HEART ACHE <3 REDDIE

chap 12: Stan?

Richie

I stayed up watching TV, expecting Stan to be home. I grew worried but still didn't call his work. He was probably just working over, but I wasn't going to go to sleep until he was home.

Right when an old cowboy movie flicked on the front door opened and Stan stumbled in with a smile and a bottle of wine in his grip.

"Stan?" I stood from the sofa, laughing a bit at seeing Stan so disoriented, it wasn't like him at all.

"Richie!" Stan fell on me. I hesitantly helped him stand, grabbing the bottle from his hands with a chuckle and setting it on the coffee table.

"Mmm my wine!" he reached for it but I swatted his hand away. He drunkenly leaned against my chest. I don't think Stan had ever voluntarily been so close to me.

"Nope! Time for bed Stanny boy." I answered, trying to drag him to his room but his feet stayed planted.

"You know..." Stan rested his chin on my chest and stared up at me dreamly, "you aren't as ugly as I say you are."

I smiled a toothy grin, "I know, Stan."

"I see what Eddie sees in you, you know." He slurred, his eyes fluttered. I felt my heart stop and my expression dead panned.

What? What did he say?

"W-what?" I stuttered out.

"Oh! I wasn't supposed to say anything! Shhh! Don't tell Eddie I told you he's gay!"

"What?!" I practically shrieked. There was no way I was hearing right. Stan had to be really drunk or insane.

"But you're gay too. And you loooove Eddie. I know it. And Eddie... Eddie loves you."

"Stan I'm kicking your ass the second you're sober. This isn't a funny joke." I grinded my teeth.

"I'm not joking!" Stan pouted, "Eddie likes you a lot, you stupid four eyed giant. I just threw him a coming out party with Bev and Ben! Ask them!"

I swallowed sharply and felt like I might vomit right there. The room spun. There was no way this was real. No way in hell.

"Stan, go to bed." I spat, angry that he thought this would be something funny to joke about.

"Fine, only cause I got school!" and he stumbled to his room.

I didn't even lay down that night. I had too much to think over, to worry over and to question.