| Chapter 27 Diane opened the door letting John in, "Hey." "Hey there, how's he doing today?" John asked. "Um, OK. He's got a pretty nasty bruise where he hit his head, and he's been kinda quiet," she answered. "Quiet?" John asked, "That's not like him." "No, it's not. I asked him what was wrong and he just said his head still hurt some, but ..." she said. "But you don't think that's it, do you?" John asked. Diane shook her head, "No, not really. I think something's bothering him, but he won't tell me what it is." "Hum, I thought he told you everything," John teased. Diane laughed, "No, not everything. There are some things he still keeps to himself." "Really? I thought that when you were in a serious relationship there wasn't suppose to be secrets," he said, leaning against the kitchen counter. "Well, I think there are exceptions to every rule, and Nick is, well he's an exception," she said. John stared at her for a moment, "You know, you kinda sound like you already know what his secret is." She sighed, "I know a few of them, yeah. I'm sure that when Nick feels like it, he'll tell me, but I'm not gonna push him to relive parts of his life he may not want to rehash, just to fill me in on things." John smiled at her, "Nick's lucky to have someone like you." She blushed, "Well thanks." "So, ... where is he?" John asked, looking around. "In his office," she answered, "Denise sent over some statements for him to approve this morning. He's been working on them pretty much all day." "Oh, well, I guess we'll just have our session in there then," John said, heading across the living room. "K, if you guys need anything just yell," Diane called after him, going back to cleaning the kitchen. "We will," John said, walking down the hall to the office door. He knocked, then opened the door. The sight before him took his breath away, but he quickly hid it. Nick was sitting behind his desk, his head down. He had his glasses on, a white wife beater with a blue button up on over it. As John entered the room and closed the door behind him he could see that Nick was wearing jeans and he was barefoot as well. Nick still hadn't looked up at him, working on the paper before him. "Nick," John said, standing in front of the desk and looking down at him. Nick jumped at the sound of his voice, and looked up at him, with anger in his eyes. "Aww, you're not still angry about yesterday are you?" John said with a smile on his face. Nick glared at him and pointed to a chair, pulling his little computer over: How much will it take for you to leave? John read the screen and laughed, getting up and walking around the office, looking at things. Nick watched him, wondering what he was doing, and why he wouldn't answer him. John walked around the desk and pulled Nick's chair out with him still in it, looking under the desk. Then he proceeded to make Nick stand up and patted him down. "Can't be to careful," John said, "It wouldn't be a smart thing for you to try and tape anything." Nick shook his head, "N-n-not." John leaned against the desk and looked at him, satisfied that he wasn't trying to trick him. "What do you mean?" he asked. Nick sat back down: How much money do you want? John laughed, "You think this is about money? Nick you can't buy your way out of this." Nick glared at him for a moment, then typed: Come on John, everyone has a price. Name it and it's yours. All I want is for you to leave and never come back. John shook his head, "Nick, I have all the money I want. I live a very comfortable life. I've already told you what I want, and I have no intention of leaving anytime soon." He watched as Nick's resolve started to waiver. Nick closed his eyes for a moment, trying to get control of his nerves: What if I can't give you what you want? John was quite amused at the question, "You don't have a choice here Nick. I either get it, or that lovely brunette in the kitchen will suffer, along with your brother. That is the choice you have, nothing else. There will be no bargaining, although I applaud the effort. Very noble of you and all," he laughed. Nick took his glasses off, looking down at the top of the desk. "Aw Nick, it's not that bad. Who knows, you might enjoy it," John teased. Nick glared at him, the look sending chills down Johns back. It was full of hatred, he could almost see what Nick was thinking. That �I'm gonna kill you if it's the last thing I do' look still radiating from his face. "You certainly wear your heart on your sleeve don't you," John said, "Speaking of which. Diane knows something is up with you." Nick stared at him, unwilling to let him see his surprise. "You need to do something about that. You know what will happen if she finds out," John said, leaning closer to Nick, "You don't want that to happen, do you?" Nick swallowed hard, shaking his head. "So, you better come up with some excuse for your behavior, and you better start hiding your feelings a little better, or this will not end pretty, and it'll be your fault Nick," John spat. The momentary flash of fear in Nick's eyes brought a smile to John's face. "I see we understand each other very well," he said, moving closer to Nick. Nick shied away from him, rolling his chair to the other side of the desk. John laughed and shook his head, "Nick, where do you think you're running to?" Nick looked away from him, shaking his head. He was right. Where was he gonna go? John