Two Player Game

~Chapter Seventy-Three~

Unfortunately, Rich is busy on the phone with Chloe. When Jared goes over there, he sees Rich in the hall and walks in to see Jake. Face in his hands.

"......you good bro?" He shakes his head.

"Chlo. We are not doing this now. We are not - you can't do that, Chloe, it's my baby too! Dammit, do you want this baby to have a father in its life or not??"

"I do! I want the best for them! But it's not gonna work out if you aren't around. Ever!"

"I know, but I just - every time I'm around you I can't help - I hate myself!"

"Then you better get used to it if you wanna be in this kid's life. I have no problem with it having two moms. But if you want it to have a dad, get your shit together."

"Get my- I'm trying! What more do you want from me? You want me to quit drinking, I quit drinking, I've been focusing on my studies, I've got a fucking job!" Chloe just doesn't see Rich as a fit father. She can see Jake being MORE of a fit father. And she didn't ask him to plant a baby in her.

"Chloe, neither of us asked for this, I- if I could take it back I think I would, but I can't, so I'm trying to make myself better. For the baby. What more do you need me to do, Chloe, I'm ready to do whatever I have to."

".........How's Jake taking this? Y'know, since I'm assuming he knows and also assuming you want him to be a dad too?"

".... He's - it's not going well. I swear, I can see him just- when I call you his eyes just... Darken. Like he's not there."

"Well....." she's a little concerned for him. "Have you talked to him about it? If he even wants to be a parent?"

"I can't bring myself to. I can't - I haven't been able to say anything to him about it. I swear, I still think he hates me for it sometimes. I'm not sure if... If he'd even listen."

"Rich, its less than four months until the baby is due. That should give you enough time right?"

"I... I don't know."

"Look I..... I know how you feel. Brooke started asking so many questions when I started to show. You have to talk to him about it. He can be stubborn, yes...... and can hold a grudge but if he really lives you then he'll listen. I know."

".... Chloe I'm scared. I'm scared he won't want to, I'm scared he'll leave, I'm scared -"

"Be a man Rich! Gain some confidence. If he still wants to be your boyfriend after our incident, then he TRUELY loves you."

"..... I'll call you later."

"Do to Rich." Then he hangs up. Jake is talking quietly with Jared. Rich steps in carefully, like he's walking on glass.

"Jakey, I- we gotta talk."

"........okay." Jared stands.

"I'll just come back later." Rich doesn't move, just stares at the floor as Jared leaves.

"......Jake-Baby- This is really hard for me to ask you, but - Jake - er - would you - you don't have to, it's not your problem at all, if you don't want to that's fine, I just -" Jake stands and moves closer to Rich, taking his hand in his own.

"Just say what you need to say" Rich looks up.

"Jake, would you want to help raise this baby?" He pauses, squeezing his hands just the slightest bit. Rich can feel everything bubble up in his chest. It's overwhelming, enough to make his lisp even more prominent.

"Jake, I'm just - I'm so scared, I'm scared of being a dad, of how Chloe thinks I won't do well as one, of how- how I can't help but think - think you won't want to stay. You won't want to help me raise a baby, you won't want to have to clean up my mess and help me after what I did to you, and this baby is just a reminder to you that I fucked up so goddamn bad." Jake gently wraps his arms around him and rests his lips on his forehead.

"Rich... I love you. So much." Rich lets the tears fall, clutching Jake tightly.

"J-Jake, I love you more than you'll ever know."

"So... I'd love to raise that baby with you."

"Jake, I thought - Jacob, I thought you'd leave. I've been terrible, baby, I- I'm so scared of being a father."

"I'll help you with it. We can raise it together so you don't have to do it by yourself." He clutches at Jake's shirt, sobbing into his chest.

"Thank you. Jake - Jakey -" Jake kisses the top of his head. Rich sucks in a breath and forces out

"Jake, I was so afraid you wouldn't love me anymore."

"I'm NEVER gonna stop loving you. Ever."

"Promise? You fuckin promise me?"

"I fuckin' promise you... Richard." He lets out a small, tear filled laugh.

"Jacob." Jake looks at him and wipes away a tear with his thumb. He smiles. Rich leans up to kiss him. Jake kisses him back deeply. He loves his tiny boyfriend. Rich slides a hand up to Jake's face and when they part he whispers

"Thank you so much." Jake smiles and pecks his nose.

"You'd be a better dad than me anyway." Jake pauses and snickers.

"Do you think it'll be short like you?"

"Hope not, dude, hope not."

"That'd. Be. Adorable."

"it would be teased its whole life."

"But you've been through it. You can help it...... do you know what "it" is yet?"

"We find out at her next appointment."

"........You're gonna call me when you find out right?"

".... You could come with us."

"Would..... would That be alright with Chloe?"

"She's the one who told me to even ask you to help me. And Brooke is going."

"Okay.." he takes a deep breath. "My only job: make sure I don't cry."

"Bro..."

"Dude, I mean.... it's crazy.. It's not even my child but I'm gonna be a dad."

"I'm glad you're excited."

"I'm gonna get to raise a family with my favorite bro."

"You're right. You're so right." Jake smiles so wide. He looks down at him and crushes his lips onto Rich's. Picking him up by his thighs. He's so light. Rich's arms go around Jake's neck as his hands tangle in his hair.

"Jake, I'm so- happy you're - gonna be- dads with me."

"I couldn't ask for anything better."