(Patrick's POV)

Do you want to know something funny about being accused of your ex fiancee's death and being incarcerated for said death then having to spend thousands of dollars on attorneys to get you pulled from the penitentiary just to be thrown in a shrink's office multiple times a week and finally finding out that your ex fiancé was never dead in the first place? Realizing that you spent months of your life torturing yourself physically, mentally and emotionally for nothing. Do you really want to know what's funny about all of that?

Nothing.

Fucking nothing.

What the hell could possibly be funny about something like that, you sick fuck?

Though there was obviously nothing humorous about my current situation, there was a lot of hopefulness in it. Now that Pete was back I had a chance to start over. We weren't just given one or two chances to make things work between us. We were given three. That had to mean something. It had to be fate. Pete and I were meant to be and that's why the universe was going to keep throwing us together until we finally realized it.

Instead of continuing to mope around, waiting for Pete to come and find me. I was going to go out and find him.

Of course I had to make myself more presentable first. The last time he saw me I looked wrecked. Because I was. My hair and clothes were a mess. I hadn't had a proper night's rest in weeks. And I was on trial for his death for christ's sake. That's not what someone would envision when finally seeing their ex again.

Since I looked so terrible before. I was going to make sure I looked perfect the next time. As perfect as Pete did in that courtroom. I started with a haircut. I hadn't washed, let alone cut my hair in forever. I went to the salon I'd usually frequent with Elisa. My usual hair dresser wasn't in so I tried someone and something new. It was shorter than I was used to. My hair was tilted upward more instead of hiding bits of my forehead. I got a facial (for the dark circles under my eyes and stress acne. There is nothing wrong with a man getting a facial!). And I bought an entirely new wardrobe. A new Pete meant a new me. A new us.

After I was finally presentable, I decided to fix the house up the same way. Well, not me exactly. The life style I was used to didn't include repainting walls or sweeping floors. It included paying people to do it for me. So I borrowed the cleaners from the house I used to share with Elisa to fix up the place. When Pete decided to come back home, I didn't want him to know what a slob I'd been for the past months.

And while I hated every minute I spent with my court appointed therapist, he was right about one thing. I needed to get out more. But I wasn't planning on going to some club and meeting new people. Why would I do that when I had a set of perfectly acceptable people to call friends?

When I spoke to Brendon last week he told me that he and the guys were getting together for a night out this weekend. I assumed he meant Friday because Brendon liked to wake up with hangovers and Saturdays. And I assumed they were going to go to Brendon's favorite bar because he'd made the plans. All this assuming could have been a big mistake. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I'd just walk into the bar and look around. If they were there, then I would join them for a few drinks to catch up. If they weren't then I'd just have a beer by myself and leave.

It would have been easier to just tell Brendon that I was finally ready to go out again. To ask him where to meet them and what time. But what would be the fun in that? Showing up unannounced would be more entertaining for me. I was also secretly worried that maybe the guys didn't want to hang out with me. I'd been such a negative person these last few months. It scared me to think that they'd all flake if they knew I was coming.

Now I was standing just outside of the bar Brendon and I used to frequent when I was okay. I had on a new pair of black jeans and an all black t-shirt. I traded my usual shoes for a pair of sneakers and my cardigan for a jean jacket. My glasses and fedora were still in tact. There was no way I was going to get rid of either one of those.

I inhaled deeply before reaching to push the door open. Just as I did, I felt someone walk from behind me. Uncomfortably closer than they probably needed to. I turned to see a younger girl in a ridiculously revealing dress. The once over I gave her was instinctive. Pretty. Short. Brown hair. Big eyes. And heels that made her legs look miles long. Too much like Elisa. My brain shuddered at the thought. Being the gentleman I was, I held the door open and stepped aside to let her in.

"Thanks, cutie." She purred too close to my ear.

"No problem." I made sure not to smile. I didn't want her to think I was flirting and get the wrong idea.

She seemed to get the message as she frowned and disappeared into the crowd of people. My eyes scanned the room for any familiar faces. Disappointment clouded my previously optimistic views when I realized that the guys weren't here. A quick glance at my watch showed me it was already 10:47 pm. If they were going to be here they would already be getting shit faced by now.

Suddenly the lonely beer I'd planned to have if my assumptions were wrong didn't seem like such a good idea. I just wanted to go home and sleep in this outfit I'd spent forever putting together. Turning on my heels, I slipped out of the bar as quickly as I entered. I snatched my keys from my jacket pocket to unlock my car. The double beep that followed was almost like a taunt to my wasted night.

"Patrick?" My head turned at the sound of my name. "I fucking knew that was you!" Brendon rushed from the car he was standing in front of to give me a hug. When he was done embracing me, he held me at arms length. "You look great man. Holy shit. How are you? I haven't seen you in forever. I mean we talked on the phone but seeing you is different. I haven't actually seen you since the trail. When Pete came in and-" he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "You know."

"Yeah, I know."

"But what are you doing here man?" He glanced down at the keys in my hand."Were you leaving?"

"Yeah, I just stopped by for a beer." No need to mention that I didn't actually get one. My response was honest enough.

"Well the guys and I were just about to come in for a few beers too." He motioned behind himself.

I looked over his shoulder at the guys standing beside the cars. Ryan of course was there. I didn't know how to feel about him lately. Spencer stood on the other side of him. Joe was just getting out of the driver's seat of his car. Jon was leaning against the trunk. Dallon and Andy were standing by the hood. None of them looked particularly happy to see me. Which was exactly what I was afraid of.

"Hey guys." I waved.

They erupted in a series of heys and small waves. I looked back at Brendon.

"Why don't you join us?" He suggested.

"No. I should get going."

"Come on, man." Spencer spoke up. My eyes widened as I looked over at him again. He actually wanted me to go?

"You can drink by yourself but you don't want to drink with us?" Andy mocked offense. "That hurts, man."

"You don't even drink, Andy." I couldn't hide the small smile forming on my lips.

"It's the principle of the thing!" He smiled back.

"We miss you." Brendon dropped head slightly. Peeking up at me with puppy dog eyes.

"Just one drink." Dallon suggested.

"And if it sucks that badly, you can leave." Joe shrugged.

"Fine!" I sighed as if what they were asking of me was extremely difficult. "If I have to."

They all laughed in good humor. I was glad they knew I was joking. A part of me feared they would take offense. We walked as a group into the bar I'd just exited moments ago alone. It felt so much better going through those doors with people.

"You really do look great." Brendon beamed as we crowded in the booths.

"Thanks." I winked. My joyful optimism making its comeback.

Ryan took the seat directly across from me. Staring me in the eyes for just a second before looking down at the table. The brief interaction made my hairs stand up on my arm.

"I wonder why." He said in a voice so low, I wasn't even sure he spoke at all.