A Week and a Half Before the Contract is Due
"Ok, Peter, what's wrong?" Max asks Peter as they are gearing up to leave the gym.
"There's nothing bothering me at all, Max."
"You're a lying whore, Peter. I know this has something to do with Harry because anything concerning Harry always makes you anxious or sad. Right now you don't look anxious about anything, so you're sad about something."
"Fine. I'm just a little sad that I haven't been able to hang out with Harry. Worst of all, his birthday is coming up, and I have no idea if he remembers that I planned out his birthday sleep over." Peter tells his friend.
"Aww, Pete." Max sympathizes with Peter.
"It's fucking frustrating because it's "Flash this" or "Flash that", and we don't really talk or see each other anymore. He has totally forgotten about me." Peter tells him while trying to hold back his tears.
"Do you like him?" Max decided to ask him in a kind tone.
"No, just lonely without Harry." He relies wiping his eyes before his tears fall. "Is it still wrong that I'm waiting for him to call me because his relationship has failed with Flash?"
"Wrong maybe, not sad. You just miss him." Max says.
"I really do." Peter says with his eyes pooling with tears.
"You know what you should do to fix that?"
"What should I do?" Peter says, while thumbing his eyelids.
"I think you should hang out with him tonight." Max suggests to Peter.
"Really? You think that'll work?" He asks Max hopefully.
"Just go over to his house and see if he's down to hang out with you. If I were in your position, I'd take some pizza and some beer and just hang out with him."
"You think that'll work?" Peter asks him sounding skeptical, but with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Maybe, maybe not, but it won't hurt to try and do something." Max told him.
Peter nods his head.
"You'll never know what'll happen if you sit here and wallow." Max tells him. "Now, go buy some food and take back your quality time with Harry." He tells Peter.
"Thanks, Max. You truly are the best." Peter tells him, while giving Max a hug.
"I know I am. Now get out of here you-" Max suddenly stops and pulled away from Peter.
Peter looks around and sees what Max sees.
"Her name is Gwen." He tells Max.
"How do you know her name?" Asks Max.
"She works at Denny's as a waitress. You can thank Mary Jane and Harry for their idea on going out on a double date. I think she's single. Why not ask her out?"
"I don't know, Pete. What if I screw this up?" Max asks nervously.
"You won't mess this up. But if it makes you feel any better I have an idea that might work. Aren't you lucky she's coming to talk to us?" He says, noticing Gwen walking towards them.
"Hey cutie, it's nice to see you again. How are you?" She asks Peter.
"I'm fine. My name is Peter, and this is my good friend Max."
"Hello, pretty lady. How are you?" Max asks.
"I'm fine." Gwen responds. "How are you today?"
"Good. I was just giving Peter here some advice." He tells her while placing his left arm around Peter.
"Yeah, and it was really helpful. He was just telling me that if I wanted to dance some more to some pop grooves, I should check out the deluxe version of Kelly Clarkson's album Piece by Piece, because I haven't heard the bonus tracks yet." Peter lies.
"OMG! Are you kidding me?!" She asks. "Max, is he being serious?"
"Dead serious." He plays along with Peter. "To be fair, he doesn't even know a lot of her music after her album, Breakaway." Peter smirks at Max's lie.
"I really haven't been paying attention after Since U Been Gone, until she came out with Heartbeat Song." Peter says, taking Max's arm off from his neck.
"I doubt he even knows that she released a remix version of the album." Max pushes.
"Wait a minute- there's a remix version of the Piece by Piece album?" Peter genuinely asks him. 'I need to check this out, ASAP.' He thinks to himself.
"Yup. I think you'd love the remix to Second Wind!" Max and Gwen both tell him.
"I love that song! What was your favorite part of that song?" Gwen asks Max.
Max decides that he'll sing her his favorite part of the song.
You can't forget about me
While you weren't looking I was gettin' even higher
Gwen starts singing along with him.
Say what you want about me
Your words are gasoline on my fire
You can hate me, underestimate me
Do what you do 'cause what you do don't phaze me
Just when you think I'm at the end
Any second I'mma catch my second wind
"Wow." They both say in unison.
"Would you care to go out on a date with me to a karaoke bar sometime, where we can sing Kelly Clarkson songs?" Max shyly asks her.
"Yes in a heartbeat!" Gwen replies in a sing-song tone. "Beats Karaoke Cafe good for you?"
"Definitely. Tomorrow at 8?" Max confirms.
"It's a date. I'll see you tomorrow, Max. Later, Peter." She says while walking into the gym.
"Bye, Gwen." Peter says.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Max calls after her. "How did you manage pull that Kelly Clarkson story off?" He asks Peter.
"No idea, but I'm glad it worked in our favor." Peter shrugged.
