Better Off In Love (Peterick Au)

I Try My Best

Patrick had received a phone call from a very cheerful Hayley requesting that he came in for a meeting at the GDY offices. She hadn't specified what exactly it was about, but he assumed it would probably involve Pete and Patrick hadn't seen him in two whole days, so of course he made his way to the building.

Patrick got out of his car and pushed open the door of the technicolour offices. He couldn't help but smile at the eclectic decorations that just screamed 'Hayley', obviously having bled out from her office throughout the whole building. The place gave off a cheerful vibe, which was the polar opposite to most of the record label offices Patrick had been inside before.

Remembering the way to Hayley's office from when Pete had shown him last time they'd had to discuss their promotions as a couple, Patrick made his way down the corridors.

As he approached where he knew the office was, he could have swore he heard his name, so without really thinking he slowed his pace, keeping his footsteps soft as he approached the office.

The door was open, but Patrick stood just outside, hidden from view. Risking a glance into the room, he saw Hayley sat at her desk, neon orange as ever, and the back of Pete's head. A part of Patrick's brain told him they were just having a chat, and he really needed to stop being paranoid. Deciding this was probably sound advice, he was about to step into the room when Hayley spoke up, freezing him to the spot.

"It's doing wonders for promotion, honestly, Pete. I couldn't have come up with a better plan if I'd tried!" Hayley exclaimed, her face showing a seemingly genuine grin.

Pete laughed at his friend, and Patrick felt his stomach drop.

"Thanks, I try my best,"

Patrick felt his eyes widen. Oh fuck, had this whole thing been just a fucking PR stunt? He was absolutely furious. Was he just an easy target? This whole thing with Pete and them re-connecting and falling in love had all seemed to wonderful to be true. 

Deciding there was no way he wanted to have any kind of meeting with Hayley or even Pete right now, he stormed away silently, avoiding the eyes of the other employees he passed. He allowed himself to focus only on the thought that he needed to head back to his apartment to cry about it somewhere it wouldn't end up on Buzzfeed the next day.