Aaron’s POV

“I think I awakened a sleeping sex monster in Jake,” I say to the room as I gingerly walk over to my alarm, turn it off, then going right back to lie down. My throat felt raw from all the moaning last night. I’m glad that my neighbors didn’t call the cops on us, though I’m pretty sure they weren’t supposed to be coming back from their vacation until some time later last night. I blink and take in the site of the city skyline before turning my head opposite of the windows. There’s no way in hell I’m gonna be able to sit in those plastic chairs today. And my last two classes have wooden ones! It’s a good thing that my classes follow their syllabi so closely, I really don’t need to go to class other than to turn in assignments, but it passes the time until school’s out for Jake. Now that he’s driving, he has the excuse of taking his girlfriend home so that he can spend time with me. Their study dates are the same day I have a class right as they get out of school so they can actually get their work done and he still has time to come over. I was grateful to see him last night. I needed a distraction from Paul and boy did I get it.

I lie there until my stomach starts growling, forcing me to get back up. I stop off in the hall bath to take care of business. As I’m leaving, I risk taking a look in the mirror. My eyes widen as I take in the size of the hickey Jake left on my neck. It’s the size of a freakin’ grapefruit! I then take in the other nips that trail down my front. I close the door so I can use the full length mirror against the wall to see what’s become of the back side of me. More teeth marks litter my back and I see the heels of his palms slightly imprinted at my hips. My ass and the backs of my thighs are a bit red from his thrusts as my desire to get him in the shower once again came to fruition. I notice that my right wrist is red as well from where he held it against my hip, denying me the chance to stroke myself when we were on our knees in the shower and he wanted to be inside me again. My knees had bruises in the shape of the sea shell designs on the floor to prevent slipping in the shower. They looked better than having the traditional shower mat and Jake definitely made use of them.

As I look myself over I can’t help but be hard, my head weeping as I take hold of myself. Despite the obvious soreness, it was absolutely incredible and I want him to do it again. I lean over and rest my elbow on the sink as I run my hand over my length remembering the feel of Jake’s hand coming round to stroke me the first time he took me in the shower last night. That’s where the cluster of marks at my spine came from. I groan as I remember the sound he makes as he came inside me, my flesh between his teeth. It was primal and it made me even harder. He stopped stroking me long enough to get me on my knees the floor of the shower before he tortured me with slow strokes that had me begging for him to go faster. His cock was still hard inside me as he spread my legs to accommodate his thighs and push his cock deep inside me as I was then straddling his lap. Gods that felt so good. His left hand made its way to my nipples and had me whimpering with need and making me ride his cock before he took control again and had me up against the wall with deliciously hard thrusts. I looked up into the mirror and saw that I had a red spot on my forehead from it being pressed against the wall as my ass was firmly connected to Jake’s body wanting that massive cock of his drilling into me.

I remember shouting for more and Jake’s arms coming around me in almost a bear hug with my arms at my sides as he held me, his hips thrusting into me fast and hard. I come hard recalling my head falling forward and then feeling something splashing against my face. I didn’t realize until I touched a hand to my face that it wasn’t water, but my seed as Jake made me cum hands free. I sank down to the floor and rest my head against the cabinet door the same as I did in the shower. I still remember Jake’s thickness easing out of me a few minutes later and him shifting to sit on the floor and pulling me into his lap mindful of my tender bum. He leaned back against the sliding door and held me close to him, placing kisses on my chest as my cheek rested on the top of his head.

I giggle weakly when I remember commenting on him still being at attention when I took him in my hand. I pumped him a few times to get a moan out of him got him to sit at the back of the shower facing the spray as I then proceeded to devour that gorgeous cock of his. I have to admit that I loved the feel of the water on my entrance as I went down on him. I had to moan with that lovely piece of desire in my mouth so that I could draw those wonderful moans from him. He loves it when I take all of him in my mouth. My favorite is when I have his head down just far enough to swallow around it, he calls out my name in such a way that I get hard instantly. And just thinking about it works as I come back to life.

I can still taste him in my mouth as I start stroking myself again. Some of his seed managed to escape going down my throat and dribbled down my chin as I looked back up at him. He’s breathing hard, but still takes my face in his hands and kisses me. His hand came down to pump me a few times before he told me to straddle his head. He laid down and I got over his head had to brace myself at the back of the shower as he sucked my cock into his mouth. I found myself thrusting the same way I did into his mouth as he worked on me with gentle thrusts. His constant moaning is what drove me over as my over sensitive flesh released my cream into his waiting mouth. I wanted to move before I sat on him in exhaustion but he held my hips in place as he sucked on me until I was soft. He slid out from under me and I rested my head on my forearms with my ass somewhat in the air. I remember his chuckling at my position and I had no energy to tell him to shut it. I could still feel him streaming out of me at that point and then Jake was caressing my ass and channeling water over my spread cheeks to clean me. I came again when I remembered the gentle touch of his fingers stroking my entrance. When I come back down, I take the towel from the rack next to the mirror and clean up myself and the cabinet door before getting to my feet and going back to the bedroom. Screw breakfast.

 

 

I wake up to someone pounding on my door. I didn’t give a fuck who it was, I knew they’d take the hint if I came to the door naked with a very pissed off look on my face. I vaguely remembered Paul saying something about coming back, but I didn’t put much stock into it. I open the door and there stood Paul. Maybe I should have. He stands there in shock for a moment before quickly coming inside.

“What the hell is your problem, answering the door like that,” he says walking in and standing just around the corner out of sight of the door. I look at him then back into the hallway which for the most part is always empty. Most of the people that live on this floor generally carry the same hours so I knew that they were at work. I close the door casually and stand there with my arms crossed over my chest. He takes in my appearance, “Is this how you advertise that you’re for sale or something?”

“Why, you interested?” I say back to him.

“You look like someone fucked you over last night.”

“Yeah and he did a good job of it too,” I say walking over to the sofa and sitting, “Jealous that it wasn’t you?”

“You’re such a slut,” he says coming over to stand in front of the entertainment center facing the window, “Go put some clothes on for goodness sake!”

“Fuck you. I live here, not you. I can walk around in my skin if I please. You don’t like it,” I point to the door, “there’s the door. Don’t let it hit ya where the good lord split ya.”

He turns and looks at me, “Do you have the report on Baraly ready or not.”

“I told you yesterday that I was going to fax it to you, so that would mean that it’s done,” I say getting up from the sofa and walking over to the fax machine. I pick up the papers and suddenly I feel a stinging sensation on my neck, like I was just stung by a bee or something. I grab my neck and turn around to look in the direction that Paul was in but the only thing I see is black…

 

Jake’s POV

My phone starts ringing ATB’s Ecstasy just as I reach the cluster of maple trees off the side of the main building. Ali, Bombshell, and another member of The Crew, Mark are already sitting and talking. It was a great day to eat outside. I take off my bag and sit it down beside Ali before I sit beside her. I pull my phone out of the front pocket as she offers me a pretzel. I shake my head and look at my phone and smile when I see Aaron’s name in the ID.

“Aw,” Ali started, “Is Jakie’s man calling him,” it starts a fit of giggles between her and Bombshell. I shake my head at them.

“Whatever,” I say to her, “Hey there.”

“…Ja…cob…”

My breath catches, “What’s wrong?” the ladies fall silent at the sound of my voice.

“Jacob…help…” his voice is shaky and filled with fear.

“Where are you?”

“…H-h-home…please…”

“I’m on my way,” I say getting up and ending the call. I’m in a dead run to my truck. As soon as I get in I start the engine and I’m off. I can’t even begin to think what’s happened to him. I’ve never heard him sound like that before. Halfway to his house I realize All Along the Watchtower is playing and I answer my phone, “Yeah?”

“What’s wrong Jakie?” Ali spoke, concern riddled in her voice.

“Somethin’s happened to Aaron. I’m on my way to his place now. If anyone asks I went home early ‘cause I felt sick ok?”

“Yeah, sure. Do you want me to call Andrew and have him meet ya there?”

“I’ll call him when I get there. I don’t know if he’s hurt or what.”

“Call me when you find out, ok?”

“Yeah. Later.”

“Later.”

