From Under the Cork Tree

With my coffee in hand, I returned outside, seeing Pete knelt down, talking to my dog. He didn't talk to him in baby talk like people normally do, he was talking to Cupid like he was a person. I listened to him, making sure not to make my presence known.

"Hemingway is a sweet little dude...he looks tough, but he's harmless! You guys are the same height too!"

I cleared my throat then, because I couldn't hold in my laughter. Pete looked back at me and stood up, he looked embarrassed; "I was meeting Cupid."

I giggled, "I see. Did he talk back?"

"You know," he handed me Cupid's leash, "you'd be surprised to know that, just like toys, animals talk when we're not around."

I raised a brow, "Is that so? How do you know?"

"It's common sense," he muttered. "Haven't you seen Toy Story?"

I couldn't help the laugh that managed to slip out, "How old are you again?"

Pete grinned, leading the way down the block, "I'll be 26 in June."

"You are definitely the most immature man I have ever met," I shook my head.

"Yeah, what's so bad about that?"

"Nothing, but most guys keep it under wraps."

"I'm not like most guys."

I snorted, "Oh, don't I know it."

"You were loving me last night."

"Again, I was drunk, and I wasn't into you, Pete."

"Oh, I know when a girl is into me."

"Yeah? How was I into you, Mr. Cocky?"

"You laughed at my jokes, you touched my arm," he used his free hand to count, causing me to laugh. "You like my band, and you didn't tell me to go away--not once!"

"I enjoy your company," I confessed, "even though you make me wanna smash your face into the pavement."

"See, empty threats are another sign of infatuation!" He exclaimed happily.

I rolled my eyes, "You are full of yourself, you know that?"

"Yep."

"Why?"

"Because, life is too short to worry about what people think, and I'm happy with who I am. I'm confident in myself."

I smirked, "Okay, okay. Now, tell me why Patrick couldn't come, or was that a rouse to get me to see you?"

He looked at me and grinned, "It was a rouse," he laughed. "Patrick didn't want to come, even though I offered to buy lunch."

"So, you're buying lunch?"

He shrugged, still smiling, "Maybe. Do I get a hug?"

I sucked my teeth, "I'm a happily taken woman, I don't hug dudes who openly flirt with me."

"C'mon! I give awesome hugs, Angel!" He begged, nudging me with his elbow.

"No," I said, "you don't get no hugs, mister!"

"Please?" He pouted now.

Just to get him off my back, I sighed, "Fine! But don't you expect one every time ya see me!"

He held out his fist, extending his pinkie, "Pinkie promise."

I rolled my eyes, wrapping his pinkie with mine, "There. Where are we going? To the playground, since you wanna act like we're 6."

Pete laughed, "No. We're just gonna take our little animals out for a nice walk. Then, me and Hemy will walk you and Cupid home; they've become homies now, by the way."

I looked over at our dogs walking side by side; they looked like they did like each other. Well, why wouldn't they? They're dogs, and their owners are weird.

"Yeah, they're homies alright," I retorted.

"So," Pete began after we walked for a few seconds in silence. "Rae and Hurley seem to be getting on, don't they?"

I smiled, nodding, "Yeah...I've never seen Rae so happy talking about a boy before."

"Hurley is the same--except, a girl," he and I both chuckled. "He's already sayin' he's gonna miss her when we head out on Warped Tour in June."

"You're gonna be on the Warped Tour?"

He hummed, "Yeah, why?"

"Bayside is doing the first leg of the tour in California...I'm gonna be with them."

Pete smiled brightly, "So I get to see more of you?"

"I guess so."

"See?" He muttered. "This is the force of nature putting us together, Angelus! You're totally gonna marry me!"

I exasperated, "You wish."

"I don't wish," he crackled, "it's gonna happen! Watch what I tell you."

"Over my dead body," I muttered back at him.

"I'm just sayin'! It's bound to happen...or, we like screw or something."

I rolled my eyes for the millionth time, "No way. I wouldn't screw you if I had some crazy poison and the antidote was your crotch."

"Aw, don't be like that, baby," he nudged me again. "I'm only jokin'...maybe we're meant to know each other."

