Daddy Issues CH1

Daddy Issues
Chapter 1

Patrick stared at his phone, silently willing Pete to pick up. He didn’t know have a clue what to do, he was confused- he needed Pete’s advice. Pete had been through all of this already.
“Yo, Trick?”
Patrick seized the phone quickly, fumbling to talk to him. “Pete, I need your help! Please, can you get over here ASAP?”
“Trick, I’ve just put Bronx to bed. What’s up?”
“Pete, I really need your help. Can’t Ashley look after him? Please, Pete-I- I don‘t know what to do-”
“Whoa, Trick, hang on, I’ll be there in five, okay? Ashley’s out, I’ll bring Bronx with me, that cool? He’s flat out anyway.”
Patrick gulped. “Y-yeah, that’s fine. Bye.”
He hung up and tossed the phone on the couch. He paced up and down his apartment, messing with his hair nervously under his hat. There was a thump at the door and he raced to answer it. Pete walked in, carrying Bronx in his carrier. He was fast asleep, his face peaceful and adorable. Pete carefully placed him by the couch and sat down, rocking the carrier slightly. Patrick sat next to him, as far from Bronx as possible. Pete frowned.
“Don’t you wanna say hi to Bronx? You’re good with kids, Trick. He won’t bite.”
Patrick bit his lip, staring fearfully at Bronx’s sleeping form. “No, Pete, I-I’m good here. He’s asleep anyway.”
Pete kicked his feet up on Patrick’s cluttered coffee table, nudging paper onto the floor. “What’s going on, Trick? You look a mess. It’s 1 am as well, by the way. Ashley’s gonna kill me for taking Bronx out.”
“I know, Pete, I’m sorry, I’ll make it up to her. I just need you here tonight.”
“Why?” he sighed. “Aw. Trick, did you get lonely? I know Andy and Joe just left you to it-”
Patrick cleared his throat. “Um. No. Pete, Elisa she-she-”
“Dumped you?”
“Well… not yet. Pete. Elisa said she’s pregnant.”
Pete fell back on the couch with a bang. Bronx started wailing. Pete gawped at Patrick then scooped Bronx up, cuddling him. “It’s alright, little guy. Daddy only fell. Go back to sleep, Bronxy. Shhh…”
He rocked Bronx in his arms softly. Bronx snuffled and closed his eyes, apparently satisfied. Patrick watched quietly. “I can’t do it, Pete-”
Pete shook his head. “Trick, you don’t get to say anything, not until I’ve found some answers. You never even told me you two were progressing to the bedroom! I know it takes you a long time. You’ve got trust issues. But, dude, I don’t get the juicy details?”
Patrick squirmed, uncomfortable. “Wait, Pete, I’ve only ever- ‘progressed’- with two women before. And I’ve never said anything!”
Pete smirked. “Well, I heard it from them, then. It was positive feedback, Trick, you tiger.” Pete growled, nudging him in the ribs.
Patrick had gone red. “What?”
“Yeah. Sounded like good fun to me. I wouldn’t mind a piece of whatever you’re holding back, Trick. Anyway. You and Elisa? I really can’t imagine you knocking anyone up, Trick. Sure she didn’t cheat on you?”
“No! We both agreed to a steady relationship. But honestly, Pete, I was gonna break up with her. We weren’t into each other anymore. It was awkward. But now- a b-baby-”
Pete slowly turned to Patrick, manoeuvring Bronx very carefully. “Dude, listen to me. I’m the first one who had a kid, right? So I know what I’m talking about. Bronx came out perfect. Sure, it’s hard being a dad, but it’s great, Trick, it really is.”
“Pete, I can’t be a father! I’m a singer, a producer, a music maker, NEVER a dad, for fuck sakes! Pete, I’m terrified!” Patrick whimpered. He lowered his voice, seeing Bronx’s sleeping form. He looked at him with worried eyes. “That whole Daddy thing is not me. Please, Pete, what do I do?”
Pete juggled Bronx in his arms. “Look. Trick! Elisa wants the kid, yeah? So whether you like it or not, you ARE gonna be a dad. I’ll help you, Trick, you know I will. And Joe. And Andy. The whole fucking label will! So you have nothing to worry about. We’ve got your back, Trick.”
Patrick burst out crying, his head in his hands despairingly. Pete rolled his eyes and patted him on his back.