 

I get to his apartment building and take the stairs having no patience to wait for the elevator. My fear is building as I come to his floor. I throw open the door and I’m down the hall. I don’t waste time knocking and rush in to find him curled in a ball in the middle of the sofa shaking. I come to his side and gingerly take him in my arms as he unleashes a torrent of tears. I take in the sight of him, recognizing the marks I left on him from last night and taking in the bruises on his wrists and his legs, “Love, what happened?”

He continues to cry, his hands gripping my shirt tightly. I held onto him whispering in his ear until he cries himself out, his breath evening out. I gently shake him to keep him from falling asleep. He finally looks at me with those hurt ocean blues, “Jacob…”

“I’m here love, tell me what happened.”

“I-I don’t re-remember. I felt something sting me. Then I w-w-woke up on the t-t-table in pain. I-I didn’t know who else to call.”

“Was someone else here before that?”

“…I…I…” he starts shaking again and I hold him tighter.

I look over and see papers scattered on the floor near his computer. I immediately thought of his stepfather, “Was Paul here?” his shaking becomes more pronounced, answering my question. After a few minutes he settles down, “Do you want me to call my brother?” he shakes his head furiously, “Aaron, if he hurt you then we need to let the police know.”

“No…they can’t…they won’t believe…”

“Andrew will believe you. He knows that Paul hit you yesterday.”

“He’ll take…me away from you…”

“No one will take me away from you love.”

“They will…you’re too young…”

Then it hit me, he’s right. Even if I did tell Andrew, he wouldn’t be able to hide the fact that the majority of the marks on Aaron are from me and not Paul. Paul may go down for assault, but so will Aaron. I’d never see him again, “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”

 

I get Aaron in bed after what seemed like forever. A warm shower, two aspirin, a couple of shots of whiskey, and the constant reminder that I was with him calm him down enough to rest and for me to leave his side. I walk back into the living room and dial Ali’s number.

“Jakie, what’s going on? It’s been four hours,” she says. School was over with for the day and I should be pulling into the driveway at home right about now.

“Do you think you can get your dad over here? Aaron was drugged and I think he was raped. He remembers waking up on the coffee table in a lot of pain and feeling something stinging him in the neck before that, but nothing else.”

“Yeah, I’ve got him in front of me now. Where does Aaron live?”

“Nineteen eleven Rowe Street. Apartment eight-oh-eight. Hurry.”

“We’re on your way.”

I hang up with her and I’m about to call Andrew when I stop. There’s no way I can involve him. Not right now anyway. Even if I could get around the marks, there would still have to be pictures taken to show proof of assault to be able to file a restraining order. And with the ones I gave him it would only look as if Aaron likes rough sex. I hate myself for doing that to him. Something like this happens and I can’t help him ‘cause it would cause me to loose him for good since people would have to know his real age and who gave him the first set of marks. I run a hand through my hair and sigh as I go back into the bedroom.

Thirty minutes later Ali and her dad arrive. I lead James into the bedroom while Ali stays in the living room. James looks Aaron over and comes to the conclusion that he was in deed drugged and that the point of injection was having an affect on Aaron. He finds a splinter like piece of metal in Aaron’s neck and is able to remove it. Ali comes to the door of the bedroom holding a small syringe in a pair of tongs and at closer inspection, James notes that the tip end of the needle is broken off. He checks to see if any internal damage was done and thankfully there is none. James packs up his equipment then gives me a hug.

“Will he be ok?” I ask.

“There may be some infection at the point of injection since the needle was in there for such a long time. He’ll have to get a tetanus shot if his aren’t current. Other than that, he should be ok. Will you tell your brother about this?”

I shake my head, “I can’t. Most of those marks were put there by me. Since I’m not legally old enough to be having sex with him, he would get into trouble.”

“I see. There still is a way that Aaron can get a restraining order against him.”

“Don’t they need pictures?”

“The syringe can be entered as evidence since Ali had the presence of mind to not touch it with her hands. If the only marks that you didn’t put on him are the ones on the opposite side of his neck and at his wrists and calves, I can take pictures of just those areas for the report. They wouldn’t have to see the other…marks of affection you gave him.”

I blush despite the situation, “Thanks James.”

“No problem. I can take the pictures now and fill out the report and give it to Andrew myself if you want me to.”

“I’ll still have to let Andrew know what happened so he can handle it.”

“I can tell him if you like.”

“No thanks, I should tell him,” I say taking out my phone and speed dialing his number at work.

“You don’t have to tell him about anything the two of you did prior to this.”

I nod as Andrew answers the phone, “Detective Tervan speaking.”

“Drew, it’s me.”

“Hey bro what’s up?”

“…Something happened to Aaron.”

“What happened?”

“I think his stepfather drugged him. He called me at lunch today and I’ve been with him ever since. I’ve got Mr. Metworth here and he just finished checking him. We found a syringe and the tip of it was broken off into his neck, but Mr. Metworth was able to remove it. There are bruises on his wrists and legs and we think he may have done more that just the drugging.”

“Put Dr. Metworth on the phone,” he says. I hand my phone to James and the two talk for a bit before handing the phone back to me, “Dr. Metworth’s gonna bring me the photos and the syringe. I’ll get the latter dusted for prints and see if I can match them to Amshock. Do you remember how to look for prints?”

“Yeah.”

“Look through his place and find any surfaces with fingerprints on them and mark them off. I’ll come over later with a kit to lift them to try and match any that are on the syringe.”

“Ok.”

“I’ll get a statement from Aaron when I get there as well.”

“Ok, but he might still be asleep when you get here.”

“That’s fine. I’ll look for the prints first so he can rest. Call mom and let her know that you’re stayin’ with him tonight. If she gives you a hard time tell her to call me and I’ll talk to her about this, ok?”

“Yeah, thanks Drew.”

“No prob bro.”

 

 

I call mom and tell her that something happened and that I have to stay with Aaron tonight. She was not happy about that, even when I told her it involved Andrew as well and that he told me to stay with him. I make the excuse that Aaron’s calling for me so I can get off the phone with her. I’m gonna catch hell about that later, I’m positive. Ali and James stay until Andrew gets here and those two talk while Ali and I are sitting in the bedroom with Aaron. Aaron is curled on his side facing me when my brother comes in to talk to him only exposing the mark on his neck from the needle. His pajama top and boxers cover the marks that I put on him thankfully. I know Andrew would have to ask if he saw the others and I really didn’t want to put him in that situation. He gives Andrew all the information he can as I see Ali and James out. Andrew comes back into the living room after I close the door, his expression unreadable.

“Will that be enough to help him with the restraining order?” I ask quietly.

“Yeah. If I get a match on the prints I can bring charges against Amshock. But I doubt I can make them stick. Aaron barely remembers anything and I’m sure if something like this went to trial, Amshock would have a team of lawyers ready to crucify him. Me knowing that he was in town the day before might help, but since I didn’t see him physically hit him yesterday it can all be seen as circumstantial and I have a feeling Amshock is used to getting his way with higher ups.”

“But at least he won’t be allowed near Aaron, right?”

“Yeah, I’ll get that one to stick,” he comes over to me and places a hand on my head, “I don’t think Aaron will bring charges against him though. He’s got too much money to throw around,” I nod, “You tell mom you were stayin’ over?”

“Yeah. She’s not happy.”

“I’ll stop by there and get you some clothes and explain it to her. See if Ali can bring you your schoolwork for the next few days. I’d rather not take the chance of Amshock showing up here again and Aaron being here by himself.” 

“Ok.”

“I’ll give you a call before I get here. Go see to him,” he says and leaves. I go back into the bedroom and crawl into bed with him and get him comfortable on me. His arms hug my sides as he cries softly. I bury my right hand in his hair and my left rests on his back as I lie there staring at the ceiling wishing I could take his pain away.  I pray that I never see that man because I know I would kill him for touching Aaron.

 

 

Paul’s POV

Never in a million years would I expect him to answer the door completely naked. And he’s covered in bite marks. He looks like such a slut, but I still want to taste him. If it weren’t for that damn detective showing up yesterday I would have had that creamy skin blemish free. I wanted to mark him, he belongs to me! I had to walk in before him or I would have lost it right then and there. Good thing this is a fast acting drug. He’s got some size on him but that’s fine. As long as he still has a nice tight ass and a cock that spews like a fountain and that’s all I care about.

