Chapter Text
The Time is Now
After leaving Kelly’s Pete was pretty quiet as we headed back. I know seeing Kelly was hard for him I know how much he loved her and how much it hurt him when she left. So seeing her had to have been hard.
“Hey Pete. Are you ok?”
“Yeah, Yeah it’s just....”
“What’s up? Is it seeing Kelly again?”
“No....I mean yes and no. It’s just something Kelly said”
“Hmm. Do you want to talk about it?”
I sit quiet for a few minutes giving him a chance to decide if he wants to talk about it. We have been partners long enough to know when to push and when to just let it go. We eventually talk about it when we’re ready.
“Pete?”
“Oh yeah sorry. It just she thinks I’m in love with....YOU”
“WHAT?”
All I can think is oh crap, oh crap please don’t let that be true. He sees the panic on my face and starts to laugh.
“Relax Mykes. Jeeze”
I take a deep breath still feeling uncomfortable, I pull myself together enough to listen.
“Well, what did you say?”
“I didn’t have time to answer she shut the door in my face”
“Oh” oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.
I’m still uneasy, all I can think is please don’t let this be true. Don’t get me wrong I love Pete but not like that he is my best friend, big brother and partner. Pete speaks up tearing me from being on the verge of a panic attack.
“Mykes relax. I’m not in love with you. I mean I love you but not like that. You’re like my little sister, we are best friends and partners. That will never change.”
I let out a breath with a sign of relief.
“Besides you’re in love with HG.” I see him start to laugh.
“Yeah....Wait what?”
I see him laughing even harder.
“YOU. ARE. IN. LOVE. WITH. HG.”
“Shut up Pete. No I’m not.” I punch him in the arm.
“Ouch! Easy killer driving here. Always so violent.”
I just glare at him. Even though I know he’s right, I’m not going to give him the satisfaction right now it’s a long drive and he will be insufferable.
I look out the window thinking about what Pete said. He’s right I’m in love with Helena and have been since the day we met but I’m not sure what to do. Last time I saw her she was playing house in Boone. I want to tell her how I feel and I have for a long time especially after having my cancer scare. I need her to know how I feel even if nothing comes from it and I will have some closure, maybe. I catch Pete watching me, I just look at him.
“What?”
“Oh nothing I’m just wondering what you’re going to do about HG.” I just sigh feeling defeated.
“I don’t know Pete. I honestly don’t know what to do. I want to tell her how I feel but I don’t know how. The last time we saw her she was in Boone with....”
I can’t even say his name it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. He sees my struggle and speaks up.
“I’m going to have a serious big brother moment here so brace yourself”
I just stare at him with a smile, when he gets like this he actually gives good advice.
“Let me ask you this Mykes and be honest with me and yourself. Are you in love with her?”
I pause before I answer, I take a deep breath.
“Yes. I love her more than I have loved anyone in my entire life.”
“Even more than Sam?”
I look down with a little shame. I loved Sam I really did but it was nothing like the love I feel for Helena it’s different with her. It has been from the start.
“Yes I do.”
“Ok. So what are WE going to do about it?”
“WE. Didn’t you just say what am I going to do about it a few minutes ago?”
“Come on Mykes I wouldn’t be a very good big brother if I didn’t help.”
He just gives me a smile. He really is a great guy I couldn’t ask for a better partner, brother and friend.
“I don’t know Pete I mean she made her choice and we haven’t spoken in a year. She has her life she made it pretty clear how she felt about the warehouse about us....about me.”
I let a tear fall it’s still hard to think about. My heart broke that day in Boone and I haven’t been the same since.
“But you want to tell her how you feel don’t you?”
“Yes, I feel like the time is right that I need too.”
“Ok then....let the Petester be your love guide.”
“Oh Lord here we go.”
“What Mykes you know I’m a smooth operator. Me and little Pete are masters.”
“I’m not sure little Pete has the advice I want to take.”
“Hey he is the one who brings....” I cut him off before he finishes.
“Pete shut up before I throw up. UGH”
He just laughs, I know he does it to get a reaction out of me and to cheer me up. I can’t help but laugh. As we sit in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, all I can think is, is this really about to happen. I’m about to make an attempt to tell Helena how I feel. Oh my God I’m about to tell Helena how I feel. Now I feel anxious, nervous and panicked.
“Mykes?”
“MYKES!”
Pete yells tearing me from my on coming anxiety.
“What?”
“Are you ok?”
“Yeah I’m just thinking?”
“It will be ok Mykes. I got your back no matter what.”
“Thanks Pete.”
We are finally back at the B&B it’s not as late as I thought but everyone else is still at the Warehouse. We get out of the car and in that second I decided I’m going to call Helena, its time. Pete was right I need to talk to her.