Alex POV

I'd decided to round up the guys and celebrate. Not just the baby, but also my renewed lease on life.

When speaking to both Dex and Tyrone, they had suggested inviting a couple of their own mates, to make it more of an occasion and to introduce me to a couple people they know too.
Because of the idea, I gave Patrick a call and invited him along as well.

Before long, we found ourselves at our local haunt, The 35er, surrounding two separate pool tables with two games in action and a few of us lingering on the sidelines, talking and drinking.

It's become clear to me that I have been keeping my friends far enough away to keep Danica's secrets safe. This was something I had never intended to do, instead wanting to keep some semblance of a normal life, which I had been failing at. It seems like a good idea to begin to surround myself with those I trust again, even if I can't be completely honest with them about my life.

I'd met one or two of Dex's pals previously, but he had brought along another guy I hadn't yet met, introducing me to the guy in passing before Dex started up the first game of pool.

Dex's mates are mostly loud, but good guys to chat to. Tyrone's are more reserved, though happy to have a good conversation and easy enough to get along with. Patrick fits somewhere in between the lot of them. Not a big chatter, but also not what you'd call quiet. He seems to be the middle man, in terms of solid, unbiased and open conversation. I noticed quite quickly that he finds it easy to move from one spot to the next, getting to know each guy in a very lax manner.

For the first couple of hours, we play our games pretty competitively, but once the booze has been flowing for a while, all of our games begin to lose traction and become more of a laugh than anything. Especially after Tyrone goes to take his shot and somehow manages to shoot the ball clean off the table. Tyrone was completely embarrassed by it, backing away red faced and refusing to pick up his cue again.

A few minutes later, or my perception of a few minutes later, Patrick is alongside me.

"Hey man, I've barely spoken to you tonight. How you going?" He says, getting himself comfortable next to me, with one arm resting on the drinks table beside him.

"Good, yeah, excited and freaked out. But I'll be alright. It's a big life change. But I'm definitely looking forward to it." I nod as I take a sip of my beer.

"It's great news. Real happy for ya bud." He slaps a hand down on my shoulder once, as a sign of camaraderie.

A pause of awkwardness lies between us as he remains next to me. I can tell there's something more he wants to say, but doesn't know how to start with it.

"I wanted to ask how you're doing in terms of your brother." He says finally, not looking at me at all as he speaks.

Wondering how he knows anything about Seth, I do my best to keep my face neutral, but also confused, I turn my head to look at him.

"I'm not sure I know what you're talking about." I say. Not giving anything up to him.

"I guess it's a bit unusual coming from me, but Justine mentioned to me the other day that your brother was the victim that was found crushed to death. I'm sorry you had to find out this way." Patrick's tone of voice lowers as he speaks, keeping the conversation to a secure minimum.

I shake my head, "Don't be sorry, please don't. We weren't close. I couldn't even tell you what he looks, I mean looked like. The guy never wanted anything to do with me and I decided to go along with it. It's ridiculous really. Two kids having issues with each other, that's one thing. But grown men? It got so far out of hand and I pulled myself away from it while I had the chance. It's unfortunate that things ended the way they did." I add sombrely, as an afterthought.

Patrick nods. "It is sad. That you couldn't get past your issues with each other. I don't know if you know, but he was going to be convicted with several murders. He was an active serial killer. It's been all over the news the past couple months. The elusive killer, with no trace of anything to find him. Justine thought she might get lucky and nab him, but then he was killed and... I'm not supposed to say this to anyone...", He looks around him, "Someone left clues to his hideout for the cops. They can't figure out why or who would want to do that. His family, your parents, were sticking to their story saying they didn't know where he was etcetera, but no one believes that. Did you have any idea he could do such a thing?"
Patrick looks around us again, ensuring that no one had heard a peep of what he had laid out so plainly for me.

Patrick is a man of few words, which makes it interesting that he's so strung up on this particular story.
But we're all curious, aren't we?

"I really didn't know him. Can't say I ever did. As much as I wanted a little brother, I never got to know what that really felt like. He was honestly just a terror to me all the time. Hated me for nothing." I shrug, committing to my lack of emotion about the whole situation.

What more could I give?
It was the truth. I never really did get to know who he could have been if he wasn't the Seth that grew up hating me. That person wasn't worth knowing, or caring for.
As brutal as it sounds.

Despite wanting to have a great, loving family to surround me, I never lived that life. Which is probably why I'm looking forward to having a child of my own. Someone who will know that I'm there for them and want only the best of everything for them. Someone who will always turn to me for support or help. Much like Danica and I are for each other. We're there for one another. No matter the cost.

"I'm sorry you had it so rough man. I didn't know." Patrick says, attempting to soften the situation.

"It's not worth my time. Don't stress it." I take a casual gulp of my beer, turning my attention back to the games before us.

"One other thing I wanted to mention to you, and it's your call what you do with this information, but I thought you would want to know." Patrick says, puzzlingly.

"Mmm." I prompt.

"Justine said they're pulling a good chunk of resources on Alyssa's case. They're convinced she's never going to resurface. Hidden herself away in a secluded pocket of the world somewhere, new identity and all that. They are working on the idea that she's a mastermind of some sort. I'm not so sure though."

Now this is some intriguing information. It's great news for us. No more head hunting and leading to no one. They can't find Alyssa, and I knew they wouldn't, it was down to the fact that Alyssa and Danica were so close and also quite a bit alike in terms of their activities outside of working hours. I can tick that concern confidently off my list.
Mentally, I let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps things are going to pan out just fine.

All I need now is to keep Danica on the straight and narrow. Keep working towards the aim of a happy future and stomp out all other options before they gain any kind of leverage on her.

Because nothing other than the baby and our happiness is our focus.

Nothing more, nothing less.

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Oh my goodness.

Can't tell you how freakin happy I am to have gotten this chapter finished.
I kept hitting a mental wall with it.
Just head butting and head butting and head butting and... you get the point.

Alex's mind can be difficult sometimes. Finding that mental ground to rest my shaky feet.

But here it is and here you are and I hope you liked it!!

Thanks guys,
Ciao for now,
Shantelle :)