I knew he liked boys for a long time. I remember him staring at me that one time I took them on vacation in the Caribbean. I think it was the first time he’d ever seen me do some kind of activity that didn’t involve a business suit, or much else for that matter. I glanced up at him from the hotel’s pool and he was red, like he’d been caught. I caught him a few years later jacking off to some gay porn. I wanted to be disgusted by it, but the sight of his lean body and that hard young cock in his hands…I had to get out of there. He probably doesn’t remember what happened when I came back from the bar. He might have thought that I was shitfaced when I came into his room. I was definitely tipsy, but not so drunk that I didn’t know what I was doing. I was going in there to fuck him raw. The little shit had to start resisting so a few hits put him in his place. Too bad I knocked him in a daze; I wanted him squirming under me. It didn’t matter, his body still responded to me. I took that limp cock of his in my mouth and brought it to life. He tasted so good, fresh and virginal. His ass was even better. I don’t know why I didn’t just cum into that sweet tight heat of his. The stupid fucker probably thinks he had a wet dream or something when he woke up.

It was even better when I had cameras put into his bed and bath. He had a thing for stroking himself. I had no problem with it. I was the first to taste his cream and the first to breach his tunnel. I know what he tastes like and how he feels. He’s mine! Then he brought home that idiot friend of his to experiment. At least he didn’t let him in that ass. I would have made that fucker disappear permanently. He seems to have a natural talent for sucking cock. He did a good job on that Rylan brat, but then again he probably never had someone suck him off before. That Bradenburg whore probably never had someone suck him off like that before so he had to get him twice. If it weren’t for his father, that whore’d be in some institution for his sex addiction. Too bad he’s not fully conscious now or I’d have him show me his talents. Mmmm, he still tastes as sweet as he did before. He’s got some size to his cock, even better. The whore doesn’t even realize he’s moaning like a professional streetwalker. He probably thinks he face-fucking whoever left these marks on him. Fuck he tastes good. It’ll be a while before he fully comes around so I’ll get my fill of his cream and his ass. I hope I never find the fucker who thought he had the right to mark him.

 

 

Whoever this Jacob person is I’ll fucking kill them for putting their dick in a hole that doesn’t belong to them. This tight hole is mine and mine alone. That fucker must have drilled him all night, there’s hardly any resistance. I should really punish this slut for spreading his legs to some other idiot. Yeah, that’s it, squeeze my cock hard you whore. You know you want it. You’re cumming just from having me in you. Such a slut that will come for anybody. Here, let me add to the mess on your stomach. You just love having cum on you don’t ya. Only sluts love being covered in cum…

Fuck, he keeps calling out this Jacob person, I can’t keep it up. He will definitely be punished for this. Maybe I’ll send that Rylan idiot down here. He’s always wanting to know where you’ve gone, so why not. He should be able to get this Jacob person away from you when they find out how much of a slut you are. You couldn’t help but want to fuck him outside where you could be seen by anyone and everyone. Big mistake, I put cameras outside as well. I should send those to him. Maybe I’ll send him a copy of him and that Bradenburg whore so he and that fucker can see this slut in action. That will end what ever relationship he has for sure. He was fucking and sucking that kid like there was no tomorrow, and he wasn’t even drunk. Everyone was horny just from seeing that. Some redheaded bitch was ready to fuck the guy she came with that night right there in front of everybody. She’s probably as bad as this one, if not worse. Come on you little slut, come for me again so I can drink it down and be on my way. 

 

 

 

         

Aaron’s POV

The knock at my door took me by surprise. There are only a few people that know where I live and I know where all of them are at the moment. I hope it’s not someone trying to sell me some crap. I know it’s not going to be Paul on the other side. He had called when he was served with the restraining order and gave me more than the usual earful. He told me at one point in between the litany of curses that he was going to let the judge know about this and I simply stated that he could tell the judge what he did to warrant the order. It shut him up quickly. I told him the next time he wished to see me will have to be with lawyers present unless he wants to sit in jail. He called me a fucking whore and I rebutted with the fact that it didn’t stop him from screwing me and he promptly hung up. I’ll never forgive that bastard. If it weren’t for my mother’s final wishes, I’d tell the judge to nullify that part of her will and let him keep the money. I’m not a greedy money grubbing ass like he is. I’m satisfied with the seventeen million I’ve made for myself with the three point two million my mother left me. I open the door and stare in shock at the person on the other side. Neatly cut black hair and hazel eyes that stood out like a sore thumb at times were his calling card. He had definitely gotten taller since the last time I saw him, he’s about three inches taller than me and the last time I saw him he was an inch shorter than me. Still the fact remains that I never told Brandon where I was. He didn’t even know that I went to school in Canada after we graduated. We were friends, but not that close. It was more like we knew of each other. I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now.

“Long time no see,” he says in that same soft voice.

I’m speechless, “…Hi…”

“Can I come in? I’m not used to having conversations in hallways.”

I shake my head to clear my mind, “Yes, forgive me. Please, come in,” I watch him as I close the door. He still has the same walk, but with this more masculine build to him it makes him look sexy. Shit, please don’t tell me he’s here to…

“This is a nice place you have here,” he says taking a seat on the sofa.

“Thanks,” I say standing near the entertainment center, “I really don’t mean to be rude but-,”

“How did I find you? Your step-,”

“That jackass would be the one to say something,” I groan looking out the window. I did not like being reminded that he was still alive. It’s been three months since he called to tell me him opinion on the restraining order. It’s also been three months since Jake and I were intimate.

“He thought you’d be happy to see someone from school. I wondered what happened to you after we graduated. You just…vanished. Your stepfather told me you were away at school but didn’t say anything else.”

“I had my reasons. Why he actually bothered to tell you that I was gone is news to me,” I say finally looking back at him.

“You two still don’t get along?”

“We’ll never get along. He only loved my mother, not me. She’s the only one that loved me in that house.”

Brandon got up from the sofa and walks over to me, close enough to make me step back into the entertainment center. Great, “I loved you in that house.”

“Brandon…”

“I did Aaron,” he brings a hand up to my cheek, “And you loved me.”

“That was one time that we did that there.”

“Why didn’t you want to make love there again? I loved being in your room.”

“Paul had cameras put in my room to catch me doing exactly that.”

“So?”

“So?” I say moving his hand, “You weren’t the one picking yourself up off the floor when he asked if you were fucking some boy from school. You weren’t the one that was dragged into the study and forced to watch yourself having sex with someone now were you.”

Brandon traps between his arms and leans into me, “He told me that you loved me, that you were just shy. He said that if I got you to talk to me then you’d tell me how you felt about me,” his lips are coming too close to me for my liking, his voice losing its softness, “You didn’t seem to mind telling me that you wanted me, that you wanted to feel what it was like to be inside me. He told me that you knew the cameras were there and that you didn’t care.”

“I didn’t kn-,” his lips were on me before I could finish, his tongue invading my mouth. My elbow hits the power button and we’re surrounded my music. He arches my back over the top of the center as his hands make their way to my hips to give us even more unwanted contact. Oh hell no! I bite his tongue to get him away from my mouth then push him hard enough that he stumbles over my coffee table, unfortunately my sofa is quite comfortable and it doesn’t damage his head when it makes contact. Damn, should have bought a glass coffee table at least. There’d be glass everywhere if I had since he knocked over my oak table. Damn it, why’d I have to like that table so much when I saw it that day. I really should sell it. It keeps reminding me of how I came to. I really hope whatever he gave me never allows me to remember what happened that day. Brandon sits there for a minute holding his mouth and looking up at me. He then smiles, fuck.

“I see you’ve gotten over your shyness,” he says getting up.

“I was never shy to begin with Brandon,” I say way walking to the kitchen and grabbing a paper towel. Good thing he had the presence of mind to stay in the living room. I come back and hand him the towel, “And the fact that you actually believed him just proves that you’re the idiot.”

“But still…”

I sigh, “Ok yes, you were my first, and yes we did fool around more than once, but that’s all it was. There wasn’t any real love there Brandon. It was more hormonal than anything and you didn’t mind it so…”

“So I was just a fuck toy for you, is that it?” he says moving closer to me again, and me backing away. Too bad there’s a wall behind me, “If I recall, you didn’t seem to have a problem getting it from me either.”

“So I like to give and take, big deal.”

“You should be more careful to those you give and take from Aaron,” Brandon closes in on me again be this time he’s stopped as I see a hand clamp at his throat. With the music on, I didn’t hear Jake open the door.

