinks." He said as he went to the front end of the truck. It wasn't in too deeply in the snow so he wouldn't complain about a little bit of grunt work. Not after the beating he had just received. He looked up at Odion and waited for him to get in the drivers seat. Besides, he was sure Odion had wanted to wreck the truck in a slightly more fun way.

[Odion Martins]

Odion huffed – damn right next time he would leave it. But this wasn’t rotten luck. Rotten luck was going outside wearing nothing but a t-shirt because the forecast said the skies were clear, and it just so happened to rain. That was rotten luck. Jared’s poor decisions were just plain stupidity, and he had no one to blame but himself because Odion insisted on not driving.

Managing a smile, Odion could only shrug. Jared had been the one to say those things, not him. The redhead tore his eyes away from Jared as that telltale smile crossed the brunet’s face. There was nothing wrong with it, it only reminded him of someone else at the moment. He declined the cigarette.

Complying now, Odion got into the truck and waited for Jared to start pushing. Eventually the timing would be perfect and Odi sent the truck flying backwards and out of the snow. It only took him three second to put his foot on the break, which only wanted to work when Odion put all of his force onto it.

“You owe me a few drinks,” he said, wishing that the window wasn’t broken and his headache was nonexistent. He was still in a foul mood, but at least he hadn’t killed Jared as promised.

[Jared Bell]

Jared immediately caught sight of the grin that escaped Odion. As soon as that happened he knew that everything was fine. Odion might still be a little upset, but the truth was he had already forgiven Jared too. “Suit yourself. I know I need at least five after this ordeal.” He said, inhaling deeply and letting his stress go with the smoke. He almost always used substances to deal with his problems. It was a small miracle that he was actively doing something about his debt, rather than drowning himself in alcohol until a hitman found him.

Jared could feel the truck starting to budge and he pushed with all he had. “Give her hell!” He yelled as he felt the truck finally start sliding back out of the snow. He fell as the truck pulled away onto the road. Odion stopped it and waited for Jared. He slowly picked himself up off the road and shot Odion a thumb up. “We got it out! Drinks are on me tonight Martin!” He yelled as he walked towards the truck. He assumed that he would be doing the driving for the rest of the day and he had no objections to it this time.

“You’ll get them. We can use that kayak as a cooler for the amount I’m going to get us.” Jared replied as he started driving towards town again. “So this time I’ll take your directions to the Thai place. If that is in fact what you still want.” He said with a grin. They were flying down the road now, heading straight for the freeway. They were back in town in no time and Jared was doing his best to remember where the restaurant was supposed to be. He knew he wouldn’t find it exactly but he could get them close without instructions.

[Odion Martins]

Walking on eggshells, that’s what it was like to be around Odion. But his eyes would always give him away, and when he wanted to hide something, it was nearly impossible. But at least he was beginning to cool off now, and as soon as Jared spotted that it was like giving him the green light for harassment. But no one would simply accept their fate if it involved death, and Jared wasn’t going to go down without a fight, being the scrapper that he was.

Drinks on Jared – not that that meant anything. “There’s only one way to get me to help you get that kayak,” Odion said, sitting in the passenger seat and closing his eyes. “Yeah, whatever,” Odion replied, finding it impossible to be comfortable to be in here. He shifted around in his seat, removing something that had been bother him. It was a pair of bunched up black panties. “Lovely,” Odi commented, throwing it past Jared and out the open window.

Jared hadn’t been that off when they parked the vehicle. Odion opened the visor to take a look at himself in the broken mirror. “I’ll have to use the washroom first,” he said, looking Jared over. Ah well, they had money to spend, and Odion didn’t particularly care about the stares they might receive. “You might want to as well.”

On the way inside, Odion smiled to himself, before glancing at Jared. “They’re licensed here,” he said, hoping that Jared had brought some kind of fake ID with him today. At least there was something to look forward to.

[Jared Bell]

“Name it and it’s done.” Jared said greedily. He wasn’t about to let a cool prize like a brand new kayak slip from his hands. “Well I promise I don’t intend to make you drive again until you’re damn ready mate. It was a bonehead move on my part.” He admitted when he realized that maybe Odion wasn’t quite ready to deal with harassment. A few moments later a pair of black knickers shot past Jared’s face. “I hope those aren’t yours, I’d hate to have seen the discomfort they would have given you on the way into the ditch.” Jared said with a laugh. He looked in the side mirror and saw that the underwear had indeed latched onto the box of the truck.

