Chapter 33 - Interruptions Filled With Worry.

Lance. 

"Do you live alone?" Jack asks. 

I sigh because he is being too nosy. These are things I want to know but I will ask him on my own. 

"You should go back home," I grab his hands in mine and pull him off the couch. 

"I am not done,' he objects but I succeed in getting him out of the house. I feel Patrick behind me "I will be right back." I tell him as I close the door. 

"What are you doing?" jack questions. 

"That's enough for today. You came here to see if he is a liar and he is not. So, go home, I will be back later." 

He groans "I still don't trust him. I need more information." 

"You don't have to trust him, trust me." he rolls his head backwards. 

"Fine, be home by ten,' he points at me as he heads for the stairs. I roll my eyes because this is hilarious to me. Opening the door, Patrick is still in the same position I left him. 

"Daddy let you go outside to play?" he asks sarcastically with the smile still on his face. 

"I'm sorry about him." 

He shakes his head "It's fine. So, do you want to get dinner first or after the movie?" he asks. 

I shrug "Dinner sounds really good right now; I haven't eaten all day." 

He frowns "It's pretty late. Why haven't you eaten?" 

"There's been a lot on my mind." 

With the frown on his face, he walks closer to me "You shouldn't skip meals. It is not good for you." "I don't do it all the time. It's not like I have a problem. You should calm down." I grumble out my words. 

Why is everyone always so worried about me. Jack with his overbearing and now Patrick too. They treat me like I can't take care of myself. 

"Okay, I guess I overreacted." 

"It's fine, we should head out." 

This is me trying to calm the situation down. I don't want to have issues with him. I like hanging out with him and I need this escape. 

"Sure." 

The ride to the diner is the most enjoyable one so far. I have become a motorcycle fan suddenly. Being on it makes me free, it makes me happy. He said I would become addicted to it and I am. I love the wind in my hair as the cool breeze hits my face. 

The fact that he brought me to a diner makes this better. I don't want to think of this as a date and the less fancy the place, the less date like it is. 

"You have a goofy smile on your face," he manages as we walk into the restaurant. 

"I love your bike," I mutter. 

He chuckles "Betsy loves you too." 

"You call your bike Betsy?" 

He nods "She is the only girl I want in my life." 

I have never been here before, it is called Lumi. It's a distance from the apartment as it took us a while to get here. The banner on the sign blinks profusely. "Their apple pie is the best in town. Do you like apple pie?" 

"Everyone loves apple pie," 

He nods "Except people that are allergic to apple, have you ever met anyone that is allergic to apple?" 

I shake my head at the randomness of the question. 

The restaurant is full as we walk in but a lady in a pink and white apron smiles widely as she notices us "Ricky," she calls his names and walks over to us. The woman looks to be in her fifties as there is a hint of grey in her brown hair that is packed in a bun. 

"Hey Mrs T," he waves as she comes closer. 

"I didn't know you were coming tonight; thought you'd be at the gallery," she mentions. 

"Yeah, change of plans." 

Did he change his plans for me? I remember calling him and asking if we could meet up today. I didn't know he had plans. Now I feel bad. 

"This is Lance, a new friend." 

The woman faces me "Hello Lance, come on, let me get you seated," she drags us to a corner booth even though this is not the kind of place that you get assigned seats. I believe you can just walk in and sit anywhere you want to. 

"Thanks," I manage. 

She smiles warmly "Let me get you guys a menu." she walks away from us and I face him. 

"I come here a lot," he explains even though I didn't ask. 

"I can see that." 

The woman walks back with two menus and places it on our tables "So are you getting the usual?" she directs at him. 

He nods, facing me he asks "Can I order for you. I promise you won't regret it." he is watching me with hopeful eyes. Whatever he wants to get must be pretty exciting to him. 

"Sure," I agree. What is the worst that could happen? There is not a lot of things I don't like. I probably eat everything. Hopefully, this won't be a first. 

"I'll have two servings of my usual." 

The waitress leaves and he faces me again "So, your friend seems to think I am stalker...why?" 

I smile "Just because he has never seen you around." 

"I just moved to the building." 

I nod "You mentioned." 

"Yeah." 

"Do I have to worry about him. Do you like, need his approval before we can do this regularly?" 

I burst out in laughter "You're kidding right?" 

He shakes his head with a straight face. 

"He is all bark and no bite." 

"His opinion might mean a lot to you and it seems like he doesn't like me," he says finally. 

"He doesn't know you. He is just being overprotective. He seems to think you plan to steal me away." 

He smiles "Steal you away from the person you shouldn't be with but want to be with?" 

He reminds me of Ford again. I don't want to think of Ford and all the drama that comes with him. I want to eat good food and have laughs with Patrick. 

"You bring him up all the time." 

"Sorry, do you not want to talk about it?" 

"I don't know." 

"We don't have to.��� he brushes it off and I am glad that he does. I want this to be a lighthearted evening. No heavy stuff. 

"Thanks. You didn't answer Jack's question." 

The waitress uses this moment to walk back with our food and he rubs his hands together excitedly "So, two ham and cheese hash brown casseroles and two apple pies," she places the plates on the table and the empty tray under her armpit. 

"Enjoy." she walks away and I look at the sight in front of me. 

There is a lot of cheese in this dish. 

It reminds me of Ford suddenly. The first time we hung out alone, he made cheesy fries. It was the first time I ever ate it and it was delicious. I miss him, this is not the distraction I thought it would be. 

"Try it," he passes my fork to me, even though I could've picked it up myself. 

I take a bite of the food and sure enough. It tastes amazing, my stomach growls for more and that is a good sign "It is delicious." I exclaim and this gets a smile from him. 

"I told you." 

My phone rings, looking at the ID, I see Fords picture. 

Why is he calling me? 

"You can answer it." he misunderstands, thinking I don't want to answer because of him. Patrick watches me as I place it on my ear "Hello." there is static on the other end of the phone. "Hello," I repeat. 

This time an unfamiliar voice comes into the phone "Are you, Lance? I have your friends' phone. He is passed out in front of a bar. I just called the most dialled number." 

I stand up from the chair and Patrick does the same. My heart races from the words of the stranger. Passed out? 

"Where are you?" 

The man gives me an address. 

"I need to go; I am so sorry." I run out of the diner but I feel his footsteps behind me. He is following me, my mind, body and soul is in a panic right now. I can't stand the thought of anything happening to him. 

"Wait," Patrick grabs my arm gently. 

I stop walking because I don't even know how to get to the bar. "I need to go, somethings come up." 

He nods "I can drop you off," there is uncertainty in his eyes. 

"It's fine. I can just call an uber." 

He shakes his head still holding unto my arm "I insist. I will just take you where you need to go. Make sure you get there safely." 

"Alright." 

I agree because I don't want to go alone. Facing ford again even though I know full well that he got drunk somewhere. I know he has a drinking problem. From our conversations, I can tell. 

I just hope he is okay.