Regression - Second Chance At Life Chapter 5: Best Freind?

Cruising along the streets of his childhood neighborhood stirred up forgotten memories from his earlier days. Reflecting on them, he sees that they held nothing remarkable.

Indeed, his existence had been far superior, yet he failed to embrace it fully. He shunned outings with buddies, missed out on a vibrant social circle, and passed up chances to bed numerous women.

It dawns on him that he squandered his life, despite entering the world with every privilege.

"No repeating that error," he mutters, shifting into the next gear.

While navigating the bustling city roads, memories flood back of trudging these same paths on foot, scraping by, contrasted with his current ride in a luxury vehicle.

Pulling up to the bank, Adam notes the moderate crowd inside, folks queued for their errands. He heads straight to the deposit machine and swiftly handles his cash drop.

Exiting the bank, a voice hails him. "Adam!" He pivots to spot a youth with cropped dark brown hair, roughly his age. Adam instantly knows this guy—a face etched indelibly in his mind.

"Dude, I figured it was you. Where you been the last few weeks?" the man queries.

This visage is unforgettable to Adam. This backstabbing bastard posed as his closest ally back then and still does now. The betrayal seared it forever: the jerk slept with his stepmother.

Booted from home, Adam turned to this scum for aid. Rather than assist, the traitor branded him a failure, mocked his poverty, all while leeching cash off him effortlessly.

Months post-eviction, Adam caught this sleaze checking into a hotel alongside his stepmom.

Fury surged through Adam at the sight. Not just the betrayal, but bedding the very woman he craved most.

Truth be told, his stepmother was promiscuous, bedding anyone post-father's death. She hoarded lovers, including this fool standing before him.

"Joe," Adam greets with a grin.

"So, where you been hiding?" he presses.

"You know, holed up in my room, that's it," Adam responds.

"I keep saying, bro, get out and live a little," Joe feigns concern. "That's exactly my plan," Adam shoots back.

"Awesome, let's roll then," Joe declares, striding ahead to Adam's ride. Adam eyes him icily yet stays silent. For now, let the traitor play buddy. Revenge simmers on the horizon.

Reaching his vehicle, Adam watches Joe circle it, caressing and ogling. "Damn, you lucky dog. No clue what I'd give for wheels like these," he gushes, glancing at Adam. *I know your dirty tricks for cash,* Adam muses inwardly, flashing a smile.

"Hey, mind if I take her for a spin?" he requests. "No," Adam snaps instantly. No faking old habits; this filth won't touch his possessions.

"Oh..." Joe utters, eyeing Adam expectantly for reasons, but none forthcoming. Adam merely fixes him with a strange stare.

Unprecedented—Joe's asks always got a yes from Adam before.

Yet this time, blunt denial.

"Hop in the passenger side," Adam instructs, sliding into the driver's seat. Stunned by the assertiveness but unquestioning, Joe climbs aboard.

"Let's swing by your spot," Adam proposes. "Why?" Joe probes. "Dad's around, trust me, you wanna steer clear," Adam fibs. Father had likely departed for work, abandoning the house to his avaricious stepmom.

No way he'd expose this lowlife to her.

"Cool, my pad it is. Snagged some top-shelf vintage porn you'll dig," Joe smirks slyly.

"Dunno, burnt out on mere videos. Craving the real deal," Adam declares, shocking Joe. Old Adam wouldn't dream of voicing such boldness.

"Whoa, what flipped your switch?" Joe wonders.

"Guess I finally snapped awake," Adam states.

"Hell yeah, hook me up with that wake-up juice," Joe chuckles as Adam accelerates.

In contrast to Adam, Joe hails from a middle-class family supported by just one working parent. His father drives trucks for a living, while his mother serves as a housewife.

Joe also possesses a sister whom Adam has never laid eyes on in person, though he's glimpsed her photos online, and Adam won't pass up any chance to hit that sexy ass.