Mikey's Hook Up

"Sorry son, we just have to let you go."

"Nah, it's cool man, thanks for the chance."

Brendon turned in his apron and walked out of his fourth job that month. He sighed and looked at his watch. He still had his second one at the dingy coffee shop. He went back to his small one room apartment. He moved out after he quit at the Hook Up. He just didn't want to be around Ryan and Brendon anymore. He walked in and changed out of one uniform for the other. His colourful clothing from skating was hiding in a box. He took it out and looked at it along with his skates. He put them back and went to shower.

(time passes)

"So where is this place you are taking me Saturday, Frankie?"

"Not far Gee, it's this cute little coffee place that has poetry nights every Saturday and the coffees are spiked with whatever you like...you'll love it..."

Frank said with a grin.

"As long as Mikey let's me take the night off. You and me really need to go on a proper date...not just pizza and kinky sex."

"I like pizza and kinky sex."

Gerard whispered into his virgin drink with a small smile. Frank smirked.

"I know you do baby, and I do too...but there's more to us than just that...isn't there?"

"Of course baby, I was joking around. You couldn't tell?"

"I didn't want to assume."

Gerard felt bad now. He didn't mean to make Frank feel bad like that.

"I'm gonna go find Mikey and go over the hire budget with him. See ya Frankie."

Gerard slipped off the stool and disappeared into the employee only area.

"Hey Mack, can I get one of those things he was drinking?"

Frank sighed, looking up at the voice.

"Sure, there's no booze in it by the way. Still want one?"

"Oh...well no I'll take something else. Man, who drinks something at a bar with no alcohol?"

"Someone who's working..."

Frank said with as much control as he could manage...he didn't like people talking smack about Gerard, even if it was just questioning his taste in drinks. He handed over a menu.

"So, what's your poison?"

"Hmm, I'll take that green one here."

He pointed to one of the pictures. Frank grinned, that one had quite a kick to it.

"Coming right up."

He set to work mixing the drink.

(time passes)

"Hey Mikes, can you tell me..."

Gerard trailed off as he entered Mikey's office. Mikey had that far off look on his face saying he was thinking about Brendon again. They tried to contact him through Gabe and Ryan, but they didn't know anything since he moved out. That upset Mikey more and he and Patrick were not doing well with all the termoil. There was something that Mikey wasn't telling Gerard. He had asked Ray to talk to him later after they closed, hoping he could get something out of him instead.

Mikey blinked and looked up.

"Oh, hey Gee. Did you say something?"

"Not important. Are you alright?"

Mikey sighed, then plastered on a smile.

"Sure, just tired. What's up?"

"Are you getting enough sleep?"

"I'm fine Gee, don't fuss ok?"

"Mikey."

Gerard wanted to pull him into a hug, but had a feeling it would be unwanted.

*Knock knock*

"Hey sorry to interrupt, but do you have a minute Mikey?"

Ray popped his head in the office. Mikey smiled genuinely, happy to have a distraction from his thoughts.

"Sure Ray, what's up?"

"I just wanted to go over..."

"Sorry boss, but we just got a party of 20 in. It looks like a bachlorette party. Mostly women, but a few drag queens."

Mikey took a deep breath, letting it out on a whistle.

"Well, guess it's gonna be a busy night then. Tell Frank that the group each get their first cocktail free, and Ray, please get a taster plate out to them on the house...then come back so we can talk about what you needed...ok?"

"You got it Mikey."

Ray left along with Gerard. He guessed Mikey would use this to distract himself from what was on his mind.

(time passes)

Patrick walked in by passing the line as usual. He saw the place in an uproar and Mikey leaning against the bar talking to Frank. He slipped next to him.

"Hey babe, what's going on?"

"Hi Pat. Bachelorette party...it's been wild."

Frank made Patrick his usual and passed it over without a word...he couldn't deal with him tonight.

"Oh, well I hope it isn't giving you any ideas...or maybe it is. I wouldn't mind having a bachelor party myself."

