As Matt pulled up in his drive, he was surprised that Jeff had already arrived and was sitting on his porch. It hadn't given Matt much time to work through his strategy on how to approach the subject. He knew that he had to get it off his chest, as after last night, and what he experienced, he knew that he was gay. That was the first time he had admitted it to himself, and now he was planning on telling his oldest friend in the world. Someone who was like a brother.
It wasn't Matt's intension to fight with Jeff, and he was hoping that Jeff would be cool. But, at the same time, as Matt was transitioning into a new period in his life, he would appreciate the support of those around him, more now than ever before.
"Hey bro" Jeff said as Matt approached the porch.
"Hey. Been here long?"
"Nah, 5 mins" Figured you'd be here already.
"Sorry, got caught in traffic. Come in" Matt said as he unlocked the door.
Kicking his boots off as they walked in, Matt headed straight to the fridge.
"Beer?"
"Matt, it's only 11:30, wanna tell me what the fuck is going on?"
"That's why I need a beer" he said, smirking to himself more so than Jeff
"Spill."
"I'm gay"
"What? What are you talking about? Stop kidding and tell me what's on your mind."
"I'm gay. It's that simple. I've had sex with a guy, and it was the best experience in my life, and I can't change it. That's it."
"Yeah sure Matt, you know that sort of shit repulses me. Stop being a dick and tell me, or I will beat the living crap out of you."
"Repulses you? How so?"
"Come on Matt, you mean that the thought of two dudes dicking each other doesn't repulse you?"
"No. It doesn't. And guess what, last night I was dicking a guy in bed, and it was the best thing ever. So fuck you!" Matt replied, his voice now deeper and angrier than when the conversation started.
"Are you fucking serious dude"
"Yeah I am, and if you don't like it, you can the fuck out of my house now!"
"What about Kate? She's only been gone 6 weeks. How could you do this to her. Her memory, are you fucking sick or something?"
"Fuck you, and don't you dare bring Kate in to this. I loved Kate, I still do, but my sexuality is my business and not yours. Last night I realised why I was unhappy sexually. I realised what I was missing. I don't need help or a Dr, just leave me the fuck alone if you cant support me."
"You dirty fag. After all these years, how could you do this to me"
Matt didn't hear the end of Jeff's words. It was the start of the sentence that activated his primal energies which saw him king hit Jeff across the jaw and dive on top of him.
As the two men laid body blow after blow in to each other Matt's phone kept ringing. As he was in no position to answer it, he ignored it. As Jeff rose to his feet before Matt, he laid a couple of heavy blows with his foot into Matts ribs, before turning towards the door.
"20 years of friendship, and you're a fag. Just remember, I was always the better fighter."
As Matt laid on the floor, his ribs in pain, his face on fire, he could taste the blood in his mouth where both his lips had split. There was no use getting up, he had no energy. He had lost some will, but there were tears, tears that stung his face as they rolled down his cheek. He was crying because he was hurt. Not physically, but more emotionally by the one person he thought he could trust. The one person who was his rock, now became, to him, the enemy. Matt could not forgive Jeff for this.
He laid on the floor for what seemed forever he didn't want to move. He didn't want to face reality. He just wanted to lay there curled up on the living room floor until it was dark, or until he could fall asleep. What ever came first.
About half an hour later as he was laying there slowly rocking as the tears flowed, a knock came at the door.
"Go away!" Matt yelled
The knocking continued which was making Matt angry. He didn't want to see anyone. He didn't want anyone to see him in this broken condition.
"I told you to fuck off, now go!" he screamed at the unwanted visitor.
"Matt, you there, it's me. Luke" Said the voice as it made it's way in to the house.
Matt froze. He didn't want Luke of all people to see him like this.
"Leave, just leave me alone" The humiliation, the anger, the embarrassment of what had occurred in Matt's mind was wanting him to push Luke away.
"Matt, where are you" Luke said, panic starting to rise in his voice.
As he rounded the couch in the middle of the room, he saw Matt, curled up, on the floor. Rushing to his side he could see that he was hurt.