“And you should back the fuck up off my guy,” Jake says. Brandon raises his hands in surrender and Jake releases him, “Is there some reason you’re invading my boyfriend’s personal space?”

“Who the hell are you?” Brandon asks.

“He’s my boyfriend Brandon, or did you not get that the first time when he told you to back up off me,” I say stepping closer to Jake.

“Yeah, well muscle-for-brains here should learn some manners.”

“How ‘bout you learn to walk and take your ass out of here,” Jake says, his eyes hard.

“So you’re the bitch now? If I recall, you didn’t like being the bottom when we were fucking. Hell, I had to get you drunk to be able to get that sweet ass of yours.”

“I guess that means you weren’t good enough for him if you had to get him plastered to do anything. To get to the point since it’s not penetrating that thick skull of yours, Aaron doesn’t want you here. Get the fuck out.”

Brandon looks at me. I nod in agreement, “You heard him Brandon. I would have liked to say it was nice seeing you again, but…”

“We’ll talk again,” Brandon says and heads for the door. Jake follows.

“Not likely. Don’t come around my man again, got that?” Jake says as Brandon stops in the doorway. Brandon looks at him for a minute then leaves. As soon as Jake closes the door I pin him against the wall with a scorching kiss. I love having Jake against the wall.

“Thanks,” I say when we part for air.

“No prob. Old boyfriend or something?”

“Or something,” I say taking Jake by the hand and leading him over to the sofa. I motion for him sit down first so I can straddle his lap. It’s been months since Paul raped me, but I still can’t handle any weight over my body. I know I don’t know exactly what he did, but the thought of someone above me in close proximity bothers me. Since Jake’s even height with me and has more mass, I get a little scared. I know that Jake will never hurt me like that, but still, “Remember when I told you about the day Paul showed me the tape of me in my room having sex?” he nods, “That was the guy I was having sex with. His name’s Brandon Rylan.”

“Rylan, as in Rylan Industries?”

“Yes, his older brothers pretty much run the show now. His father thought he wasn’t cut out to work in the family business so he lives off the dividends of his shares in the companies they own.”

“Talk about too much time on your hands,” Jake says, his right hand casually stroking my thigh, “How did he know you were here?”

“Paul told him. Brandon’s a bit…dense in areas.”

“I believe it. So I’m guessin’ Paul fed him some bullshit to get him to come down here and bother you.”

“That’s what I believe,” I shake my head and sigh. Jake’s hand comes up to cup my cheek.

“That man seriously needs to get a life and quit bothering you.”

“I’m tempted to say screw it and let him keep the money.”

“Why don’t you?”

I sigh, “I’d love nothing better than to do that, but my mother wanted this and put it in her will.”

“I’m sure she’d understand if you didn’t follow her last wishes. Especially after what he’s done to you.”

“I know. There was also something about a package that was to be given to me when Paul was allowed to stop supporting me. If I dissolve the contract, then I can’t receive it.”

“And you have no idea what it is?”

“None whatsoever.”

“Why not get him to dissolve the contract? I’m sure he’d agree to it if you told him you didn’t want the money that you were making him.”

“I’m not sure if that will work. Besides, my uncle Matthew has the package and she told him not to give it to me until her wishes were met. I’ve already asked, several times.”

“You never talked about other relatives before. What’s he like?”

“When I was younger, before my mother met Paul, Matthew would watch me when he was in town. He used to work in a traveling carnival that made several stops in the state where we used to live. He would always come up and spent a week or so with us when he could. He’s,” I blush hard, “a professional sword swallower.”

I look into Jake’s eyes as he smiles big, “So that’s where you got your talents from. You wanted to be a sword swallower when you were little.”

“I-I thought it was cool the way he was able to do that…so I begged him to teach me when mom went to work.”

Jake’s smile takes on a seductive glow making me blush even harder, “And you learned well,” he brings me close for a kiss. His hands travel over my body and come to rest on my ass. I stiffen, breaking our kiss.

“I’m sorry,” I look away.

“There’s no need for you to be sorry,” he says, his hands coming to take hold of mine, “I’m not going anywhere. Take all the time you need.”

I give a small smile as I look into those dreamy eyes, “Thanks love. How was your day?”

“It was good. We finally got the books from the last truck stocked. I thought it was gonna take longer than two days with the new system they put in, but somehow, Julie managed to figure out all the kinks the software had so we were flying through the new inventory. How was your day? Besides the unwanted visitor.”

“It went well. I’ll have made a million five by closing tomorrow on my options. Paul will only have made about eighty thousand.”

“Why so little?”

“He insists on keeping Aragami’s shares. He thinks that they’ll turn around within a month and triple. I’ve told him that no one’s going to buy that company after that scandal, but he refuses to listen. When he finally gets it, he’ll call and blame it all on me.”

“It’s his fault for not listening so let him deal with it. Just don’t answer when he calls.”

“Believe me, I plan on it. Oh, do you think we can pick up another coffee table? That one’s…”

“Sure. You wanna go pick out one now before the furniture store closes?”

“Yes,” I say hugging him.

We get to the furniture store and I find a glass coffee table and purchase it with out second thought. We dropped off my old table at a Goodwill center on the way back to my place. I’m glad to be rid of it. We get back to my place and spend the rest of the evening listening to music before he heads home. I hate that we aren’t intimate, but I still can shake the feeling of Paul’s hands touching me in the same places that Jake does. When I feel the need to have him, I stop. In my mind I keep seeing Paul’s face. I should probably see a therapist about this. Jake is being real patient about this, but even he has limits. I don’t like denying him. I get up from the sofa and start looking for therapists online.

 

 

After looking through the list of therapists available for thirty minutes I stop, “What am I afraid of?” I say to my computer screens, “I’m not afraid of Jake hurting me, and I know Paul can’t be anywhere near me, so what is it?”

My screens say nothing to me but the knocking at my door disrupts me though. I get up to answer it. Before I touch the knob, I think to look through the peephole. It was Brandon. I run a hand through my hair and sigh. He’s really getting on my nerves.

“Aaron open up please. I want to apologize.”

“Go ahead and do it. I can hear you just fine.”

“Aaron, please. I want to do this face to face.”

I open the door just enough to poke my head out, “Go on.”

“You’re really going to make me do this in the hallway?” he asks.

“Yes, you’re not coming into my home.”

“Can’t you at least come out then?”

“You don’t need to see the rest of me to apologize Brandon.”

“Please Aaron, don’t be like this.”

“Like what Brandon,” I say stepping out into the hallway. I’m ill now, “You come here and force yourself on me for no reason-,”

“I want you back Aaron. And your stepfather said you wanted m-,”

“And the fact that you’re listening to that bastard makes it worse. You knew we didn’t get along so why the hell are you even listening to what he says?”

“Why are you so against him anyway? It’s not like he doesn’t take care of you or nothin’.”
          “That asshole does not take care of me!” I say shoving Brandon into the wall behind him.

“Why are you getting mad at me? I’ve done nothing wrong to you,” he says stepping away from the wall, “The only thing I’ve done was come here to get you back and you’re treating me like I’m him. What, did you come on to him or something and he rejected you? Is that it?”

I stood there in shock. I truly couldn’t answer that. What the fuck is this guy thinking? I blinked at him a few times, then a smirk grew on his lips.

“That’s it wasn’t it,” he wipes the blood off his chin, “He told me that not long after he spotted us having sex underneath the willow trees he confronted you about it,” I’m still blinking at him, I’m sure I looked like a carp or something to him the way my mouth was hanging open. Then he got closer to me, “He wanted to know why you were showing off for the cameras. He said you told him that it was all for him. That you wanted him to see you jerk off, that you knew if you fucked me outside then he would have to say something to you about it,” his hand comes to my cheek, “He told me how you kissed him and started digging in his pants so you could get him hard so you could su-,” the sound of Brandon hitting the wall again was all that could be heard. Blood started trickling from his split lip. I’ve had enough of this stupid jackass, “You fucker. You think just because you’ve got some muscle bound idiot for a boyfriend you can get away with that?”

“Get the hell out of here Brandon. I never want to see your ass again,” I say holding my ground.

“Trust me, you won’t be seeing my ass,” he started in on me, “But I’ll be seeing plenty of yours when I get through beating the shit out of you.”