"Ditto. Now get lost Pete. I believe you wanted some quality time with Harry." Max tells him.
"Crap! You're right, man. I better get going, bro. Thanks for your help Max. I really appreciate your help. I'll let you know how it goes." Peter says putting his thumbs up.
"Get out of here you crazy youngster. Good luck bro." Max replies, also putting his thumbs up.
"Thanks. See you later." He smiles at Max.
7:17 pm at Harry's House
Peter reaches Harry's door and hears something interesting on the other side.
I'm too sexy for my love
Too sexy for my love
Love's going to leave me
Peter opens the door.
I'm too sexy for my shirt
Too sexy for my shirt
So sexy it hurts
Harry's so busy dancing and singing to himself, that he doesn't notice Peter watching him putting utensils on the dinner table.
And I'm too sexy for Milan
Too sexy for Milan,
New York and Japan
And I'm too sexy for your party
Too sexy for your party
No way I'm disco dancing
Harry finally looks up and notices Peter.
"Hey, Peter! I didn't know you were coming!" he says running towards Peter, hugging him.
"I didn't know either. I just thought I'd drop by so we can chill. I got some beer, some tacos and some burgers from Burger King." He tells Harry while lifting his backpack.
"Aww, Peter that is a very sweet gesture." Harry tells him, appreciating the small gesture. "But, I'm having Flash over for dinner. I decided that I wanted to cook a special dinner for him since we've been dating for a while. I cooked Mac and Cheese with lobster and I also made German Shepard's pie. Right now, I'm just waiting for the dessert to finish."
"Oh. That's awesome." Peter tells Harry, hoping that he doesn't sound disappointed.
"Since you came out of your way to hang out, why don't you join us? I was going to call you and the others to finally meet Flash, but Felicia and I were so busy with work, that I totally forgot to do so. I know it's a little bit late and too much to ask of you, but you know that you're always welcome to stay. You can put the food and beer in the fridge, if you want. I've cooked enough food for at least three or five people."
"More like a day or two." Smirks Peter. "I'll leave the stuff in your fridge and I'll come back another day so that we can tackle the food. Besides, everyone but me is busy tonight."
"Are you sure, Pete? I really wouldn't mind if you joined us." Harry says.
"Nah. I'll be alight." Peter tells him, moving towards the fridge to put the food and beer in.
"Well, in that case, let's hang out tomorrow. Just me, you and a shit ton of food and watch a movie or two."
"I can't wait for tomorrow." Peter tells him, while closing the refrigerator door.
"We'll have a good time. I promise." Harry tells him.
Peter smiles at him. "I better get going. I wouldn't want to ruin your special dinner with Flash." He says while walking to the door.
"Before you leave, Pete, I just need to know something." Harry says.
"Ok." He responds before he opens the door to leave.
"Is this... too much? I mean, the Mac and Cheese, German Shepard's pie, Red Velvet Cake, wine and the whole ambiance, is awesome but do you think that it's-"
"Too much and over the top?" Peter finishes for him, and Harry nods his head.
"I think it's perfect, so don't stress out." Peter tells him while walking up to Harry. "Knowing you for…..practically all my life, you've never done anything half-assed or small. You love making big gestures, taking care of everybody and making sure that everything is perfect. It's one of the things that I love most about you." Peter tells him, while cupping Harry's cheeks.
"Really?" Harry replies with a bright smile on his face.
"Really. It's one of your most endearing qualities that I've never seen in anyone, other than my dad and Uncle Ben. It's something that I tried doing, but it's not something that I can achieve well, but to see you do it is truly beautiful."
"Thanks, Pete." Harry tells him before kissing Peter.
"I better get going." Peter tells him while removing his hands from Harry's cheeks.
"Yeah. Flash should be here in about…maybe an hour or so."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Har." He says while placing a kiss on Harry's forehead.
"Until tomorrow my friend. And Harry?
"Yeah, Pete?" Harry replies.
"Don't forget to use the gifts I gave you. If you need more, I can bring some over tomorrow. We can't have you being bent over by Flash and not enjoying your toys." Peter smirks, even though he's feeling lonely.
"Shut up, Peter!" Harry blushes madly 'See ya tomorrow." Harry says, kissing Peter before he leaves the house.
Once Peter was safe within the confines of his apartment, Peter mopes and eats his leftover spaghetti and attempts to watch Scary Movie 3. He almost knocks out when Brenda pranks Cindy. He's happy that he didn't cry or fall asleep because he finally gets to his favorite part of the movie when Cindy and George both forget to take Cody with them after they got married. As the movie ends, Peter throws away what's left of his leftovers and he takes a shower. Once he was finished with his shower, he got a notification on Grindr.
'Ah. Brighton, huh? I'll swing there and be there in 15.' Peter thinks to himself.
