Grand Theft Autumn

Chapter 23

Natasha's POV

I stayed close to Pete, my gun already out as he turned the handle. As he opened the door, I felt him tense up, and I took that as a cue. I swung my arms, point the gun over Pete's shoulder at whoever was on the other side of that door.

He wasn't part of the gang. I thought, as I watched his reactions to the gun. If he was a part of the gang, then he would have his gun out as well. I didn't recognize him, so that was good. Who was he then?

When Pete had first opened the door, the man had a smile on his face, as if he was happy to see us, or Pete. Then, he noticed the gun. It took him two seconds to register it, and he took a few steps back, raising his hands slightly. Pete took a step back as well, unintentionally pushing me back.

The two stared at each other, and I figured out that they knew each other. Based off of the bag that the man was holding, they must be friends.

Too late, I realized that I didn't need the gun. I slowly lowered it, and put it away again. Pete opened the door a bit wider. I walked backwards. Pete would not want me here to deal with this, I could already tell.

"Um... Brendon." Pete said, nervous. He was taken completely off guard. So his name is Brendon. I thought. Brendon frowned, looking at me. "I wasn't expecting you here. How-" Brendon cut Pete off.

"You clearly weren't." He said. Oh lord. This guy was pissed. At me, probably. I mean, it is never pleasant to go and visit your friend only to be welcomed by a strange girl aiming a gun at you. I don't blame him.

"Uh, Pete?" I whispered. "I am going to go." Lowering my voice so Brendon definitely couldn't hear me, I continued. "I am taking the picture and the address, but I will give them back next time we are..." I glanced at Brendon, who was staring impatiently at me. "Alone." Pete nodded ever so slightly. I quickly grabbed the photo, and the paper, sliding them into my jacket pocket. "Bye," I whispered. "Don't let him know." Pete nodded again, and stepped aside so I could walk out. Brendon's eyes followed me as I walked down the hall. I didn't look back, even though I wanted to.

I hope that Pete will be okay, and that he won't blow our cover.

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Pete's POV

After Natasha left, I stepped out of the doorway. "Would you like to come in?" I asked. It was then that I noticed the bag in his hand. Oh. Brendon walked in, looking around the room.

"Who was your friend?" Brendon asked. Natasha said to not let Brendon know anything, so I was going to have to bluff. I must have taken too long to respond, because Brendon spoke again. "You know, the cute girl who was pointing a gun at me the moment she saw me?" I forced a weak smile and turned to Brendon.

"Just a friend. It was a misunderstanding, I apologize." Brendon scoffed. "Bren, why are you here?" Brendon rolled my eyes at me.

"To bring you home, obviously."

"How did you find me?" Brendon sat in the chair that Natasha had sat in only five minutes ago.

"Cops. We already knew that you were in Glenview, so I gave you some time to come back. You didn't so I came down here to bring you back. This is the closest motel from the airport, and I just asked the lady at the counter if she had seen you."

"She just told you where I was?" What if Brendon was actually some serial killer, and I was his next target? I have watched dozens of Criminal Minds episodes that have started like this. Brendon shrugged.

"Yeah, after I gave her a twenty." I laughed, causing Brendon to smile. I continued to laugh, and Brendon joined in.

It has been a while since I have laughed that hard. After we both calmed down. Brendon looked at me, worry evident in his eyes. "How are you doing? Like, seriously. Pretend I am your shrink or something." I let out a little chuckle, and sat on the bed, leaning against the backboard.

"Shit." I said simply, and Brendon nodded.

"That makes sense, seeing how your crush has been kidnapped, then you disappeared off of the face of the earth. Then, when you resurface, you are with a chick who has a gun. I feel like shit is putting it lightly." I shook my head, smiling, until Brendon's words came back at me.

"My crush?" I asked, sitting up straighter. Brendon didn't react, except for relaxing more into the chair. He shrugged.

"You like Patrick, a lot. That is super obvious. Please don't go through that B.S of 'oh! I don't like him!' cause I am not in the mood." Brendon said blandly. My face flushed red, and I bit my lip. Brendon watched me expectantly.

"Okay. yeah, I like him. I love him. How did you know?" At this rate, everyone including Patrick will know that I like him.

"Oh, I just knew, cause you know, I am such a great friend and all." Brendon paused. "And maybe it was the puppy dog eyes you constantly gave him, how you constantly wanted to be with him, and literally half of the songs you write have Patrick's name all over them." Brendon snickered, and I threw a pillow at him. "What? It is the truth. You know that." I rolled my eyes.

"Since you are here, what is your big plan to bring me back?" I asked.

"Well, stay here with you for a few days. See what you have been doing while you are down here." Brendon motioned to the bag he had brought in. "I brought some fresh clothes for you, and I got myself a room that is actually right across the hall way." I winced, and made my face go blank. This is not good. Brendon sat forward a little bit. "What have you been doing?" My face went red.

"Um, nothing much. Going around town, checking out the sights, you know." I said. Brendon raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Is one of the sights a place full of girls with guns?" I sighed. He was not going to let this go. Typical.

I glanced at the clock. It was 9:43. Thank God.

"Hey, why don't you get some sleep, we can talk in the morning. Okay?" I picked up Brendon's bag, and opened the door up for him. He frowned at me, but walked out of the room.

"It is obvious that you are kicking me out of the room, but it was a long flight and I am tired. Night, Pete." I smiled gently, happy to hear a familiar voice. Even though I didn't want him here, it was nice.

"Night, Brendon."