Leslie and Davy were completely unprepared for Peter's entrance. Leslie had momentarily forgotten he was coming over in the intensity of her conversation with Davy; Davy had not even known Peter was expected. This left them with no ready excuse for Davy's presence.
I've really screwed up, thought Leslie.
"I got here as quick as I could..." Peter said as he came in the door and closed it, then turned and saw Davy sitting on the couch next to Leslie. The look on his face would have been quite comical, if you weren't desperately struggling for an explanation.
Davy looked like he'd seen a ghost, and Leslie was nearly trembling. Peter studied them in bewilderment. They stared back at him with empty gazes. What the heck? Something was not right. Not only was Davy here, when Peter had never known him to go to Leslie's by himself, but they were both acting strangely unnatural.
"Peter!" Leslie snapped out of her trance. "Sit down, can I get you something to drink?"
Peter stood waveringly for a moment, then sat on the couch a couple of feet to Leslie's right.
"Um, no. I'm fine," then he turned to Davy, leaning forward to see him around Leslie. "So, what brings you here, David?"
Leslie tried to rescue Davy, find a reason for him being there, but nothing but an enormous blank came to her mind. The only thing she could come up with was that Davy'd been on the beach and had stopped by. But that would sound so goofy that she rejected it out of hand. In the meantime, Davy was inwardly fighting the same battle. He couldn't say he was checking up on Leslie, that wouldn't make sense, as she had two boyfriends to do that. He couldn't merely say he was visiting, as he'd never done that before, and Peter knew it.
"We were talking," Davy said, fidgeting a bit, brushing an invisible piece of lint off his pants.
"Oh?" Peter decided to sit back a bit to study the behaviors of his two friends. He'd handle this the way he knew Michael would—just quietly watch and try to pick up on signals. Then, only after he'd accumulated information would he make a plan of action. He didn't think there was anything going on between them, but just the same, it was puzzling to find Davy here, and especially with the younger man being so vague. No, Davy was more than vague—he was evasive. Peter came to that conclusion when Davy didn't offer any more information. Leslie's mouth was partway open, as if in effort to speak, yet nothing came out. Peter was rapidly accruing that they did, indeed, have something to hide.
Peter now used another of Michael's methods, which consisted of staring into a person's eyes, searching for clues in their reaction and resulting mannerisms, and he did this alternatively with Leslie and Davy, and the more he watched them, the more uncomfortable they seemed to get. Peter was aware that he wasn't nearly as shrewd as Michael, and he found himself halfway wishing Michael were here, because he knew Michael would confront Davy and get the real story out of him. But Michael also had a temper, and might do something drastic, like leave in a huff, and disappear emotionally on them again. He didn't want a repeat of that.
Peter was a peaceful soul and didn't want dissension. He just wanted the truth about why Davy was here. Why were they both so unsettled?
"I'll tell you about our talk later, Peter," said Leslie. Peter didn't answer, as he couldn't find words to express his disquiet, this creepy feeling. The silence that followed was agonizing for both Leslie and Davy. Davy didn't want to leave right away, as he felt this would imply he was guilty, and he didn't want to leave Peter with that impression. But after a few minutes of empty silence, he could no longer tolerate the tense quiet, and he stood up.
"Well, I'd best nip back to the Pad," he said weakly, apologizing to Leslie with his eyes. Leslie felt just as bad, as she hadn't warned Davy that Peter would be coming over. She walked him to the door, Peter still sitting on the couch, looking spaced out.
As soon as the door closed, Leslie turned to Peter. "It wasn't anything to worry about. We just had to… discuss something," she explained.
"Well, it's none of my business… but I hope you'll tell me… if you want to."
"It's delicate…" Leslie knew she was stuck now. She had to tell Peter something, and she wasn't about to lie to him. There had been enough deceit in the past, on her part. They also had an understanding that they would always keep the lines of communication open between them, be truthful with each other. Same for herself and Michael.
