I Do I Did

Forty Five

Jefferson stopped in front of the house to let Pete and Ryan out. They ran up the steps to the porch in a childish race to the door. No time to waste. They were already going to start late because of traffic.

Pete opened the door and was faced with an eerily quiet house. It probably would have been more active if he hadn't sent the maids home today.

"Brendon!" Ryan called out as he walked towards the kitchen. "Get your lazy ass up. It's time to get going!"

His friendly banter was followed by an ear piercing scream when he finally walked into the kitchen.

Panic surged through Pete as he rushed to the sound of his best friend's yell. His heart dropped to his stomach when he reached the kitchen doorway and saw Brendon laid out on the floor.

Ryan dropped to his knees and grabbed the unconscious man in his arms. Dry sobs escaping his mouth. There were no tears in his eyes. He just stared down at Brendon, unblinking.

"Is he breathing?" Pete asked frantically. Ryan didn't respond. His only movement being his body rocking back and forth. "Ryan, is he breathing?" Pete asked again.

When Ryan ignored him the second time, Pete rolled his eyes. He bent down to check for himself but Ryan wildly slapped his hands away with one of his.

"Get the fuck away from him!" His voice was dark and sharp. A way Pete had never heard it before.

Pete backed away cautiously. "I just wanted to see if-"

"I can see for myself!" Ryan screamed. He brought his ear down towards Brendon's mouth. Tears sprinkling his eyes when he heard the short, shallow breathes.

Pete saw the slightly relaxed look on Ryan's face so be relaxed a little too. Brendon was alive. But that relaxation quickly flipped to panic mode. Where the fuck was Patrick?

"Where's Patrick?" He knew Ryan wouldn't have the answers but he had to ask the question out loud.

Instead of responding to him, Ryan dug into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Dialing the short number in before placing it over his ear. It only rang once of course.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"I need an ambulance at 27 Manic St."

"Between Forth and Fremont, sir?"

"No between fifth and chocolate cookies. Of course between Forth and Fremont, you stupid bitch!"

"Sir-"

"My fucking fiance is passed out on the ground and barely breathing. I need an ambulance now!"

"There's one on the way now sir. Please stay on the line so I-"

Ryan tossed the phone on the floor beside him. Using both his hands to hold Brendon closer again. He finally let himself cry. The fearful tears slipping and disappearing into Brendon's dark hair.

"Patrick's missing!" Pete told him. Ryan continued to ignore him. His body shaking back and forth again on the floor. "Ryan!"

"I fucking heard you, Pete!" He snapped. "What the fuck do you expect me to do? Drop my fiancé and help you search?"

Pete's worry was temporarily replaced with anger as he listened to Ryan's total disregard for Patrick's welfare.

"I expect you to act like you give a shit."

"Oh I'm sorry!" He glared up at him with red eyes. "How selfish of me to worry about my fiance instead of dropping him and focusing on your husband."