Sorry that this is late, really late. But I had wrinkles in Carlos' past that I wanted to sand out.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Gruntingly, Kendall falls back against the familiar master bed, soaking in the comfort of the soft hand-made quilt. He doesn't even bother to mask his annoyance; his face exposes his disgust for the tiny prostitute plaguing his life. "Stupid whore."
Walking into his bedroom, James sighs as he takes a seat on the fluffy blanket. He lies back, copying Kendall's stance on his bed. "What is so bad about Carlos?" Kendall shoots up, the question opening a can of suppressed feelings of hatred, aggravation and strong animosity. His eyes burn through the lawyer; subtlety isn't his strong suit. "I get it, Kendall. You don't like Carlos because he is a lying conman but is that really a big problem?"
Kendall bites his bottom lip, holding his hostility before he projects it on his so called friend. "James, Carlos is the worst guy you can ever meet. He abuses his looks, his boyish charms and his body just to get into my family; after my money no doubt. The guy is no good. If he was a better person, acted like my step brother's lover than maybe I wouldn't be as angry but no. The fucking whore continues to steal everything from him and goes to have sex with other. What kind of guy does that? Where is the fidelity?"
James shrugs his slouched shoulders, understanding Kendall's points. He knows that Kendall is a faithful family man. It's family and loyalty above all. He admires that quality about the blonde even through it's the reason why the stupid hockey player won't jump into bed with him.
"But Kendall, what about Logan?"
"What about him?" Kendall spats. "He is making a mistake hiring or what he calls 'dating' Carlos."
"But don't you notice how happy the poor boy is? You had to have notice that the boy lights up when Carlos is in his arms. Remember when you met Logan for the first time? He was a wreck because he lost Carlos. Compare that to this evening. The little fucker is as happy as ever. You can't deny that Logan is not happier with Carlos even if he is baiting Logan for all of his money too."
"Why are you taking his side?" Kendall gets up and paces the room, his long feet drag across the soft carpet. "Shouldn't you be happy that I am protecting Logan from what I see, from what I know will happen if Logan continues to date that little bastard? For the last eight years I watched Carlos suck Dak dry of money. My step-brother had to beg me for more money because Carlos is expensive and he is what you call 'in love'. At first I gave him the money grudgingly because he is family but after awhile I automatically gave up and just gave him the money because I felt sorry for him. Dak was sucked into a life of cheating and betrayal and I was pulled along."
James struggles to find a way to comfort his raging client but nothing witty or helpful comes to mind. "Maybe Dak wants to be sucked in," he whispers. Kendall stops, eyes bulging at the brunette with shock.
"What?"
"Maybe Dak wants Carlos even though he knows the repercussions of dating an escort. Love is blind."
"Love is blind?" Kendall asks rather loudly. "Love is blind! That is just-"
"Daddy?" His daughter's quietly interrupts his furious rant, walking into the room.
"Yes, sweetie?" Kendall turns, faking a smile horribly at Katelyn. "Are you tired? Do you want a snack?"
She shakes her head, holding a princess doll in hand.
Kendall walks over, kneeling to her height. "What's up, honey?"
"I heard voices. Was Uncle Carlos here?" She asks hopefully. The sham of a grin dissipates, leaving Kendall to resort to biting his lip again. "Uncle Carlos promised to teach me some Spanish and I was hoping he can teach me how to say 'you are handsome' to a boy in my class tonight."
"Oh." James snickers. "Is the boy's name-"
"You promised!" She cries, pouting at the owner. "If you tell, I'll tell daddy your secret!"
"No, please don't." He begs, getting a chuckle out of the kid.
She giggles and winks before returning her eyes to her father. "Is he here, daddy? I like Uncle Carlos."
"No Katelyn. Carlos is not here. Can you go to the princess room, honey? I need to talk to James privately."
"Oh… ohhh! Ok daddy." She winks twice, one for each adult. "I promise not to bother the 'adults'."
Kendall scrunches his face. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't worry daddy. I watched PG movies. I know what happens when the daddy and mommy are alone." She turns to face James making kissy faces. She pulls Kendall's sleeves, straightening out the wrinkles. "Fix your shirt, daddy. And remember, Mr. Shuester said to say no if he is a bad kisser." She skips out of the room, closing the door for her stunned and confused dad. The man turns around slowly, hoping James is able to explain.
"I don't know what kids are watching these days. And beside, I am a good kisser. You want to try!" James excitedly (and desperately) jumps up.
