This is the first story I wrote outside of The L.A. Series and my first alternate universe Nuke. The story was written for the 2011 Big Bang event. I hope you enjoy it... please review...
...
The man Luke fell in love with; the man Luke married; was kind and smart and cared about people even though most of them never knew it. Luke was the only person who saw this side of him and it made Luke feel special somehow… like he had been allowed into a secret and wonderful world nobody else ever saw.
And so Luke was willing to overlook the fact that his old friends tended to stay clear; and that his family invited him to events hoping he'd show up alone. He would usually show up solo since his husband hated all social occasions not work related or stipulated to by him.
Reid Oliver, an optometrist with his own clinic on Manhattan's Upper East Side, was a full decade older than Luke. He didn't make a fortune. But he earned a decent and honest livable income; better than most other people.
Besides, it wasn't like they needed his income, what with Luke inheriting World Wide Publishing from his grandmother on her retirement along with receiving a tidy inheritance from his paternal grandfather in Malta.
In fact, Reid's income didn't even play a part in his marriage to Luke. It was Reid's to do with as he wished and Reid had a separate account for it as well as access to their joint account at Citibank.
Luke met Reid four years ago at a charity exhibition held in an art gallery near Central Park.
At first, Luke despised the arrogance and sheer rudeness of the guy, keeping his distance as much as possible.
But over time, Reid seemed to thaw around him, becoming more and more interesting, more and more appealing despite the age gap.
During the early stages of their 3-year-long marriage, Luke romantically believed that fate had played a part in their union, always setting them up to collide at some or other event or in the street or at a coffee shop.
But now, knowing all he had discovered about the stranger to whom he was legally attached; Luke began to understand that he had been deliberately pursued by Reid… most likely for his money.
What a naive lovesick idiot he had been!
This kind and smart and caring man, who had somehow snuck into his heart, didn't exist at all.
Luke had been duped.
The cold hard truth was that the man Luke fell in love with, the man Luke married, was a fraud, a fake, a liar.
Worse than that, he was a cheat!
...
Luke rolled out of bed as soon as he heard Reid start to snore. He was a deep sleeper. A military band could march through the house and the man wouldn't wake up.
Luke didn't bother staying quiet. Sighing, he dumped the used condoms in the bin by the door.
The bastard hadn't even noticed that he'd faked orgasm twice! Luke had been playing the dutiful husband for three long months, keeping in character, keeping up appearances.
All the while he was formulating a plan to end the charade of their marriage in the most excruciating means possible… for Reid at least.
But Luke had to admit it was getting harder and harder to pretend; harder to hide his pain and humiliation when his moron of a husband didn't even bother trying to hide his infidelity.
He walked around to Reid's side of the bed and watched him sleeping; sandy-colored hair spiked and messy; naked body sprawled across the sheets. The angriest part of him, the part being kept at bay for the sake of his plan, wanted to lift a pillow and smother that face until he couldn't utter another snarky word to anybody ever again; let alone fall into the arms of another man!
The disgusting bastard! FUCK!
He unplugged Reid's iPhone from the charger and entered his cheating husband's pin. The fool used the same pin for everything! You would think somebody as smart as Reid would know better.
You'd also think somebody as smart as Reid would refrain from entering his sex dates into his calendar. Either he wanted Luke to find them or he really did think Luke was too stupid to figure it out.
Luke sighed remembering that Saturday three months earlier. He had come home early from a business trip to Chicago. So excited to surprise his husband, Luke hadn't even bothered to take his bag out of the trunk, figuring he would fetch it later that night.
As he started to cross the street to their New York brownstone, he noticed his friend Reg's Blue Audi parked nearby.
Upon entering the house, Luke was confused to find the living room empty and the lower part of the house quiet. Perhaps the two of them had gone out somewhere.
It was only when he reached the bottom of the stairs leading to the upper levels that he heard it. He could still recall how that sensation hit him like a fist right in the pit of his stomach and that part of him that turned immediately to denial.
It's not what you think! There's got to be an explanation!
He wouldn't do that to you!
His hand shook as he grabbed hold of the banister; his feet rubbery as he started the climb up the curved staircase, careful to remain as quiet as possible.
The closer he got to their bedroom, the louder the groans and moans of unmistakable sex and the more his stomach turned. He remembered wanting to run away and pretend it wasn't true.
But a strange compulsion or a sick curiosity, spurred him forward.
