“Why wouldn’t he help?”
Nate thinks hard on his next words. Almosteverything he said so far had been the honest truth, but now he must step into a much grayer area. “Will didn’t help because he got something out of Joel’s condition. Wild and violent sex.”
Owen’s eyes go wide. “What?”
“Joel liked being hurt during sex, and it just so happened that Will was into that as well. Don’t look so surprised—he wouldn’t have shared that part of himself with you so early. Joel, messed up as he was, started asking Will to hurt him during sex.”
“How the hell would you know about that?”
“Because Joel was getting so mental that he lost his filters. No shame, no holding back. He’d sit with you for a beer and tell you how Will tied him up and choked him as he fucked him.”
Owen visibly shivers, looking ill. “He might’ve been lying.”
“He wasn’t. Will didn’t start their sick games—I know that for a fact—but once the ball started rolling, Will was all in on the fun. I saw all those bruises on Joel. He was ashamed of them, but he said that Will only agreed to fuck him if they were rough. There were moments when Joel was his old self again, and he… he was full of shame about what they were doing, but he didn’t know how to make it stop. He was terrified that if he said he had enough, Will would leave him.” Nate leans his elbows on his knees, holding Owen’s gaze. “He needed help from the man he loved, but he got nothing but abuse. It went on for over a year, and no matter what his father or I tried to do, we were no match for the hold Will had over Joel.” Nate sighs. “I’m sure that Will didn’t want Joel to hang himself, but when he did—in Will’s own house—not many people were surprised.”
Owen rubs his face, as pale as a piece of paper. “He hanged himself in Will’s house?”
“Yes, but not where he lives now. He was renting another house in town, and Joel had the key. I think that he chose that location because he wanted Will to know it washisfault. Joel was too weak to confront him when he was alive, so he did that in death. Everyone in town knew how messed up their relationship was, so Will got no free pass once Joel died.” Nate leans back. “Joel loved Will more than anything, and it cost him his life. When I warned you about him, I didn’t do that because I was jealous—I don’t want the same thing to happen to you.”
“I’m not… I’m not mental like Joel was.”
“So what? You sleep around with evil, it’s bound to get you eventually. You’re not immune.”
Owen sits silently, looking at his hands and breathing heavily. He doesn’t blame Nate for lying, nor does he try to defend Will.
Nate hopes that the rot he planted in Owen’s head will spread and put a stop to what has started between them, because if it doesn’t… he glances at the security camera. If it doesn’t, then Nate will have no other choice but to play dirty.
Don’t make me play dirty, Owen.
Chapter 16
Will
“What’s up with you?” Bradley asks from the other side of the table.
“What?”
“You keep looking at the door. Am I not enough for you?”
Will rolls his eyes, feeling bad for being so obvious. “You’re good enough.”
“Don’t make me blush.” Bradley leans forward. “I’m sure that Owen will arrive any minute now to put a smile on your face.”
Will sits straighter. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about, and it’s a shame you don’t feel comfortable enough with me to share what’s been going on. As if I’d judge you or something.”
Will exhales. “How obvious is it?”
“Nah, you’re good. Not like you two are walkingaround town holding hands.” He signals the waitress to bring them another round of drinks. “Am I allowed to be happy for you?”
“There’s nothing official to be happy about.”
“Then am I allowed to be unofficially happy for you?”
Will finds himself smiling despite himself. “You’re allowed.”
Bradley drums on the table. “Fuck, I’m happy!”