"We are not done yet." Kendall thrusts his open palm at James' wet, puckered lips. The brunette groans silently; another opportunity shut down. "Blind love is no excuse. Dak was blind and he still thinks he is in love with Carlos after I told him what Carlos really is. I can't change Dak now after eight years but I can be Logan's eyes. I don't want Logan to go down the same path Dak went."
James falls back and sinks in the plushie bed. He folds his arm behind his back, staring at the ceiling. He contemplates Kendall's reasons and they are valid; Kendall is not a bad guy for forcing the truth down Logan's throat albeit harshly but nonetheless, he is trying to protect his partner. But on the other side, Logan is horrible at get a boyfriend. When was the last time Logan actually and truly liked, LIKED someone that James didn't steal and had sex with? Never.
"I rather Logan be happy and blind than miserable." James mumbles, knowing that this will trigger so much hostility from the blonde. "Logan should be happy even if it's artificial."
"Come on James! Do you really think that is what true love is? Being blind is no excuse for fake love. Do you think I was blind when I fell for you?"
"No, I don't think… wait what?" James springs up, mouth open wide at the confession. "You're lying."
"No, you idiot. After you ki- I mean slept on the same with me at night, in the morning I called a couple of my PI buddies to dig up secrets about you."
"Oh god!" James groans, bracing himself for Kendall's discoveries. Luckily he didn't hear the "K" word or else the blonde would be in a world of questioning. "What did you find out?"
"That you're a whore. That you slept with a judge just to win a court hearing, all nine of the jury once, at least ten of your clients and possibly I'm your eleventh one."
"Look I'm not looking for a quickie with you, Kendall. If I was, you would be on your knees on the first day we met." James defends. Kendall rolls his eyes and takes a seat next to James.
"Look James, I know everything. I'm not blind even though I like you." Kendall grabs his hand, eyes pointing to the opposite wall. "I know what you are and I accept it."
"Wow. Does that mean you-"
"WE ARE NOT HAVING SEX!" Kendall yells loudly, shocking the lawyer.
"No, although that did cross my mind if we are being honest." James chuckles, crawling his fingers between Kendall's. "I was going to ask if that means you like, like me." He blushes at using "like" twice consecutively in a sentence with his name like a pre-school kid.
Kendall sighs, blinking long and hard. "Yea, I kind of like you." He turns to face James' hopeful eyes. "I like you a lot even though you're a whore. But what I'm saying is being blind is no reason for false love. We have to fix Logan."
Dammit. James grits his teeth, thinking of his partner. Logan cock blocks his relationship even when the prick isn't in the room. "I guess," he adds sadly, not wanting Kendall to change subject. "Well Logan knows that Carlos has and is a lover. He isn't blind anymore so we should let Logan decide."
"But that's not it." Kendall adds. "Carlos ruined Dak's life over the last eight years. Did Logan tell you when Carlos leaves his home at night?" James shakes his head. "At least two in the morning. Carlos comes home at three A.M. and I sometime hear them screaming well, more like Dak is screaming. He would scream that Carlos is a whore and that he hates what Carlos is and before I know it, Carlos is moaning Dak's name through the wall as if sex is the answer for everything. The stupid escort thinks that with his body he can have anything and everything he wants."
"Are you sure though?" James squeezes the hand to comfort his crush, seeing the blood and anger rising in the pale cheeks of the blonde's. "I mean Carlos doesn't look like the type of person that would take advantage of people. He seems… sweet and innocent."
"Not that innocent." Kendall huffs. "I found toys, whips, handcuffs and other weird stuff lying around in Dak's room. The fucking jackass is cunning and devious. He knows what to do to get Dak to drop his pant and his wallet. That greedy bastard knows exactly what will throws Dak over the edge to forgive him."
"Wow. I can't believe Logan is dating someone like that." James sighs. "But why don't you just force Carlos to leave? If you wanted to save Dak like you want to save Logan, why don't you kick Carlos out?"
Kendall sighs, wiping his forehead. "Because he is smart. He knows how to get people, even me."
"Whoa! You had-"
"I DIDN'T HAVE AN AFFAIR WITH HIM!" Kendall jumps at James' words, fisting both his shoulders. "I'm not a whore, James. I don't fall for any guy. He has to be funny, cute, sexy and has to be one hell of a kisser."
And as if that was a cue, James closes the proximity, pressing a loose gentle peck on Kendall's lips. Both boys remain silent, a blush coloring Kendall's face.
