I Do I Did

Sixteen

Patrick didn't know what he was feeling as he stormed up the stairs in the house. Or maybe the problem wasn't that he didn't know what he was feeling. Maybe the problem was that he was feeling too much.

He felt angry that Pete didn't tell him. He felt sad that Andy was right about not trusting anyone. He was scared that someone hated him enough to want him killed. He was relieved that it wasn't Pete's fault. And he was confused as to what emotion he was going let take the forefront.

He hesitated for only a second at Pete's door before he twisted the knob and then kicked it open. It slammed agaisnt the wall and bounced back lightly.

Pete and Meagan were laying on the bed watching a movie. Her back was against the headboard. She was sitting Indian style. Pete was laying on his back. His head was in her lap. His knees were up. And she was playing in his hair.

The sight made Patrick sick. Fueling jealousy throughout his body. Spiking his anger. So that was the emotion he was going with. Good to know.

The both jumped at the sound of the door. Turning to see Patrick standing there. Red faced with his fist balled up at his sides. Meagan looked afraid. Pete looked annoyed. He sat up in the bed.

"What the fuck-"

"Why didn't you tell me it wasn't an accident?"

"What?"

"Someone fucked with the car. That's why the breaks didn't work. Why didn't you tell me?"

Patrick didn't bother asking if Pete knew it was true. He could see it in his eyes. The guilt.

"Pat-"

"I don't want any of your bullshit talk, Pete. I just want a straight forward answer."

"I didn't want to scare you."

"Scare me?"

"Yes, scare you! Someone tried to fucking kill us, Patrick. And the police still have no idea who. There's no evidence of anything. That means the asshole is still out there!"

"Pete, I'm a grown man. I don't need you holding things back from me to prevent me from getting scared. Don't you think I deserve to know someone tried to kill me?"

"Oh course, I just... I just didn't want to burden you with so many big things."

"You mean like a wife and kid?"

"Yes." Pete sighed in defeat. "I didn't want to stress you out-"

"You don't think that stresses me out."

He jabbed a finger behind Pete. Towards Meagan, who was watching them, wide eyed on the bed.

"Oh course that stresses you out, but I can't change that."

"You can't change the fact that someone wants me dead either."

"But I could hold off on telling you. I couldn't keep my wife and child a secret."

"You're not supposed to keep anything secret!" He snapped. "Me and you." Patrick motioned between himself and Pete with his finger. "We don't do that! We don't keep secrets from each other!"

"I-"

"We have never done that!"

"I was looking out for you! I'm sorry if it was stupid, but I did it for you."

"I can't believe you. I'm so mad you would do this!" Patrick was shaking slightly. "I'm so mad. I'm so-so-"

"Patrick-" Pete said softly.

"I-I'm so- I'm scared, Pete." He broke. A cry escaping his lips. "I'm so fucking scared."

"Oh, baby. Come here."

Pete pulled Patrick to his chest. Holding him there. Patrick's hands were pressed against Pete's chest. Sandwiched between the two of them.
Pete could feel Patrick trembling in his arms. He rubbed soothing circles on his back. Shushing him gently.

Patrick felt like such a child. Running to Pete and then crying in his arms because he was afraid of something. But he didn't care.

He lifted his head from Pete's chest and rested it on his shoulder. His eyes connected with the glaring eyes of Meagan.

He didn't immediately look away. They held eye contact for a few moments. Patrick slowly and deliberately lifted his hands to snake them around Pete's neck. Pete only held him tighter.

Meagan was trying her best to maintain a straight face as she watched her husband hold onto his ex. She stood up off the bed and stalked towards the bathroom. Her long hair swinging behind her. And she slammed the bathroom door hard enough to shake the walls.

Pete flinched and pulled away. Glancing over his shoulder at the now empty bed.

"I-I'm so sorry, Pete. I-I forgot she was watching." Patrick lied.

"It's okay. I did too." He turned back to face Patrick. "Are you okay?"

"No." He said quickly. Fearing that Pete would rush back to Meagan's side if he said yes. "I-I just need some normality."

"I understand." Pete nodded. "Do you want to go to our favorite restaurant? That's pretty normal."

"Ye-"

"We can go for dinner if you've already had lunch."

"No. No, we can go for lunch-"

Brendon just so happened to be walking past Pete's room at that moment. He paused and stared into he open doorway.

"Did you say lunch?"

"Yes. We're-"

"Didn't you just have lunch?"

"Actually-"

"Are you crying?"

"I was-"

"Is this asshole the reason?" He glanced at Pete.

"Hey, I didn't do anything." Pete held his hands up in surrender.

Brendon's eyes narrowed.

"You'd better not have." He looked at Patrick again. "So you're going out to lunch?"

"We we're going to go-"

"Without Meagan?" He interrupted.

"She's..." Pete glanced over his shoulder then back at Brandon. "Busy at the moment."

"Good. I'm coming."

"It wasn't an open invitation." Pete lifted a brow.

"Which is why I just invited myself."

"Bren-"

"I'll be ready in ten!" He spun around to walk back in the direction he'd just come from. "Ryan!" He yelled.

"Yeah, babe?" Ryan yelled back.

"Get your lazy ass up! We're going out!"