Luke would never get that image out of his head. His husband being royally fucked, in THEIR bed by Luke's own so called best friend!
He'd left them to it.
They hadn't even noticed him. Would they even have cared that he walked in on them?
Luke left the house in tears; his heart broken in a thousand pieces. He drove around the city his knuckles turning white as he gripped the steering wheel.
It was that same day after discovering the affair that Luke decided to hire a private investigator to follow his husband. He wanted answers about Reid and Reg. He wanted to know how long it had been going on.
He wanted to know why.
But he wasn't prepared for the shock of discovering the stream of lovers his husband had on the go. SIX so far… that Luke knew about.
Reid seemed to have an insatiable desire for sex. He would hook up in between patients and during his lunch hour; and frequently while Luke was away on business for World Wide, sometimes seeing two or three of them a day.
Realizing this sickened Luke to the core. He knew he would never again have any feelings for this man lying asleep before him.
After discovering Reid's nasty little habit, Luke brought the condoms back into play. He didn't like having to sleep with Reid knowing all he did.
But he wasn't yet ready to confront him about it. If Luke suddenly pushed away his advances, Reid would instantly become suspicious.
When Reid questioned the reintroduction of the condoms, Luke muttered something about it being cleaner. Thankfully, Reid didn't argue.
The rest of the time Luke did his best to avoid the situation by working longer hours or disappearing on "business trips".
Luke would never forget that feeling of apprehension as he sat in the doctor's office awaiting the results of an HIV test he thought he should take. Thankfully it came back clean. But having to undergo the testing was just another thing Luke would never forgive or forget.
And his husband's multiple affairs weren't the only thing the investigator unearthed about Dr. Reid Oliver.
...
Reid's mother Juliet, whom Luke knew lived in a poor, run-down section of Brooklyn, had given birth to two children; not just one as Reid had led Luke to believe. Reid was born 11 years after his half-sister from his mother's previous marriage to Ian Wilson.
After spending a decade mourning the death of her first husband and raising her daughter, Charlene, Juliet met and married Shane Oliver. Reid was the product of this union.
But when he was just five years old, Reid's accountant father suddenly died of a heart attack. Juliet was once again left alone, this time with two children to raise on her own.
Charlene Wilson was a lot less academic than her brother would later turn out to be. She was so unlike Reid, who would later go straight on to college after graduating high school.
At the tender age of 22, Charlene married a young soldier named Winston Mayer fresh out of basic training. Consequently, the couple didn't have a cent to their name by the time she had their son a year later.
So while Winston was away for Special Ops training, Charlene and the baby continued to live with Juliet and 13-year-old Reid. Part of the arrangement included Charlene helping her mother to run the family-owned classical movie theatre.
Two months after the birth of their son, Charlene and her husband were killed in a pileup on the I-95 just north of the city.
Thankfully, their baby son was in the safe care of his grandmother, Juliet; now left to raise him.
Twelve years later, Juliet, then in her early 70s, became gravely ill and suffered a mild stroke, making it impossible for her to run the theatre on her own.
Reid had been living apart from them for quite a few years and was already pursuing his medical career and financial security.
He hired a man named Gregory Chilton to not only run the business; but also to become a boarder in the Oliver family home, seeing to its upkeep and to the care of both Juliet and her 12-year-old grandson.
...
Luke quickly checked through Reid's contacts; found Juliet's address and jotted it down. He then scanned Reid's appointments. Sure enough "mother" was entered every other Thursday morning.
Luke had always thought it sweet that Reid cared so much about Juliet.
He had offered more than once to buy a house for Juliet in a safer neighborhood; and Reid would always decline, saying his mother would see that as charity and never accept it.
But Luke's investigator discovered that Reid had already spoken to a couple of real estate agents, getting estimates on the combined worth of the theatre and Juliet's home.
Since Juliet first purchased her little classical movie theatre 20 years ago, the area around it had flourished. Unbeknownst to her, while the theatre made little to no money, the real estate it occupied was now worth a small fortune.
It soon became clear to Luke that Reid was waiting for Juliet to die so that he could gain control of her assets and make a quick buck. Just another reason for Luke to boil inside with indescribable rage and abhorrence!
Reid never once invited Luke to meet Juliet. His excuse was that she was sickly and wouldn't be able to handle the news that her son was gay, let alone married and living with a man in one of the richest sections of Manhattan.
