I Do I Did

Eight

"So he's not staying forever?"

Patrick was still in the lobby. But he could hear Meagan and Pete talking about him in the kitchen. She'd had a mini freak out and Patrick loved every minute of it. Until Pete pulled her into the kitchen to talk privately.

"Meagan, it's not like I can just kick him out. He has no one else."

"What about that friend of his?"

"Brendon?"

"Yes, him!"

"Brendon's place is too small."

"Can't you put him in a hotel. Or buy him a small apartment or something?"

"Now, Meagan, you don't want to look unhospitable do you?" His voice held a weird warning note.

"I-No." Meagan's voice was softer.

"Then we should welcome Patrick into our home. He was practically dead for a long time. He needs us."

"Fine, Pete. But I'm only doing this for you."

"Thanks babe."

They were quiet. Patrick assumed they were kissing in the kitchen. Almost cringing thinking of how he was kissing him just moments before. He wondered if Meagan could taste him on Pete's mouth. He wondered if he tasted good.

They walked back into the lobby side by side. Patrick was glad they weren't holding hands or he would have probably lost his shit. Meagan was wearing her best plastic smile.

"Patrick, I am so glad you are alive." As if. She probably wished he was being buried right now.

"Thanks. I'm happy to be alive."

"We are happy to have you in our home for as long as you need to stay."

"Thanks." He said again. She sounded like a fucking robot.

"How long will that be?"

"Meagan." Pete warned.

"Kidding." Her fake smile became a fake laugh. It was creepy as hell.

"Don't worry." Patrick mimicked her forced laugh. "The three of us won't be living together for much longer."

"Oh?" Her smiled looked more genuine at the news that Patrick might be leaving soon.

"Yes. One of us should be gone very soon." His gaze lowered to her stomach. "Maybe two of us."

Her eyes narrowed but her smile stayed in place. Her hands reached up to hold her round abdomen. She cleared her throat. Turning to look at Pete.

"I'm Assuming you're going to be home for the day."

"You assume correctly." Pete nodded.

"Wonderful. I'm Going to go get started on a late breakfast." She began walking back into the kitchen. Stopping briefly to glace back at Patrick. "How do you prefer eggs?"

"Unfertilized."

"Excuse me?"

"Patrick." Pete scolded.

"I'll order out."

"Okay." She seemed to have said the word through clenched teeth.

Pete smiled after her. Waiting for her to fully enter the kitchen. When she was out of sight he turned to Patrick. His smile leaving his face.

"She was trying to be nice!"

"I. Don't. Care."

"I do. I'm her husband!"

"You're my husband!" Patrick mushed Pete's shoulder roughly. Causing him to lose his balance.

"Patrick, please!"

"Please what?"

He sighed. "Please play nice."

"No."

Pete reached over and ran his hands through Patrick's hair. Cupping his face in his hand. Patrick leaned into his palm. Staring into Pete's eyes.

"Please, Patrick." Pete rubbed his thumb over Patrick's bottom lip.

Patrick clenched his teeth around Pete's thumb. Hard. Pete snatched his hand away from Patrick's face.

"No. I will not play nice with your little wife. I will not speak kindly to her. I will not converse with her. I will not acknowledge her existence. Because she should not exist as your wife. You're already married." He lifted his left hand up. Revealing the ring Pete Almost forgot existed.

"What was I supposed to do, huh? Wait forever?"

"No. But you could have waited long enough-"

"How long is long enough? Because I fucking think I did wait long enough! I waited months. Nine fucking months."

"Oh, big deal-"

"That's over two hundred and seventy days! Two hundred and seventy days of sitting in that hard ass hospital chair. Two hundred and seventy days of crying. Two hundred seventy days of talking to someone who couldn't talk back. Holding someone who couldn't hold back."

"You should have loved me enough to wait longer!"

They were screaming in each other's face. Finally saying the words they'd each had to wait so long to say.

"I couldn't wait any longer! I was losing my got damn mind! I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I was going to fucking kill myself, Patrick."

"I-"

"Meagan saved me. So yes, I forgave her. And yes I married her. And yes we're having a baby. And I fucking love her, okay?!"

Patrick stared up at him in shocked silence. A hurt look stuck on his face. Love. He'd used the word that was so difficult for him to say to anyone but Patrick and Ryan. But he'd used it for her.

"I hate you." Patrick whispered.

Because in that moment, he did. He didn't feel sad. He didn't feel broken. He felt anger. He felt hate. He never thought he could feel that emotion when it came to Pete.

Pete didn't respond. He turned on his heel and stalked towards the front entrance. Slamming it open with enough force to shake the house.

Meagan rushed from the kitchen before he could leave.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"Out."

The door slammed shut behind him.