Patrick chuckled as he downed his drink and pulled Mikey in for a sloppy alcohol filled kiss. Mikey planted his hands on Patrick's chest and pushed him back a few seconds into the kiss, shaking his head.

"No no...I don't do relationships...remember?..."

He saw Frank snigger from the corner of his eye.

"No bachelor parties in my future...sorry."

"You know I am only joking babe, I just want our business merger to go through. We will be amazing business partners I just know it..."

Patrick hated that Frank was there to hear him practically begging.

"Our lawyers are still going over the contract and making sure everything is on the up and up of course."

Frank didn't like the sound of this. He wondered if Gerard knew about it. Mikey smiled weakly.

"As long as my club does well and is still my club, I'll be happy."

"Of course it will be, we will just be partners, sharing everything. After all sharing is caring, right babe?"

"I...I guess. Look, I better get on. Like I said...it's busy and we're still short staffed."

He didn't say 'since Brendon left', but Frank for one knew that's what he meant.

"Oh yeah, I set up an interview to replace the skater boy. I think you will like him...I know I do."

Patrick internally smirked remembering the boy's thighs as he buried his face in them.

"He had good strong legs perfect for being on them for long periods of times and he can do a few tricks too."

Patrick didn't mention it was with his tongue. Frank rolled his eyes, he saw straight through Patrick's front...he had pretty much from the start, but it wasn't his place to say anything...was it?

"Well, I'll speak to him, but I'm still not giving up on finding Brendon and bringing him back."

Mikey said, straightening up to demonstrate his determination in the matter.

"The kid walked out on you babe, it's clear he doesn't want to be here. Stupid move if you ask me."

Mikey sighed.

"I know he walked out, but he was upset. If he turned up and asked to come back, I'd say yes in a second...he was really good you know."

"You are too soft babe, you need to have more discipline. Yeah you could take him back, but with a write up and a dock in pay. That way he sees that he can't just pull that shit...or anyone else for that matter."

Patrick hit the bar for Frank to bring him another drink. Frank was busy serving two of the bachelorette party, a girl in less clothing than he'd seen on a cheap ten dollar whore...but he'd never judge...and a plus size drag queen wearing a tight fitting green sparkly dress. He waved a hand at Patrick to let him know that he'd heard him, and that he'd be there soon. Patrick looked over at what Frank was doing, shocked it was more important that his boss...well soon to be and practically felt his tongue fall out of his mouth. The girl was a knock out.

"Hey babe, you should make sure the party guests are having a good time and have enough food. I'll make sure the drinks are good for them."

Mikey looked over at where the rest of the party was and nodded.

"Yeah. Back in a bit."

He slipped off of his stool and walked away. Patrick watched him disappear into the crowd and then slipped over to where Frank was.

"Well hey there sugar, I hope you and your friends are having a great time at my place."

Frank scoffed, but said nothing as he continued to make the drag queen her multi coloured drink.

"We're havin' a fab time..."

The girl whose tits looked like they wanted to pop straight out of her bright red dress said with a tipsy grin, leaning against Patrick in an attempt to not fall over.

"My little sis is getting hitched next week..."

She leaned into his ear to whisper, though she was a little too drunk to regulate her volume.

"I'm trying to get her laid one last time...shhh."

She giggled like she'd told the funniest joke ever.

"Well tell me honey, is she a looker like you, cause that can be arranged."

The girl giggled again.

"Yeah, she's my twin actually, but I call her my little sis cause I was born ten minutes before her...we're identical..."

She leaned in to "whisper" again.

"...and we like to share."

"Well then...why don't I come meet the lucky girl and help you give her a real send off."

"Fab...come on."

The girl took Patrick's hand and lead him away toward her sister. Frank huffed with a frown...Mikey didn't deserve to be played like this. The drag queen gave him a curious look, but just took her drink and walked away when Frank waved away her questioning gaze. Frank thought maybe he should talk to Gerard about this, but right now he had other guests to serve. He got back to work.

