Chapter 227: Solitude Fire
Robert scrunched up his face and clicked his tongue, "Don't talk nonsense. Why would I drug you?"
He was straight as an arrow and definitely not into dudes.
He suddenly envisioned a BL novel featuring himself and Magnus. The story was steamy, even downright raunchy, and it was going viral online.
Robert was pissed but also kinda curious, so he checked out the book's buzz online. It was a hit, so the author was probably raking in the cash.
He made up his mind to track down the author. If he found them, he'd sue their pants off!
How dare they make him out to be gay?
It felt like someone had stomped on his pride with a dirty boot, grinding it into the dirt.
Just thinking about it made his blood boil.
Magnus didn't hide his disgust for the drink, "Is this mixed with industrial alcohol or something?"
Robert shot back, "It's 75 proof. This drink's called Solitude Fire, and it's a hit at the bar."
Magnus's lips twisted in a mocking grin, "Solitude Fire, what a dumb name."
Robert was annoyed, "The inspiration for this drink came from you and Juniper."
Magnus gritted his teeth, feeling his privacy was invaded, "You're making money off my and Juniper's story?"
"Don't you wanna know what this drink means?"
Magnus's face was calm, indifferent, "It's just a drink, what meaning could it have?"
"That's why you have no artistic sense. Look, aren't you holding ice right now?" Robert asked.
Magnus looked at him like he was an idiot, coldly saying, "The glass is wrapped in ice. If you sell this drink in winter, are you trying to give your customers frostbite?"
Robert rolled his eyes, "According to the bartender's metaphor, why hold ice? Because happiness is as fragile as thin ice. Only those who truly feel solitude can drink 75 proof alcohol. Your relationship with Juniper is both cold and intense—doesn't that seem fitting?"
"Whether it's fitting or not, you're definitely stupid," Magnus sneered.
Only Robert could come up with such a weird drink name and metaphor.
But that night, Magnus downed two glasses of Solitude Fire.
It was really hard to drink, almost like industrial alcohol.
However, 75 proof alcohol, the moment it went down his throat, it burned like fire, spicy and intense, almost masochistic, harsh and exhilarating.
The strong liquor hit hard.
Robert drank quite a bit too.
By the time Michael showed up, Magnus and Robert were already a bit tipsy.
"How much did you two drink?"
Robert smirked, "Just two glasses, but it's strong, 75 proof. I'm not just drunk, my stomach hurts."
Michael took away the blue cocktail, "What, it could burn a hole in your stomach. You two are nuts."
Robert instructed the bartender, "Make one for him too."
Michael added, "Give me a normal drink."
The three of them sat in a booth, drinking some more.
Robert laughed, "It's been ages since the three of us hung out like this. Michael, it's rare for you to be here. Come on, let's toast."
Since Michael arrived, Magnus hadn't said a word.
Michael and Robert clinked glasses, but Magnus didn't. He just downed his drink in one go.
Magnus swallowed hard, then suddenly asked, "When did you start liking Juniper?"
Just because he hadn't mentioned it before didn't mean it didn't bother him.
In all honesty, if you wanted to keep being friends, some things needed to be laid out in the open, or you would have just ended up hating yourself and destroying the friendship.
Magnus wasn't clueless or pretending to be dumb.
Whether love or friendship, he liked them clean and pure.
Robert didn't see Magnus's question coming.
Michael was even more taken aback by the bluntness, "Relax, trust me, Juniper and me are just friends. You gotta trust me, and trust Juniper..."
"I'm asking if you ever had feelings for Juniper, and when did it start? Michael, I want the truth," Magnus shouted. He gripped the icy glass, his cold white fingers squeezing hard, causing some ice cubes to fall and shatter on the marble countertop, the crisp sound igniting the tense atmosphere.
Michael sat there, downed his drink, and told the bartender, "Another 75 proof."
Since Magnus had asked so directly, there was no point in hiding anymore.
In the past, he didn't want to make it clear.
They had been classmates for years, walking hand in hand through every storm. He did have feelings for Juniper, but he never acted on them, nor did he ever entertain the idea of coming between them.
Michael spilled everything.
Robert gasped upon hearing it, and Magnus was even more dumbfounded.
"If you wanna hit me, go ahead," Michael said.
As soon as he finished speaking, Magnus clocked Michael in the face.
It was a heavy punch.
Michael hit the ground, his mouth filled with the taste of blood.
"You deserve with this punch." Magnus's face was dark, his voice icy.
He stared at Michael with a fierce look, his eyes filled with long-suppressed anger.
Michael leaned there, licking his gums, "I deserved it. If you're gonna hit me, do it quick."
Magnus clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking.
He grabbed Michael's shirt collar and punched him twice more.
Michael felt dizzy, his ears ringing.
Magnus, having drunk, hit hard, almost to the point of beating him to death. Finally, he grabbed Michael's collar and said through gritted teeth, "This matter is over. But from now on, don't ever have any thoughts about Juniper."
"I've already decided to marry Sinclair. Don't worry," Michael replied.
That was the truth.
He wasn't lying.
Magnus let go of him, turned his back, and coldly warned, "And you better bury this matter in your heart forever."
Michael got up, picked up his suit jacket, and said, "I always planned to bury it forever. Feel better now?"
"Get out."
Until Michael left, Robert slowly came back to his senses and cursed, "Michael deserved a beating!"
Of all the people to fall for, he chose his best friend's girl. Anyone would find that despicable.
Magnus held his drink, his expression cold, "Those three punches were heavy. This matter is over. From now on, you are not to blame him."
Michael left.
Magnus and Robert drank copiously, consuming 75-proof liquor that would intoxicate anyone, eventually causing them to slump over the booth bar.
The bartender glanced at them and shook his head.
This Solitude Fire was made for people who didn't care about their lives.
Magnus's phone rang, the caller ID showing Juniper.
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