"Davy has been… a little too… friendly with me, and I realize that's just the way he is with females… but… I was concerned about it, so we talked about it."
Peter took that in. "So you guys had an appointment for him to come over here?" Peter was confused.
"No… no, he realized I was… uncomfortable with it, so he came over to explain that he's just naturally… flirty." Leslie left out the part about Davy actually touching her, kissing her, and holding her in the dark the night before. She felt a need to talk to Davy first to let him know she planned to tell Peter and Michael everything. She didn't owe it to Davy, but she felt he should know what she'd divulged before Peter started questioning him. Right or wrong, she was in an upheaval right now, her mind in turmoil, and had had no time to think it over before facing Peter.
"But, like he told you… David flirts with a lot of girls. I've seen him wink at you, and stare at you, that kind of thing. It's evident he finds you attractive, but he didn't mean to make you feel he was… moving in on you," Peter knew what Davy was about—the way he'd been since Peter had known him. "It's just something that he can't help doing."
"I know, he explained that," said Leslie. "Everything is fine. I just didn't want you getting the wrong idea."
"Well, you knew I was coming over, so it wouldn't make sense that something would be going on," Peter reminded her. "And I trust you anyway. But I have to go home now, and tell Michael."
"Right now?"
"Yes, the three of us have to keep everything upfront. He needs to know its bothering you. "
Well, there went the idea of talking to Davy first, but now that she'd had a chance to reflect on it, Leslie came back to her senses and realized that Michael and Peter must come first at all times. Davy would have to fend for himself. His big brown eyes and sweet manner shouldn't give him any immunity. She'd been swayed a bit, feeling sorry for him, but Michael and Peter had to be informed, and after Peter had talked to Michael, Leslie would tell them the rest. All of it. Davy had gotten himself into this predicament.
Peter, being the passive, peaceful type, was not prone to jumping to conclusions, but he knew Michael was another story; just under the surface, there was always a potential for fireworks. Especially when it involved matters of the heart. He was only too aware that Mike might not take to this very kindly. He didn't want to take the chance of Michael blowing up and going off by himself in a huff, emotionally separating himself again. But what else could he do? He wasn't going to keep it from Michael. Hell, Michael knew about it, he'd seen it himself, but what plucked at Peter's nerves was that it had made Leslie uneasy, and Michael wouldn't like that a bit.
"He's charmin' her," Michael said in response to Peter's rehashing of what had happened at Leslie's house a little while ago. Peter had left soon after Leslie had told him, heading straight home and to Michael.
Davy hadn't returned to the Pad, so Peter assumed he was on the beach somewhere.
"You aren't upset, are you?" Peter asked carefully.
"No… and yes. It's alright for Davy to flirt with whomever he wants… but when it comes to Leslie… damn it, he knows we're a threesome."
Michael hadn't blown up yet, and Peter was happy for that, but things were still shaky. Peter had to admire Michael for not flying off the handle, as Davy was wading in dangerous waters.
"It's not as if he's… hidden it," said Peter.
"I know… he does it in front of everyone. But that doesn't make it right. There are millions of girls in the world, and you'd think he'd honor the fact that the one girl who belongs to us should be off limits."
Peter certainly couldn't argue with that. So he didn't. The more Michael thought about it, the more agitated he became, which had been Peter's biggest fear. There was no sitting around, analyzing this situation. It was pretty clear cut. Peter saw the thunder clouds gathering in Michael's eyes, and dreaded what might happen when Davy came home. If the little Englishman had any sense at all, he'd stay away for a while. Peter knew Davy would assume Peter would tell Mike without much delay.
Michael draped his hand over his face and sighed. "I really don't know what to say to David," He looked nonplussed even as he felt himself drawn to Peter for solace. Peter could be compared to a soft pillow on which Michael might lay his troubled head. Certainly, that was how he saw Peter.
"I don't know, but I figure we have to say something."
"The thing is, David doesn't steal girls away, but he has this… magnetism that they can't escape." Mike tightened his lips in concentration. "I know Leslie wouldn't hurt us on purpose…" he stopped talking, and just contemplated Peter.
