Chapter 15
Pete woke up alone for the second morning in a row to a note on the bed from Mike that he’d gone out. He needed a part for his bike and shouldn’t be out too long. He ended the note with his usual ‘Love you Pete, see you soon’. His side of the bed was cold, so Pete could tell he’d been gone a while, and when he checked the time it was after ten—with Mike not being there, he’d slept in again.
Pete showered and went to get some breakfast. He felt the coffee pot and it was cold, meaning Michael had been gone a long time, or not bothered with his morning cup of coffee, which was unlike him. He thought that Michael hadn’t been his usual self for over a week now. He’d been busy more often, going out early in the morning or just before lunch.
He was sat eating porridge with honey and banana when Micky came in, He’d spent the night before at Gemmas and she’d dropped him off.
“Morning, Pete. Where’s Mike?” he asked, looking around.
“He’s out—some problem with his bike. Not sure how long he’ll be…he’s out an awful lot lately, don’t you think? And he doesn’t always say where he’s been or what he’s doing.”
“You think he’s up to something, Pete?” Micky grabbed an apple and started peeling it.
“I don’t know what to think. I think he’s hiding something from me, but I don’t know what. I’m worried. I suppose you think I’m being stupid?”
Davy had come down the stairs as they were talking and put the kettle on to make some tea. He listened in to what they were saying. “Pete, I think you’re overthinking things. Mike’ll be telling you the truth—he’s promised to be honest with you.”
“I agree. You always think the worst, Pete, you worry too much,” Micky added.
“Okay…well I’m off soon. The hotel want me to go in early to discuss playing their chapel organ at a few weddings for them—their usual organist can’t play for a few weeks, and the pay’s pretty good. I’m meeting Vicky too as we’re going shopping then doing a duet set for a change.”
Mike got back over an hour later, about ten minutes after Pete had left to catch the bus. He came in with a bag and went straight to his room, coming into the living room a few minutes later without it.
“Pete’s gone out, if you’re looking for him. I think he’s busy for most of the day. We’ve made a start on lunch—are you hungry?” Micky asked as he started eating a grilled cheese sandwich.
“I can make you one of these? And we won’t tell Pete, so he won’t know you cheated on your diet,” Davy said as he was taking his sandwich from under the grill.
“No, I’m okay. I’ll make up a salad.” Mike opened up the ice box to check what they had, and found a salad all ready made up. “Looks like Pete’s already made one for me.”
“That’s an advantage about living with someone you’re dating—you two look after each other. Are you not getting fed up of rabbit food most days? I prefer my salad on top of a cheese burger.”
“Davy, don’t tease Mike. He probably hasn’t even seen a burger in the past few weeks. Are you both eating separately from us tonight, because we were thinking of getting some pizzas in,” Micky said.
“Now who’s winding him up? You’re just as mean. Wait a minute…Pete left a note to ask if you’ll put some potatoes in the oven for dinner for you two. That’s not too bad.”
“You say what you want. It’s not bothering me one little bit. Not my problem you two can’t eat healthy food—it’d do you some good you know.” Mike picked up a fork to start eating his salad and sat at the kitchen table with the others.
“You’re doing better than we thought you would. Pete’s obviously a good influence on you. I wouldn’t change my diet for a bird. She’d have to take me as I am.” Davy went over to the cupboard and brought back cookies for him and Micky.
The phone suddenly rang and Mike and Micky both got up, but Mike got to it before Micky and picked up the receiver. “Hello…yeah…no problem…I can be there in about half an hour.” Mike looked at his watch. “Yeah I know…do you want me to bring anything? That’s okay. I’ll be on my way in a few minutes. See you soon. Thanks for this.” Mike put the phone down, put what was left of his salad back in the fridge, and grabbed the keys to the Monkeemobile.
“You going out?” Micky asked him.
“Yeah I am. I’m gonna see a guy at a club—might be a chance of work for us. have you two got any plans for the afternoon?, I’m not sure how long I’ll be out, so see you later.” He took his jacket from the coat stand and headed out of the front door.
***
The next morning, Pete was woken up by Mike bringing in some breakfast. He’d mixed up a big bowl of berries, banana, apple and yoghurt, and brought coffee for himself and herbal tea for Pete. “This looks nice.” Pete sat up and picked up a spoon, as did Mike so they could share.
