Backdoor Boy

1

Gerard sighed. He dropped his hands to his sides, leaving his shirt halfway unbuttoned. "Why are you looking at me like that, Mikes?" he asked.

Mikey shrugged, wringing his hands. "I dunno," he mumbled. "I-I just-"

"Wait," Gerard said as he raised a hand. "Is this about Pete?"

Yes.

"No."

Gerard sighed again. "Look, I know you two aren't doing too hot. You never have been. But we're going to a party tonight. He's not even coming. At least try to have fun. Don't drag me down with you."

Mikey rolled his eyes. "You don't get it, Gee," he said. "If you had a girlfriend, I'd help you when you had problems with her."

Gerard shot Mikey a look. He hated talking about relationships, and that included any possible relationships of his.

"Can you at least promise me you won't do anything stupid tonight?" Gerard asked. He lifted his hands and resumed buttoning his shirt. "Like I said, it's a party, and it's supposed to be fun. Alright?"

Mikey sighed dramatically, grinning at his brother. "You know I'm gonna do something stupid," he said. "It's like my trademark at this point."

Gerard laughed and shook his head. "Fuck," he said, "You're right. How about this: Don't drag me into whatever stupid thing you do this time."

Mikey smiled. "I'll try," he said.

Gerard finished buttoning his shirt, then turned to Mikey, leaning on his dresser. "So..."

"So?"

"Who's the DD tonight? 'Cause it isn't me!"

Mikey shrugged. "I'll do it," he said. "You did it last time."

"Oh, shit," Gerard said. "I thought I was gonna have to fight you on it."

Mikey shook his head. "Are you driving there, or should I grab the keys?"

Gerard thought about it. "I'll drive there," he said. "Might as well take half, right?"

Mikey grinned and walked out of his brother's bedroom. He walked down the steps and started fishing around in the bowl that held all the keys. As he was doing that, his mother heard him and stepped out of the kitchen.

"Remember," she said, "Be safe tonight. If anything goes wrong, you can call home. Either me or your father will come pick you up."

Mikey nodded. "I will." As he said it, he grabbed the right set of car keys. He turned and saw Gerard coming down the steps. Mikey tossed him the keys, and Gerard surprised him by catching them easily.

"We're going, ma," Gerard said. He gave his mother a quick hug before the boys darted out the door. Mikey jumped into the car as soon as Gerard unlocked the door, reaching for the radio.

"It doesn't really matter what you play," Gerard said. "His house is really close to here."

"Oh, really?" Mikey asked. "How close?"

"Like, a few miles that way. It's just in the woods."

Mikey nodded. "Who is this guy again?" he asked.

Gerard shifted. It seemed like the question had made him uncomfortable. "Just an old friend," he said. "Don't worry, there'll be lots of people, so it isn't like it's just us."

Mikey nodded again, not asking any more. He sat quietly in the passenger seat as Gerard drove. It wasn't long before they pulled off into the woods. They eventually reached a long driveway that led to a small, unpainted wooden house. There were loads of cars there already, surrounding the house. The music playing inside could be heard from the yard. The whole area just seemed... alive.