"But… if she fell for you after she fell for me, who's to say she won't…"
"Don't finish that thought," Peter was feeling uneasy with the direction this seemed to be going.
"Won't do a bit of good though," continued Peter, "to 'get your knickers in a knot,'" he said, using one of Davy's expressions to try to lighten things up, and then being immediately sorry. "We might be overprotecting her," he said quickly, hoping his slip of the tongue wouldn't anger Michael even more.
"You mean, just let David get away with it? He's out of line! And she told you it disturbs her." Mike looked almost insipid right now, and Peter knew he was weary… very weary. He wasn't even admiring Peter unconsciously, eyes roving, like he usually did. There was a faraway, vulnerable look coming over him that set Peter's heart to fluttering. Leslie had unknowingly, and sometimes knowingly, been rough on Michael. Peter wanted to comfort him, but knew that Michael wasn't in a state to accept it right now.
"Pete…" Mike said almost sadly. "You need to get a spine. I love how you are myself, but you're just… too nice for this shitty world."
He, Peter, had been responsible for a lot of Michael's misery. So it wasn't only Leslie, he sternly reprimanded himself. He'd been selfish, wanting Leslie for himself the way he had in the beginning, so why was Michael telling him he was too nice? He wasn't!
Michael had been hurt deeply, years ago, and Peter knew it lingered on, even though Mike rarely spoke of it anymore. It had made him a cynical man, a distrusting man. Leslie had been slowly changing all that, and now it seemed as if all the good that had been done was rapidly leaving Mike's new found trust behind in a swirling cloud of choking dust.
A bit later, as they sat on the couch, Peter having attempted to talk to Michael in fits and starts for half an hour, Michael spoke suddenly, jarring Peter.
"Look, Shotgun. No use in you hanging around here, both of us uptight, waiting for David to come home. It could be hours. You might as well go back to Leslie's—that is, assuming he's not there." Michael hadn't been able to resist that last crack, and Peter winced slightly.
"Promise you won't clobber him if he comes home while I'm gone?"
Michael nodded in reluctant accommodation. "If he wasn't such a good friend I'd probably punch his lights out," he mumbled as Peter exited the Pad.
"Mike's not a happy camper," said Peter as he came in Leslie's door, after carefully knocking.
"I figured as much… I've been sick with worry. Peter, why didn't you just walk in?"
Peter's eyes were downcast and he looked sheepish. "No reason, really."
"You knocked because you were afraid Davy was here, didn't you?"
"Well… yeah, I guess so. It might have looked bad… if I'd just walked in. I mean, it might have looked like…"
"Like you were checking up on me, or trying to 'catch' me?"
Peter looked aghast. "No, not catch you! I know you wouldn't do anything."
"Oh, but I did… and that's why I'm going to tell you first, instead of Michael. He's level headed, but not when it comes to something like this." Leslie had decided this couldn't wait until she'd talked to Davy. Things were becoming critical. If Michael was upset now, how would he feel after knowing the rest of it?
Peter's breath hitched, and he grasped the edge of the couch to steady himself. He felt a little numb. "If you're just pulling my leg, don't do it anymore," he choked out, hardly able to remain upright.
Leslie saw Peter's weak state then. "Peter, it was nothing bad. I didn't sleep with him…"
Peter was finally able to draw a halfway normal breath. For a moment there, he'd thought he was done for. If looks could kill, so could words…
"I'm ashamed though, because he did kiss me, and I… didn't resist him. Twice."
"He kissed you?"
"Just barely more than a peck. Once in the haunted house, when we were in that dark room, and once when he invited me to go for a quick swim with him before he went to England at Thanksgiving. While I'm at it, when the power went out at the Pad, he found me in the dark, and I think he was working up to it then too… until Michael found me and Davy backed off. Michael came very close to catching him."