“Trick, I’m sorry, but stop bawling or you’ll wake Bronx. You’re being overdramatic.”
Patrick sniffed. He leant his head on Pete’s shoulder. “I don’t want a family with Elisa, Petey.”
“Too late, Trickster. You can’t abandon a pregnant girlfriend. Not unless you’ve got a death wish.” Pete knelt down to tuck Bronx in his carrier, wrapping the blanket over him protectively. He lay back on the couch, pulling Patrick close to his chest. He peeled off his hat, flinging it in the corner. Pete stroked his hair softly, comforting him. Patrick made a contented noise.
“Pete, you’re an amazing guy. What would I do without you?”
Pete chuckled. “Why, Tricky, I believe you’re flirting with me.”
Patrick blushed. He checked Pete’s face. His eyes were closed against the dim light of Patrick’s Prince lamp. Patrick giggled and pressed a quick kiss on his lips. Pete moaned in shock, his eyes flickering open. Patrick took it as a sign of pleasure and kissed him again. Pete spluttered, sitting bolt upright.
“Patrick! What the fuck!”
Patrick smiled. “P-Pete, oh Pete. You’re great, you know that?”
Pete gave him an odd look. He inhaled deeply and coughed. He spied a few bottles of beer on the counter. “Geez, Trick, are you drunk?”
Patrick hiccupped. “Maybe.” his expression changed. “I really don’t wanna be a dad, Pete! Can I move in with you? Peeeeete!”
Pete scratched his head. “Okay. It’s normally me drunk. You’ve gotta be pretty upset, Trick, you don’t even drink with the guys! What the hell do I do?”
Patrick grabbed Pete’s shirt, pushing him down onto the couch, straddling his hips. Pete looked alarmed. “Fuck, Trick, get off!”
“Peeeeete, come on, you screw girls all the time! Why won’t you do me?” Patrick cried.
Pete clutched Patrick’s wrist. “You’re not alright, Trick. Let me up. You can stay with us!”
Patrick paused. “But I want you, Pete. I’ve always- hiccup- wanted you.”
Pete bit his lip. “What? For real? Trick, I’m married-”
“I don’t care! I don’t, Pete. I just. Want. You. Fuck Ashley. And Elisa. You’re all that matters.” Patrick swayed, his voice turning sing-song-like. He reached for Pete’s jeans, clumsily fumbling. Pete protested, fighting him off.
“Patrick, please! You can have me whenever, anytime, I promise! Just let me up! You don’t want to rape me, Trick!”
Patrick fell to the floor, sobbing. “No, I don’t. I would never hurt you, Pete.”
Pete scrambled up, to check on Bronx. Thankfully, he was still asleep. He picked up the carrier. “Trick, I’ve gotta go. Come here, you can come too, don’t worry.”
Patrick hiccupped again. He put an arm around Pete, unsteadily walking with him to the door. Pete balanced Bronx precariously, reached the car and placed him in his car seat securely. He buckled Patrick into the passenger seat, smiling warmly. “Just a quick drive, okay?”
They drove quickly, Pete desperate to bypass any paparazzi waiting for him. What a headline that would be. ‘Wentz kidnaps Stump at 2 am, with baby in tow’. God, he’d sound like such a bad parent. And he wasn’t. Not at all. He was actually surprised how good he was, compared to Ashley. He didn’t even know where she was right now. Clubbing with her sister, or hitting the red carpet? Shacking up with a total stranger?
Pete groaned, making a quick left. Even though they were married, both of them had secrets. Ashley and Pete had started off just as casual lovers, with a baby thrown in to shake things up. Not even lovers. Pete didn’t love her. No way. Not a Simpson girl. Bronx was the only one keeping the peace right now. Without him, Pete would’ve walked out long ago.
He sneaked at glance at Patrick. Sleeping quietly, just like Bronx. Poor guy. He was too good to be tied down, especially to Elisa Lao. Patrick would be just like Pete was now, trapped in a relationship with a crazy bitch, trying to raise a healthy child.
“Aw, Patrick, I feel so bad for you. Poor Tricky.” Pete whispered, stroking his arm tenderly. He pulled into the driveway. The lights were on inside his house. Pete swore. “She best not be dumb enough to fuck someone in our house.”
He sighed, and retrieved Bronx, leaving Patrick in the car for a moment. Here goes, he thought, opening the door.