"Matt, what happened. Do I need an ambulance, you've been mugged, I will call the police."
"No. No. Stop." Matt said as he turned to face Luke.
"What in the fuck has happened?"
"I told Jeff. I told him I was gay."
"And this is the result? The neanderthal should be charged with assault"
Matt just looked at Luke. He could see the compassion in his eyes. No one had ever looked at him like that before. He broke Matt that he was in this position and Luke had happened to witness it.
"Why are you here?"
"I'd been trying to phone you, but you didn't answer. You'd left a bag full of work papers in the driveway, so I thought I would drop them off. Lucky I did"
"Luke. I know you are trying to help, but I just want to be alone."
"Bullshit, stop with the sympathy pity part, and get up"
The strength of Luke's tone startled Matt, so much so that he stopped crying and eventually raised himself to his feet.
"Now, grab your keys. I don't give a fuck what you say, but we are going to see my Doctor, just to have you checked over. Once that's done you can either get on with life, or lay around your house being pissed off with Jeff, life, or whatever you want"
Walking out the door Matt was surprised to see that Luke drove the latest and best Bentley SUV. He never noticed or bothered to ask. After all, everyone has a car.
"Luke, I can't hop in that. I'll get blood somewhere."
"Well if you think I am driving that" Pointing to Matts work truck, "You'll be sorely disappointed. Now get in, buckle up, and stop complaining"
They'd been in the car for about 20 mins. Neither had said a word. The silence was made worse by the quality of the vehicle and the sound insulation it provided.
"Sorry" was all Matt said. Softly, but loud enough for Luke to hear.
"Matthew. Unless you hurt me, you never have to apologise. And if you do hurt me, you will only get the one chance, so make it good."
Pulling over to the curb, Luke faced Matt. He could see he was hurting inside and out. Placing his hand on his leg, he looked at Matt.
"In such a short time, you have made a huge impact on me. I don't know whether it's your naivety, your perceived innocence, your gentle touch, but Matthew, I have never met a man like you before. Read in to that what you will, but let's get you checked out"
Driving in to Beverley Hills in to a parking station, it was. Now that Matthew realised in the all of the commotion of everything, he hadn't put shoes on.
"Luke, I can't go in."
Cutting him off, Luke piped up, "Matt, her Christ sakes, we've been over this. You are seeing the fucking doctor"
"It's not that, I only have my socks on. You dragged me out of the house and said grab your keys"
Luke broke in to laughter. It was needed. It was warranted. It was the icebreaker they needed.
"I will never say this ever again, but take you socks off and go barefoot, it is only next door"
Secretly Luke was hoping not to run in to one of the matriarchs of the town who he so often lunched with. How would explain a barefoot hulk, cut, bleeding and damaged walking up Rodeo Drive with him.
Thankfully, it didn't happen. As the approached the Drs reception Luke walked up.
"My friend here needs to see Dr Thew ASAP"
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, but Dr Thew has no openings today." The ever polite and chirpy receptionist responded.
"Look, I'm terribly sorry, but how about you pick up your little white phone, buzz Dr Thew, and tell him Luke Garrett is here, and it is an emergency......Do I make myself clear"
Last part was designed to intimidate the receptionist, and it appeared to work, because as she hung up the phone, Dr Thew walked out of his office.
"Martin, so good to see you. This is my friend Matthew. I need you to see him now. He's not in good shape"
It was at this point that Matthew thought it would be perfect timing to collapse and pass out on the floor.
Matt woke up as the paramedics were transporting him to hospital
"Hey big fella, how you feeling?"
"Ha? Where am I? Matt said as he was coming to, trying to take the oxygen mask off.
"Lay there, leave the mask. We will be at the hospital shortly"
Matt just laid back, trying to remember everything that had led up to the ambulance ride. Somethings where clear, some less so, and whilst that was fine for now, he knew he had to sort some things out sooner rather than later.
As they arrived at the hospital, Matt was really shocked to see it was Cedars Sinai.
"Hey guys, wrong joint, I can't afford this." He laughed
"Is he still complaining?" Luke's voice said from the back of ambulance.
