Cortez

When Cortez arrived home, it was well past ten in the morning. He walked up the steps leading to the large double mahogany doors, exhaling and mentally preparing himself for what he had to do. He brushed a stray curl from his forehead and tried to relax his heart rate. Cortez unlocked the door, stepping into the smell of fried eggs and coffee. His brows furrowed in confusion as he wandered into the kitchen, drawn in by the irresistible aroma. He came to a sudden halt when he spotted Jacob, nonchalantly whipping up breakfast as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Seriously, the nerve of this guy! Who does he think he is, looking so at ease while he's here trying to figure out what the hell is going on?

Cortez placed his wallet and cellphone on the counter, none too gently, drawing Jacob's attention. Hazel eyes connected with Cortez's, and he closed his eyes, trying his utmost to gather enough patience to have a sensible conversation and not scream at him like an emotionally unstable person. Cortez opened his eyes just as Jacob said, "Morning, babe. I waited up for you all night. I decided to make breakfast just in case you arrived this morning." He gave Cortez a small smile, uncertainty swirling in his eyes.

Cortez strolled deeper into the kitchen, casually leaning his hip against the island while he crossed his arms and shot him a pointed glare, "I'm not hungry, Jacob, and I don't want you in here. You need to pack your belongings and leave my house. Now. You must understand the gravity of the situation."

Despair filled his eyes. He dropped the spatula he held in his hands and approached Cortez. Cortez held up a hand, stopping him mid-stride, "Don't come any closer. I mean what I said, Jacob. I want you out of here. The guy whose guts you were sheathed in last night, you can go there and make up your bed. Not here. Not where I pay the bills."

"Babe, please forgive me. I admit I made a terrible mistake." His face crumpled.

Cortez felt a deep ache in his heart. A part of him still had love for Jacob, and the last thing he wanted was to inflict pain on him like he had already experienced. Yet, it was hard to lie awake at night knowing that Jacob’s heart was split in two, with one half still tethered to him and the other likely given to someone else. It just didn't sit right with him. The struggle between holding on and letting go was real, and it left him feeling more confused than ever. Cortez saw the way he looked at Cameron. That's the same look Jacob had in his eyes when he gazed at him. That alone had him choking on a sob. Cortez couldn't put himself through that emotional torture. Did Jacob even love him anymore?

"Jacob, don't make this harder than it already is for me," Cortez said, his throat tightening.

Jacob got down on his knees, his eyes imploring, "Cortez, are you going to condemn me for one mistake? I love you, and I want to make this relationship work. Please, baby. I'm begging you, give me one more chance."

Cortez stared down at him, a part of him willing to give him another chance, but the other, scorned and wary. Jacob lied blatantly to his face, and Cortez caught him in the act of cheating. The flashbacks, a nightmare etched into his mind, were hard to erase. The moans, the words of praise. Jacob's cries of completion, everything. Cortez shook his head, shoving the memories away.

"No, Jacob. I want you to pack up your shit and get out of my house. If you won't do it, I'll do it for you." Cortez stepped back, putting distance between them. Cortez didn't want Jacob touching him with those hands that caressed another.

"Babe..." His lips trembled. "Don't do this to me."

Anger flared up within him. Cortez snapped, "Don't do this to you? What have I done to hurt you!? I was faithful to you. I never made you feel lonely, bereft of my attention, nor did I so boldly fuck someone else! But you did! You lied to me! How many more are there, Jacob? It makes me wonder who else has had a taste of your cock since we've started dating, hmm? Is it that rude ass receptionist at your law firm? Or one of your assistants? Don't think I haven't noticed his jealous behavior."

His eyes widened, and Cortez tipped his head back, laughing mirthlessly, "You're such an asshole. An asshole that I loved." Cortez's eyes became swimmery with tears. His emotions were all over the place. What the hell was going on with him?

"Cortez—"

A tear escaped down his cheek as he cut him off with quivering lips, "If you don't leave within the hour, I'm calling the police. I'm very serious, Jacob. What we had is done. There's no more us. I'm breaking up with you. Pack your shit and get the fuck on. Don't call or text me. I'll leave you to clean up your mess."

Cortez gave him one last look, his heart stony against Jacob's pleading eyes, then spun and stormed out of the kitchen. Tears streamed down his face as he hurried upstairs to get all of his belongings out of his room. When he burst through his room door, he flung himself on his bed, screaming his anguish and sobbing. What did he do wrong? What did he do to push Jacob to cheat? Was Cameron a better lover than he was? Was Jacob no longer attracted to him?

His mind flung question after question at him, causing an excruciating feeling to stab him in the chest as he thought about Cameron and how beautiful he was and how Jacob worshipped his body. He clutched the sheets and wept. The agony he felt had him screaming in anguish. Cortez clenched his shirt, clawing at his chest to relieve the pain. He felt crushed. The damage, irreparable. He slumped against the bed, weak and emotionally exhausted, his tears soaking through the quilt. After crying for a long time, he felt hollow inside. Cortez stared ahead at the ivory curtains and how they billowed in the slight breeze. The crisp morning air trickled through the open windows.

Where does he go from here? How will he pick up the broken pieces and put them back together? Can they ever be put back together? Will he ever recover from this? Jacob was his first love, and he took his virginity. He never thought of dating another man. His affections were reserved for Jacob only.