(time passes)

"Sorry to ask you in so early kid."

"No problem, I need the money anyway."

"Saturday's aren't as busy as the weekdays cause no suits."

"Well maybe I can get better tips then."

The guy laughed and patted Brendon on his back. He tied his apron on and went to punch in.

(time passes)

"Frankie, are you sure we're in the right place, this neighborhood looks sketchy as fuck."

Frank giggled.

"Gee, we look sketchy as fuck..."

He wrapped an arm around Gerard's waist, pulling him into his side and pressing a sloppy kiss to his cheek.

"Come on baby, I promise you'll like this place, it's just round the corner."

"Alright, I trust you."

True to his words, when they rounded the corner it was a bit brighter and Gerard saw a cute coffee shop with lace on the big picture window.

"The Laced Cup. Man, talk about double entendre!"

Frank grinned and nodded.

"Yeah, the owner is a fucking genius."

"Hopefully the coffee is good too."

Gerard walked up the two steps and heard the little bell chime.

"Hey folks, welcome to the Laced Cup. Have a seat anywhere and your server will be with you in a moment."

"Thank you."

Frank grinned and nodded to the greeter, before guiding Gerard over to a table by the window with a hand rested comfortably on his ass.

(time passes)

"Hey Brendon you have a couple of guests and man are they handsey with each other."

Brendon chuckled. They usually asked him to handle couples cause he was able to charm them into stopping any extreme PDA. He had a little funny story that distracted them quite well.

"I got you."

Brendon left the back with his note pad. He stepped up to the table and smiled, his eyes half closed to avoid any embarrassment for the friendly couple.

"Hey folks, I'm Brendon and I'll be your server today. Might I recommend the mocha mint latte today. Warms you in all the right places."

"Oh my God!...Brendon?!"

Frank said with shock, his hand pausing its exploration of Gerard's upper thigh.

"Frank? Gerard?"

"Yeah...so how have you been?"

"Oh you know..."

"No...we kinda don't know. We haven't seen you since you walked out Bren, we've all been sort of worried about you to be honest."

"I'm alright, I got a new place, decent job, freedom, and all the coffee I can drink..."

Brendon smiled.

"So what can I get you love birds? How about the Caramel Sandy for two?"

Frank glanced at Gerard, then back at Brendon.

"Err, sure...sounds good. Then can we talk?"

"Well my shift just started and..."

"Brendon, who are your friends? Hi, names Hal. Brendon doesn't talk much about his life. We weren't sure if he wasn't actually a loner in this world."

Frank chuckled slightly.

"Hi Hal. I'm Frank and this is my boyfriend Gerard...we used to work with Brendon..."

He looked up at the younger man.

"...but we haven't seen him in a while, it's a nice surprise to see him tonight..."

He looked back at Hal.

"We were kinda hoping to get some time to catch up...do you think there's a chance?"

"Sure, it's pretty dead and this isn't even Brendon's usual shift. Have fun guys, drinks on me."

"Uh...thanks Hal."

Brendon sighed. No getting out of it now.

"Yeah, thanks Hal."

Frank said with a wide grin on his face as he looked at Brendon and indicated the empty seat opposite him and Gerard. Brendon flopped down as Hal went to fill the order. Brendon knew what was coming. All the questions they had for him. He was ready for the grilling. What he wasn't ready for though is what Gerard said to him.

"Mikey misses you."

"Huh?"

"Mikey misses you Bren."

"What, why?"

Frank reached over the table and clipped Brendon around the ear.

"Because he likes you, you ninny. He's miserable since you left, and between the three of us, I think you'd be a thousand times better for him than that asswipe Patrick...who I think is trying to take the club, just f.y.i."

"Well...I'm sure Ray can handle the situation. He has a better chance than I do anyway."

Hal brought the drinks over, including something for Brendon and a fresh plate of scones.

"Here you go and something that Brendon brought with him to our little shop."

Gerard recognised them as a version of Ray's from the dessert menu. Frank nodded the table's thanks to Hal, then turned back to Brendon once the server walked away.

