Chapter 75 - Suspicions

Lance 

Jack has been acting suspicious all day. 

I don't know what the hell is going on with him—okay maybe this has everything to do with his father. That man only causes harm to his life. I wish he didn't have to go through all the pain that he causes but there is nothing I can do. I can only be there when he needs me. at the end of the day, he is his father and we have to accept that. You don't choose your family.

You are stuck with them, that's why I have chosen my friends well. I shouldn't feel stuck with friends again. 

Jack knows that he can count on me. I expected him to call me. he could've stayed with me yesterday. 

It kinda feels like there is something else bothering him, more than his father. He is used to his father; this is not the first time the man has shown up and caused a scene. 

I walk into the Minimart and Fred smiles warmly when he sees me ''I asked about you earlier,'' he informs me. 

I smile ''Miss me huh?''

He rolls his eyes. Everyone is used to my playfulness. That is the only reason why people are able to tolerate me. Fred is an acquaintance. His father owns this convenience store, so he is always stuck working on days he doesn't have classes. He goes to a community college. 

''But seriously, I heard you don't live here anymore,''

I nod. 

He frowns ''When did you guys move?'' 

I grab a basket from the corner and walk up to him ''A while back.''

He smiles ''Jack is all over the place. I think you need to talk to him.'' he says so suddenly that I stop in my track and face him. why is he bringing Jack up? Does he know something that I don't?

''What do you mean?'' 

He shrugs ''I don't know. Don't have any details but it seems like there is something going on with biker guy.''

Biker guy?

What is he talking about?

''Who?'' 

He sighs ''The guy with the tattoos and scar above his eye. I have seen you with him a couple of times.''

Patrick?

That's not possible. Jack hates Patrick. He makes sure to remind me all the time. There is no way something is going on with them.

''Why do you think there is something going on?''

He shrugs again ''I don't know, I just got a vibe from them the last time they were in here.''

I roll my eyes, choosing to not believe him. Fred is just fishing for information. There is no way something will happen between the two of them. Jack is the most honest person I know. If something did happen, he would've told me. I am so sure of that. 

I pick up a packet of ramen and sausages and a variety of drinks, filling up the basket. I pay for the stuff and thank Fred. Turning to the exit, I see Jack through the glass and… Patrick?

They seem to be discussing something serious. Jacks expression is cold. He seems to be using his angry voice. I know they don't have a good relationship. I have been alone with the two of them before. It always ends with Jack insulting Patrick and then hurting his feelings. I walk out of the store with the bags of stuff and walk up to them hurriedly. 

''Patrick,'' I call his name with a smile plastered on my face. 

He looks up and his eyes are red. He looks like he is either very pissed off or sad. 

What are they talking about?

''I gotta go,'' Patrick says immediately. Not even acknowledging me. this is the first time he has ever done anything like that. 

I stop in front of Jack and he is breathing heavily, the frown still on his face. Now I know something actually happened with them. Jack must have done something to hurt his feelings. 

''What did you say to him?'' I ask him because I don't want him bashing the guy. Patrick is a good friend; I care about him and I don't want anyone to hurt him—including my best friend. 

''I didn't say anything,'' he shrugs like I didn't just witness the whole ordeal.

''Why did he just leave like that?'' 

He shrugs again, this time walking to the direction of the apartment. I follow him because I need to get to the bottom of this. I need to know what is going on. I hate being out of the loop. This is jack we are talking about. I know him more than anyone else, so I know it is not nothing. Something actually happened between them. 

''You can't lie to me, we have an honesty oath.''

He stops walking and raises a brow ''I am not lying to you. I didn't say anything to him that wasn't true.''

Oh, so he is admitting to saying things to him. 

''What did you say?'' 

He sighs and then places his palm on his forehead exasperatedly ''It is not your business.'' 

What?

''Patrick is my business.''

He laughs ''Do you suddenly have feelings for him, are you going to break up with Ford?'' 

I know what he is doing. He is trying to spin this, turn the tables to me so that we can forget what we are talking about. I am his best friend. I have been his best friend for too long not to see right through him. Jack of all people knows that I love no one but Ford. He knows how I feel about Patrick, so this is him just trying to switch things up on me to make us forget that we are talking about him.

''And what if I am? You never know.'' I reply to him nonchalantly waiting for his reaction to my statement. 

He opens his eyes wide and for a second, he actually believes m. I burst out in laughter and he rolls his eyes, walking away from me to the stairs. I follow him because I am not letting him change the topic. He needs to tell me what he said to Patrick, so I can find a way to apologize on his behalf. 

''You can't keep being a jerk to him,'' I walk beside him as we head up to the stairs. He stretches his hand out and collects one of the bags of groceries from me. 

''I am not a jerk to him. he needs to stop being everywhere.''

''He lives here. You are bound to bump into him.''

He scoffs ''He always finds a way to bump into you. It looks too planned,'' he continues and that baffles me. 

Patrick is not the kind of person to plan things like that. He is not vindictive. He told me the truth. I know how he feels about me. We have an honest relationship. He doesn't want to steal me away. 

''You have to give the guy a break. He is not the bad guy you are making him out to be.''

He laughs ''I didn't say he was a bad guy.''

I roll my eyes as we reach our floor ''You act like he is whenever he is around. You should apologize to him. whatever you said. It's not nice that you keep hurting him with your hateful words.''

He sighs ''I didn't say anything to him.''

We stop in front of my apartment door; I reach into my pocket to bring out the key but he waves his in the air ''Thought you lost it?''

''Found it,'' he shrugs as he opens the door. 

We walk into the room and I see the mess. His clothes are scattered on the floor. The pillows on the couch are also on the floor. 

''What happened here?'' I ask him. 

He runs over to his clothes and picks them up hurriedly. I don't mind that he made a mess. This place is as much his as it is mine. I expect him to stay here when I am not around. I just want to know the story behind this mess. 

''Shit, I forgot about these,'' he places them on the chair beside the couch and I roll my eyes. 

''You wanna tell me what happened yesterday?'' 

He shakes his head ''Trust me, you don't want to know.'' 

Jack has been acting weird and from that statement, I already know there is more to this story and he doesn't seem to want to tell me about it. I will find out eventually, even if he chooses not to tell me. 

''We should invite Patrick for dinner.''

He opens his eyes wide; I smile. I am going to get back at him for keeping things from me. since he wants to have secrets, I will stick him with his most hated person right now. 

''No way man, I am not interested,'' he shakes his head immediately. 

''Well I am,'' I head to the direction of the door and he grabs my hands to stop me from going out. 

''Wait, I'll do it. Use this as an opportunity to apologize for earlier.'' 

Hmm. 

So now he wants to do the honours. 

I know there is something definitely wrong now and it has to do with Patrick. I will find out. Maybe after this dinner. 

''Okay.''