Will and Peter's lunch date...
...or 'Why Will's Mad at Pete'
Will drummed his fingers on the table, looking around the restaurant as he waited for Peter. His friend had been tied up with a meeting for most of the morning, but had promised to call if he had to cancel their lunch date. Another look at his watch and Will began to wonder if Peter had forgotten him.
"Hey, baby."
Jumping a little when Peter kissed the top of his head, Will looked up and smiled. "Hey, I thought you forgot about me."
"What?" Peter frowned as he took a seat. "That's impossible." He grinned and signaled for the waiter. "I'm sorry I'm late, though. Our new client is turning out to be more demanding than we thought she'd be."
Will shrugged and sipped his water. "It's okay. You're a mover and a shaker and I've got nothing but time on my hands." He smiled when the waiter came over, and ordered immediately. Waiting for Peter had given him plenty of time to study the menu.
Peter shook his head when the server asked if he'd need time to look at the menu. "I'll have the same," he said.
"So, Mr. PR guy. Who's the new client?" Will rested his chin in his hand and smiled at his best friend. "I want details."
"Actually, Will, since I'm kind of rushed for time, do you mind if I just get to the reasons I asked you here?"
Peter's expression was serious, and Will couldn't help feeling nervous as he nodded. "Sure. I mean, no, I don't mind." He licked his lips and took another sip of water.
"It's okay," Peter said, reaching for Will's hand. "Nothing life or death, I promise. Actually, one's a good surprise and one's a little more serious. What do you want to hear first?"
"Good surprise."
Grinning, Peter reached inside his jacket and pulled out a set of car keys. "For you. A company loaner until you can get your own car."
"What?" Will smiled brightly as he took the keys. "Oh man," he whispered when he saw the keychain. "These are for the convertible. Are you sure? What's the firm going to do without it?"
"We just got a new car and I figured I could spare this one so my best friend can get around without having to borrow his mom's car."
"Oh, Pete..." Will leaned over and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, so much," he said, giving him a smacking kiss on the lips. "You're awesome, you know that?" He laughed and jingled the keys at Peter. "And I can't wait to take Orli for a drive in it. We'll look so good in a convertible!"
Peter sobered a little at the mention of the other man's name. "Um, that's the serious thing I need to talk to you about."
Will paused for a moment, then frowned. "What...?"
Avoiding Will's curious gaze, Peter cleared his throat. "I don't think you should be thinking about pursuing a relationship right now."
Even though Will knew he'd heard correctly, he leaned forward a little. "Excuse me?"
"I'm only saying this because I love you, Will. You know that I'd never do or say anything to hurt you, but I don't think you're in a place to think clearly at the moment."
Eyes narrowed, Will nodded his head slowly. "I see. And, let me ask you this. Have you been talking to Mom? Is this where this newfound concern is coming from?"
"Come on, Will, that's not fair. You know I always have your best interests at heart. This has nothing to do with Inez."
"What happened to being happy for me?" Will asked, fighting to keep his voice calm. He didn't want to cause a scene. "You didn't have a problem with it before. What happened?"
"This happened," Peter said tersely, indicating Will's face. The bruises were healing well, but could still be seen. "Kevin almost killed you because of Or--"
"Don't you dare say it," Will said, his voice low, a warning tone tempering the words. "Don't you even think it."
"Why not? It's true, isn't it?"
Will shook his head. "No, it's not. It happened because Kevin is a very sick man in need of help. Orli saved my life, Peter!" Will whispered through clenched teeth. "How could you even think of saying something like that to me?"
"It's not just that," Peter said, ignoring the question and his friend's upset. "There are pictures of you guys in the tabloids. Do you really want to deal with that?"
"Since when do you read that shit?" Will asked, swallowing around the lump in his throat. He hadn't actually considered the fact that there'd be anything more than that ridiculous story about the plane ride.
"It wasn't me. Someone at work saw it and asked me if you were the mystery man in the pictures." Peter looked around the restaurant. "I had to tell him I didn't know even though it was obviously you."
Well, that would explain Talia's mysterious phone call, Will thought. She'd probably seen the same pictures. He scowled when Peter looked around again. "Oh, what, you think someone's taking pictures now? Get over it. Nobody knows it's me and Orli's not even here."
