**AN- Hey guys, hope you enjoy today's chapters. I had them done so I thought why not upload two in one day, you guys are awesome and definitely deserve it. Not really much else to say really. Remember to leave feedback, what you like what you don't. And most importantly, enjoy!
Lunch helped to ease the guys nerves. I decided to pay since going out was my idea, plus it seemed scummy to pay for Alex and not Candu. Afterwards Candu had to leave the two of us to take everything he'd bought back home. With just the two of us left we decided to go look around the local sporting goods store. It wasn't a big chain store like Cabela's, it was a family run place called King's Sporting Goods.
Despite being locally owned, it was every bit as fancy as a big store might be. It was a big log building, almost like a lodge you'd stay in while on vacation. The front was basically one big window giving a great view of the inside. Out front there were a few ATV's and canoes on display with a salesman outside, presumably advertising them.
Alex and I were big fans of the outdoors. We often went camping, hiking, fishing, and we tried rock climbing once. We spent a lot of time and money at this place, so much that we were practically on a first name basis with the owner Richard King. He gave the both of us a pair of high end fishing rods last year as a sign of his appreciation.
"Wouldn't it be nice to have a canoe? Or at least a kayak," Alex asked as we walked by the front display. Kayaking, and boating in general, was something we'd wanted to try for a long time. But Alex couldn't afford one, and I really didn't have anywhere to put one when I wasn't using it.
"Yeah. It'd be nice if they did a sort of rental thing on the weekends. My uncle Felix says there's a place near him that takes some out to a lake every Saturday and lets people rent them for a few bucks."
"Think of the fishing spots you could reach like that," Alex was practically drooling at the thought. We spent a good hour just window shopping. We liked to walk around the place and just be surrounded by the ambience. It made us remember all the adventures we'd went on. When he'd show up at my house after a fight with his dad and we'd go on a hike through the hill behind my house to call his nerves, or go to the lake across town and spend the rest of the night fishing.
I thought about him and Percy a lot. I'd never admit it but I kinda feared for them sometimes, knowing how their dad was. When they were little he'd beat their mom a lot, and even hit them a couple times in his drunken stupor. If anything ever happened to the house Alex always had to fix it. Broken floor board, busted water pipe, hole in the wall, you name it. If he didn't, it wouldn't get fixed. Percy just didn't have the know-how. It was around the end of middle school that Alex started fighting back. Being a drunk his dad wasn't exactly much of a brute, the only reason they hadn't fought back sooner was because he was bigger than the twins.
But now that he couldn't really fight them with his fists, I was afraid he might do something serious while they were sleeping. I know it seems a little bad to think of him that way, but he really did come across as that kind of guy. Id only ever met him twice, but it was enough to convince me that he was a bad person. It made all the bad stories the two had too alas all the more credible. Not that I thought they'd ever lie to us.
It seemed that out of all of our group, I was the one who'd gotten lucky in the parental department. Aside from the aforementioned sperm doner to Percy and Alex, Jason's mom had left shortly after his little sister was born. Leon's parents were really hardcore Christian type people and disowned him once he came out, saying they wouldn't allow that under their roof, so he lives with his aunt now. Finally, Candu's parents were extremely strict, almost ran his house like boot camp. They weren't abusive or anything, just expected a lot from him.
"Thanks again for helping me get out of the house, and for lunch" he said as we departed the store.
"Hey it's nothing man, anything to help a bro out," I said shrugging it off.
"I know me and Percy can be kind of a mess sometimes. I'm going to talk to mom about leaving dad again. I'll get the money for a divorce lawyer somehow," he sighed as we climbed back into the truck.
"Any idea how much it'd cost?"
"More than we have. But, I can try to take out a bank loan. Moms credit is a mess so they'd never let her have one."
"You'll let me know how much it is right? I can talk to mom and dad about helping you guys out."
"…" he sat silently for a long time. I thought maybe I'd upset him offering like that. Even as we drove home the silence was almost unbearable. Every now and then I'd glance to see his expressions. They were distant, as though he was stuck deep in thought. As we pulled into the driveway it quickly shifted into what I can only describe as displeasure.