"Um…" Kendall retracts, turning his back towards James. "Like I was saying, Carlos knows how to get me. He went and made my daughter like him. Plus, he promised to teach my daughter Spanish because she has this crush on a small Hispanic boy in her class. So if I kick him out, Katelyn will hate me and I can't have her hate me with the divorce, Jo's death, and my trial. It's too much on her."
No knowing if he should, but James tries to console Kendall as best as he can. "Kendall, I'll talk to Logan." He whispers into Kendall's ear, sliding both arms' around Kendall's fit body into a tight embrace. "I'll talk to Logan about Carlos and try to convince him that Carlos is a bad man, ok?" He continues with his head resting on Kendall's broad shoulder, eyes peeking at the athlete's face.
Kendall smiles warmly, feeling heat transfer from James to his back. Instinctively, Kendall grasps the closed hands on his chest and turns his head to meet James'. "Thanks James. I just want to get rid of-"
He gets cut off abruptly, James' lips finding their way onto Kendall's. The athlete doesn't fight it, accepting the soft pair nipping at his bottom lip, opening his sealed carven. Heat flushes through them as Kendall turns his whole body, chest pressing on chest, wrapping his arms around James as James pulls their bodies onto the bed. Lustily, James threads his fingers through Kendall's dirty gold locks, erupting euphoric moans from his conquered lips until he realizes what he is doing.
"Dammit!" He screams, sliding Kendall to his side. "I can't believe it."
"No, no, it was my fault. I-I"
"I was going to have sex with you!" James yells, baffling Kendall.
"Wait, you didn't want it?" Kendall confusedly asks. "I, for some reason, gave into you and you don't want to have sex?"
"It's... I don't know! DAMMIT!"
"Logan, told you not to, didn't he?"
James laughs. "I wish it was his fault but this time, I stopped." James confesses. "I can't believe I am saying this but lets wait until after the trial. I don't want to mess up your chances." James shakes his head.
Kendall chuckles, cupping one of James' cheeks. "I guess you're not who I thought you were." He ends with a simple kiss on the cheek before linking their hands.
"I guess I'm not a whore and you're a bit blind." James pushes himself off the bed, dragging Kendall to the door.
"Where are we going?"
"To play with your daughter and show her that we are not doing it."
Kendall laughs. "Really? You're going to rub it in my daughter's face that you're not a whore?"
"Hey! This is the first time I turned down sex with a willing person. I am rubbing it in everyone's faces." James brags as if this is a huge achievement.
Kendall's continues chuckling. "You are something special, James."
"Carlos!" Logan yells, dashing through James' front lawn, which consists of a giant patch of grass, straight walls of evergreen bushes, fountains and billions of other lavished décors. It makes Logan wonder how his partner can afford all of this. "Carlos!" He cups his mouth, shouting louder. There is no way Carlos could have dashed pass the front gates. It's at least a block away and he would have seen the dancer in the distance. So that means Carlos has to still be on the premises, but where?
"Carlos, Really! Where are you?" Logan calls one last time before he notices a single, flipped shoe at the base of a giant tree. Logan grins and turns around, sitting his back against the oak. "Carlos, I know you're up there." No answer. "I'm going to sit here until you come down. I'll catch you when you fall."
"I'm not here."
"Really Carlos!" Logan laughs at the voice bouncing down the green top. "You can't fool me like that."
"I'm not coming down." Carlos huffs, sitting on the top branch and cries into his silk sleeves. Suddenly the branch shakes and Carlos hugs the barky base for support. "Ahhh!"
"If you're not coming down, I'll come up." Logan's head pops on the branch on the opposite of the tree. Carlos stares with his wet eyes while Logan pleads with his pouting ones. "You know this is the first time I climbed a tree and I have a fear of heights." Logan jokes.
"There why are you here? You should be on the ground with all of the normal people; people who aren't sluts and whores."
"Then isn't that all the more reason I should be up in this tree and you should be down there?" Logan stands up, looking as if he is surfing.
"Logan, get down! That's dangerous!" Carlos shouts, reaching a hand out. Logan smirks, before jumping to Carlos' sturdy branch. He takes a seat, his arm brushing Carlos' back. "That is dangerous. You could have fell and gotten hurt." Carlos whispers into the trunk of the tree, back to Logan. He sobs silently, body shaking with tears flowing.
"I already fell." Logan slides his hand down Carlos' arms, laying it on Carlos' hand on the bark. Carlos sharply turns his head, facing Logan's. The brunette curls his fingers between the rough knuckles, and pulls it to his lap, making Carlos turn his whole body. He gently kisses the back of the hand once before return it to his lap and returning his gaze to Carlos. "I fell for you and it hurted a lot. I fell for you to the point where if I see you with someone else, I'd go crazy but I am growing to accept it. You're you and I love you. So that means I will accept you as you. I don't make sense do I?" Logan laughs; patting their hands with his other one.