"It's just a matter of time before they find out," Peter said softly.
"Okay, and?" Will hated how angry he was feeling with his best friend. "We're friends. Big deal."
"They know you're more than friends, Will."
Fighting back a blush, Will stared down at the table when the waiter arrived with their food. Once he was gone, Will looked at Peter. "Are you jealous? Is that it?"
"Why would I be jealous?"
"I don't know. You were jealous of Kevin."
Peter's eyes darkened. "No, I wasn't jealous. I was concerned about how quickly you were moving with him. Frankly, I'm seeing the same pattern here. You barely know this guy and you're acting as if--"
"We make each other happy?" Will asked, eyebrows raised. "Is that a crime now?"
"Will, please don't be dramatic, okay?" Peter sighed and slowly rubbed his forehead. "I know you think you love him, but be logical about this, all right? You just met. You probably have this ideal image of him set up in your mind and that's what you love. You might as well be some groupie or... whatever the hell actors have. You don't know him and I won't let you make the same mistake with him that you made with Kevin."
"You think I'm stupid enough to fall for some fucking image instead of a real person?" Will's voice was soft, but his eyes were glaring. "You really think that little of me?"
Peter looked away, unwilling to see his friend looking at him that way. "I don't think you're stupid, Will. I never have. I'm just worried about you."
"Do me a favor and don't--"
"And where is he, anyway?" Peter continued.
"New York," Will said with a frown. He was sure he'd told Peter that.
"Right. Why isn't he here?"
"Because he doesn't live here... Pete, where are you going with this?"
"If you meant anything to him, he--"
"No." Will put up a hand and shook his head. "You're not going to try that shit with me. I'm not a child and I'm not some hysterical female who needs to be taken care of at all costs."
"Sexist much?" Peter smirked.
"Fuck you, Peter," Will snapped. "The man has a life. He has obligations and business he needs to tend to, not just in New York but in Boston, too. You think that happens overnight? Why the hell would I demand his time when I know his attention is needed elsewhere?"
"How do you know that's what he's doing?"
"Because he told me."
"And you believe him."
Will took a deep breath, trying very hard not to scream at Peter that none of this was his goddamn business. "Yes, I believe him," he said, nodding.
Peter shook his head, obviously frustrated with Will. "And what about the fact that he just lost his wife?"
There was a brief pause before Will spoke. "His life has been turned upside down with the passing of his wife and child, Peter. There are still practical as well as emotional matters he has to deal with regarding that. I can't imagine how hard it is for him to do everything alone, but I'm willing to give him all the time he needs to do what needs to be done. He knows that if he needs my help, all he has to do is ask. Until that time, I'm giving him space and understanding. It's the very least I can do if I really care about him."
"She just died, Will."
Will sighed heavily, feeling as if Peter had just ignored everything he'd said. "Come on, Pete. I thought you'd understand his loss more than anyone."
Peter visibly stiffened. "Don't bring Kory into this."
"Why? Because you had me in bed less than a month after he died? Afraid I'll call you a hypocrite? Considering you were with him for seven years, it actually makes you worse if you think about it." As soon as he said the words, he regretted them; until Peter started speaking again.
"You honestly believe you're not just some cheap comfort to get him through?" Peter countered. "Unlike the history you and I had at the time, you and Orli have nothing to base your relationship on. What happens the day he wakes up and doesn't want you anymore? When he looks at you and decides he made a mistake? Have you thought of that? Have you thought of the possibility that he'll meet another woman and marry her once he's gotten you out of his system?" Peter snorted, a wry smile on his face as he looked at Will. "If it wasn't you, Will, it would have been someone else, and you know it. Otherwise you wouldn't be clinging to him like some pathetic queer who needs a man in his life no matter what."
With those words, Will's anger gave way to genuine hurt, and he slowly stood up. For a moment, it felt as if he couldn't even breathe. Tears were pricking his eyes, and he wanted to be gone before Peter saw them.
"Thank you for the car, but I'll have to pass," he whispered, his heart breaking.
Peter winced and reached for Will's hand. "Fuck... Will, I'm sor--"
"And I'm not hungry," Will said cutting him off and pulling his hand free. "I'm going to leave now. Please don't follow me." Fighting harder to keep the tears at bay, he turned and quickly walked away.
