Chapter 8
Leaving the hospital, Matt was experiencing many emotions. The good, the bad, the ridiculous. They were all intertwining and making his thought process that little bit harder. His head was still throbbing and to be honest, he just wanted to lay down and sleep some more. The Doctor had prescribed some solid drugs, and was looking forward to going off to lala land for a bit once he got back to Luke's.
"So, I've had Jeremy make up the guest house for you, so you have your own space. I don't want you to feel any pressure from me, and I also want you rested and better" Luke said with a sense of authority.
Matt sat there; he wasn't sure how to respond. He had just assumed he would be sleeping in Luke's bed with him. He hadn't really thought much about it, but he thought Luke had similar feelings and had wanted him to be with him.
"Oh, ok" Matt replied as his eyes cast towards his lap. Turning his head out the window, he didn't want Luke to see the few tears rolling down his cheek. Luke's comment hurt him as much as Jeff's punches and caused more than enough turmoil in his thoughts for one day.
"Matt, look at me please. What's going on?"
"My head hurts, that's all."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah" was all he could say, with his voice slightly above a whisper
Matt, like many of us, did not cope with perceived rejection well. Matt's assumption that Luke felt the same and wanted to be with him was just that. An assumption. What Matt didn't realise was that Luke was protecting his own feelings and emotions. Matt was 20yrs younger, discovering himself, emotionally damaged. Luke wasn't sure that he was ready for this. He also needed time to work through his thoughts and feelings and by placing a little distance between the two was how Luke was dealing with it.
"It's the whole guest house thing, isn't it" Luke asked as he continued driving.
"Kind of. I just thought....nothing, it doesn't matter"
"You just thought we'd set up house? Look, I like you a lot Matt. I do. But I am equally as scared as you are at the moment. I just want to make sure I protect myself from any hurt or damage that unintentionally may come my way"
He reached out and squeezed Matts hand, and whilst it felt like a consolation prize, Matt was happy to take it.
"Luke, I'm trying really hard to navigate this. I am really scared. But, I like you. I know it's weird as shit after a short time and all, but I have feelings for you. I think this is the part that scares me more than anything else. I can put up with the abuse, I can put up with what Jeff did, Christ, I don't care what anyone thinks, but, you, you're different. I feel sick and get butterflies when I see you, or smell you. I was out cold in hospital, but I could smell your cologne, and that I knew made me safe."
Luke just kept focused on the road ahead as we swung his large Bentley in to the drive and hit the 6 digit security code. Driving up the large drive and in to the motor court, Jeremy made his presence known.
"Jeremy, have Matthews things taken to the Master Suite. Please bring up a jug of water, two glasses and a shot of Whiskey"
Matt smiled at this comment. "Don't get carried away kiddo, the Whiskey is for me, not you" Luke said with a raised eyebrow.
Entering the bedroom Matt just stood still, whilst he had been there before, this time felt odd. Sort of like it was his first time, but maybe the first time after having expressed some feelings.
"Strip, naked, shower, alone" Luke commanded. "I have some pyjama's that will fit. No sexy time, do not get any idea's."
Matt smiled as he did as instructed. Walking in to the big steam shower, he used the jets to their full potential as they helped loosen muscles and dig into the bruising on his torso. It was in itself a therapeutic treatment that he needed. Using the mirage of scrubs and washes, Matt was making sure he was coming out of there smelling like a florist. It was Luke that interrupted him and bought him to reality.
"Hey sunshine, are you ok?" He asked softly, not wanting to scare Matt
"Yeah, I just wanted to make sure I got as much blood off my face and that without rubbing the stitches out."
"I didn't think of that. Let me have a look" Luke said as he pulled Matt closer trying to stay dry outside the shower.
As he stepped in slightly, Matt grabbed him and pulled him in to a hug "Thank you" Matt said as he kissed a now very wet, fully clothed, laughing Luke.
"Damn you! Look at me now" Luke tried sounding annoyed, but failing in the process.
Stepping up he kissed his lover before actually checking his face.
"Looks fine, clean. But I think the bruise is going to shine through tomorrow. Now get out, dry off and jump in to bed. Rest for you. Doctors' orders!" Luke commanded as he stepped out, himself stripping off and walking in to the bedroom to change.
Matt eventually hopped out of the shower. His head was hurting more than he let on, and his vision was slightly blurry. He remembered having concussion in High School after a football game and now the memories of the headaches were flowing back.
"Walking out with a towel over his head and nothing else he stated the obvious "Drugs, I need drugs, my head is pounding"
"Yes sir, I have them here." Came the voice of a very amused Jeremy.
"Oh shit, I am sorry. I didn't mean....."