Carlos takes a deep breath, leaning his heavy head on Logan's shoulder. His body breaks, trembling on the supporting limb. Softly, Logan strokes the raven spikes on the back of the man's head, sliding comforting coos from his purged lips. He feels Carlos fisting his silk sleeve, tugging it ever so often.
"I'm a whore."
"Never."
"I am! I've done this for so long that I don't remember being anything else. I don't remember doing anything expect jumping in bed with the next guy or… in Dak's." He stutters the name so quietly as if it is a taboo. "Why do you wait for me? Why don't you date someone on your level, someone who is handsome, smart, and great? Someone like, like, like Kendall." The fists hammer against Logan; trembling quakes that are expressing his breaking soul.
"Why should I be in love with Kendall?" Logan tips the wet face up to meet his stern one. "Why can't I be in love with you?"
"Because I am nothing. I'm never anything but a burden, a whore, a stupid dumb fuck!" Carlos cries so surely of himself. "I am twenty eight and for the last ten years all I am is a fuck toy for anyone that can spare a buck. You can't possibly say that I am something that a famous lawyer like the great Logan Mitchell would date. I'm too lowly for you to bend over for. You didn't settle when you said you love me. You lost everything!" Carlos yells, letting go of the Lawyer and begins to crawl down.
"Wait." Logan forcefully grabs his waist. "You are going to stay here and I'm not letting go."
"Well, what do you want me to do? You've seen what I did under pressure. It's either I run or I force you into sex."
"Or you can sit here, hold my hand and listen." Logan calmly answers, yanking the hand for the escort to join him back on the branch. "I never settled." Logan starts in an authoritative tone as Carlos slouches back in his seat. "Never in court and not in life. I never settled for an A minus or a compromise in his court. It's always what I want or else. I never settled, Carlos. So believe me when I said I did not settle for you. You are my highest reach and I plan on getting what I want. I would even fight James if he tries to steal you like he did with my past boyfriends."
"That's a lie. You can't possibly say I am a reach. James is a reach. Kendall is a reach." Carlos coughs, choking on his tears. "You're a reach. What can I possibly offer that makes me a reach? Sex? Pay me eight hundred and I'm your for the night. I am hardly a reach."
"Then you don't know how much you're worth to me." Logan cradles one of Carlos' clammy hands between both of his. "You're the only one who knows my secrets. You are the only one I trust to hold all of my secrets and I don't care if you blackmail me with them. I once lied to my mom. I told her that I was hanging out with friends, twenty of them at a night pool party because she was nagging that I don't have any but truthfully I snuck into the library to read books."
Carlos chuckles a smile when Logan nudges his elbow with his own. "Why are you telling me that? This is hardly a secret."
"Have you met my friend, James? He would have a field day taunting me, making fun of me and telling everyone in the firm that Dr. Mitchell has no friends in high school except for the lonely librarian that gave him a spare key to sneak in at night."
Carlos laughs louder. "That's still is not a bad secret."
"To you but to me, it will ruin my work life. Do you know how many people hate me because if they got stuck on a project with me I would force them to come to work on the weekend just to do extra, unpaid work? Everyone! If it got around, people will say I was dating the librarian or I have no friends or something. It is a bad secret." Logan points out, joining his friend in uproar. Eventually it dies down to nothing more than a smile printed on each face. "So don't think I settled. You hold my secrets and I have to do everything I can to protect them."
"Logie. I will never tell."
"Hmmm… I don't believe you. I'm just going to have to reach and do everything I can to make sure you don't." Logan weaves his fingers through Carlos' long digits, playing with the smooth skin. "And I meant it before."
Carlos looks over, facing the brunette's smile.
"I promised to wait and when I make a promise, I will never break it. You are too important to me for me to break a promise again. I want you, Carlos, not James, not Kendall, just you. I don't care what secrets you have or how many skeletons are in your closet, or even if Dak is in you bedroom at night. If you are you, I will always wait. That I promise you."
Logan finishes, turns his head to link their eyes, watching the stars reflect off of the café brown pools of Carlos. Slowly, Carlos closes the gap, pressing a cautious but sweet kiss on Logan's pink lips. Letting Logan play with one of his hand, Carlos raises the other to cup the dimpled cheek, enjoying his moment with the selfless guy he wants to be with.
