Closer

40.

"Bro, that's fucked up," Eddy blurted out after Brett had told the whole story, and Brett got a confused look on his face.

"W... what?"

"Dude, of course you'd be freaked out by her being pregnant."

"I guess I should have been happy about it?" Brett half pointed out, half asked, his eyes locked on his hands which were fiddling with the sleeve of his hoodie. "I mean, does it really matter if it happened now or in five years?"

Eddy was honestly amazed at how spineless his best friend seemed because of this girl. The Brett Yang who had pushed Eddy out of his shell and pulled him through the insane idea of a world tour with classical music, like this? It wasn't right.

"You didn't even tell her if you were happy about it or not," Eddy said, grabbing his tea again to take a sip.

"I guess I didn't," Brett sighed, running a shaky hand through his hair.

"Are you happy about it?"

"I should be."

"But are you?"

Brett hesitated, looking like he was about to cry again. It looked like he didn't really want to answer the question. Eddy hated seeing his best friend like this, so small and fragile.

"It's my responsibility, anyway," Brett mumbled, taking his tea and taking a large gulp of it. He still wouldn't look up at Eddy.

"You know you don't have to pretend for me, Brett," Eddy said softly, reaching out and placing a hand assuringly on Brett's knee. "She completely overreacted to your response, because of course you're shocked about news like that."

"I should have known she'd be upset and acted differently," Brett mumbled and Eddy had to keep himself from laughing bitterly at that statement. "I mean it's... You're supposed to be happy to become a parent right?"

"Brett, do you even hear yourself? You're tiptoeing around her. Walking on eggshells. Your feelings are as valid and important as hers. Don't let her push you around!" Eddy exclaimed, rubbing his face. "You're stronger than this. Where's the Brett I f... know as my best friend? The guy who quit his stable job in an orchestra to make youtube videos full time?"

Brett looked up and met Eddy's intense eyes, the sadness being obvious in his own behind the glasses. Eddy felt his stomach tighten at the sight.
"What do you suggest I do then?" Brett said, sounding completely resigned. "I've already messed up royally. I don't know how to fix this."

"What's gonna happen," Eddy began before emptying his cup of tea and setting it on the table. "First of all, you're going with her to a doctor's appointment to confirm she actually is pregnant."

"You think she's lying?" Brett asked, sounding sceptical. Eddy shrugged.

"Just to make sure," Eddy assured him, running a hand through his hair. "And I guess you gotta decide if you're still interested in being pushed around for the rest of your life."

"I'm not being pushed around," Brett said, but Eddy's raised eyebrow made him change his mind. "... okay, maybe I am, but... I mean, I get to... to be with her? I guess I'm... lucky?"

Eddy almost laughed at the irony, seeing the connection to how he himself was with Brett.
"Do you actually feel lucky, though?" Eddy asked, feeling like he was asking himself at the same time.

Brett shrugged, licking his lower lip. He had to admit, most of the time he felt like he never could be enough. Like nothing he ever did was right.
"I guess not."