“Well I suppose it’d be best not to look like a couple of bums if we can avoid it.” Jared said as they got out of the truck. He followed Odion down the sidewalk until he turned to walk into what was essentially a hole in the wall. “Not a well-known place now is it?” He asked curiously. Generally he could remember Odion having good taste in food so he wasn’t about to question quality. He would however question the location.

“Brilliant, then I hope you’ve got identification. I’ve got mine.” He teased as he reached into his wallet and pulled it out. They had barely been seated when Jared ordered a bottle of wine for the two of them. He knew that Odion preferred the fancier things in life even if they didn’t, in Jared’s opinion, taste better. He slipped off his coat and very quickly realized just how sore his body was going to be in the next few days. “You hurting as much as me right now mate?” He asked, smiling over his cup. He had the feeling that both of them would be nursing themselves and their pride for the next little while.

The waiter returned with a bottle and menus. “You got it wrong mate, I meant a bottle for each of us.” Jared said, keeping a straight face, just to see what the waiter would say. The waiter smirked for a moment and then scurried off to get a second bottle. “So what would you recommend? I mean you say it’s good, so you tell me what’s good.” He said with a smile. He wasn’t that picky, so any recommendation would be taken at this point.

[Odion Martins]

“I haven’t decided on what it is yet,” he said with a shrug. By the time they were done getting Thai, and having their strong, hot, alcoholic drinks, Odion probably wouldn’t even remember this conversation. His mouth watered at the thought of Sato. Maybe he wore black panties, maybe he didn’t.

“Doubting my judgement Bell?” Odion challenged, knowing that Jared wasn’t, but merely harassing him. Everyone seemed to enjoy doing that because he always responded. He always had something to counter attack with.

“And some Sato,” Odion said quickly, but didn’t catch the waiter’s attention. He sighed, not bothering to sit as he left momentarily, heading for the bathroom and sorting himself out. He peeled off his jacket upon returning to the table and bit his bottom lip. “Like hell,” he agreed, putting a hand to his face. At least it didn’t feel so bashed up now, his feathers no longer ruffled. Just sitting and staring into nothingness was helping to calm him down. Just the idea of ingesting liquor made him feel better. He had a serious problem, but that would soon be rectified.

“Maybe some Sato?” He asked politely, and the waiter nodded, off to get the second choice. Odion glanced over the menu and over at Jared. He probably wouldn’t want anything authentic, mutt that he was, so Odi reached over and pointed at the various dinner combos, deep fried to perfection. “Take your pick,” he said, setting down his own menu, and folding his hands over top of it. Once the waiter returned, Odion placed his order of kaeng phet pet yang, his dark eyes glancing at Jared with dark eyes.

[Jared Bell]

“I’d never doubt you, just your choices.” Jared said with a laugh. Odion knew full well that he wasn’t being doubted. He enjoyed the banter, and that was a part of Jared that probably wouldn’t ever change. It was part of what kept the friendship fresh and growing in his mind. It would be dull if Odion just took his abuse without question. It was all part of how he maintained and grew his friendships, and through all the banter and bullshit over the years he and Odion had grown to be rather close.

Jared looked questioningly at Odion. “What the hell is Sato?” He asked, but he very quickly found he was talking to Odi’s back. Shrugging, he just idly played with his knife until his friend was back. He smirked at Odion’s answer. At least they were both in the same boat. “I’m just surprised neither of us broke anything.” He admitted. That would have been a whole lot harder to explain to roommates and any other people who decided to question them. Not that the two of them would have any trouble thinking up a good alibi. They were rather used to being in trouble together, something that Jared had very often thrust upon Odion in the past.

Jared simply shrugged and waited for the waiter to come back with whatever it was that Odion had ordered. He looked over all the stereotypical deep fried shit that was on the menu. “You know we could go to any little Chinese restaurant for this, seriously what’s good?” He asked. He wasn’t beating around the bush, and if Odion didn’t recommend anything he would simply copy his order. Jared met Odion’s eyes and shrugged. He looked at the waiter and said “I’ll have what he’s having, and bring some more Sato if it’s alcoholic.” He was finally starting to catch on as he popped the cork from his wine bottle and started to drink.