Will drummed his fingers on the table, looking around the restaurant as he waited for Peter. His friend had been tied up with a meeting for most of the morning, but had promised to call if he had to cancel their lunch date. Another look at his watch and Will began to wonder if Peter had forgotten him.
"Hey, baby."
Jumping a little when Peter kissed the top of his head, Will looked up and smiled. "Hey, I thought you forgot about me."
"What?" Peter frowned as he took a seat. "That's impossible." He grinned and signaled for the waiter. "I'm sorry I'm late, though. Our new client is turning out to be more demanding than we thought she'd be."
Will shrugged and sipped his water. "It's okay. You're a mover and a shaker and I've got nothing but time on my hands." He smiled when the waiter came over, and ordered immediately. Waiting for Peter had given him plenty of time to study the menu.
Peter shook his head when the server asked if he'd need time to look at the menu. "I'll have the same," he said.
"So, Mr. PR guy. Who's the new client?" Will rested his chin in his hand and smiled at his best friend. "I want details."
"Actually, Will, since I'm kind of rushed for time, do you mind if I just get to the reasons I asked you here?"
Peter's expression was serious, and Will couldn't help feeling nervous as he nodded. "Sure. I mean, no, I don't mind." He licked his lips and took another sip of water.
"It's okay," Peter said, reaching for Will's hand. "Nothing life or death, I promise. Actually, one's a good surprise and one's a little more serious. What do you want to hear first?"
"Good surprise."
Grinning, Peter reached inside his jacket and pulled out a set of car keys. "For you. A company loaner until you can get your own car."
"What?" Will smiled brightly as he took the keys. "Oh man," he whispered when he saw the keychain. "These are for the convertible. Are you sure? What's the firm going to do without it?"
"We just got a new car and I figured I could spare this one so my best friend can get around without having to borrow his mom's car."
"Oh, Pete..." Will leaned over and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, so much," he said, giving him a smacking kiss on the lips. "You're awesome, you know that?" He laughed and jingled the keys at Peter. "And I can't wait to take Orli for a drive in it. We'll look so good in a convertible!"
Peter sobered a little at the mention of the other man's name. "Um, that's the serious thing I need to talk to you about."
Will paused for a moment, then frowned. "What...?"
Avoiding Will's curious gaze, Peter cleared his throat. "I don't think you should be thinking about pursuing a relationship right now."
Even though Will knew he'd heard correctly, he leaned forward a little. "Excuse me?"
"I'm only saying this because I love you, Will. You know that I'd never do or say anything to hurt you, but I don't think you're in a place to think clearly at the moment."
Eyes narrowed, Will nodded his head slowly. "I see. And, let me ask you this. Have you been talking to Mom? Is this where this newfound concern is coming from?"
"Come on, Will, that's not fair. You know I always have your best interests at heart. This has nothing to do with Inez."
"What happened to being happy for me?" Will asked, fighting to keep his voice calm. He didn't want to cause a scene. "You didn't have a problem with it before. What happened?"
"This happened," Peter said tersely, indicating Will's face. The bruises were healing well, but could still be seen. "Kevin almost killed you because of Or--"
"Don't you dare say it," Will said, his voice low, a warning tone tempering the words. "Don't you even think it."
"Why not? It's true, isn't it?"
Will shook his head. "No, it's not. It happened because Kevin is a very sick man in need of help. Orli saved my life, Peter!" Will whispered through clenched teeth. "How could you even think of saying something like that to me?"
"It's not just that," Peter said, ignoring the question and his friend's upset. "There are pictures of you guys in the tabloids. Do you really want to deal with that?"
"Since when do you read that shit?" Will asked, swallowing around the lump in his throat. He hadn't actually considered the fact that there'd be anything more than that ridiculous story about the plane ride.
"It wasn't me. Someone at work saw it and asked me if you were the mystery man in the pictures." Peter looked around the restaurant. "I had to tell him I didn't know even though it was obviously you."
Well, that would explain Talia's mysterious phone call, Will thought. She'd probably seen the same pictures. He scowled when Peter looked around again. "Oh, what, you think someone's taking pictures now? Get over it. Nobody knows it's me and Orli's not even here."
"It's just a matter of time before they find out," Peter said softly.