I feel his fist connect with my jaw stunning me momentarily and then it was on. We’re trading blows in the hallway. Pain is flaring all over me but I’m not about to let him or anyone else take from me without a fight. I saw nothing but the desire to hurt him as much as I could. It was so strong a desire that it took him plowing into me and my head making contact with the wall to slow me as my vision began to tunnel. He was on top of me…just like Paul…

 

 

Andrew’s POV

“Thank you so much young man,” the older woman said for the twentieth time as I walk her to the waiting room to meet her son. It had been a relatively quiet day so I got my paperwork for the last three cases I had finished and called it. I had just left Stomp and was no more than thirty feet from the storefront when a thief slams into me taking both of us down. Quick to react I grab hold of him then he starts resisting. Some people just don’t get it. Just because I’m tall, doesn’t mean I’m slow. After about two minutes, the perp finally gets that into his head; of course that’s when I’m putting the cuffs on him. A passerby lets me know that a unit is on the way. I stay there sitting the perp down on one of those fancy looking trash cans outside of a linen shop and watch as the people filter by us, many shaking their heads at the kid in pity when they see his pair of sliver bracelets. The unit comes and takes him away and the passerby hands me a woman’s purse that ended up underneath a parked car during the struggle. Tony, one of the uniforms told me there was an incident about four blocks up from where we were involving a purse snatcher and he fit the description the perp. He radioed the unit at the scene and they informed him that the victim was taken to the hospital to be x-rayed since she was an older person and she had fallen when her purse was taken. They gave me the name of the hospital and I told them I would take her purse back to her.

When I got there a nurse told me that she was just brought in and that she was having her x-rays taken. I got a phone number from her cell phone and called a person that turned out to be her son to let him know what happened and where she was. When they were finished x-raying her I gave her back her belongings and told her the person responsible was caught. That’s when she noticed that I looked a bit roughed up. I told her that I was the one who caught him and that he was on his way to a holding cell. She was delighted to know that I was a detective and hinted that she had a daughter that would be such a nice wife for me. I blushed as she kept telling me about her daughter. Me being the gentleman that I am told her I would wait with her until her son arrived and so I hear more about her daughter Melissa as we’re walking.

Fortunately for me we make it to the waiting room and her son is there pacing back and forth. When he spots her, he rushes over to hug her and ask the usual questions. He then shakes my hand in appreciation.

“It’s good to know there are still good people in the world,” he says as his mother takes his arm.

“You know he’s a detective Jonathan,” she says to him with a grin, “Don’t you think he’d be perfect for Melissa?”

“Mom, Melissa already has a boyfriend,” he says.

“I don’t like that boy, he mopes around and hardly does anything at all,” she leans over to me, “He calls himself a starving artist. I just think he’s a bum who’s too lazy to go out and get a real job.”

I smile at her, “Maybe he needs the right motivation, that’s all.”

“I’ll take my broom and motivate him out of her house is what I should do. You’d be so much better for her.”

“Mom, leave the detective alone,” her son says trying to lead her away, “He’s got to be out catching criminals now. Let’s be on our way.”

“Thank you again young man. Feel free to stop by and have dinner sometime. I’m sure Melissa would love to meet you,” she says as they leave through the automatic doors.

I sigh and run my hand through my hair. Some of the patients in the waiting room chuckle after they leave as they took in the sight of the woman trying to set me up with her daughter. I couldn’t help but smile. It vanished as soon as I saw a stretcher come in through the emergency doors and saw Aaron’s form atop it. It was followed by another one with a slightly taller person who looked worse for wear. I go over to one of the paramedics as they let the ER doctors look over the pair.

“Can you tell me what happened? I’m a detective,” I say showing my badge to the medic.

“It seems these two were having an argument that turned into a fight over at the revamped boarding house complex on Rowe. When we got there the blonde was kicking the crap out of the other guy. We got there the same time as the unit and they were having a time getting him away from the other guy. He kept sayin’ somethin’ about a guy named Paul. I’m guessin’ that’s the other guy’s name. When they got him away he just passed out. The blonde looked pretty beat up himself, but not as bad as the other. He was bleeding from the back of the head so he may have a concussion, but that’s all we could tell since he passed out like that on us. You know one of ‘em?”

“Yeah, the blonde’s a friend of my brother. I don’t know the other person, but I’m pretty sure his name’s not Paul. That’s the name of his stepfather.”

“Oh. Well, I’m sure the docs will be able to tell you more when they’re done. If you’ll excuse me,” the medic said. I nod as he goes off to meet the other paramedics. I inform the nurse at the desk to let me know if anything happens to either one of them then I step outside to call Jake.

“What’s up Drew.”

“Hey bro. Where are you right now?”

“I’m in my room, why?”

“Aaron’s been hurt.”

“What?”

“He’s here at Grace County. I just saw the paramedics bring him in just now with some other person.”

“Wait, what are you doing at the hospital? Were you hurt today?”

“No I’m fine. I was bringing a woman her purse that was stolen from her earlier after the perp ran into me. I was on my way out when I saw him.”

“Do you know how bad it is?” he asks, fear creeping into his voice.

“Not yet, but from what the medics told me the other guy’s in worse shape. Looks like whoever he is, he picked a bad day to mess with Aaron.”

“You don’t think his stepfather had anything to do with this??”

“I don’t know it’s a possibility. I’ve never seen this person around before.”

“What’d he look like?”

“From what I could tell, about six one, black hair.”

“Shit.”

“What J, you know him?”

“That’s Brandon. He knew Aaron from high school. He was at Aaron’s place when I went there after work. He had Aaron pinned against the wall. He left after I got there and told him to go. He must have stuck around ‘til I left.”

“It seems like Aaron’s attracting all sorts of people.”

“That’s not funny Drew. I’m on my way.”

“It wasn’t meant to be funny J. Let mom know where you’re going so she doesn’t flip out. I’ll be here.”

 

 

   Aaron’s POV

I hear voices. I feel pain. What the hell happened? Shit that light hurts, get it out of my eyes.

“His pupils are responding, that’s good. Aaron. Aaron, can you hear me?”

“What…the…”

“Aaron, my name is Doctor Gray. You’re at Grace County Hospital. Do you know what day it is?”

“Thursday.”

“Good. Do you know what month it is?”

“July.”

“Good. Do you know who the president of the United States is?”

“A jackass,” I say. The blurry person chuckles.

“He does have a name.”

“His party is represented by an ass, so he’s a jackass,” I say trying to sit up. I feel hands on me.

“It’s best if you just lie back,” the person says, his hands gripping my shoulders tighter. I start to shake.

“Get away from me…”

“Aaron, calm down. There’s no need to make your injuries worse.”

“GET AWAY FROM ME!”

“Aaron, you need to calm down. No one’s going to hurt you,” the hands won’t stop touching me. They won’t let me go.

“GET THE FUCK OFF OF ME YOU BASTARD!” I sit up and push the figure away. I get off the bed then arms encircle me. I’m fighting against them but they’re too strong. I manage to get the person off balance and we fall, but he doesn’t let go. Please just let me go.

“Aaron, calm down, it’s ok. You’re safe here,” another voice, “Aaron it’s me, Andrew. Calm down. Stop fighting me,” his grip tightens on me.

I take in air and let out a sob, “Please….let me go….Paul….please…leave me alone…” I’m sitting up, the arms still around me.

“Paul’s not here Aaron. He can’t come near you remember? It’s me Andrew. Jake’s on his way, he’ll be here soon. Calm down, please. I won’t let you go until you do.”

“Jake?”

“Is on his way. You’re in the hospital. Paul’s not here.”

My shaking stops, my vision clears. I’m sitting on the floor between a long pair of denim covered legs, lean strong arms around my middle. I lean back against him and breathe deeply. My body feels like I’ve been hit by a truck. His arms slacken their hold on me.

“I can see now that other guy probably didn’t stand a chance,” he says after a minute.

“What?”

“You were brought in with another person. Jake said it was some guy you knew from high school, Brandon, he said. The paramedics said he looked like he got the worst of it.”

I started shaking again, this time in anger. Andrew tightens his grip again, “That idiot.”

“Aaron calm down, don’t wig out on me again. The docs will sedate you if you do.”

“Why couldn’t he just leave me the hell alone.”