Luke now felt sure this was just another damn lie in a long list. Reid was hiding something over at that house and he was determined to find out what.
Luke was dressed and out of the house early that morning while Reid was still asleep. He drove his BMW to the office, changed into something more casual including a baseball hat to hide his tell-tale blonde waves.
He borrowed the office security guard's '93 Ford Mustang; and drove it over to Juliet's house. He parked across the street and waited.
Thirty minutes later, he caught sight of a young man toting a garbage bag coming out of the house. He wore a hat, blue jeans and a thick brown ski jacket to guard against the cold. The hat was pulled down low on his face so Luke couldn't make out his features. But from what Luke could tell he was around 18.
"This must be Reid's nephew…"
The tall young guy dumped the bag into a large black garbage can and started walking up the street in the opposite direction from where Luke was parked.
Luke couldn't help wondering about him, especially as to why Reid had never mentioned this part of his life.
From what the investigator told Luke, the kid led a very sheltered and solitary existence. He'd dropped out of school at 16 to help take care of his grandmother after she suffered her second stroke; which left her bed ridden.
According to the investigator's report, the grandson would take over managing the theatre from Greg Chilton at night.
The P.I. had the impression that the kid was smart. Whenever he had a spare moment, he would spend time working on what appeared to be school books; and earned extra cash running drama workshops for kids in the neighborhood community center.
He didn't seem to do much, the detective reported to Luke, except work, study and look after his grandmother.
The investigator also discovered a secret bank account the kid opened as soon as he was old enough. It was here he would deposit any extra cash he earned from the workshops.
Although his former teachers called his dropping out of school a waste, he was actually using the extra cash to pay his way through correspondence courses for his GED; having the course work delivered to a post office box opposite the theatre.
It was no wonder he liked to keep this account secret. Greg had a habit of visiting the casinos and betting thousands every night, wasting money and borrowing large sums from the wrong people – the kind of people who would kill him without a moment's hesitation.
Luke wondered if the man ever took money from the kid to pay off his gambling debts.
Greg actually sounded like a lazy good for nothing waste of space, and Luke couldn't help wondering why Reid kept him around.
Just as the boy disappeared down a side street, Luke spotted Reid's red Lexus pulling up in front of the house. Luke had purchased the car for Reid as a present for his 30th birthday.
Now he shook his head thinking about how modest Reid had seemed on receiving this gift. His husband was such a good actor!
As Reid stepped out of the car, a rather good-looking and well-built man appeared from inside the house. He was the type of person you wouldn't want to come up against in a fight; built like a wrestler, solid as one of those nightclub bouncer types.
So this was Greg?
He sauntered down the front sidewalk, grinning broadly and meeting Reid half way. Then, to Luke's horror, Greg was drawn immediately into Reid's chest and manically devoured by Reid's mouth.
Luke tried to ignore his revulsion and his hurt at how Greg managed to keep his position! It seemed that in finding help for his mother and nephew, Reid had taken the opportunity to add another sex toy to his collection.
He waited for them to close the front door before quickly darting across the street and around to the back of the house. Once there, he climbed over the fence and carefully checked each of the windows; ducking back out of sight when he heard their voices.
When he next peered into the room, the two of them were in quite a hurry to remove each other's clothing. They kissed, groaned, panted and rubbed each other all over with Reid obviously enjoying himself.
He watched Greg throw Reid against the closet door, lifting his leg high by gripping the back of his knee and then plunging himself into him. Reid emitted an animalistic groan.
"Shit but you're tight!" Greg moaned and continued his violent thrusting, "God it feels so good! Urg… urg… ang… I'm going too…"
"Don't! Not yet you fuck!" a gasping Reid warned.
"Shhhhiiit!"
"NO!"
"Arrrgh!" He sank into Reid, huffing.
"Dammit!"
"I'm sorry babe! You just feel so good! I couldn't stop it! I'll do better next time!"
"That's what you always say you idiot!" Reid pushed the guy back. "Just suck me off quickly and get it over with!"
It took Greg a while. But eventually Reid found his release and angrily proceeded to get dressed.
"FUCK! Sometimes I wonder why I even bother with you anymore! You're all body with no promise!"
A sheepish-looking Greg silently began getting dressed.
"Where's…?"
"She's sleeping."
"Not my mother you idiot! The brat… where's is he?"
"I sent him shopping. I know how you hate to run into him."
"Did the doctor come by yesterday?"