"Okay, and?" Will hated how angry he was feeling with his best friend. "We're friends. Big deal."
"They know you're more than friends, Will."
Fighting back a blush, Will stared down at the table when the waiter arrived with their food. Once he was gone, Will looked at Peter. "Are you jealous? Is that it?"
"Why would I be jealous?"
"I don't know. You were jealous of Kevin."
Peter's eyes darkened. "No, I wasn't jealous. I was concerned about how quickly you were moving with him. Frankly, I'm seeing the same pattern here. You barely know this guy and you're acting as if--"
"We make each other happy?" Will asked, eyebrows raised. "Is that a crime now?"
"Will, please don't be dramatic, okay?" Peter sighed and slowly rubbed his forehead. "I know you think you love him, but be logical about this, all right? You just met. You probably have this ideal image of him set up in your mind and that's what you love. You might as well be some groupie or... whatever the hell actors have. You don't know him and I won't let you make the same mistake with him that you made with Kevin."
"You think I'm stupid enough to fall for some fucking image instead of a real person?" Will's voice was soft, but his eyes were glaring. "You really think that little of me?"
Peter looked away, unwilling to see his friend looking at him that way. "I don't think you're stupid, Will. I never have. I'm just worried about you."
"Do me a favor and don't--"
"And where is he, anyway?" Peter continued.
"New York," Will said with a frown. He was sure he'd told Peter that.
"Right. Why isn't he here?"
"Because he doesn't live here... Pete, where are you going with this?"
"If you meant anything to him, he--"
"No." Will put up a hand and shook his head. "You're not going to try that shit with me. I'm not a child and I'm not some hysterical female who needs to be taken care of at all costs."
"Sexist much?" Peter smirked.
"Fuck you, Peter," Will snapped. "The man has a life. He has obligations and business he needs to tend to, not just in New York but in Boston, too. You think that happens overnight? Why the hell would I demand his time when I know his attention is needed elsewhere?"
"How do you know that's what he's doing?"
"Because he told me."
"And you believe him."
Will took a deep breath, trying very hard not to scream at Peter that none of this was his goddamn business. "Yes, I believe him," he said, nodding.
Peter shook his head, obviously frustrated with Will. "And what about the fact that he just lost his wife?"
There was a brief pause before Will spoke. "His life has been turned upside down with the passing of his wife and child, Peter. There are still practical as well as emotional matters he has to deal with regarding that. I can't imagine how hard it is for him to do everything alone, but I'm willing to give him all the time he needs to do what needs to be done. He knows that if he needs my help, all he has to do is ask. Until that time, I'm giving him space and understanding. It's the very least I can do if I really care about him."
"She just died, Will."
Will sighed heavily, feeling as if Peter had just ignored everything he'd said. "Come on, Pete. I thought you'd understand his loss more than anyone."
Peter visibly stiffened. "Don't bring Kory into this."
"Why? Because you had me in bed less than a month after he died? Afraid I'll call you a hypocrite? Considering you were with him for seven years, it actually makes you worse if you think about it." As soon as he said the words, he regretted them; until Peter started speaking again.
"You honestly believe you're not just some cheap comfort to get him through?" Peter countered. "Unlike the history you and I had at the time, you and Orli have nothing to base your relationship on. What happens the day he wakes up and doesn't want you anymore? When he looks at you and decides he made a mistake? Have you thought of that? Have you thought of the possibility that he'll meet another woman and marry her once he's gotten you out of his system?" Peter snorted, a wry smile on his face as he looked at Will. "If it wasn't you, Will, it would have been someone else, and you know it. Otherwise you wouldn't be clinging to him like some pathetic queer who needs a man in his life no matter what."
With those words, Will's anger gave way to genuine hurt, and he slowly stood up. For a moment, it felt as if he couldn't even breathe. Tears were pricking his eyes, and he wanted to be gone before Peter saw them.
"Thank you for the car, but I'll have to pass," he whispered, his heart breaking.
Peter winced and reached for Will's hand. "Fuck... Will, I'm sor--"
"And I'm not hungry," Will said cutting him off and pulling his hand free. "I'm going to leave now. Please don't follow me." Fighting harder to keep the tears at bay, he turned and quickly walked away.