“Aaron please. Take it easy. He can’t do anything to you now,” Andrew says. My shaking becomes less and less until it stops a few minutes later. I take in a few deep breaths, then put my hands to his arms.

“You can let me go now. I’m ok.”

“You sure?”

I nod, “I’m ok now.”

“Aaron you’ll have to take it easy. You have three fractured ribs and possibly a mild concussion,” the doctor said as he helped me up and back onto the bed. Andrew leaned against the far wall looking me over carefully. I must have looked a sight.

“Forgive me doctor. It’s been a day.”

“So I’ve heard. Since we don’t quite know the severity of your head injury, we’ll be keeping you overnight. But other than that and the fractures, you’re pretty much ok.”

“I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.”

“Fighting can do that,” the doctor says as he scribbles more notes on my chart. He looks up at me with a smile, “There will be a nurse in shortly to take you to your room. Get some rest, and don’t agitate yourself. I’ll check up on you tomorrow.”

“I’ll try.”

The doctor nods then leaves us to look in on a patient next door. I look down at my hands. They’re bruised and band-aids cover small cuts, “Do you feel like telling me what happened?” Andrew says as he comes to the foot of the bed. I can’t look up at him. I want to tell him no, but he deserves an explanation. He’s the reason I’m not off in la-la land right now and I’m glad for it. I don’t feel like dealing with more nightmares.

“Brandon came down here because he was stupid enough to believe the shit that Paul fed him. Thankfully Jake was there the first time to keep him from doing anything else.”

“Why’d he come back?”

“He said he wanted to apologize. Then he started telling me more lies that Paul told him and I hit him,” I pause, my mind flooded with his next words…that he was going to have his way with me. My head starts to throb.
          “Aaron, he didn’t try to force himself on you did he?”

“He…said he would after he beat the shit out of me. I…just….lost it when he hit me. I remember hitting the wall and the next thing I know I’m here and that annoying light shining in my eyes.”

“The paramedics said when they came upon you guys, you were really givin’ it to him. The uniforms had a time getting you away from him and when they did you just passed out.”

“I don’t remember any of that.”

“Understandable. They also said that you were…calling out Paul’s name.”

I bring my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around them, mindful of my ribs. Andrew sits at the end of the bed.

“Did you remember something from back then when you were fighting that guy?” he asks quietly. My hands found the need to occupy themselves with the material of the flimsy hospital gown I’m wearing, “Aaron? You remembered something don’t you.”

Before I can speak, a nurse comes in with a wheelchair, “Aaron Demings?”

“Uh, yes, that’s me.”

“Hi I’m Mae, I’m here to take you to your room.” 

 

 

Andrew waits until the nurse leaves us. Thankfully she gave me doctor’s scrubs to wear instead of that ghastly gown. Those things creep me out, “Do you want to wait ‘til Jake gets here to talk?”

“I’m ok,” I say finally looking at him, “I don’t think what I remembered is from when he drugged me.”

“You did say that Paul’s assaulted you before. It could have been from then?”

I want to lean back against the pillows but the drugs haven’t kicked in just yet so that’s not an option. I really want my pillow. It’s been months since I’m been able to use him. His parents allowed him to get a job over the summer so he works and I can’t get to relax with him like I did last summer. I think about Andrew’s question as my eyes occupy themselves with the details of his badge on his belt. My mind is drenched in shoty memories. Paul yelling at me. A hand on my arm pulling me. My hands going up to push him away. Something warm between my legs….

 

 

          Jake’s POV

          Andrew calls me with the room number just as I turn off the engine. I make my way through the off white corridors with their pastel colored designs creating a maze of boredom for my eyes. I should have stayed with him. Damn it, I hate it when I can’t help him. I make it to room five twenty-one. I hear Andrew talking so I walk in. I open my mouth to say hi when Aaron starts shaking.

          “Aaron what’s wrong?” I say rushing past my brother and taking him in my arms.

          “Careful Jake, he’s got a few broken ribs,” I hear Andrew say.

          “Aaron talk to me. Please,” I look at Andrew, “What happened?”

          “I asked him about Paul’s previous assault. My guess is that he remembers something and it’s not pleasant. He started shaking just now.”

          “Aaron, I’m here. Talk to me.”

          “He….he….he…” Aaron buries his face in my shoulder, his tears quickly seeping through my cotton shirt. I look up at Andrew. He shakes his head and goes to close the door. A few minutes pass and his shaking stops. His arms make their way around me, “Jacob?”

          “I’m here love, I’m here.”

          “He…did…it…again…”

          “What?”

          “I re…member…That night when he came back…he…”

          “Shhh, love, it’s ok. He can’t hurt you anymore,” I say into his hair.

          “I’m tired,” he says softly, “I want my pillow.”

          “I’ll stay with you as long as I can, ok?” He starts to lean heavily on me. The drugs must be taking effect.

          “I’ll do some more research on Amshock. Do you have to work tomorrow?”

          “No.”

          “Good. Stay with him tonight. I’ll let the staff know that you'll be here since he has no other relatives. If mom gives you problems…”

          “Tell her to talk to you. I know. I’ll let dad know that I’ll be here. He can handle her better.”

          “Ok. I’ll talk to you in the morning,” Andrew says and leaves.

          “Pillow…” Aaron mumbles against my neck. I toe off my shoes before getting on to the bed fully and situating Aaron against me to minimize the discomfort from his broken ribs. His right hand clutches my shirt tightly as his head is tucked under my chin. I manage to reach over and grab the phone to call dad. He would be on his way home about now so he can tell mom what’s happened.

          “This is Robert Tervan.”

          “Hey dad it’s me.”

          “Jake? Why are you calling from the hospital? Are you alright? Is Andrew ok?”
          “Yeah dad we’re fine. Drew called me from here ‘cause he saw Aaron brought in.”
          “What happened to him?”

          “A person he knew from a while back came to visit him….It didn’t turn out too well.”

          “How bad is he?”

          “He’s got a couple of broken ribs. I think they’re keeping him overnight just in case he has a concussion or something. I’m gonna stay with him. Is that ok?”

          “Where’s his dad?”

          “I don’t know and I have no way of contacting him.”

          I hear him sigh heavily over the phone, “You know your mother won’t be too happy about this. She’s even more skeptical about him since that last incident,” he says. Andrew told mom what happened to Aaron last time, but didn’t mention that it was Paul that did it.

          “She wasn’t when I left the house. Please dad, there’s no one else here and he gets freaked out when it comes to hospitals.”

          “Do you have to work tomorrow?”

          “No sir.”

          He sighs again, “Alright. Is Andrew going to check up on him tomorrow?”

          “Yes sir.”

          “Call home when Andrew gets there. I’ll see you later son.”

          “Thanks dad,” I say and hang up the phone. Aaron snuggles closer to me. I kiss the top of his head and close my eyes.

 

 

          I blink slowly as I feel someone placing a blanket over us. I open my eyes fully to see a nurse tucking a dark blue blanket around us, smiling softly. Aaron had managed to get himself into his normal position on me during the short time I’ve been here. She comes beside me and whispers, “I’ve placed some more ibuprofen here on the table should he wake up with any pain. Let him sleep for another half hour if he doesn’t wake up before then and keep him awake for an hour. I’ll be back to check on him.”

“Ok. Thank you,” I say. She nods and leaves. Aaron shifts against me and mumbles something then hugs me. I gently hug back and he sighs.

The half hour passes quickly and Aaron begins to moan softly in pain. I gently shake him and he wakes. I hand him the pills and the cup of water. He sits up fully and clutches his head, “Damn it, my head hurts.”

“The nurse said she’d be back to check on you. I’ve got to keep you awake for an hour,” I say putting my arm gently around him. He leans against me, resting his head on my shoulder, “Come on love, you’re gonna have to sit up. If you lean against me you’ll fall asleep again. The nurse will want to see you awake before she’ll let you sleep again.”

“I won’t fall asleep. I just like feeling you against me. It’s been so long.”

“I know. I miss you sleeping on me.”

I let him rest against me and we keep small conversation. A knock on the door caused Aaron to sit up. The nurse walks in and smiles, “It’s good to see you’re awake. How are you feeling?”