“I thought I’d treat you as I’ve been busy the past two mornings and I’m gonna be busy most of the rest of today. You don’t mind me going out with some of my biker friends, do you?”
“Of course not. You go and enjoy yourself. Vicky’s coming over so we can work on some new music for our hotel duet sets. Yesterday went really well and the manager wants it to be a weekly event.”
“That’s sounds good, and you got the wedding gigs too—things are going well for you?”
“Yeah, the money for the weddings is really good, and the chapel’s got such a cool organ. I’ve got a wedding to play at in a few days. You’re fine with that?”
“Sure, babe. You do whatever makes you happy. We just need that network guy to get in touch, and of course the girls to get pregnant… Remember we said we’d stay at theres on Friday night as it’s the time Ronnie told me they’re both more fertile, and we don’t need any accidents this time.”
“No. I remember. You could pick me up after the wedding. I’ll try and sneak you a piece of cake as a treat for being so good with the diet.” Pete fed Mike a spoonful of the fruit and yoghurt, then kissed him. “Love you, Michael,” he whispered into Mikes ear.
“Me too, babe. Love you more.” Mike smiled and kissed him back, deeper this time
Pete put the bowl to one side and pulled Mike down on top of him. “You got some time to spare before you’re going out? Vicky’s not gonna be here for over an hour, and I’m not wearing anything under this sheet.” He gave Mike his dimpled smile which he knew always worked.
“Sure. Let me go lock the door then I’m all yours, babe, for anything you want.” Mike smiled back and was back on the bed within seconds, pulling the sheet off Pete. He started to undress.
Just less than an hour later, Mike came out of their room. Pete was getting ready to hit the shower, and Mike was gonna be heading out soon. He put the bowl and cups from their breakfast in the sink. “Morning, guys,” he said to Davy and Micky who were at the kitchen table, having some breakfast.
“Someone’s in a good mood.” Micky winked to him. “What are you two up to today?”
“Vicky’s coming around to practice some piano stuff with Pete, and I’m heading off to catch up with the guy that I went to see about work yesterday.” He picked up his bike keys and his jacket, and walked to the front door.” See you both later…not sure what time I’ll be back.”
Pete came out of the bathroom and went straight to the kitchen to wash their breakfast dishes. “Morning, Micky. Morning, Davy.”
“You’re in a better mood today. Everything okay between you too?” Davy asked him.
“Yeah, I was worried over nothing. Mike was out yesterday getting his bike sorted so he could go out with his friends today. He promised he’ll only have the one drink with them too.”
“Ah okay…that’s cool then.” Davy stared straight at Micky.
Pete finished and put away the dishes. “I’m going to get some of my notation books—Vicky will be here soon, and we’ll try and keep the noise down.”
“Don’t worry, Pete. Micky and I are going out for a bit.” Davy gave Micky an odd look.
“What we going out for?” Micky quizzed Davy when Pete left for his bedroom.
“Shush, we don’t want Pete to hear. Mike told us he was off to see a guy at a club, but he told Pete he’s out with his biker friends. Someone’s not told the whole truth.”
Micky figured it out in his head. “Ah okay. I get you now. So we gonna try find out what Mike’s up to, where he’s really gone and who he’s with?”
“Yeah, get the keys to the Monkeemobile. I’ll let Pete know we’re leaving now.” Davy went to Pete and Mike’s room. “We’re off out now—see you later.” He answered the phone that rang just as he left the bedroom. “Hi, Ronnie…no, Vicky’s not here yet—you want me to leave a message for her? No problem. I’ll let her know. Bye.” He hung up the phone and went to join Micky in the car.
Micky was outside talking to Vicky who’d just arrived at the pad. “Ronnie just called to see if you were here,” Davy said to her.
“She’s phoning up and checking on me a lot lately. She called the hotel yesterday morning too. Does she want me to call her back? She was busy when I left.”
“She never said anything. You ready?” Davy said to Micky and got into the car. Vicky went inside to find Pete. He was in the living room and came over to give her a hug.
“You want a cup of tea before we get started? We’ve got the place to ourselves for a good while. I’m not sure how long the others will be out.” He put the tea kettle on and got two cups ready.
“Can we chat for a bit? I’m worried about Ronnie. She’s been in an odd mood lately. I know the club’s busy but she promoted Christine and Jacob, so they should take some of the pressure off her. I want her calm for the weekend for when we try to get pregnant again.”