The waiter returned with more Sato and Jared waggled his eyebrows at Odion. “So you tell me just how bloody powerful this stuff is, cause I still have to be able to drive sort of today.” He knew he could probably get away with drinking and driving but he didn’t want to get into a second accident in the same day. His body was complaining enough from the first one.

[Odion Martins]

Odion scoffed. “Oh that’s rich, coming from you.” The ginger had to admit, if anyone could keep him talking, it was Jared. The man could make him snap in an instant, and the banter was next to normal. Not completely normal because Odion hadn’t experience it in nearly a year, but normal for Jared. And Odion sincerely hoped it would continue, and not this heart to heart bullshit from before. He must’ve been stressed or something.

Trouble was something Odi didn’t mind getting into, so long as it served a purpose. He didn’t like the nonsense trouble that often trailed after Jared like a stray dog. Now that, was something Odion hadn’t missed. If anyone had the most baggage with them, it was Jared, but he was either keenly unaware of it, or purposefully ignoring it. Odion only grunted in agreement – they were both sore, enough said.

When Jared wanted something different, Odion only raised his clasped hands in front of his face to hide his smile, a challenge in his eyes. “If it’s alcoholic? Do you live under a rock or something?” Odion asked, leaning towards Jared after the waiter had left. “I hope you enjoy curry,” he said a little smugly, “it’s not alcoholic but it will alter your senses just the same.” He leaned back as the waiter returned with more Sato.

Odion smirked at Jared. “If you think you can handle that, we can get Sake next.” The version they had now was cheap like beer at only eight percent proof. Odion waved his hand at the driving comment, dismissing it. “I thought we were ruining the car, more than it is might I add.” He smirked at Jared. “If you think you can handle that, we can get Sake next.” The version they had now was cheap like beer at only eight percent proof.

[Jared Bell]

"When the hell did you become a caveman?" Jared scoffed when Odion sent a grunt his way. He knew that they were both sore, but he was already looking forward to telling this story in great detail to anyone that would listen. "Now back to what's really important. That kayak. We need it. What's it worth to you? Say I sweeten the pot and find you a nice diamond ring for your personal gain. What do you think?" He suggested. He wouldn't have a problem knocking off a jewelry store if he needed. He knew Odion had always been attracted to the more luxurious steals.

Jared saw the look in Odion's eyes. He was going to drink the ginger under the table today. "When you're a cockroach like myself you live wherever you need to so that you survive." He said simply, laughing at his own expense. He scoffed at Odion. "Curry isn't anything I'm afraid to try." He said with a smirk. He had never liked the smell, but he would force himself to eat it just to prove his point to Odi. Jared didn't blink as he stared at Odion. He simply reached for his cup of hot liquor and downed it in as few gulps as he could.

"Of course I can handle this mate, remember which of us is an idiot without liquor. Makes it that much harder for me to feel drunk." Jared knew his argument held no water but that didn't mean he was just going to give up on it. "I hear Sake will fuck you right up. This place serve doubles?" He asked curiously. The liquor was warming his cheeks already but that was the only effect he had noticed so far. Reaching over to the bottles of wine he poured each of them a cup. He lifted the cup and extended it to Odion for a toast. "To our friendship, despite all the bullshit we always manage to make it work."

The clink of glasses was heard and Jared smiled. "Well if you don't think it's bad enough I suppose we can always run it off the road again. You can pause time and drag us out of it." He suggested. He was going to feel bad about this one, considering he liked Cameron but the damage was already done, so what would a little more matter? Jared always found a way to pay back what he owed people anyway.

[Odion Martins]

He didn’t grunt, thank you very much. Odion raised an eyebrow. “What do we need a kayak for? There’s nowhere to kayak around here, and if it’s anything like learning how to drive, I’ll pass on the opportunity.” No, what Odion had meant before was that Jared was going to have to get him too and drunk if he wanted to go back for the kayak. And then time powers were pretty well useless.

“That’s just a lazy man’s excuse,” Odion said over Jared’s laughter. And they both knew Odion had had to live in his fair share of dumps, so it was Jared’s sensibility which left him unaware, not his choice of living arrangements. Especially when he had parents to feed and shelter him – Odion wasn’t really sympathetic towards Jared not knowing what Sato is. Odion was glad to see Jared was feeling bold as usual, it would be the death of him.

