Chapter 12
Brendan's point of view
I know something is up with Steven but I don't push him into telling me. I read the text again,
From: +447*********
Waiting in club for you xxx
I feel like pulling my own hair out and I also strangely feel a bit guilty for keeping it from Steven but he barely knows me, if I tell him about my ex sniffing about that will put him off for sure.
I've got enough baggage as it is without this. Plus ex isn't even the word that I would associate with Macca, we had fun I enjoyed controlling him, playing him.
That was it though, he tried to talk about feelings once, I smacked him right in the face. Burst his nose open, he didn't talk about them after that, that was until my ex wife found us in bed together, after that he thought it was fine.
He spilled his heart out to me, told me he loved me. I told him I'd be back after I sorted things out with Eileen, of course it was a lie. I hadn't seen him since then that was until this afternoon, a good whiles went past from then.
I get back into the club and there he is sitting at my bar , drinking my beer.
"So Macca, why are ye here?" I ask, walking up behind him making him jump.
He turns round to look at me and I wonder how I could ever want this lad, compared to Steven he's nothing.
"I spoke to Eileen. She told me ye were out the closet. I had to see it for myself." he says, "Ye know she is only starting to talk to me after what we done."
"Well I don't know what ye expected" I say, "did ye expect me to be wearing a rainbow coloured badge that had gay printed on it?"
"Noo." He breathes as he starts walking towards me, I know where this is going to go and normally if its offered to me on a plate I'll take it but when his face is close to mine, I can't help but push him away, it's automatic as if it's some sort of reflex.
He looks at me with wide brown eyes, so unlike Stevens bright blue ones that I can't seem to get out of my head. He looks at me confused and its only then I realise that he was expecting me to hit him.
His eyes light up with acknowledgement, "Oh I get it, your shacked up with some new fella?"
"What gives ye that idea?" I snarl, trying to intimidate him into shutting up.
"Because the Brendan Brady that I knew wouldn't have ever knocked me back." He says, smug look on his face like he's got it all worked out.
"Right well if ye've came here to try it with me then your wasting your time." I mutter to him, he laughs at that, sounds unlike the laugh that I can remember.
He walks up to me so that were nearly chest to chest, "You really think that after all these years I'm still hung up on ye? You think I've came here to get you back well your wrong." He snaps,
"I've came here for revenge, you broke me time and time again then didn't even have the decency to tell me you weren't coming back. Made me look like a fool." He carries on ranting and I just let him, almost yawning. "You'll regret it" he says but even as menacing as he tries to sound he's about as threatening as a puppy I can't hold back the small laugh that comes out my mouth as he marches out of the door.
I don't follow him and instead I text Steven,
To: Steven
I need to see you. BB x
I cringe at myself sending it, why did I say need, out of all the things I could have said I pick that, I'm left waiting on a reply for ages before I guess that I'm not getting one.
Ste's point of view
I stare at my phone over and over reading the same message sent from Brendan. I think about texting him back but I don't have the guts to turn him down so instead I turn my phone off and head to bed. Its only 9 o'clock but after a busy day I'm asleep almost instantly.
I hear a light tapping, its constant. I look at the bedside table where my clock is, 2:34am. Who the hell is at my door at this time? I think about ignoring it but decide against it in case it gets louder. The last thing I want is the neighbours gossiping about it.
I open the door and straight away I feel something solid push me to the floor, I look up and it takes me a minute until I realise who it is, Brendan.
I push myself up and shut the door before looking at him, he looks completely smashed while he rolls over on the floor to face me,
"What ya doin ere Brendan?" I half moan half ask,
"I had to see ye." He says looking into my eyes,
"Could it not have waited until the morning?" I snap, he can't expect to come around at this time of night for me to have sex with him.
"I'm sorry for waking ye, its just.." he sighs, taking in a deep breath and pulling himself back onto his feet, "Have I done something to piss ye off?"
Now is when I should confront him but instead I find myself shaking my head, he smiles at that and stalks towards me putting his hand against my cheek and pulling my face to meet his.
"Good," he practically purrs while his lips cover mine and before I know it I'm getting pushed up against a wall and all I can feel is him, his body pressed against mine and when he pulls away I'm glad because I don't think I'd have had the strength to. I don't have a clue how he can manage to get me in this state when not even two minutes ago he was lying on my floor.
