The Middle - Volume Two ✔️

Chapter 29 (Patrick)

Patrick

I stare at the door as it slams closed behind Jamie. Well, that was quite a negative reaction. I look over at Joel, and he's sighing and rubbing his temple with both hands. I'm worried about Jamie right now, but I know her, and she obviously just wants to be alone for a while. I guess Joel's news has bothered her, for whatever reason.

"I knew this was gonna be difficult, but I didn't think she would be the problem." Joel says into his hands.

"Nope." I agree with him. "Your other problem is probably out back having a smoke right now. We should go check on him."

Joel nods his head before looking at me. There's pain in his eyes. I don't know why - Sarah is smoking hot, and she's really nice too. I like her, and I'm stoked for Joel. I honestly don't know why Jamie has taken this so badly. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why Jay is probably pissed about Joel's news, but Jamie? Her reaction was fucking weird. She'll talk to us about it when she's ready, though.

"Are you okay with this?" He asks me, and I shrug my shoulders dismissively before smiling at him.

"You know it." I say, and he gives me a small laugh. "To be honest with you, I kinda had my suspicions, on Sarah's part."

"You did?" He raises his eyebrows at me. "And here I thought I was doing such a good job of keeping things discreet."

I laugh and roll my eyes at him. "It's the way she looks at you." I explain, "It's so fucking obvious she has feelings for you, dude. All those times I made comments about wanting to fuck her, I was just kidding around. But you already knew that, right?"

Now it's his turn to roll his eyes at me. "Of course I knew you were kidding."

"You could have told me sooner, you know." I point out. He knows he can tell me anything. He's my best man.

"I know, and I'm sorry I didn't, P." He sighs again, before turning towards the kitchen door. "Thanks for being cool about this. I'll explain everything, but - we better get out there."

"I'll stand between you and Jay." I offer lightly as we head through to the kitchen, destined for the back patio doors. "In case things get ugly."

"Shut up." Joel whispers, nudging me with his elbow as we approach the patio doors. As expected, J1 is standing out back smoking a cigarette. He's watching Benji sniff around the garden, but he's clearly lost in thought. Poor guy. This is gonna be tough for him.

"Jay?" Joel addresses him cautiously, and I sit down on the picnic bench in the garden. Benji trots over to me, and I proceed to absentmindedly pet him as Jay turns around to face Joel. Here goes. Wish I had some popcorn. Kidding, of course. I know this shit is serious.

"How long?" Jay asks, his voice a few octaves lower than it usually is. Fuck, he is not happy.

"I met her right before the semester started." Joel explains. Weird. How the hell did that come about? Jay frowns at him as he exhales smoke, but he doesn't say anything, so Joel goes on.

"I was at Melody's favourite bakery in Philadelphia with her and Jordan. Sarah was there with one of her High School friends, Sheryl. We got to talking, and... I don't know. There was an instant connection between us. I can't explain it. Even before she opened her mouth to speak, I felt drawn to her. I've never felt like that with a girl before. And it's what I've been waiting for all these years, you know? I thought she was from Philly, but I didn't care. I had to ask her out to find out if there was something there. And, well, there is."

Jay nods his head slowly as he takes a long drag from his cigarette, but he still doesn't say anything. I could chime in here, but I won't. Tell us everything, J3.