"I'll let you know." He said before climbing out and quickly shutting the door. Percy was sitting on the porch, arms on his knees and staring down at the ground. I would have left if Alex hadn't held up a finger, silently instructing me to wait. As Alex greeted Percy I could see there were tears in his eyes. It looked like he'd been crying for a while. After what seemed like a heated debate Alex pulled his slightly taller twin into a hug before escorting him over to my truck. I rolled down the window as they approached.
"Hutch, I know this is a lot to ask, but can Percy spend a few days at your place," Alex asked, desperation deep in his voice.
"Of course, I'd never say no to him. Just know that Lilly is also spending the night."
"I'm not interrupting anything am I? I don't want to cut into-"
"Oh no no, it's nothing like that. She just needed a place to stay for the night as well. Our house is big enough for the three of us."
"Thank you so much. Stay here bro, I'll go get your bag. Want me to grab your PlayStation?"
"If you don't mind," Percy sniffled.
"Okay, I'll be right back," Alex said before rushing off into the house.
"Hop in, it'll be a great night I promise," I insisted, motioning for Percy to take the passenger seat. My inner curiosity wanted to know what had happened, but I knew better than to ask. I felt it best to try and take his mind off whatever it was that had upset him. Thankfully he gave a half smile and climbed into the passenger seat.
"Thanks a lot Hutch," he said softy.
"Don't mention it man," I said giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. A few minutes passed before Alex returned with a pair of duffel bags. I quickly jumped out and raised the bed cover for him to put them in the back, there wasn't really much room in the cab for them.
"There you go bro, I made sure to get all your stuff. Me and David will have a little talk while you're away," Alex opened the door and gave Percy another hug before disappearing into the house, slamming the door behind him. Against my better judgement I drove away.
"David and I got in a fight," Percy said finally.
"I kinda figured. You okay," I asked softly.
"I am. But, I don't know if I can live with that man any longer. The way he talks to me when Alex isn't around is just….humiliating. No one should get treated like this," I could hear the pain building back in his voice.
"Nobody is going to get treated like that so long as they're under my roof. And you're always welcome at my house."
"Thank you. I really do hope I'm not intruding between you and Lilly. I think that would make me feel worse than anything David can say."
"You're fine dude. She's just staying over because Kate was going to bring shitstain over while their folks were out of the house. Lilly didn't want to hear any of what was going on so she asked to crash at my place. We've got a guest bedroom you can have and she'll be taking my bed."
"What about you?"
"Eh I'll sleep wherever I crash. It'll either be the couch or the inflatable mattress. But don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
"You're a great friend Hutch, I don't say it enough," he smiled leaning onto the arm rest. "So, you and Lilly huh? I've always thought you two would be cute together."
"Hey I never said we were together," I protested as we pulled into my driveway.
"Oh please, we know you want to be with her. Don't think we can't see the way you practically eye hump her when she's around. Well, I can see it anyway. I've never seen someone so infatuated before. Gotta say I'm kinda jealous, I always thought you were pretty cute. Don't tell Leon I said that."
"T-thanks," I couldn't help but blush. He'd never told me that before. I wasn't offended, I mean a compliment is a compliment after all. "But Lilly deserves more than me."
"You sell yourself short Hutch. You're practically perfect for her. I mean come on, she asked to stay over at your place for the night."
"Maybe so, but I'm pretty sure that was just because she doesn't want to hear Kate and Humphrey mauling each other's privates."
"Fair point. Still, out of everyone she asked you."
I led Percy inside and made up the guest bedroom, which was right across the hall from my bedroom, for him. There was a TV for him to hook his PS4 up to which he did almost immediately before disappearing down the hall to the bathroom to take a shower. Almost as soon as I heard the water running I heard Lilly's Jeep pull into the driveway, so I stepped out to greet her.
"Hey Hutch, thanks a bunch for letting me stay over. I barely had time to get out of the door before Kate and Humphrey were all over each other. They have no shame," she said rolling her eyes.