He pulls me into my room and pushes me onto the bed before giving me another passionate kiss. He doesn't carry it on from there though, after the kiss he puts the cover over the both of us, wrapping his arms around me.
He kisses my forehead, "goodnight Steven."
I don't reply to him because I know that he's already sleeping, I turn towards him and take a proper look at him, I know I didn't want him to think he could come here and have sex with me but I didn't imagine he would get pass out drunk then come here to.. sleep? It's confusing but then again everything about this man is.
I can't help but wonder what it is about him that makes me so crazy. I guess its just because of the way he is, I knew from the moment I first saw him in that club that I wanted him, I just never expected it to happen and I definitely didn't think it would go this fast. I don't get long to dwell on anything because before I know it I'm falling asleep again.
I wake up to Brendan's voice beingthe only thing I hear, I open my eyes and roll over, Brendan looks at me with wide eyes before handing me a cup.
"Tah" I say giving him a warm smile, why can I not just stay angry with him.
"I'm sorry I came here so late Steven." He tells me while looking into his own cup.
I tut knowing that I should agree that he shouldn't have but instead I say, "Don't worry bout it. Ya seemed a bit stressed last night, everything alright?"
He looks at me then and leans forward to give me a soft peck on the lips and I cant help but grin when he does things like that.
"Nothin' for ye to worry about" He says giving me a small smile before draining the rest of his cup, "Remember, opening night tonight. Ye better be there."
"Yeah course." I mutter, maybe this mystery man will be there and ill get some answers.
"I'll see ye," Brendan whispers against my cheek before planting another kiss and heading out the door. I hear the front door shutting quietly behind him before I flop back onto the bed taking a deep breath and cursing to myself for not mentioning anything about what I saw yesterday.
Brendan's point of view
I get out of Stevens house as quickly as I can without raising suspicion from him. I check my phone and realise I've got eight missed calls. All from Chez, I've got a voicemail so I listen to it.
"Bren I don't know what's goin on or why Macca has randomly showed up. I thought I would let ye know he's here though and he's sleeping in our spare room," she sighs, "Anyway I know your probably staying at Ste's so just get ahold of me when ye can love." She whispers the end quietly.
I hang up and feel like throwing my phone against the ground, so I guess me trying to keep the fact Macca's here for revenge from Cheryl hasn't worked, and he's staying under my roof. I suppose they do say keep your friends close and your enemy's closer.
I decide to skip going home in the hope to avoid Macca and instead I go to the club, but it's no use since the exact person I'm trying to avoid is here, and so is Cheryl.
"Aw Bren thank god! I was panicking ye weren't goin to be here for opening night!" she shouts when I enter,
"Course not." I mutter not taking my eyes away from Macca, giving him the evilest look I can. At first he looks scared but after a few seconds he gives just as good as he gets. He really must hate me but then again can I really blame him?
"So where've ye bein?" Chez asks smirk on her face, "Oh yeah and our booths are fully booked for tonight. Of course I booked one for us, and Ste."
I go to reply but Macca beats me to it, "Who's Ste?"
Cheryl looks at me then Macca, she knows we have a past but I've not quite told her the full truth of it.
"Well you gonna tell him or will I?" Cheryl asks but I guess the look on my face gives it away, I ain't saying a word. Cheryl does though "He's Bren's boyfriend" she announces proudly.
I grit my teeth at the use of the word boyfriend why does she need to make as though we hold hands and skip about like a pair of pansies?
"Boyfriend yeah?" Macca says raising an eyebrow, I can see the hurt on his face "Didn't think ye were into that," his voice starts to break before he storms out.
Cheryl frowns, "I thought what happened with you's was ages ago? And a bit of fun?" she asks.
"Chez it was years ago, I guess he's just not over it." I say shrugging.
She looks at me annoyed before pointing a finger in my face, "If I find out your keeping things from me, I swear Bren you'll regret it."
"Yeah yeah Chez" I say, "I'm away into the office to sort out tonight's staff, looks like we're going to be needing extra."
"Already sorted love, Macca needed a job," she says smiling.
"And ye gave him one in our club?!" I snap, this would be fine but I don't want Macca and Steven around each other especially when I'm not sure exactly what Macca's angle is.
"Yes, there's a keyword there ours!" she shouts back at me, "He needs our help, we can't just turn him away."
"We have enough staff as it is, if you just hand out jobs to anyone then well not be making a profit." I huff.