“I still feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, but it’s a little more bearable now,” Aaron says as she checks his vitals. She does a few more simple tests then gives Aaron the ok to sleep for a few more hours. As soon as she leaves Aaron pushes me down on the bed and climbs back on top of me. He grunts in pain a few times and I start to move him off of me, “No, please. I want to use my pillow.”

“Aaron you’ve got to be careful of your ribs or they’ll take longer to heal.”

“I know, but I still want to use my pillow.”

“I’m not going anywhere, but really, sleeping on me isn’t good for your ribs.”

“Mmmm….it is when the drugs kick in…” he mumbles. I shift to lay on my side and get him to lay on his back. He leans his head to the side and I lean mine against his.

“I’ll wake you in a few hours. Get some sleep.”

“…k…love…pillow…”

I smile, I love you too Aaron.” 

         

           

The rest of the night passes quickly despite the fact that I only managed about four hours of sleep altogether. I reluctantly got off the bed when the nurse came in at the end of her shift to let me know that the doctor will be making his morning rounds soon. I sat down in the chair next to the bed and watched him sleep until my eye lids couldn’t stay open.

I wake up to the feeling of something on my head. I open my eyes and see Andrew standing beside me, his hand on my head, “’Bout time you woke up.”

“My bad,” I say then look over to see the bed empty. I look back at Andrew.

“He’s in the bathroom putting on some clothes. The doc just released a few minutes ago. I sigh. Andrew ruffles my hair, “You probably should head on home. Mom’s really in a mood today. Amber called me from your room.”

“Why do I have the feeling I’m about to get grounded,” I say as I stand up.

“I don’t think she’ll go that far. But you are definitely in for a talkin’ to.”

“I’m sorry Jake,” I look around Andrew to see Aaron standing next to the door, “If you want I can talk to your mom.”

“It probably wouldn’t work. If she were to see you now she’d probably tell you not to be around me anymore. I can’t have that, not after everything’s that’s happened to you,” I look up at Andrew, “I’ll take Aaron home. I’ll call and let her know what’s going on.”

“Good,” Andrew replies then looks over at Aaron, “That guy’s mother came to get him this morning. I told her what took place. She didn’t seem too surprised by it. She said one of his weaknesses was that he’s gullible. I’m guessin’ Amshock spun him a pretty good tale.”

“He’s good at doing that. How was he?”

“You broke about seven of his ribs, a couple in more than one place. There were no signs of bone fragments near his lungs or anything so that’s good. His jaw’s got a couple of hairline fractures and you broke his left wrist along with three fingers. Other than that and a lot of bruises, he’ll live. You did quite a number on him.”

“Too bad he couldn’t take a hint,” I say as I walk over to Aaron and hug him gently, “Come on champ, let’s get you home so I can go and face the inquisition.”

 

 

On my way to Aaron's house I call mom and let her know what's happened. She doesn't sound happy, “I'll be on my way home when I get Aaron to his home,” I say as I pull into the parking lot of the apartment complex.

“Make sure he can handle being by himself if his father's not there before you come home,” she says.

“Yes ma'am.”

“I'll see you soon.”

“Ok. Love you mom.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

I let out a sigh and park my truck, “At least she wants me to make sure you can be by yourself before I come home.”

“But the real question is what will happen when you get home,” Aaron says as he unbuckles his seatbelt.

“That I don't know. But I'll worry about that when I get there. Let's get you settled.”

 

Forty-five minutes later I arrive home. Andrew's car is parked in the driveway. I go inside and find them in the kitchen talking. Mom's look towards me is unreadable as always.

“Your friend seems to be getting into trouble lately,” she says sitting down her mug.

“It's not like he goes looking for it mom,” I reply as I sit down across from Andrew.

“Andrew tells me that this old friend of his just appeared all of a sudden. What did he want?”

“I don't know. When I first saw him he had Aaron against the wall. He backed off when he saw me. I guess he didn't take the hint that Aaron wanted nothing to do with him.”

“So how was he able to hand this Brandon person and not the one that drugged him?”

“Probably 'cause he wasn't expecting something like that to happen. With Brandon he knew to keep his guard up.”

“And how did he know that this other person wouldn't have done the same thing?”

“I don't know mom. He didn't look like the type of person to do that sort of thing.”

“Well is he at least going to file charges against him?”

“I doubt it. I think Brandon learned his lesson.”

She looks at me for a minute, then speaks again, “I still don't think you should be hanging around someone that much older than you. Look at the messes he's gotten himself into?”

“Mom, every time we've hung out nothin' like this has ever happened.”

“Do you know any of his other friends?”

“I don't think he has any other friends.”

“Why not?”

“Maybe that's the way he is. I really don't have that many more friends than he does. It's mostly been me and Ali and you don't have a problem with her.”

“And I've also know her a lot longer than I've known Aaron.”

“Mom you really can't compare ten years to just over one. Besides, what's wrong with me having a guy friend? It's normal for a guy to have guy friends,” I say. I can feel my lack of sleep taking it's toll. I hope she doesn't keep this up or I might snap at her.

“He's right mom. He doesn't really hang around with other people outside of track and field. It's good to have friends that don't have all the same interests.”

“Andrew, most of the people you know are officers of the law,” she says.

“No they aren't. I'm friends with forensic scientists, bartenders, hairstylists, a lot of different people. Besides, if all my friends were cops, there'd be nothing to talk about when we hang out after hours. I don't talk shop after hours.”

“And besides mom, he's helped you and dad out with getting me and Amber where we needed to go until I got my license. He's not a bad person. I wouldn't be around him if he was,” I was starting to get irritated. What does she have against him. He's done nothing but be nice and respectful to her whenever he sees her and she's still treating him like crap.

“Mom do you think this could wait 'til later? Jake's pretty worn out. It's not fun having to wake up a person with a head injury throughout the night,” Andrew says. He looks like he hasn't slept much himself.

Mom looks at both of us, “Both of you look like you haven't slept much. Are you off today Andrew?”

“Yes ma'am.”

“What about you Jacob?”

“Yes ma'am.”

She takes hold of her mug, “Both of you go and get some rest. We'll talk later. Andrew you can rest in your old room. I'll not have you driving when you look like you haven't slept at all last night.”

“Yes ma'am,” he says. We get up from the table and head upstairs. When we reach the top Amber peeks out of my room.

“It's ok Am, she's calmed down,” Andrew says. She comes out and gives us both a hug before going to her room. Andrew continues down the hall as I walk into my room. I close the door and call Aaron.

“Hey love,” he says softly.

“How are you feeling?” I ask sitting on the bed and removing my shoes.

“I've still got a slight headache, but that's to be expected. I just took some aspirin so I'll be fine.”

“Let me know of you need anything.”

“That all depends if you're allowed out of your house. How did it go?”

“She asked a lot of questions as usual. And she's still not convinced that you're a decent person. I don't know what to say.”

“Well, at least she hasn't forbidden you to see me so let's be grateful for that.”

“Yeah.”

“You sound tired love, get some rest.”

“I will. I'll give Ali a call and see if she can pop in to check on you later if I'm not up.”

“Ok. Now lay down and go to sleep. I'll talk to you later.”

“You take it easy yourself,” I say lying back on my bed, “I love you Aaron.”

“I love you too Jacob.”

The next few days went by with Ali checking on Aaron while I was working. I stopped by when I got off work and we’d talk for a while before I had to go home. When I got up later that day, mom had another round of questioning for me. I took it. I can’t really understand what she has against him, but if she really knew him, then she’d hate him. I should be glad that she’s not stopping me from seeing him. A lot’s happened to him over the past few months. If I were in his shoes, I’d want someone to be there for me, boyfriend or not. I figure that I’m going to have to give up on mom truly accepting him. Then again, it’s not all that uncommon for parents not to like all of their children’s friends. In that case, I guess it can be considered normal with my mom.

Andrew has the day off and decides that the two of us need to hang out. Amber whines when I tell her that she can’t come with me over to his house. I tell her it’s a guy thing and she blew me a raspberry and stomped off to her room. When I reach his driveway, I slam on brakes as a little white sports car peels out in front of me. The driver, a little blonde chick, looked pissed as she flew by me. I pull in to see Andrew standing at his door shaking his head. I get out at he’s walking back inside.

“She didn’t look too happy,” I say as I close my door.

“She’s not, trust me,” Andrew said holding the door. I go in and we head for the kitchen.

“What’d you do to piss her off?” I ask sitting at the counter.