"It's fine Matthew. I've seen it all before, and I can tell you, not many come close to you!" he said smiling. "Now hop into bed, take these pills, and grab some sleep. Luke is just down stairs attending to some business. He is going to grab something to eat, then join you a bit later"
"Thanks Jeremy. Why are you so nice to me?" Matt asked out loud, thinking it should have been more inside words.
"Matthew, you're a baby. You still have a lot to grow, but, I see potential in you."
Matt laid back with his head on his pillow, a slight warmth surrounded him. Not sure if it was Jeremy's words or the drugs, but it felt nice. It was only a matter of time before his eyelids snapped shut, and sleep overcame him.
Down in the study, a different game was playing out. An angry Luke was on the phone.
"I don't give a fuck what it costs me. Scare him, rattle his cage, shake him down a little, but leave no trace what so ever" Luke said to the person on the other end of the phone.
Jeremy walked in at the tail end of the call. "You need anything else tonight?"
"Can you go to Matthew's house, pick up whatever you think he needs and bring it here. Phone, wallet etc. Don't worry about clothing, I will arrange that. Maybe a photo or two he has there? Here are his keys, address etc. Just be careful and keep me posted"
"Certainly, it has been a while since I've been that side of town. Leave it with me" Jeremy said with a certain look.
Roaming through the large, oversized house, Luke was thinking about Matthew. There were things he needed to tell him, things he should hide, and things that Matthew would find out in time, if he were to stay around. For the moment though, Luke needed food, and as he approached the bench a beautiful Thai salad was waiting for him ready. "Ah Jeremy, you do spoil me" he said out to nobody
As Luke finished his dinner, he contemplated what lied ahead. Pouring himself a wine, and wondering out to the garden, here he could think uninterrupted about everything. A man, 20years younger. A man who certainly turned him on. A man whose innocence needed protecting. A man who was going to probably break his heart. Did he risk it? At 52 Luke was beneficiary of a partner's lifetime of work and wealth. He too was 20 years junior when they'd met. They'd had 30 wonderful years, and Luke still loved him, even though he had gone. So why now was the age difference such an issue for Luke. The old "boot on the other foot" scenario was real.
Chapter 9
As Jeremey approached Matthew's house, he could see the lights were on. Strange considering no one should be there. A Lincoln sedan was parked out the front, and it seemed odd that Jeff would be driving such a car. Slowly pulling over, he switched off the lights and sat in the car opposite Matt's house to get an understanding of what was happening. "No need to panic, lets watch and see what's going here" he spoke out loud.
He'd been sitting there about 5 mins when a pick up truck pulled up in the drive. A guy in his 30's jumped out, filled with swagger and bravado. "Jeff I assume" he said as he continued to play watch from the safety of his car.
Playing out all different scenarios in his head, he was thinking of phoning Luke for instruction, but knew that he had enough on his mind to make decisions like this at the moment. Switching on his head lights and starting his car, he swung in to the drive pulling up behind Jeff's truck. "Too late now to change my mind".
Hoping out of the car he approached the door ready to knock, as it swung open. He was greeted by a man in his late 50's. "Who are you, and where is my son." There was a sense of urgency but no aggression.
"Why Hello, I assume you are Matthews father" Jeremey responded in a dead pan voice. "Your son is with my employer, after being savagely beaten by this brut and hospitalised" he said as he indicated in Jeff's direction. "He won't be returning here for the foreseeable future, and, as I have been authorised, I ask you to leave immediately or I will have no other option than to call the police, and have you charged with trespass." Calmly and stoically he stood his ground as the others looked at each other. It was jeff who broke the silence. "I guess you're one of those gay boys that have converted Matt ha".
"Converted? Please, you're talking like it's 1950" Jeremey said with a slight smile. It was this comment that made Jeff lunge towards him, and with split second precision, Jeremey grabbed Jeff's outstretched wrist bending it back and snapping it clear as the loud crack reverberated around the room. "I'd suggest you don't try that again." Jeremey said as Jeff rolled around the floor in visable agony for all to see.
"What the fuck man" Jeff moaned as Matt's mom came to see if he was OK.
"I'm not here to play around. Now, I will ask you again. Leave, or I will call the police"
"Why are you doing this, and where is our son" Matt's mom asked, a sense of panic rising in her voice.
"Mr Matthew is with my employer, at his house in Bel Air. He was taken there from the hospital, after this thug beat in to him causing multiple injuries and a severe concussion. He is currently medicated and resting. Now, again, I ask you to leave"
The trio looked at each other and started to gather some possessions of Matthews as they were making their way to the door. "I suggest you put everything down that does not belong to you. I don't want to have to make things worse than they already are"
As they placed various items down, they exited the house and walked across the lawn to Matt's parents sedan, helping place a sore and sorry Jeff in the back.
