“I don’t know what you think you understood, but you better forget every single word spoken here tonight the second you leave this house.”
“I’m not looking for trouble. Didn’t hear a thing.”
The mayor reaches for Will’s face, grabbing his jaw tightly and sending needles of pain across his face. “I need you to swear on your dead mother, boy.”
“Don’t talk about my mother.”
The mayor grips harder. Will holds his fists next to his body, wishing so badly to hit this man. Shortly after Julie dies, when he’s ready to leave this town behind, he’ll make one final stop at this house so he can smashhis fist into the mayor’s face. It scares him how deeply he’s eager to hurt someone, but Ray has taken so much of his dignity throughout the years.
“I’ll talk about whoever I want to in my own house, you ungrateful bastard. If I just think you said the wrong word to the wrong people, you’ll see no more money from me, and I’ll have the police make your life a living hell.”
Will breathes heavily through the pain. “I said I won’t say a thing. I mean it.”
The mayor nods and lets go. “I’m glad we understand each other. Now, get your ass out of my house.”
*
It’s a short drive from the mayor’s house to Will’s place, but he drives around town to cool off. As the years pass, these dark events have become easier to bear, but he still needs time to let the filth flow out of his system. He tells himself that all things considered, this was far from the worst evening he spent in that house.
His mind wanders and lands on Owen. That alone is enough to spread a nice, warm feeling in his chest. Maybe he’s selfish for letting in anyone new into his life, but he never promised Owen anything more than friendship. He loves the few friends he has, and he loves his sister, but there’s a void in his life that none of them has been able to fill.
With his mood less bleak, Will is ready to return home and put this day behind him. He takes a right and drives up the path leading to his house. His stomach tightens when he spots car lights up ahead.
Not tonight.
He slows down and parks next to Nate’s police car. He kills the engine and exhales, telling himself he’s not about to let that man inside his house, no matter how much he might insist. He remembers Julie’s words.Focus on how good you’ll feel when it’s over, and let that be your motivation.
He doesn’t know if he’s strong enough to end things with Nate. It’s not because he doubts it’s the right thing to do, but because there’s a part of him that is terrified of that man and the darkness inside him.
Nate kills the engine of his car and climbs out. Will takes a shaky breath and does the same. With both of them standing close to the porch, the light automatically turns on, illuminating them in a milky glow.
Nate is wearing his uniform, his hands on his hips. “It’s a bit late. Had a busy evening?”
“Yes. It’s time to call it a night.”
Nate frowns as if he’s not sure whether he’s being dismissed. “It’s not that late. You had fun at the mayor’s house?”
Will tries to keep his face expressionless. The last thing he needs is Nate poking at this part of his life. “It was fine. Have a good night.”
Nate moves to block his way. “You know how this is about to go. Aren’t we past playing games?” His thin lips stretch into a smile. “I’m starting to think you’re getting off on me chasing you. Does it help your ego or something?”
“Yeah, it’s all about my ego.”
Nate once more moves to block Will’s way when he tries to go past him. “Are you trying to get me angry?”
“I’m trying to get the hell into my house. Alone. I’m not looking for a fight, but whatever it is you came here for isn’t going to happen.” Will takes a breath, mustering the courage to say, “It’s never happening again.”
Nate crosses his arms. “Those are serious words. Look at you acting all brave.”
He doesn’t feel brave, just fed up and pissed off. He might have gotten a temporary sense of redemption from Nate, but the toll on his soul was not worth it.
“Whatever you think I got out of it—I don’t want it anymore.”
“And what about whatIwant? You used me.”
Will rubs his face. “Iusedyou? Fuck, you have some nerve.”
“Is this about Owen? You’re still pissed off that I took you away from your pretty date?”
