Ethanwould soon learn that was just the beginning.
“Youson of a bitch. Faggots aren’t welcome in this town.” Jimmy’s rage projectedthrough his words, echoing off of the water not far away as he brought the batdown on Ethan again, this time hitting his upper arm.
Ethandidn’t know what Jimmy was aiming for, but he couldn’t even move, couldn’tprotect himself. Glancing around hysterically, he tried to find something todefend himself with, but the bat made contact with his left thigh and the firethat shot through him made him scream.
Outof his periphery, he saw Gavin standing several feet away, his eyes wide withterror, but he wasn’t moving. Wasn’t trying to help.
“That’sright, you little fucking girl. Cry for me. That’ll teach you to fuck anyone inthe ass. Especially my brother!”
Ethanforced his eyes open as he curled into a tighter ball, trying to protecthimself the best he could. It wasn’t helping. Jimmy found every vulnerable spotwith either the bat or his boot, sometimes both. And with every savage blow tohis ribs, and the brutal punches to his face, Ethan feared he wouldn’t survivethe next one.
Wherethe hell was Gavin? Why was he letting this happen? Had he told Jimmy that hehad forced him?
Oh,God!
Pain.Every merciless hit had fire licking through Ethan’s body, his brain functiondimming as he fought unconsciousness, obviously his body’s way of trying tosave itself from the agony.
“Gavin!”Ethan yelled. Or at least he thought he was yelling. The sound came out more asa gasp. He needed help, unable to save himself from the brutality.
“Don’tsay his name,” Jimmy roared. “Never say his fucking name again. He’s not aqueer like you!”
Ethancouldn’t hang on. He tried to make his brain function enough to breathe throughthe pain, but it was too much for him to handle. There was nothing he could doas the blackness wrapped around him, sucking him under. He was hovering on theedge of consciousness, wanting desperately to escape, but knowing if he let go,he might never wake up.
Hewanted to wake up. This couldn’t be the end. Couldn’t be the –
“Ethan!Wake up, baby.”
Ethansearched for the voice from inside the cruel dream, tried to pull himself outof the nightmare. The sweetest voice was calling him and he knew he needed toget to him, needed to find Beau. Needed someone to save him.
Hardarms wrapped around him, gripping him tight and holding him close. Familiararms. Not trying to hurt him.
Therewas no pain.
“E,baby, wake up,” Beau whispered against his ear, his lips warm where theytouched him.
Ethanmanaged to force his eyes open. The room was dark and it took a moment toorient himself, but he recognized his bedroom, his pillow, the spicy rich scentof Beau.
Hewas grateful when Beau didn’t say a word, didn’t ask any questions, just kepthim securely wrapped in the safe circle of his arms. He had no idea how muchtime passed as he lay there, soaking up Beau’s warmth, listening to hisheartbeat, feeling the flex of his muscles around him.
“I’msorry,” Ethan said some time later when he managed to get his breathingregulated, his heartbeat back to a normal rhythm.
“Don’tapologize,” Beau said roughly, but softly, his arms tightening ever so slightly.
Ethannodded his head in agreement and burrowed closer to Beau. He was facing awayfrom him, and he was thankful Beau couldn’t see his face. Had he been crying?He knew in the past he’d awoken from the nightmare drenched in sweat, tearsstreaming down his face. He didn’t want Beau to see him like that.
Hehadn’t had a nightmare about Gavin or Jimmy in a long time. Several months atleast. And he knew what brought it on, but the memories were now forefront inhis mind and he knew it was going to take some time to push them back into thatlittle box that he tried to keep them contained in, no matter how desperatethey were to get out.
“E?”Beau’s voice was steady and strong, a lifeline that Ethan found himselfclinging to.
“Yeah?”
“Ifyou ever want to talk, just know I’m here.”
Ethanswallowed past the lump in his throat. He wanted to take Beau up on the offer,to share his deepest, darkest secrets with this man, but he knew it wouldn’thelp. If anything, Beau would probably look at him differently. If he knew thatEthan was responsible…
God,if Beau ever found out that Ethan was responsible for what happened to Gavin,he would probably never want anything to do with him again.
??