As Jeremey wandered around the house he gathered items that he thought Matt would want. Wallet, keys, the obvious. There was item he was looking for, that took a bit of time to locate, but as he eventually found it, a smile crept across his face. Locking the house up tight behind him, he made a call. " I've just texted you address, please send someone to change the locks ASAP, and tomorrow, I want an alarm installed. The house wont be used for some time, and I want it kept secure"
Hanging up, he rang Luke. "Job done. I have everything. A small disturbance, but I am on my way"
As Jeremey pulled up at the house, he made his way in the door. Luke greeted him and took everything from him. "Let's pack, I want to get away for a few days"
"Yes Sir, the usual?"
"Please"
"Certainly, I will have the jet prepared"
Chapter 10
As the sun was rising Matt awoke in unfamiliar surrounds. He was in a small cabin, on a bed, with noises unfamiliar to his room. "Where the fuck am I" he thought as he held his head in his hands as it throbbed. Trying to figure everything out, his thought process was interrupted by Luke.
"Good Morning handsome, how you feeling"
"Hey, where the fuck are we?"
"Currently somewhere over the Caribbean"
"What the fuck, what's going on?"
"Well, I thought you could use some rest time, and I know the perfect place"
"I can't afford this shit. Whose plane is this"
"It's mine. And if you aren't comfortable, I can turn it around and head straight back to LAX"
"How did I ever get here."
Smiling, Luke thought back a few hours to moving the large framed man down a flight of stairs, into a car, on to a plane and into bed.
"That's a story in itself, but let's just say, you aren't the easiest to move to when you are out cold" adding a kiss to his forehead.
"Your parents and Jeff had a little run in with Jeremey, and it seems they aren't thrilled with the direction your `lifestyle' has taken. So, I had Jeremey change the locks, grab your things, and get out of town"
"I don't know what to say. It's all a little bit much."
"At any time you can tell me you want to go back, and I can have this bird up in 20mins."
"No. No, I think I can handle it for the moment, but I think we should talk at some stage."
"Agreed. But for now, let's have coffee and something to eat. We should be landing in about an hour"
"Where, I only see water"
"Mustique Island. I have a place there. I am sure it will be sufficient enough."
Hopping out of bed and heading in to the main cabin, Matt could see Jeremey and another man, around his age, sitting in the large first class seats that adorned each side of the cabin.
"Mr Matthew, how lovely of you to join us, coffee?"
"Ah, yes please, thanks" The surrealness of what was unfolding was not lost on Matthew.
"Matthew, this is Xavier, one of my staff that travels with me. He is here to make our trip special. If you need anything, let him know, he can make anything happen"
"Hi Xavier, nice to meet you" he said extending his hand in friendship.
"Coffee it is, a pastry as well? We picked up some before left, and they are amazing"
"Oh thanks, yes please." Matt said as he relaxed in to his chair.
"Fuck. I don't have my passport, I don't have clothes, all my shit is in LA" Matt thought out loud.
"Calm down. Jeremey has your passport, he grabbed it before we left. Your phone and wallet are on your bedside in the cabin. When we arrive, Jeremey will meet the customs team and do all our clearances. You just need to sit back and unwind. I brought you here for many reasons. Besides its natural unspoilt beauty, I wanted to give you time alone to work through who you are. I have a friend, a professional, I would like you to talk to, to help you. I will be there if you need me, and when you need me, but Matthew, I want you to work on you. Your health, both physical and mental. Promise?"
"Yeah I promise" Matthew responded.
Leaning in for a kiss, Xavier walked in with his coffee and snacks, and Matt froze. Embarrassed and alert to the fact that someone saw him kissing another man. Luke sensing the change in Matt, placed a hand on his lap to reassure him.
"It's ok. Xavier bats for our team. I want you to be who you want to be. Public displays of affection are welcome and safe here." He kissed Matt's forehead as his coffee was placed down.
"I guess I am just not used to it. I'm just nervous, and a little scared"
"Time, Matthew, time heals all."
Drinking his coffee, he was looking out the window amazed at the different variants of blue that the ocean could serve up. At the same time, he was coming to terms to sitting on a private jet, being whisked away to a tropical island by a man he was falling for. "Fuck me, how did this happen" he said probably a little too loud.
"Pardon, how did what happen?" he heard Luke say.
"This. I'm lost for words"
"Just sit back and relax. One day at a time by dear friend, just one day at a time"
With that the seat belt light came on, and the captain announced that they would be landing in 5 mins. The landing gear could be heard locking in to place, as the island of bright green foliage, bright white sands, and the most turquoise of coloured waters came in to site.
"Mustique awaits us Matthew, I hope it works it's spell on you the way it did me when I was your age"
As they kissed the wheels hit the tarmac. From there it was a short taxi to the terminal. Holding hands like new lovers, Matthew couldn't believe the turn his life had taken over the past few weeks.