"You're right that Ray could probably handle Patrick...he's ex army after all, so he could certainly smash the guy if it came to it...but like Gee said, Mikey misses you...we all miss you Bren, really."

Oh they all missed him. That made more sense.

"I miss you guys too. I'll come visit. maybe next week."

"You better. You know you're welcome back any time...right?"

"Yeah, thanks guys, well I should get back to work now. It was awesome seeing you."

Brendon got up and headed into the back of the house. Gerard saw he left his drink.

"Something's not right Frankie, what do we do? You know he isn't going to visit."

Frank hummed quietly in thought, then grinned.

"Call Mikey and get him to come join us...if Brendon will talk to anyone, I have a feeling that it's gonna be your brother."

"Can't, he has to take care of that graduation party tonight cause he gave us the time off."

Gerard felt guilty now. Frank frowned, gently squeezing Gerard's upper thigh.

"Don't worry baby, we'll sort this. And look at it this way..."

He recognised Gerard's guilty face and tried to soothe him.

"...if we hadn't got the night off and came here, we wouldn't have found our boy there...now would we."

"That is true."

Gerard tried to cheer up, but found the taste of the sweet drink to be cloying. Frank noticed.

"You want something else?...they do a great bitter chocolate coffee, it's not so sweet."

"No, I am afraid that I lost my appetite. Do you mind if we just go?"

Frank sighed, he'd wanted to take Gerard out for a nice date to help him relax, but it had only stressed him more.

"Sure..."

He said defeatedly.

"How about we go back to mine and we order pizza and have really really kinky sex..."

He squeezed Gerard's thigh and winked at him.

"I got a new dildo that I'm dying to try out on you."

Now Gerard felt really bad. Fortunately he was saved by his phone.

"Rain check on that Frankie, I apparently have to get back to the office. Shockingly my real job needs me..."

He leaned over and kissed Frank's cheek.

"See you later Frankie."

Gerard got up and headed out hailing the first cab he saw.

"Oh, you're still here, good."

Brendon came out after being yelled at by his boss to go back and relax. They were honestly dead.

"My break was extended."

Brendon sat down again.

"Where's Gee?"

Frank sighed looking down.

"He had to go. So much for our date..."

He frowned slightly then shook his head and looked back up at his friend.

"So tell me truthfully Bren, how are you really?"

"I'm fine really. Just getting used to being on my own. First time since my ex and well..."

Brendon trailed off. Frank tilted his head and placed a comforting hand on Brendon's knee.

"It takes some getting used to, doesn't it."

"Yeah, but it isn't all bad. I mean, can't share things readily like I used to, I miss that with Ryan and Gabe."

Frank smirked.

"What, did you share sex toys with them?"

He teased.

"What?! No! Geeze Frankie. No just talking about cool things I found that day or watching movies. Man, gutter mind."

The cafe started to get busy and Brendon excused himself with a one arm hug from Frank. Frank sipped his drink while thinking about what he should do. He watched Brendon serving people and an idea came to his mind. He smiled to himself and waited for the boy to return. After that Brendon realised that it was getting too busy to sit down again. He made his way back to Frank.

"Hey sorry Frankie, it's getting bad now. Rain check?"

"Oh right, ok. I'll catch you later."

Frank watched Brendon get back to work, then disappear out the back. He waved over the server he'd met before, though he couldn't remember his name.

"Hey man. You couldn't give me Brendon's address could you?...I've got a housewarming gift for him and I want to surprise him with it. It's not suitable to bring here...this is a family joint."

He said with a smirk, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Oh..."

The server looked and saw that Brendon was swamped.

"Yeah, sure, I think it will be alright."

He gave his address and then quickly went back to work. Frank smiled to himself, downed the last of his drink and headed out. Now he just had to give the address to Mikey, and hope he would do the right thing.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks, how's you?

So Patrick's a shit and Frankie's got a plan...all good?

Until next time...PLEASE COMMENT and peace out babies!
<3