"Je t'aime."
"What does that mean?"
"It means I love you."
"No... No, you don't."
"I do."
"You're just upset because he's seeing someone else. Call me when you start thinking with your dick again."
"God... you're an asshole."
"See, that's better. Yes. I am an asshole. Now go peddle your love somewhere else... I don't want it."
"Christ."
"You're crying? That's it..."
"Don't hang up! Please? Ok? Ok? I've stopped."
"I don't need this."
"But... Listen... I thought you and I were—"
"No."
"But I thought—"
"No."
"Do you enjoy hurting me?"
"I don't care one way or the other."
"Jesus... Why do you have to say that? Don't you know what it feels like to have your heart crapped all over?"
"Actually... I don't. No one's been able to find mine."
"Oh."
There was a long pause where he could hear sniffling and hitched breathing on the other end. Closing his eyes, he let out a sigh and rubbed his forehead.
"Ok. Listen... Stop fucking crying. Get some sleep. Take a day to get your head on straight. Then we'll talk."
"Can I come over?"
"Maybe tomorrow."
"Tonight?"
"What the fuck did I just say?"
"Ok. Ok. I'm sorry."
"I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to stop crying and pay attention to my words so I don't have to repeat myself."
"I will. I promise."
"Now go to bed like a good boy."
"I will. Then we'll talk tomorrow?"
"Then we'll talk, yes... But, if you ever want your dick anywhere near my ass again, leave the 'I love you' crap out of it."
"Ok. I promise."
"Good."
He hung up, lit another cigarette, and ducked out the window to the fire escape. The night breeze was cool on his bare chest and he smiled as he stood watching the twinkling city lights below.