Andrew goes over to the fridge and pulls out two soda cans. He hands one to me as he sits down, “I wouldn’t take off a month to go with her to the Mediterranean.”

“Damn, I didn’t even know you had a girlfriend Drew.”

“Had being the correct word. I told her that I can’t afford to take that much time off. I’ve got a house to pay for. She started getting fussy and sayin’ that I loved my job more than her. I told her that I don’t have money like she does. I can’t just pick up and go on a whim like she can. In a flash, I go from being this hot, sexy detective to a cheap bum of a cop that can’t make time for his girlfriend. Then she feels to tell me how she’d normally never fall for someone as wealth-deprived as myself, but she figured I was worth making the exception. I told her to quit slumming and go back to Middlesex and fuck around with the trust fund babies that she’s used to dealing with.”

“Damn Drew, I’ve never heard you sound so rude to a chick before. She must have really pissed you off,” I take a sip of my soda, “How’d you meet her and what the hell did you see in her? I can’t believe you’d date someone that snooty.”

“I saw her by the side of the road one day with a flat and I, like the gentleman that I am, changed her tire so she wouldn’t have to wait on a tow truck. We talked for a bit there and she gave me her number when I told her I was a detective. She had five dozen doughnuts and muffins delivered to the station the next day, and did that for a week before I called her.”

“Was she desperate or somethin’?” I ask. Andrew gives me a look and I laugh it off, “No really, she was that into you?”

“I guess so. I mean…she was ok and all…Not too good in bed though…”

“So you were lookin’ for some tail?”

“Hey, she had a good rack, what can I say?” he shrugs.
          “That they were paid for with her daddy’s money.”

Andrew shook his head, “Nah bro, they were natural. I wouldn’t have called her at all if they weren’t. I can’t do fake tits.”

“I can’t do tits at all. I think chicks like to try and suffocate you with those things.”

Andrew cocked a brow, “You still thinking about that time Aunt Marcy hugged you? That was what, nine years ago? Let it go.”

“You weren’t the one trying to breathe with those behemoths in your face.”

Andrew nods, “Yeah I could see how that’d be scary. They were huge. I’m sure they looked like mountains to you then. My bad.”

“Good thing she lives on the other side of the country,” I say before finishing off my soda, “So how long were you datin’ her?”

“About three months.”

“Three months!”

“Yeah, I can’t believe it either. I think she wanted me as a trophy though, that’s why she put up with me for so long. She liked being able to show me off to her friends and tell them I’m a detective.”

“Drew I thought you had better taste in women than that.”

“What can I say, I was blinded by the rack.”

“Speaking of which, I saw Raime yesterday. She told me to tell you hi and that she may pop by before she heads to Japan. How come you never went with her? I know you say she’s a bit strange, but she’s got a rack and she’s not prissy like that chick you just dumped.”

“Raime’s more into guys your height, not mine. She was about to try and pick up you guys at the fair last year.”

“When was this?”

“It was that day you were there with Amber and her swim crew.”

“She wanted to pick up Ali and Furie?”

“And you and Aaron.”

“She is greedy. Too bad I’m into guys.”

“She knows, I told her. And that Aaron was your guy.”

I got scared for a second, “She’s not gonna go around tellin’ everybody is she?”

“You’re safe little bro. One thing about Raime is that she’s not one to tell other’s business. She’ll just tell her own if you’re not careful of what you ask her.”

“Cool.”

“She does have a nice rack though. It’s a treat when she comes to the station,” he grins.

“You’re hopeless.”

“Hey, I work a lot, I don’t really have time to go out and hunt for chicks.”

“Whatever. Can we not talk about chicks? They really do nothin’ for me.”

“As long as we’re not talkin’ about guys then, yeah. They don’t do a thing for me.”

“Whatever,” I smile.

 

 

 

 

 

School’s started back, and with it the joys of sophomore year. The Crew got together at lunch time the first day to greet new members of the team. Rocket’s back so we were having a great time with our favorite metal Amazon. We got a new principal over the summer, a guy named David Nikas. He seems like a pretty cool guy. He might even be able to handle the pranking that’s made this school infamous. We met him one day when he and some members of the school board were at the school during off season training. He sees potential for this school and I like that. I think that last principal wasn’t even trying to do anything about the pranking, he was only lasted the spring semester. 

 I just got into my truck when I hear Ecstasy in my bag. I smile and pull out my phone, “Hey there.”

“Hey love, can you come over today?”

“Yeah. I’m gonna drop Ali off at Marc’s and I’ll be on my way.”

“Good. I’ll see you then.”

“Sure. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

“Aw, ain’t that sweet,” Ali says climbing in the passenger’s side.

“Yeah whatever. So how was that quiz you had today?” I ask starting the engine.

“It was ok. I mean I really thought it was going to be hard. I guess it does help to read ahead,” she answers flipping through my CDs.

“It makes things a lot easier.”

“Is that why you’re ahead in your classes?” she says as she pops in an Audioslave CD.

“It’s easier to avoid my mom and just stay in my room. I might as well study so I don’t have to stress through the lessons.”

“Is she still givin’ ya crap about Aaron?”

“No, I just don’t want to deal with her. She’s been given a heavy workload and it doesn’t help matters that a few people quit so she’s really in a bad mood. Amber’s slept in my room three times this week alone,” I say as we come to a stoplight.

“She’s really havin’ to deal with a lot right now, isn’t she.”

“It’s been like this for the last month. I hope she can get that series finished. She needs a vacation or she’ll have a meltdown.”

“I get ya. So how are things with you and Aaron? He hasn’t heard from that Brandon guy has he?”

“No thank goodness. His ribs healed well and he hasn’t had any effects from getting his head slammed into the wall.”

“That’s good. So you two are screwin’ like rabbits huh,” she giggles. I stay silent, “What’s up Jakie? Somethin’s botherin’ you.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Yes it is. What’s up?”

“I…think Aaron’s having problems…”

“With what?”

“…Being…intimate…”

“You think it’s from what his step dad did to him?”

“It has to be. I touch him in certain places, he freezes on me. He doesn’t mind kissing, but if it heavier, he gets scared…I don’t know how to help him.”

“Do you know if he’s seeing a therapist?”

“I don’t think he is. I’m worried about him.”

“Talk to him about it. See what’s on his mind. If you want, I can ask dad for a list of people that can help.”

“Thanks Ali. I’ll talk to him first and then go from there,” I say. We ride in silence the rest of the way to Marc’s. When we arrive she leans over and kisses me on the cheek before getting out. I head over to Aaron’s place, the whole time I’m trying to think of a way to talk to him about this. It’s been six months now. I have no problem with not having sex. After what’s happened to him, I want him to move when he’s ready. I’m not about to force anything on him, but I want to know what he’s thinking. I want to be able to help him in some way.

I come in to find him on the computer working on a paper. He’s got books stacked beside him and some more sitting on the floor. It’s a welcome surprise to see that he’s working in his boxers again. I watch as his eyes flicker over to an open book and then back to the screen. He looks so adorable like that. After a moment he sits back and stretches then looks in my direction, “Hey love.”

“Hey there,” I say walking over to him, “How’s it going?”

“It’s coming along, slowly but surely,” he says looking back at the screen, “I can’t believe this professor wants this paper to be at least twenty pages. And right before mid terms, too. These people are evil.”

I look at the screen, he’s gotten seventeen pages typed, “It looks like you’re almost done, so it couldn’t have been all that bad.”

“It probably would have been easier if she didn’t specify that we had to have at least fifteen sources for this. Most of the information is redundant in half the books I’ve collected, all referring to two or three other books that say basically the same thing and refer me back the books I just read. I will be glad to be done with her after this semester.”

“Aw, I’m sorry love,” I say and kiss the top of his head. His arm comes around my waist, his hand in my back pocket.

“I’m sorry I’ve been neglecting you Jacob,” he says quietly.

“Don’t be. I told you I wasn’t going anywhere and that you could take all the time you needed.”

“I probably would have gotten over this a lot quicker if I had seen someone about it.”

“You still can if you want to, Ali can get you a list of some doctors from her dad.”

“No, that’s not necessary. I feel better now.”

“You sure?”

He leans against my stomach and nods, “I’ve missed you.”

I run my fingers through his shaggy locks, “We go at your pace, ok?”

 

 

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