Odion sipped at his drink gingerly, watching Jared like a hawk. “No, unfortunately.” What kind of place would serve something like that as a double? Jared was already feeling the effects, and the real effects would kick in later, from his asshole. Accepting the invitation for a toast, Odi smiled to himself. Jared was right about something for once. “Cheers,” Odion said, taking a gulp of the normal wine. It was like drinking water after the Sato was had.

The redhead sat back, watching the wine swirl around in his glass for a moment before finishing it off. “I was thinking more of an, inside out method,” Odion drawled, glancing at Jared, the image of the car’s guts being torn until they were unrecognizable.

[Jared Bell]

"Being a lazy ass has always been my style though mate. You of all people should know that." Jared replied smugly. Odion was one of his oldest and only friends, the abuse was to be expected at this point. Of course he was feeling adventurous, it would be his dying day when he stopped. Not that Jared has any intention of dying anytime soon. He would much rather live with as much excitement as he could find. His personality had always allowed for that. The liquor had hit his gut now. He did his best not to wince from the flavor but he had to admit that this was something he could get used to drinking. "Not as bad as it smells and only half as terrible as I was expecting." He said with a shrug.

"I'd expect a place like this to serve doubles." Jared sighed. "Guess I'll just order three." He muttered under his breath before Odion accepted his toast. It was starting to feel like it used to. Not that Jared hadn't missed it, but he wasn't expecting it so soon. If it kept going the well he might even stand a chance of meeting Odion's new boyfriend. Hopefully he would treat Odion better than Rhett had. The wine was indeed a sweet dose of reality. It hit him like a splash of water to the face after drinking the warm liquor. "That shit hits harder than I expected mate. I think we have a new winner for favorite treat." He said with a laugh.

"So what you're aiming for may require some mechanical aptitude?" Jared questioned, raising a single eyebrow at his friend. He was sure they could figure it out, but wouldn't starting it on fire be faster? He shrugged his shoulders and took another sip of his wine. "I like the way you think, but you've got to make sure we fuck it right to hell if you're serious about doing this thing." Jared said. He half contemplated texting Cam to warn him but he figured it would just be easier to apologize later.

Jared took the bottle of wine and poured himself another cup. The food had arrived just on time and his nose wrinkled at the smell. He looked sheepishly at Odion and said "Maybe next time I'll just go with the typical deep fried bullshit." He would stomach this but he had the feeling that he wouldn't be enjoying it. However Odion would probably be getting dinner and a show out of the deal.

[Odion Martins]

God, Odion didn’t remember Jared talking this much. Well, he did, but it had never been this bad had it? Maybe at some point in their convenient relationship, Odion had turned Jared’s voice into background noise, his ramblings into nothing, for sanity’s sake. How was he supposed to think if Jared was constantly spewing something from his mouth? It was no wonder the bloke never thought before he spoke, not at the rate he went at. Odion was staring at Jared but had stopped listening to the bits that didn’t matter.

Odion smirked as they both had more drink. “No, a monkey and a wrench should do the trick.” After all, nobody needed to know how to fix the car. Odion raised his glass once more. “We’ll fuck it right to hell.” He didn’t really care how Jared chose to phrase the wording, he was in. And Cameron was going to wish they had never crossed paths and that he had stayed out of Odion’s way. Some people, they never learned. And Cameron was too stupid to know any better, so long as Jared kept his trap shut. Knowing the brunet, Cameron was bound to find out sooner or later. Odion would just have to keep watching his back.

Odion shrugged. “Can’t say I didn’t warn you.” The redhead was looking at his meal in delight, thanking the server as he left, but not before promising them some water and more drinks. Odion picked up a pair of chopsticks and watched Jared’s hands idly, knowing that he would go for the fork. “If it’s really unbearable you could always order something else,” Odi challenged slightly. He couldn’t wait to see Jared choke through his food just to be stubborn. “Or drink a little more sake, that will help too.”

Picking at his food contentedly, Odion reached for his new drink, and waited for the server to leave again after asking how their food was before speaking. “So, any new plans come about since the last time we spoke?”