I hummed, "Maybe. God knows you annoy the fuck out of me."

He fake gasped, placing his hand to his chest, "Do I?!"

I couldn't help but to giggle, "Yes. Yes you do, Pete."

"I'm not sorry," he sang.

"I never expected you to be," I murmured.

Pete's lips curled, he stepped closer to me, nudging his elbow against mine, "So, do I have to get you drunk again to like me?"

I chuckled, "As much as I hate to admit this, I already like you, Pete, AND not in the way you think!"

He snorted, "And what do you think that is?"

"Don't be coy. You seem to think I like you in more than a friend kinda way."

"No I don't," he said; he sounded honest then. "I know you got John, I'm just foolin' with you."

"Why though?"

He shrugged, "Cuz that's just what I do...and I like you."

"Well, just be you, and not some perv!"

He laughed, "Okay, okay. Now, will you give me a hug?"

I exasperated, "Maybe. I still don't trust you after you slapped my ass."

"I couldn't help myself!" He exclaimed dramatically, "You have a nice butt!"

A small smile crept onto my lips, "You should thank my parents."

"I plan to," he snickered. "I have it all written down in my wedding vows."

I sighed deeply, "There's no stopping you, is there?"

He hummed and then answered in a funny tone of voice, "Nope!"

"Are you like this with all girls?"

"Only the ones with nice asses."

I scoffed, "Has you slapping an ass actually gotten you a date?"

"Yes, actually, it has."

"Oh, wow, who was the lucky girl?"

Pete was quiet for a moment, "My on and off girlfriend Jenae."

"So, is it off or on?"

"Off," he answered, "but, we've talkin'...she misses me, I miss her."

"Do you love her?" I asked absentmindedly.

Pete shrugged, "I don't know...there aren't many people I love."

This was the first time that was being completely honest, bare with me. I was a bit shocked, but I wanted it to keep going.

"How long have you been with her?"

He exhaled, "Uh...5 years."

"Oh, wow," I chuckled. "That's like almost marriage!"

"She's only 20, we can't get married."

My brow furrowed, "What? So, you were messing with a 15 year old when you were 20?"

He looked at me and chuckled, "Yeah...I know it was bad, but I really liked her. We were good at keeping it a secret."

"Geez, you really are a perv!"

"She ain't 15 anymore!" He laughed, "Gimme a break."

"No way, ya never gonna live this down with me, you pedophile."

Pete continued to laugh, "Fine. I get to tease you about Beatz whenever you tease me about being a pervert."

"Deal."


After my afternoon with Pete, he actually walked me home. I then offered to drive him back to the apartments he and the band were staying. In the car, with our dogs in the backseat, Pete began to look through my CDs.

"You like a lot of pop music," he mumbled.

"I like it," I said with a slight shrug, "I have Black Flag in there somewhere. I got Henry Rollin's to sign the album art."

Pete grinned, I could see it in my peripheral vision, "You're living the life."

"I met him at a show," I said. "He's a nice guy."

Pete put in a disc; as soon as it began, I knew it was The Cure's greatest hits album. The first song was Boys Don't Cry. I could hear Pete sing along, real softly, as I drove; I finally started to sing too.

It went on like that until we got to the block of apartments for musicians and movie stars. Pete exhaled before opening the door, "Thanks for the ride. I don't know when I'll see you again, we're leaving for a few shows soon."

"It's cool, if you wanna talk just call me," I said, and then warned him, "but, don't even think about being a pervert on the phone."

Pete chuckled, nodding his head, "Yeah, I won't. Do I get a hug?"

I sighed dramatically, "I guess."

Pete leaned over and hugged me tight. I couldn't help but to laugh and pat his back. He let me go, smiling still, "Thanks Angel."

"You're welcome."

Pete climbed out, taking Hemingway out of the backseat. He waved as he walked him up to the second apartment in front. Cupid climbed over the center console to see them off, whimpering. I petted his head, "Aw, don't worry, Q, you'll see Hemy again."

Cupid let out a small bark before curling up on the seat. I backed out, heading back home.