had merged himself right into Nick's life. Everyone liked him and trusted him. Even Diane. And if Nick were to tell someone, it was his word against Johns. Without proof, nothing would stick and John would be free to do whatever he wanted to his family. Nick sighed, wondering just how he could get proof that this was going on. He was to afraid to try and video it or tape it himself. If John caught him, it wouldn't be good. Damn, why didn't I install surveillance cameras? Nick asked himself. If he was at any of the other guys houses, everything would have been on tape. But ohh no, he had to be private.... didn't want his life on video.... stupid, stupid! John closed the gap between them, turning Nick's chair around so he faced him and bending down. Nick looked up at him, afraid of what he was going to do. John smiled, seeing the fear in his eyes, and loving the power he now had over Nick. He smiled, sliding his hand up Nick's thigh, "I'm tired of talking, aren't you?" Nick shook his head, squirming in his chair. He grabbed John's hand, stopping its advance. "Stop resisting," John said, glaring at the younger man. Nick was desperately trying to think of some way to get out of this. He knew it would eventually happen, but he wasn't ready to deal with this. After so many years of pushing the memories away, he couldn't allow them to resurface. He'd never survive it this time. Nick pointed to his computer. "No Nick, I'm done talking," John said. Nick again pushed John's hand away, "S-say." John glared at him, standing up and shoving the little machine into Nick's hands, "Make it quick." Nick's hands were trembling as he typed: If this has to happen, then please can you go slow with me? I've never done this with a guy and I don't think I can handle everything at once. Please John, I'll give you what you want, just not so fast. Please? Nick watched as he read the screen, praying he had one ounce of pity in him. If he could get John to take it slow, then maybe the memories wouldn't overtake him. Maybe he could make himself get though this without breaking down. John stared at the screen, an unreadable expression on his face. After a moment he looked at Nick, "If this is some kind of trick...?" Nick shook his head, "No." John sighed, crossing his arms over his chest, pondering the idea. Slowly his mouth curved in a smile, thinking that slow would be more fun anyway. "Alright, I'll go slow with you," he said, taking Nick's face in his hands. Nick cringed as John leaned in and took his mouth in a kiss. He tried to pull away, but John wouldn't let him. After a moment, John broke the kiss, smiling at him. "You'll learn, and then it won't be so bad," he said, watching Nick wipe his mouth with the back of his hand, tears welling up in his eyes. "And I fully expect to be kissed back," John said, seeing Nick wince at his words. He laughed, "Oh you will be a participant in this. You're not gonna get away with just enduring me, you are gonna have to do your fair share, Nicky." Nick looked down at the desk, willing himself not to vomit. "Although, I see that's a ways down the road. Right now I think even a kiss is a bit much for you," John said, watching Nick trembling, "But, we'll get there, ..... and oh when we do....." he smiled. Suddenly a knock came at the door, and Diane walked in. Nick quickly looked down, feigning interest in the papers that sat on his desk. "Sorry to interrupt," she said, "But Nick, the doctor's office is on the phone. They want to know if we can come earlier in the morning." "That's funny, I didn't hear the phone ring," John laughed. "There's not a phone in here anymore," she said. John looked around, seeing she was right. "So Nick, is it OK to go earlier?" she asked. He nodded. "What are you going for?" John asked, "Are you sick?" "Nick's getting his cast off," Diane answered for him as she left the room, leaving the door open. John stared after her, knowing it would look suspicious if he shut it, his plans of a second kiss flying out the open door. Nick's heart skipped a beat, Thank you baby. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," John said, leaning close to Nick, "I want her gone while I'm here," he whispered, "I don't care what you tell her, just make sure she's not around, got it?" Nick sighed, looking away, and nodding. "OK, tomorrow then," he said, turning and leaving the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later that evening Bob came over for Diane's lesson. Nick went with them, sitting at the back of the boat, staring out at the water as Diane drove them around. He had convinced himself that he could do this. He could handle whatever John did to him, as long as Diane and Aaron were safe. He closed his eyes, willing away the memories that threatened to resurface. He couldn't think about the past, wouldn't allow himself to. Knowing that if he did, he'd fall to pieces right where he sat. It had been so hard for him to get past it, to move on and forget it ... well not forget it, but not to think about it. If Brian hadn't been there to help him, he didn't know where he'd be right now, or even if he'd still be alive. If only Brian was here, he thought. And what if he was? What then? You still couldn't tell him, you can't tell anyone, said the voice inside his head. Nick opened his eyes, looking back out at the water, I have to do this by myself, .... alone. Chapter 28 |