Normally undaunted by unique circumstances, except with the express condition when it came to emotions, Peter sat down, letting the news sink in. David—his good friend, his roommate, his band mate, had kissed his girlfriend? Michael might respond to hurt on the inside with outward anger, but Peter was more direct. He didn't really know how else to be. Through all the muddle and cobwebs in his head, he suddenly remembered how he'd actively pursued Leslie, even though he'd known she was seeing someone. He hadn't known it was Michael specifically, but that was no excuse-it was still not a nice thing to do. Now he was getting a taste of it. And he had to admit it tasted pretty bitter.
"Davy always gets the girls…" he mumbled to himself, his voice barely audible.
His candor still sometimes took Leslie by surprise, no matter how many times she'd witnessed it. More often than not, Peter said what was on his mind, and oftentimes before he thought it through sufficiently before opening his mouth. Honesty came too naturally.
"He hasn't gotten me, Peter. I belong to you and Michael, you two are all I want, all I need."
Peter pondered this. His intellect showed on his face as he mulled it over. He might be emotional, and his wacky sense of humor could suggest a lack of brains to the casual observer, but it was just an act, he wasn't dull witted by any means. His intelligence actually competed with Michael's. "Then why did you let David kiss you?"
"It happened too quickly to react, really… except for the hug."
"A hug too?"
"Yes, and I did feel some desire when that happened. But who wouldn't? With Davy hugging you?" She clamored for some justification for her passiveness with Davy. But how could she expect Peter to understand? "I couldn't seem to pull away from him, Peter."
"Yeah, I know David's attractive. I have eyes. Just a reminder here… I'm attracted to Michael, so I'm not completely straight like I thought I was. But even when I thought I was entirely straight, I did always notice David's good looks. Any guy would agree with me if he were honest with himself and not hung up on ego."
Leslie almost let out a sigh. "Then… you don't think I'm… detestable?"
"No! It was a natural reaction, Les. You were physically close to a really desirable guy, and you responded… rather, your body responded."
"Oh, Peter! You have no idea… If only Michael would understand the way you do! You're really not upset?"
"I really don't see a problem with it, as long… as nothing… intimate happens between you two. Flirting is a natural occurrence, even though people get uptight and uncomfortable about it. But as long as you're devoted to myself and Michael, I see no harm in it."
Davy had found Micky on the beach. He felt fortunate when he saw the back of Micky's fluffy head as the drummer watched the surfers from his beach towel. Micky was the one to go to. Micky was a good guy, and a good friend. He'd be understanding, and wouldn't make Davy feel like a heel, even though he was a heel. Davy cracked a halfway ironic grin. His feet carried him to his friend with determination.
"Mick," Davy sat down beside him on the beach towel.
"Hi ya, Daydream Believer," Micky smiled. The look on Davy's face brought him up short though. "Hey, man, what's wrong?"
"I just went to talk to Leslie… long story short, I've been flirting with her, and, you know me… I went a bit too far."
"I've seen you flirt with her. Nothing new, but what do you mean you 'went too far?'' Micky was now engrossed.
"I kissed her, hugged her, just affectionately, but she took it… the wrong way. Well… maybe it was a bit more than simple affection, and we both got a little… you know." Davy's face registered a solemn seriousness Micky rarely saw there.
"Whoa, sounds like you've got yourself in a heap of shit."
"I do. I went over there to talk to her about it, and Peter came over… just walked in the door, and I froze. I told him we were just talking, when he asked me why I was there."
"Then what happened?"
"Leslie told him she'd tell him about it later. It felt like an inquisition, only no one was saying anything. It was weird. I could almost hear these, like… relentless questions going through Pete's head, so I had to get outta there. No doubt Leslie'll tell him everything, and Michael too."
"Oh man, excuse me for saying it, but you were a dipstick to even flirt with her." So much for Micky being understanding, thought Davy. But he knew Micky was right. He just didn't want to admit it to himself. "I've thought about you getting in hot water with Mike, but I figured you're a big boy. I'm sure Peter and Michael must be wiggin' out."
