Simon stepped forward. “Okay. If you want to finish then let’s do this properly and focus on the correct stance.” Simon moved Darren’s hands lower, tucking his elbows in to his sides. “That’s better.”
Patrick and Darren faced off again, dancing around each other until Patrick got sick of waiting for Darren to make a move. He attempted a low grab at the peg on Darren’s hip, using the fact Darren wasn’t closely watching him to strike.
“Stop.” The two of them froze at Simon’s stern instruction. “Darren, you need to face your opponent. You need to keep your eyes on Patrick, to be aware of where he is in relation to you. If you look away or cower, you open yourself up to being attacked. Your footwork is important, but you can’t focus on your feet or you lose your defensive positioning.”
Darren swallowed heavily and nodded briefly, but the poor guy was obviously upset.
“Hey, hang on a minute. I don’t think it’s very fair, Simon. Darren can’t help the way he reacts. You have no idea what it feels like to be afraid,” Patrick said. He could sense Simon bristle at the comment and rushed to clarify. “I mean, look at you. You’re confident and together, and you know how to look out for yourself. Not only yourself, but you’re perfectly capable of taking care of everyone else.”
Simon put his hands on his hips. “Firstly, I wasn’t trying to be critical of either of you. I’m just trying to give you feedback to help you get the hang of it.” He glanced between Patrick and Darren. Darren was toeing the ground, looking anywhere other than at the two of them. “Secondly, Idoknow fear. Not all fear is the same, you know. Can we sit down for a bit?” Simon didn’t wait for an answer, just turned and stalked over to the picnic table. He rummaged in the gym bag and pulled out a couple of water bottles, then twisted the top off one and threw back half its contents.
Darren looked at Patrick and shrugged before joining Simon at the table, leaving Patrick no choice but to follow. Darren was the first to speak. “I’m sorry, Simon. I shouldn’t have got upset. I know you’re just trying to help, and I’m really grateful.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I probably did come on too strong. I just want the two of you to feel safe.” Simon looked between them before holding Patrick’s gaze. The concern was evident in his eyes. “You know what I said about fear before? Just because someone is big, or athletic, doesn't mean they don't have their own fears, and some people mask them well.” He looked toward Darren. “Something is obviously scaring the living daylights out of you. Hopefully you’ll tell us someday and allow us to help.” Patrick held his breath. Darren only nodded then looked down at his lap, but didn’t say anything. Simon focused back on Patrick. “And Patrick, you’re worried about everything that’s going on. Well, I’m worried about that, too. I’m upset that you’re so stressed and I can’t do anything about it. I’m afraid that something will happen and I won’t be there to help you. I’m worried that you’ll need me and that I’ll let you down. I’m scared.”
Patrick scooted along the bench and placed a hand on Simon’s thigh. He didn’t think he’d ever seen him look so despondent. “I didn’t realize. I mean, I know you’re worried about me but I didn’t really think… I’m sorry, I’ve brought all this drama into your life.”
Simon placed his hand over Patrick’s. “It’s not the drama, babe. I’ll always be worried about you, whatever is going on in our lives. It’s part and parcel of loving someone, I guess.” Patrick’s breath caught in his throat at those words.Simon loves me?
“My father.”
They turned in unison to look at Darren. Patrick had been so focused on Simon, on his words and on the warm skin under his palm, he’d almost forgotten the guy was sitting across the table until he spoke.
“What?” Simon asked.
Darren cleared his throat. “My dad. He owed some guys some money. When he didn’t pay up they decided they’d collect their dues from me.” Darren fiddled with the label on his water bottle, but finally looked up and met their eyes.
“I assume you didn’t have the money?” Simon asked.
“Not even close.”
Patrick felt sick at the thought. “They roughed you up?”
Darren nodded, his eyes shining with moisture.
“Jesus, Darren. That’s awful.” Simon squeezed Patrick’s hand as he spoke. “Can’t you go to the police?”
“I did.” Darren snorted. “Fat lot of good that did me. They can’t protect me from those people.”
“And your dad?” Patrick asked.
Darren barked out a laugh but there was no humor to it. “He whipped my ass when he found out I’d been to the cops.”
Patrick could feel the tension in Simon as he asked, “So what are you going to do?”
“Exactly what I have done. Hightail it out of there, move across the country, and hope to hell they never find me.”
“Do you think they’re looking?” Patrick asked, hoping against hope the answer was no.
Darren shrugged, but there was fear in his voice as he spoke. “It’s hard to know. I have no idea how much money Dad owed, or whether he managed to pay any of it back after I left. If the debt is gone, then maybe the bookie will stop looking. But I’m not going to ring home to find out.”
“Gambling, then,” Simon stated.
Darren nodded. “For as long as I’ve been old enough to know what was going on.”
“And the rest of your family?”
“Mom’s not willing to leave. She’d rather the devil she knows. I have an older brother, but he’s long gone. Had enough sense to see through the parents and take off as soon as he was old enough.”
