Oh, Baby Let Me In

I ran into the house with a permanent smile on my face. I set my phone and other things on the kitchen table and went looking for Mikey. Just as I expected, he was on the couch, reading a comic book.

"Mikey Mikey Mikey!" I was nearly bouncing up and down where I was standing.
"Good lord. What is it. Calm down!"
"Frank is my boyfriend!"
"Holy shit. That's great news! Who asked who?" He set his comic book down next to him.
"Frank asked me."
"Cool cool. I'm happy for you two, bro. I really am."
"Thanks, Mikey..although, isn't it going to be weird for you?"
"What do you mean?" Mikey cocked an eyebrow up at me.
"I mean, he was YOUR friend first."
My brother shook his head. "Nah. I knew you two would hit it off. Well, once you got out of your shell."
"Hmm. So this was all a big plan of yours?"
"No. No no. Not at all. I meant I knew you'd get along."
"Oh. Okay. I'm gonna go take a shower now and get ready for to bed. Good night."
"Night, bro."

****

I grabbed my stuff off off the kitchen table and strode down the basement steps. I plugged my cell phone into the charger and layed my wallet on my desk.

I entered the bathroom and closed the door. I turned on the water, letting it get hot enough before I got in. I brushed my teeth afterwards walked out into my bedroom to put on some pajamas.

I put on clean boxers and towel dried my hair the best I could. I tossed my towel into my laundry basket. Next, I picked up my phone to check for any texts I could have missed. To my surprise, there was a text from Frank.

Already?

I opened up the text and read it:
Hey Gee. :) I'm so glad you're my boyfriend now. You have no idea how long I wanted this to happen. xoxo Frankie

I smiled happily and tapped out a response:
Aww Frank! I'm glad we're together too! G'night babe. xo

I hit send.

Hmm. I have a feeling that we're gonna be that sickeningly sweet couple.

****
(Mikey's P.O.V.)

I whipped out my phone and texted Frank:
Duuuude. I can't believe you're dating my brother!

Ten minutes later, I got a reply:
Lmao..got a problem with that?

I replied:
Not at all. It's about time you 2 realized your feelings for each other. I knew there was something going on the first few times you were here...the way you 2 stared at each other and blushed like a couple of girls.

Frank answered again:
Hey! Screw you Mikey! Anyway I'm off to bed. Night.

I gathered up my comic book and cell phone and went to my room to try to get some sleep.

****

I woke up around 10:00 the next morning and Gerard was still asleep. I got pot of coffee brewing and snuck down the stairs to check on Gerard. He was snoring and out cold. I crept back up the stairs making sure not to make any noise.

I yawned quietly and walked to my room and pulled out some bills and my checkbook.

I sighed as I wrote out the payments. I stuffed everything in envelopes and put them in the mail box. I came back inside the house and sat down at the table, waiting for the coffee to finish brewing.

I grabbed the loaf of bred and put two slices in the toaster and pushed the button down.

Gerard was walking up the stairs. "Morning Sunshine."

I chuckled. "You're in a good mood."
Gerard rubbed his face with his hands. "Not exactly.. I am, but still pretty tired."

My toast popped up and Gerard looked over at the toaster. "You didn't burn it this time. Good job."
I flipped him off and grabbed a plate out of the cabinet as Gerard poured himself and I a cup of coffee.

***
(Gerard's P.O.V.)

I just got off the phone with my mom. She insists on helping me pay back some of my student loans and I could pay her and my dad back when I can. I would not accept their help. I wanted to prove that I can be responsible enough to do some things on my own. It's bad enough I was forced to move in with my younger brother.

I love my brother more than anything, don't get me wrong. I just don't want to be a burden on Mikey. I feel like he already does so much for me.

Hell, he even introduced me to my boyfriend.

I don't think I'll take Mom up on her offer." I told my brother.
"I understand. They're only trying to help."
"I know they are. I..I just don't want them to worry about me. I'll save up as much as I can and be careful of how much I spend a week."
"Good idea. But, Gerard, remember don't be afraid to ask for help."
I nodded. "I know."

Ugh. I don't know how Mikey does it. If it was me, I wouldn't be able to afford to live anywhere without at least two other roommates.

****
I drove to the grocery store. I grabbed a shopping basket by the entrance.

I gasped when I looked up at who was in the isle next to me. My ex.

I swiftly grabbed a jar of the peanut butter off the shelf and got away from there before I would be noticed.

I finished my shopping and thankfully, the line I was waiting in moved pretty fast. I got out of the store as speedy as I could.

I unlocked the door to my car and popped the trunk when I turned around to walk over to the trunk. Shit. He must have seen me.

"Gerard. What a lovely surprise.."

I couldn't speak. I was positive he wouldn't have noticed me. I did not want to see him.

"Billie Joe. H-Hi."
He smiled. "You didn't have to try to hide from me. I saw you."
"I'm sorry." I mumbled.

This was awkward....

"Anyway, how are you doing?"
"Good. I'm good."
"That's good to hear."
"Uh-huh. Look, I have to go.."
"Right. We should hang out. Catch up or something. You interested?"
I shook my head. I hesitated before I spoke."Billie, no. I have a boyfriend."
Billie Joe laughed. "So? That doesn't mean we can't talk."
"It's just that I don't think it's a good idea."
Billie Joe sighed. "Fine. See you around, Gee."

I could have hit him in the face. He was NOT allowed to call me that nickname. He lost that privilege a long time ago.

Notes