After some more coffee, I felt I was ready to face my demon, and try to help him. Zack drove me back to Alex's while Jack and Rian followed. When we got there, the guys backed me up and I took a deep breath before opening the door. The house was the same as it was when I left, give or take a few recent All Time Low posters. I knew exactly where Alex would be, so I went straight for the basement. The rest of the guys asked if I wanted them to come with me, but I hesitantly said that I was going to go it alone. I opened the door and could hear Alex singing and playing the guitar. I took a deep breath and descended the familiar stairs. As Alex heard me coming, he stopped singing and just started playing a song that was way too familiar to my ears. Jasey Rae came out of the acoustic guitar and I had to stop and gain my composure. He wrote this song a few months after I had left, and had emailed it to me, in one last hit to my heart. I felt tears welling my eyes, but was caught in the arms of Zack almost immediately.
"Oops, didn't hear you coming." Alex said with no emotion in his voice.
Anger boiled in my veins and I shook Zach off with reassurance that I was fine.
"Okay, Alex, time to talk to me. I'm here because Zack, Rian and Jack, not anything else, so let's keep this professional."
Alex scoffed and looked over at me with disdain. "And how the fuck do you expect to help me? You haven't been around in 5 years."
"I'm a licensed psychologist, dummy." He turned to me then, and reluctantly patted the seat next to him.
I reached for Zack's hand, and squeezed to tell him that I was okay. He sighed, but went up the stairs, leaving me to deal with my ex best friend. I settled myself in a bean bag chair across from Alex and pulled out my notepad. He grinned at that, and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Someone means business," He quipped, "How nice of you to come ready to take notes about my fucked up situation."
"This is strictly professional, Gaskarth, so check your ego."
"Fine, fine. Geez, you're so sensitive. Guess nothing has changed."
"Well at least I'm not hiding out in my parent's basement," I snapped. Unprepared for what was going to happen next.