"No problem, but I should let you know Percy is also staying over. He had a fight with his dad last night so he needed a place to cool off," I explained as I led her through to my bedroom.
"Ohh I love Percy so that's okay. Is he okay?"
"Doing a lot better than he was earlier. He's taking a shower now. He'll be over in the guest bedroom, while you," I said throwing my door open "will be sleeping in here."
"Awe how sweet you're going to let me share your bed with you," she said crawling on top of the sloppily made king sized bed.
"Well, not exactly. I thought I'd sleep on the couch. Or at the very least bring the inflatable mattress in here." I said with a shrug. Her smile almost seemed to fade as though I'd disappointed her.
"Well that's fine, more room for me," she quickly recovered and stuck her tongue out at me. "Hey you got anything to eat? I'm starving."
"All kinds of stuff, what do you want," I asked heading for the kitchen.
"Hmmm how about some spaghetti?"
"Alright, grab a movie for the three of us and I'll whip up some spaghetti.,"
She obliged, sifting through my movie collection while I moved to the stove. I set some pasta to boil before whipping up a rustic sauce. Garlic, a can of crushed tomatoes, some water, basil, salt and pepper to taste, just something basic. I also threw in some ground beef because I liked a meaty sauce, and of course put on some garlic bread.
"Something smells good," Percy compliment as he entered the living room.
"It's spaghetti. Help yourself," I said as I plated some up for Lilly.
"Thank you Hutch," she said sweetly as I brought her the plate I'd made.
"No problem. So what movie are we watching?" I asked sitting beside her on the couch.
"SpaceBalls!" She exclaimed excitedly.
"Sounds like a cheesy space porno," Percy chuckled as he joined us.
"Wait you've never seen it?! Oh my god it's like the best thing ever! It's a Star Wars parody from the 1980's," she explained as the movie started. We spent the next hour or so splitting our guts laughing. I felt strange, but in a good way. Having great friends over late at night watching a movie, no parents around, I felt like this is what I'd be doing with my life when I had a place of my own.
Once the movie was over Percy and Lilly headed off to their respective bedrooms while I stayed up to do the dishes. There weren't many, just what I'd used for dinner, so it took all of ten minutes to clean them up. Finally, I was able to lay down for the night. I retrieved a blanket and pillow and made myself a bed on the couch. I didn't know if the others were asleep and I didn't want to risk waking them with the pump for the inflatable mattress.
An hour seemed to pass and I still couldn't sleep. I'd never had a problem sleeping on the couch before, but for some odd reason I was just restless. I was comfortable enough, after all our couch was really soft, I just couldn't sleep. Occasionally the heat would kick on and the background noise would almost put me out, only to have it shut off just before I was. Finally I heard a door quietly open.
"H-Hutch?" I heard Lilly ask quietly.
"Yeah Lilly?" I quickly sat up to turn to her. She was standing in the entrance to the living room in her pajamas. Purple turtles surrounded by all pink.
"I'm having trouble sleeping. I left my stuffed turtle at home and I usually cuddle it when I sleep. D-do you think you could lay with me?" My heart practically skipped a dozen beats.
"S-sure," I replied, trying to suppress my excitement.
"Thank you," she quickly yipped as though she were doing the same. I left the couch as it was and followed her into my room. I laid down and she quickly buried herself into me. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close to me. She buried us under the blanket and let out a happy sigh as her head rested against my chest. She wrapped her arms tightly around me and we intertwined our legs. I'd never been so comfortable before in my life.
She fell asleep almost instantly. Meanwhile I was struggling to cope with the different emotions I was feeling. Don't get me wrong, I was in absolute euphoria getting to cuddle with Lilly, but I couldn't help but feel guilty and disgusted in myself. She trusted me to the point that she was letting me share a bed with her, and the dark part of my brain was repaying that by wanting to cop a feel.
I was pathetic.
This was why she deserved better than me. She didn't deserve someone who'd even let a thought like that pass through their mind while holding her so close, especially if they weren't even dating. With that kind of mentality, how was I any better than Garth?
Eventually I managed to drift off to sleep, the girl of my dreams snuggling up to me.