Chapter 34 - Feeling Special

Lance. 

The bar is not far from the diner which makes the ride short. I am glad I can get to Ford as fast as we do. Patrick parks his bike in the parking lot of the bar. I rush off it, in search of the man that called, I don't have to look for too long, I see them in a corner in front of the building. 

Ford on the cold hard ground unconscious with the man over him. He looks up worriedly as I rush over to him. 

"Hey," I go on my knees immediately with my hands in between his armpits. He is still breathing, thank fuck. "Thank you so much," I look at the man and he manages a faint smile. 

"No worries make sure you get him hydrated. He had a lot to drink," he advices as he hands me his phone. I put it in my back pocket as I attempt to lift him up. He is too fucking heavy for me. 

"Ford," I call his name in hopes that he can hear me. 

He can't. 

"Do you need a hand?" Patrick asks walking over to us and I am thankful for him. I didn't even say a word as I left him but he still followed me and he still cares. 

"Yes, please." he walks over to the other side and grabs him off the ground. It is easy for him and suddenly I am not needed "You need to call a car, I am afraid my motorcycle can't take the three of us." he is joking, so I manage a smile. 

I request the uber "3 minutes away," I inform him. 

He nods, "This him?" he asks still carrying him. 

Ford is still passed out. 

For the first time since he asked, I answer him "Yes." I tell him defeatedly. 

"Is it cause he's a guy?" 

I know what he means by that question. The only thing that could seem like a barrier to anything happening between us is being gay. It sucks that in this day and age, people can't be who they are. There is this stigma with being gay. Most people act like they are open-minded enough but they really aren't. We have to hide; we have to pretend. Why do we even have to come out? What does that phrase even mean? 

A straight person doesn't have to come out when they like someone, so why do we? Why do we have to prepare everyone for being in love? 

"No," I answer. 

He nods "Ah, there is more." 

A black Corolla with red bright headlights comes into view and I see the plate number "That's the car," He nods "I am sorry about tonight. We will do this again,' I add. 

"It's fine. Totally understandable." he winks. 

He helps me put Ford in the car and I am even more grateful. He doesn't have to but he still does. No matter what Jack says, I know he is a good person. "Let me know when you sort this out," he takes a step away from the car. 

"Okay." 

********** 

I dial Jack's number once inside the car and he answers immediately "Are you home?" I blurt out. 

"Is your skin off your body." 

I roll my eyes "No time for jokes, I am like thirty minutes away. I need you to wait downstairs." 

"Are you okay?" his tone becomes serious. Worry etched deep within. 

"I'm fine, I have Ford with me. I can't carry him alone." 

"Is he okay?" 

"Yes." 

"I'll be downstairs." 

The call ends and I look at him as he snores softly, with the rise and fall of his chest. His cheeks are red, so very red. He must have drunk a lot. I reach for him and brush a strand of his hair from his face. He is cold, so cold. It feels like this is the only chance I will get to touch him. He hasn't called since the dinner at his house. 

I don't know what is going on in his head. He is not supposed to be pissed; I am the one that should be pissed at him. I am the only one that is a fool in this relationship���not that we have a relationship. 

The old man in the driver's seat glances at me through the rearview mirror. There is judgement in his eyes. He catches me looking back and looks away immediately. Ignoring him, I look at Ford again, I want to revel in his beauty. He is the only one that is important to me. 

I need to talk to him when he wakes up. I can't stand knowing that he intentionally did this to himself. 

The ride ends and the uber guy parks the car in front of the building, Jack is standing in front of the entrance with his phone pressed to his face. He looks up when he notices the car and there is a confused expression on his face. I manage to pull Ford out of the car as Jack walks over to help us. 

"What happened here?" he mutters in question. 

"I don't know." 

He helps me up the stairs, we are on the fourth floor of this building and there is no fucking elevator. I have never felt the stairs as much as I do with Ford in my grasp "Where is stalker guy?" 

He reminds me of Patrick. 

"I left him to help Ford." 

He nods. 

"Where do want him, my place or yours?" 

"Mine, moms not coming home tonight." 

We get to the front of my house and I search for my keys in my pocket. "I can't get it out," I tell him. Ford doesn't look heavy but I guess the height and muscles make this even more difficult. Jack slips his fingers inside my side pocket as he tries to pull it out 'Dude it is not that hard, go deeper." I urge him. 

He laughs "That's what she said," he makes a dirty joke not succeeding in getting the key out. 

We are both engrossed in our attempt at getting the door open that we don't hear the footsteps. "Do you need help?" Patrick smiles sheepishly. 

I can't imagine the sight in front of him. Both of us carrying Ford with jack's hand inside my pocket. We must look ridiculous to him but he doesn't show any reaction towards us "just hold him." jack pushes Ford a little too rough but Patrick is quick to grab him. 

Patrick is the only one that carries him. He doesn't even need my help, so I reach for the bunch of keys in my pocket and open the door. They walk into my house and I look around in case there is a mess somewhere that I forgot about. Luckily the living room is neat enough. 

"Where should I put him?" 

I point at the door to my room and run over to it, quickly opening the door. Patrick walks into the room and drops Ford on the bed gently. I walk over to the edge of the bed and pull the covers over him. He is still snoring gently. 

"You should let him sleep it out of his system." 

I nod and we walk out of my room. "Thanks for this," I thank him again. 

He smiles "No big deal. I just came to make sure you got home okay. Wasn't really sure if this was gonna be your first stop," he confesses. 

Jack coughs and I turn around to see him watching us "Date got ruined...huh?" he winks. 

"It was not a date," we both say at the same time. 

Jack giggles "Predictable." he stands up from the couch and walks to the door "I guess I am not needed anymore," he is glaring at Patrick. 

Guess he still doesn't like the guy. 

He walks out and I face Patrick "Today was horrible." this is like my attempt at yet another apology. I just wanted to forget everything today but I keep getting reminders. Why is there such a pull? 

"For the millionth time, it is fine. I got to spend time with you. That's all that matters." 

I nod. 

He smiles. 

"I went back to Lumi, got the food to go," he walks out the door and I watch him grab a bag from the floor that I didn't notice before "Didn't want it to go to waste." he hands the bag to me and my heart skips. 

The fact that today didn't go as planned and he still did this is touching. I don't know what is going on but I have never felt as special as he just made me feel. 

"I don't know what to say." 

He smiles "You don't have to say anything. Heat it up and we can still have dinner together. That will make me the happiest man on earth." 

I grab the bag from him and the look into it. The food is inside transparent packs. I remember the taste of the hash browns and my stomach grumbles. Almost like some forces don't want me to eat today, because I can't seem to get a break today. 

Bringing the plates out of the bag, I walk over to the side that leads to the kitchen and Patrick follow me. He sits down on the stool of the kitchen counter and leans over to see what I am doing. 

"Do you want to talk about it?" he breathes out those words and I actually want to confide in him. He seems like he would give really good advice. 

I need advice right now. 

I know there is something wrong with Ford and I can't seem to help him. He has an alcohol problem. Every time we have talked about him; it always has something to do with alcohol. He might be an alcoholic and there is more to it. 

"Let me get this heated and we can talk," I suggest and he agrees with a nod.