"Yeah."
"Well? What did he say?"
"He said it's unlikely she'll make it past Christmas."
"Good. I spoke to her lawyer and she hasn't changed her will! I still get everything and we need to keep it that way! Did you stop messing around with the pill issue like you said you would?"
Luke's heart froze. "Surely Reid wouldn't…?"
Greg snorted in derision. "Pretty impossible with the kid around! When she's real sick, he stays close by. I don't get a look in! Until he's out the way, there's no hope of speeding up the end anyway."
"Don't you go doing anything stupid! Stop messing about with those damn pills! They're only just keeping the old bat going anyway!"
"What about your husband?"
"What about him? He doesn't know anything about this and he never will."
"Doesn't he ever ask you where you go and who you see?"
"No. That's my business. Besides, I've got him right where I want him just like you."
He drew Greg toward him in another noisy and wet kiss.
"You want some more?" a hopeful Greg asked.
"Wow!" Reid really did have the guy eating out the palm of his hand, just like he had all those others. Luke felt suddenly relieved he was now wise to him.
"No, I'm off to spend some of hubby's money! Then I have a few patients to see to. But I'll be back later to show the old crow my face."
Luke slid down quickly, pressing his back into the brickwork as Reid approached the window. He pushed it all the way open to air out the room and any hint of sex.
"Okay, but when you come back this evening, I'll be ready for you! And I'll hold out this time… I promise!"
Luke stayed put until he was sure they had left the room. He then rushed over the fence and back toward the borrowed car.
He was so set on his mission he didn't see the man coming the other way. They slammed violently into each other, both falling onto their backsides with a loud oof!
Luke recovered quickly, jumping to his feet to immediately aid the other man… Reid's nephew. He stretched out his hand for the man to take it but then found himself gasping. His hand dropped slowly to his side; and his mouth gapped open.
"Stop staring!" Luke commanded himself, but felt completely unable to look away.
The vision that lay before him was incredible, literally taking his breath away!
The young man had the deepest blue eyes he'd ever seen and jet black hair that framed his perfect face in tiny waves like the ocean at night. There was an irresistible innocence about him; a softness.
Something strange and new and totally unexpected was swirling its way through Luke's body. He suddenly felt lightheaded.
He still hadn't moved when the beauty before him took on a look of horror. He scrambled to his feet and roughly pulled Luke against the wall of the neighboring house.
Luke heard a car's engine start. But he didn't have a moment to determine whether it was Reid's before the taller man was abruptly pulling his face toward him and leaning down to kiss him.
The feel of this young man's lips on his and the rush of excitement that consumed his entire being was indescribable. The kiss was soft and smooth and youthful.
Even though the car had long since driven past, Luke found his hands coiling around the nape of the kid's neck; the soft black curls tickling between his fingers.
The boy seemed just as enamored, deepening the kiss while gently teasing Luke's lips apart and seeking out his tongue, letting Luke taste the sweetness of him.
Luke was only too aware of his awakening manhood more so as the younger man's hand wrapped around the small of his back under his coat, and drew him closer. His hardened bulge pressed against the guy's thigh.
The closer-than-this encounter seemed to jolt Reid's nephew back into the present. He quickly released Luke and stepped back, drawing in a loud breath of air.
"What the HELL was that?" Luke asked, suddenly angry. Was he angry about this kiss or the fact the boy was backing away?
"I didn't want my uncle to see me. What else was I suppose to do?"
His voice was baritone and Luke felt it vibrate right in the middle of his belly.
"Oh and two guys kissing in broad daylight in this neighborhood, isn't something that would draw his attention?" The sarcasm dripped from his words.
"I doubt it! In this shadow, he'd just take you for a girl."
Luke touched the top of his head. His cap had apparently slipped off during the fall.
The kid looked at him critically, eying his clothing.
"You're not from around here, are you?"
"That's none of your fucking business!" Luke was angry and embarrassed and perhaps sad.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as though the kiss disgusted him. He struggled not to show his emotions, which were swinging violently from left to right while his heart was surely clocking at least 100 miles per minute.
Why was he so flushed?
The young man grinned at him. "If the kiss was REALLY that bad, why didn't you stop?"
"Shut up!"
"Time you went back to where you came from…"
He watched flustered as the tall figure walked away from him, stopping to pick up the grocery bag he'd dropped before continuing toward his house.
Luke vowed to find out everything about him.