Cortez whimpered, gripping the sheets with an anguished sob. The sound of the door opening made him glance up, a snarl tearing from his throat when he laid eyes on Jacob, "Get the fuck out, Jacob!" He screamed, with tears in his eyes.

"Oh, baby. I'm so sorry for hurting you." He disregarded Cortez's demand and came over to him, taking him in his arms.

Cortez thrashed in his hold, trying to break free, "Leave me alone! Just go!"

"Hush, baby. It's okay. I've got you," He stroked his hair.

"Please, stop," Cortez cried, trying to push Jacob away, his strength and will to fight depleting. Exhaustion pulled at him, and he wanted to give up on fighting him. What does it matter? Will anyone ever want him? Will he ever satisfy them? Jacob's attention was diverted elsewhere. Who's to say if he can keep a steady relationship after they went their separate ways?

"I can't leave you like this," He said adamantly. "You aren't yourself." He cupped Cortez's head and laid it on his shoulder, gently rocking him.

"It's because of you," Cortez wept. "You made me like this, and I hate you for that."

He kissed Cortez's forehead, choosing not to respond. As if being lulled to sleep, his energy bled out, and he found himself relaxing in Jacob's arms, his scent calming him despite his anger. Cortez closed his eyes, hiccuping, feeling numb.

Jacob thought he still had Cortez wrapped around his finger. The sweet allure of sleep carried him away into a realm where no hurt or pain plagued him. Cortez was at ease and drifted into the darkness of his consciousness until his eyes opened up to the canopy of his bed. He blinked, rubbing his eyes and turning over to come face to face with a sleeping Jacob.

So he did fall asleep in Jacob's arms. That'll be the last time he ever touches him. Cortez carefully slid out of bed and made his way out of the room and downstairs. He phoned two of the housekeepers after brushing his teeth and taking a shower in the guest bathroom downstairs, letting them know they'll be needed today to tidy up. Afterwards, he went into the kitchen and made cereal, pouring a glass of orange juice. He then sat at the island and ate his breakfast when Jacob came down, wearing that blasted smile that he thought stirred his heart and kept him stupidly under his spell. 

"You're up," He said, stopping at the threshold of the kitchen.

Cortez sipped his drink, regarding Jacob over the rim of the glass. "Am I not supposed to be awake? It's past midday."

"Well, of course, but...how are you feeling?" He asked, surveying Cortez with a frown.

Cortez eyed him, wanting to throttle him. Despite the urge, he calmly responded, "Great." He placed the glass down and exhaled. "An hour has passed, and yet you're still here."

"Cortez—"

"It's Mr. Molinero to you," His voice lacked inflection.

Jacob recoiled as if Cortez struck him.

"You no longer have the privilege to call me that. Mind your words when you're addressing me. I expect you to be out of my house within ten minutes. Get your shit out, or I'll throw it out. Your choice. Cortez ate a spoonful of cereal, loving how the Lucky Charms tasted. Sweet, pillowy, and satisfying like this moment right now.

"Are you kidding me right now?" He spread his arms out. "Is this how we're gonna end this? This is a low blow, Cortez."

"Mr. Molinero," Cortez interjected after swallowing his food, taking a napkin, and dabbing his mouth.

"Damn it, Cortez, stop this!" He snapped, his chest rising and falling rapidly. "You're just being petty now."

Cortez spun around on the barstool to give Jacob his full attention.

"You wanna talk about low blows, Jacob? Sure, let's do that then," He slid off the stool and walked up to him, squaring him up, not caring about their height difference. "Let's talk about how I caught you red-handed, fucking another man in a fucking bathroom stall, leaving me stranded outside, worried about your unfaithful ass! Do you understand now, Jacob? That's the low blow you've delivered. As for me? I'm going to show you better than I can tell you."

"What do you mean by that?" He asked, his face darkening at the promise.

"That's not for you to worry yourself about. I'm no longer your boyfriend. Get your shit, Jacob, and get the fuck out, this conversation is becoming exasperating." Cortez said, turning away.

Jacob gripped his arm, demanding an answer. Furious, Cortez slapped him, causing him to release his hold. Then he slapped him again, the sound bouncing off the walls. Jacob faltered back, staring at Cortez in shock.

"Don't fucking touch me," Cortez seethed. "Keep your filthy hands to yourself or I'll bite your fingers off and I mean it! How dare you waltz into my home and behave like you're the victim! You cheated on me! You disrespected me, you used me, and made a mockery of my feelings! I loved you! I honored you! And how do you repay me? With pain and agony. Fuck you, you unscrupulous bastard. I pray that Cameron gives you hell and whenever you think of me, it gives you hell for the way you treated me, you piece of shit."

Hurt flashed in his eyes, but Cortez didn't give a damn. The pain he was experiencing was tremendous and unbearable, and Jacob was the cause of it. Cortez won't allow him to make him feel some type of way because he wants to be forgiven.

"I'm going upstairs to my study to get my shit together, and when I get back down, I don't want to see your face in here. That's my final warning." Cortez shoved him out of the way, feeling boiling anger brew inside of him. Jacob took him for a fool, but he will not be a fool anymore, not a fool for his fake love.