"Yeah, no doubt Mike knows by now. I'm almost scared to go back to the Pad."
"Want me to go with you?" Micky felt bad for Davy, even though Davy had quite a talent for getting himself into sticky situations where girls were concerned.
"I have to do it by myself. Right now I hope you don't mind if I stay here until I've worked up the balls to face Michael."
Micky had him in a calmer state of mind in fairly short order. "Look David, I don't think anything drastic is gonna happen. Mike'll chew you out, sure. But if you play your cards right, he'll realize you weren't out to get her into bed or anything."
Uh-oh. Peter had that look on his face again. The expression somehow didn't fit him, and yet it did. Peter could be a bit goofy at times, humorous, sometimes overly emotional, but this particular look told her volumes. It was intense—dead serious, penetrating.
After their discussion, Peter was convinced that there was no threat to either himself or Michael and their involvement with Leslie. The hard part would be convincing Michael. But for right now… he'd been without Leslie for way too long, and he was feeling amorous as all hell. Her light citrusy scent, her feminine mannerisms, the way her hair fell softly over her shoulder, her gentle discussion about a sensitive subject, had all served to make him steaming hot with yearning for her. Everything she did was drawing him in. She was sitting close to him now, her thigh barely brushing against his with the slightest movement. It was impossible to ignore her nearness. It always came so naturally, and Peter took pains to make sure he touched her as often as he possibly could.
The moment she saw that "look," she knew he wanted to make love. What a lovely thought. She wanted it just as much as he did, yet she was nervous, edgy, about Davy. She wondered where Davy was, and even though Peter had told her that Michael had promised not to get physical with him when he went home, she still couldn't relax. There was no reason for her to feel protective of Davy, except that he hadn't meant any harm. And yes, he was her friend. They all were. It was just light-hearted fun for him to flirt with her, and she had never really discouraged it—she'd gone along with it. So she felt some very real responsibility in this. And how was she to make love with Peter when Davy was out there somewhere, not knowing if he was going to lose his best friends? Be kicked out of the Pad? Be beaten up? That last thought actually made Leslie grin slightly. She doubted Michael would be quick enough to catch the nimble Davy in order to beat him up. Davy could run circles around Michael with no effort. But even though Peter had reassured her that Michael wouldn't do Davy any harm, she couldn't bet one hundred percent on that. If only she'd stifled Davy's advances from the beginning…it was her fault as much as his!
At the risk of deflating Peter, to say the least, Leslie explained how she felt. She wanted him with a passion so intense she could hardly bear it, yet she was worried about Davy. Peter retreated, stopped hovering over her, stopped implying.
"Your state of mind is everything," he said. "I wouldn't expect you to respond to me when you have something heavy on your mind. And I wouldn't want it either. I have to have all of you, including your mind; well, especially your mind, or I wouldn't enjoy it, as I would know you weren't enjoying it."
Leslie heaved a huge sigh. "Thank you, Peter."
"Think we oughta go find Davy? Tell him the extent of what I know?"
"Yes, he needs to at least know what he's up against."
"I haven't told Michael the whole story, of course. Only that the flirting was concerning you," he reminded her. "The worst is yet to come."
"I know. Should we find him, and then the three of us go to Michael about it—or, how should we do it?"
"Yes, find him, tell him I know everything, and that Michael also needs to know. He'll do the right thing," Peter looked confident. He'd known Davy for years, so Leslie had faith in Peter's prediction.
Mike ran a hand through his hair, something he didn't do regularly because of its thickness. It could become a wild mess that was hard to get out of his face and back into order if he messed with it too much. But under these circumstances, he didn't particularly care about his hair. First, Peter had moved in, and now Davy? He didn't resent Peter anymore, in fact, he welcomed him, but right now he was wondering if it weren't impossible to keep other guys away from Leslie. She was too alluring. She and Davy both had that in common—that ability to bewitch members of the opposite sex. He needed to talk to Davy… he really did, before his anger boiled over.