Just Off the Key of Reason

Chapter Eleven - What Are You Waiting For?

A/N - Props to ​@Sn1tchesandtalkers on tumblr/SnitchesAndTalkers on AO3 for a bit of inspiration on this one.

Friday, 27th of April, 2007 – Chicago, Illinois

Chicago welcomed them home with open arms and downfall of sleet on the particularly cold evening that they arrived back at the studio. Despite their close quarters and tight knit friendships for over a month, as soon as they set foot on familiar soil the band parted ways. Andy returned home to his girlfriend, ecstatic to see her and catch up on the things he had missed. She had changed her hair, it now being a vibrant blue, and had rearranged their furniture. Andy was also surprised to come home to six little kittens padding around the house. One night before Andy had gone on tour their cat had gotten loose, and unbeknownst to them she had found herself a boyfriend. He couldn't say he was disappointed to come home to the new additions to their household. Joe went back to his apartment and sunk into the familiar environment. He spent his days happily on the couch in his underwear, eating cereal from the box and catching up on TV. The party lifestyle was one that he enjoyed while he was on the road, but when he was home, that was the only place he wanted to be. Pete had instantly relished in not having anyone watching over him and he spent the first few days breaking as many rules as he could think of. He realised fairly quickly that without anyone there to tell him off or see his antics, being a delinquent wasn't very fun. Once he had felt the need for company he was drawn back to his long term on-off girlfriend. Things quickly picked up where they had left off when he broke up with her for the third time before going on tour, and for the moment they were happy. Patrick made his way to his home nearby the studio and recorded a few pieces that had been stuck in his head, but the night of their final show was what stuck in his head most. She said it wasn't him, but he couldn't help but feel like maybe it was something he said or did. If only he could work out what. His texts and calls were going unanswered, so his mind instantly jumped to the worst conclusion.

The third Friday that they were home was Patrick's 23rd birthday and Pete wanted to do something for it. Patrick was his best friend, his rock, his soulmate; he deserved a party at the very least. He'd staked out Patrick's place that morning from the corner of his block, waiting for him to eventually leave so that he could begin phase one of his plan. Once he saw the familiar sedan leave the driveway, he started putting his thoughts in motion and parked his pickup truck on the back lawn. He slipped Patrick's spare key out from above the door frame before unlocking the front door and stepping inside. It was exactly how he remembered it: crazy clean and everything in its assigned place. He started moving the furniture around for ideal party space but realised fairly quickly that he needed help if he wanted to get this done. But who could he call on at such short notice? Who would be willing to drop everything to do something for Patrick? He knew exactly the person as he pulled his phone out of his pocket and found 'Babysitter' in his contacts. "Hey doll, how are things? How's work going?" He spoke into his phone as he tried his best to sound like he genuinely cared.

"Why?" She countered.

"I was wondering if you could help me with something..." He started, hearing her sigh down the line.

"Look Pete, since we got back they've been making me catch up on all this paperwork and-" She began trying to make an excuse.

"It's Patrick's birthday today and I want to throw him a party." He heard silence fall over her and smirked inwardly. He knew that dangling his name would be enough for her to bite.

"Fine," She huffed "What time and where?"

"His place and now." He answered with a grin as he hung up.