Luke had managed to beat the ambulance to the hospital, after giving detailed instructions, and billing details.
"Matthew, stop. Just do as your told"
"Ok" was all he could muster
As they wheeled him in to the ED, Matt could tell he just didn't have the stamina or care to fight. He knew when he was beat down.
The nurses came and wired him up to a few devices as he waited for the Dr to arrive.
Up on the Dr's arrival Luke made a discrete exit to give Matt some privacy, but only enough so he could hear if what he told the Dr was the truth and not a fabricated story.
"So young man, what's happened here today" The Dr started off politely.
"I fell down some stairs, nothing major, probably a bit of concussion and a bit of bruising I'd say" Matt replied.
Just as Luke was about through the curtain, the Dr jumped in with a reply.
"Let's try again, I can see how these cuts and abrasions have happened, I can see it is from some form of physical altercation, and I can see that you've probably come off second best. So, cut the bullshit and let's tell some truths so I can treat you accordingly"
Matt laid there. Part fear, part embarrassment. He had been caught out lying to the doctor. There had been no need, except the need to protect his masculinity.
"OK OK. I got in to a fight with someone who I thought was my best friend. Obviously he won, and I am left showing the scars."
"See, it wasn't that hard, not let's do some checks and tests" The doctor responded as he started going over Matthew.
After about 15 mins, he listed off a list of tests he wanted Matt to have. Matt was laying there scared that he could afford them all as his own health insurance was behind after so many bills and co-payments he had to make when he lost his wife.
"Thanks Doc, but this all unnecessary, I really don't need these tests. It's all good, I'll head home and get some rest"
"Don't listen to him Doctor. All the billing details are at admissions. Just do what you need to do, and I will keep him behaving" Luke said as he pulled the curtain back.
"Could you please give us a minute," Luke said to the people treating Matt.
"Hey, you need to be checked over. I kind of guessed things were tight, so shut up and let me take care of it." Luke said as he patted Matts hand.
"I can't, it could by $10K easy."
"That's a first class flight from LAX to Dubai in my world. Please, your health is more important, so just shut up and do as you're told"
As a young orderly came to collect Matt, Luke kissed his hand. Whilst the Orderly smiled, Matt had an internal melt down. He struggled with public displays of affection when he was married, now a guy was doing it, he was bordering on being mortified. Luke realised such after he had done it, but decided to just let it slide rather than make matters worse.
Matt returned sometime later and they both sat and waited for the results. It must have been a few good hours when the Doctor returned.
"Ok Champ, lets run down the list of injuries. Fractured left cheek bone, fractured right eye socket, 3 cracked ribs, a couple of fingers that I will need to strap, and from what I can tell, a minor concussion that is going to develop in one God almighty headache, unless I prescribe you a take home pack of goodies." Matt was laying in disbelief as the doctor old him.
"Mr Garrett, could you just come with me to sign some forms for a minute?" The doctor requested.
As Luke and the Dr walked away from Matt, the doctor stopped once out of earshot.
"He's a lucky guy. The injuries are quite significant. I am a bit worried about the facial injuries. I have stitched a few places up, but I need to see him in a few days to make sure he's ok."
Looking at Luke, the doctor paused before asking his next question. "Are you and he, close?"
"Close enough that I will be taking him home to my place to look after him."
"That's all I needed to know. I don't think he should be alone for at least a week. There's more to this I am not being told. Once I get these scripts, he can go home, so I will let you go and dress the patient and make your way to the pharmacy counter"
"Thanks doctor. I appreciate your assistance"
As Luke made his way back to Matt, he was sitting there eating a Jell-o cup. "They give you Jell-O when you're a good boy" Matt said smiling.
Luke could only laugh at this. "Get dressed cowboy, we are heading home. My home. No complaints, not comments, you'll do as you're bloody well told until I say otherwise"
"Ok" Matt said, his eyes cast down. "I'm sorry"
As Luke approached the bed and took Matt's hand, he lifted his chin so he could look him in the eye's "Stop apologising. You've done nothing wrong"