“She could be nervous about everything. I know I am. I don’t know what to expect. It’s scary.” Pete gave Vicky her tea and they went over to the couch. “She could be worried for you.”
“I guess because our first attempt didn’t work and I was so disappointed that I was in a bad mood. Maybe she’s being careful around me. Davy said she called to see if I was here yet. She’s worried about me and stressed herself.”
“I thought Mike was acting strange too, but the others convinced me that I was just panicking about things. I think he’ll feel better after going out riding with his biker friends.”
“We’re too sensitive over things. Jacob told me the other day that he thinks like I’m a female version of you—can you imagine what a child of ours would be like? Whereas Ronnie and Mikes would be confidant and independent, ours would be quiet, and musical, I would hope.”
“A mini Mike would be cute, but as long as the babies are healthy, I don’t mind what they are. There shouldn’t be too much of a gap between them and the twins, so they’ll be kind of cousins.”
“I’d love a little girl. I’ve already got a few names in mind for her. I like Celeste or Blossom.” Vicky got up and put her and Pete’s used cups in the sink and went over to the piano. “Let’s get started?”
***
Meanwhile Micky and Davy were in the Monkeemobile, driving to the Strip. “So you think Pete was right to be worried yesterday? Do you reckon Mike’s up to something? Why tell Pete something different to us?” Davy asked Micky.
“I don’t know what to think, but we don’t say anything to Pete until we find out what’s going on. We don’t need him panicking anymore. I agree something’s not right. Mike normally talks to me but he’s been quiet the past few weeks.”
“Okay, so we need to keep a look out for his bike. I’ll keep looking—just drive a little slower. He could be anywhere…what about the biker club Pete mentioned? Why don’t we try there first?” Davy said.
Micky headed off in that direction, but the bar was more or less empty, apart from a few older guys at the bar. “Well, where shall we try next? I reckon we should go back to the Strip, check out some of the club car parks.” He turned the car around and set off.
Not much later, they were on the Strip. Micky drove by some clubs. “Ooh look at that new diner! We’ll have to check that out another day. Look at the picture of chicks on roller skates—it looks like its fifties style. I might call Gemma later. We could go another evening.”
“Mick, we’re looking for any sign of Mike, but it does look kinda cool. But let’s get back to what we’re here for. Do you know if there’s any new clubs opening around here? You read anything in the paper?” Davy asked Micky as he pulled to to a lot with some motorbikes parked there.
They got out and had a look around. “There’s that western club and diner there…and doesn’t that bike look like Mike’s to you?”
Davy went over to it to have a closer look. “Yeah this is his. Look, there’s something new over there in that building—let’s go have a look.” They looked around the front and side of the place but everything seemed shut up and empty.
“So where to next? Let’s go get a soda first. I’m thirsty.” Micky headed off to the western bar and diner. “Let’s go in here. At least we know the place. And have some time to think what to do next.”
They went in, going straight to sit at the bar to order two drinks. A waitress came over, a blonde with long braids, and dressed in a pink shirt tied above her navel and the tightest denim shorts. “Do you guys wanna get some lunch? We’ve got some special offers on today.” She smiled and started to flirt a little with Davy, who was soon lapping up all the attention she gave him.
“Come on, Mick, why don’t we have some lunch? I wanna check out her specials.” Davy winked.
“I bet you do, but we don’t wanna be here too long.” Micky followed Davy and the waitress over to a booth. They were just about to sit down when Micky noticed a familiar face in a nearby booth to theirs. “Davy, look over there.”
Instead of sitting down, Micky went over to the other table. “Mike, what on earth are you doing here? We thought you were supposed to be meeting a club manager?”
Mike stared at both of them, looking surprised to see them. “I was but the meeting’s finished now. He just left and I decided to get something to eat. Is Pete about?”
“I hope it’s something healthy—remember your diet?” Davy laughed. “Pete’s still at the pad with Vicky.”
“Hey, come on, guys, let me have a day off the rabbit food! It’s been ages since I had a burger.”
A waitress came over, bringing two plates to his table. “Here you go, Mike. I got you some of that hot sauce and put you extra fries on just for you! You’re quite a regular lately. And here’s a hotdog and fries for your girl. Where’s she gone off to?”
Micky shook his head at Mike, looking at him disapprovingly “So, Mike, a one-off, is it? And whose purse is that over there?”
“Guys, please, it’s not what you think. Give me a minute to explain,” Mike pleaded with them.