"Promise me if I tell you, you won't hate me." Carlos abruptly asks, after the kiss, touching foreheads. "Promise me if I tell you, you'll still love me."
"I never stopped and no secret you say will change that. I love you." Logan ends with a surefire peck, leaning back for Carlos to see his comforting, reassuring smile.
Carlos takes a breath before starting. "I started selling my body ten years when I was eighteen. I was poor and had no one to depend on… Both my parents died in an accident and I didn't have a citizenship so the government would send me back to Venezuela. So I did the one thing I know will pay me enough money to cover living costs and hopefully to get a citizenship to live here but things got… complicated." Carlos stops, eyes peeking at the midnight sky for solace. Logan shakes their hands, getting Carlos to rest his gaze back on him. He gives an encouraging squeeze and an "I'm here for you" nod.
"After a year and a half, I ran into trouble. My bills were skyrocketing and I could not afford them. I tried working double shifts, weekends but nothing worked. It was as if God wanted me to fail." Tears return down the round trails, making it harder and harder for Carlos to continue. "But one day after work, Dak came to me. He said I was the best 'fucker' he ever had and wanted me to be his. I told him no but he kept bargaining, saying I can still work as an escort but I have to return back to him for sex afterward. I still said no and walked away until he said 'I know your secret and will make it go away'. That's the start of my life with Dak." Carlos concludes, looking at his lap, avoiding his eyes from Logan.
"Carlos-"
"Just say it. I know you're going to call me a slut and push me off the branch. Just do it so you can move on and find someone better."
"Carlos!" Logan stops his rambles, shaking his head. "If that is it, then I am happy. I thought I was going to have to stomach some huge secret like you're married to him or something but this is fine." Logan joyously celebrates. "Now that I know this is about the money, I will pay you. How much do you need? How much is Dak paying and I will take over. You will never have to be with him again."
"I can't." Carlos whispers.
"But I can. I have money. I don't have a house. I don't go out. It's perfect."
"No it is not. You don't get it."
"Yes I do. You need money and I have it just for you to take. What don't I get?"
"I made a promise." Carlos exclaims, confusing the lawyer more. "I promised Dak that if he took care of everything then I am his forever. I will do whatever he wants without a question. He wants sex, I am here. He wants to tie me up, I am here… If he wants to hit something, I am here."
A long silence blows pass them, the branch shaking minutely. "Carlos, you have to break that promise."
"Would you break your promise?" Carlos asks inaudibly.
"What? No! I would never break my promise."
"Then you know I can't break my promise with him."
"Carlos. I can't break my promise because I love you." Then it clicks with Logan, a pain throbbing in his chest. "You love Dak, don't you?" The accusatory tone stings the Latino hurtfully.
"How can you think that? I told you I love you. I don't love him."
"Then why can't you break your promise?"
"Because, because, never mind. You wouldn't understand."
"Carlos. I will understand. You can tell me Dak is your pimp or something and I'll understand. I won't like it but I'll understand."
"See that's what you say but I know you, not a lot but I know you enough to know what you'd do if I tell you."
"I promise." Logan blurts out quickly, almost pleadingly, begging the Latino to trust him. "I promise, Carlos."
"Logie." Carlos whines. "I know you. You're a lawyer, probably the best lawyer in the world. If I tell you, you'll go crazy and do something you'll regret like killing Dak or something."
Although Logan already contemplated on killing the TV star for stealing Carlos from him, Logan rather have Carlos trust him.
"What are you doing, Logie?" Carlos skeptically asks, feeling Logan rest an open palm on Carlos' chest where his beating heart is. The dancer blushes with his pulse quickening in speed. "Logie, what are-"
"I, Logan Mitchell, swear to uphold Carlos' secret, his whole secret and nothing but the secret or so help me god." The lawyer recites as if it was rehearsed. Carlos closes his hand over Logan's.
"I'm not a bible."
"You're my bible." Logan keeps his hand buried into Carlos' chest. "Look Carlos, I need you. I can't, and as cheesy as this sound but I can't live without you now. You are my bible. Let me read you."
Carlos chuckles, a smile brimming on his face. "You promise." Carlos clutches the hand in place, not letting it slip from his body.
Logan raises his other hand high in the air. "I promise."
"He has my son."
Again, sorry for the late updating. I want to post the first chapter of my new story that I've been working on. So expect that soon. Hopefully you're like that too =]. But what did you think of Carlos' secret? ;] Expected it?
Please review =].