"Don't try make this about the club. This is about whatever issue you's two have." she snaps back, one thing I can't stand is an angry sister.
I shake my head "Ye just don't listen, when this goes tits up dont blame me." I say before clearing my throat and heading out the door.
I find myself standing outside the deli, Douglas behind the till, Steven cleaning the shelfs. When I walk in its Douglas that notices me first but he looks at Steven and nods towards me.
Steven turns around giving me a soft smile that makes my heart jump.
"Ya alright?" he asks and when I don't reply straight away he frowns, "What's up eh?"
"I need to talk to ye.." I say looking around there isn't any customers but Douglas is staring at us.
He points to the couch, "Ya wantin anything to eat?" he asks me as I sit down.
"Can ye just give me a coffee please?" I say, he nods to me and looks at Douglas, who looks away obviously refusing to make it. Steven huffs and walks around the counter to make me a coffee.
He murmurs to Douglas and I don't think I'm supposed to hear but I do anyway, "Ya know I've lost count of the amount of coffees I've made your John Paul".
Douglas tuts and goes back to reading some magazine, Steven comes back over a minute later coffee in hand.
I'm having a argument with myself on weather I should tell Steven about Macca or not but I'm soon stopped from opening my mouth when I see a familiar figure walk into the deli. Macca.
He looks at me and Steven. Macca looks sad but then something changes on his face and he smiles at me, fluttering his eyelashes.
It ends up looking like he has something stuck in his eyes but then Douglas clears his throat.
"Can we help you?" asks the American and I can detect anger in his voice that I don't understand.
Macca turns round and looks at the menu hands on his hips, taking his time. Steven looks at me, a strange look in his eyes before going back behind the counter.
"Can I get cheesy pasta?"Macca asks, Steven goes to answer him but Douglas jumps in before he can,
"We're not doing that today." he snaps, I'm starting to get confused.
"Doug" Steven says in a tone that I can tell means he's to shut up, he turns back to Macca and smiles, "If ya don't mind waitin I'll make it fresh?"
"Yeah cheers, I'll just take a seat then." Macca says, and I see his eyes travelling down Stevens body.
He sits down beside me and Steven goes back into the kitchen.
Macca's eyes follow him until he's out of sight, "I think he likes me, making me fresh pasta. Must be my good looks."
I look at him, "Stay away from him Macca." I say through gritted teeth.
It's Douglas that speaks next, I forgot he was even here. "So you's father and son then?"
I turn my head to look at him appalled look on my face, "What? No!"
He goes to speak again but shuts up when Steven comes back out, container in his hand. He hands it over to Macca, a tight smile on his face that doesn't reach his eyes. I watch Macca shamefully flirt with him infront of me and it gets me riled up that Steven doesn't tell him where to go.
After he leaves Steven sits back down beside me, "So what did ya want to say?" he asks.
"Doesn't matter Steven" I sneer throwing a couple of pounds onto the table infront of him while standing up, "Thanks for the coffee." I say not bothering to look at him as I walk back out.
Ste's point of view
The whole day in the deli has dragged in since Brendan left, it's clear that something is going on between him and whoever that guy was. I text Brendan, just a normal text to see if he needed any help at the club but I didn't get a reply. Just before closing time Cheryl comes in.
"I know I'm late I was just wondering if you'd be able to make me a quick roll? It's been crazy all day." she sighs.
"Yeah course, what D'ya fancy?" I ask,
"Ste I need to go get John Paul, we're supposed to be shut." Doug whines from behind me.
"On ya go, I'll see ya tonight?" I say smiling at him.
The same as last night he grabs his jacket murmurs a goodbye promising to phone me and leaves.
Cheryl looks at me frowning, I just shrug, "You'd think it was his time of the month eh?" I say only half joking,
She splits into a smile, and I decide that if there's anyone that will tell me the truth it'll be her.
"Cheryl, if Brendan was seeing someone else you'd tell me wouldn't ya?" I ask.
Her eyes widen "What ye on about love?" she asks.
"I mean I know Brendan's your brother and you and me have only known each other for a couple of weeks but I just can't help feeling like he's lying to me." I say, glad I'm finally saying this to someone, letting the doubts spill from my lips. "I saw him with another bloke, they looked close. I just don't want to be made a fool of."
She gives me a small smile and places her hand on my arm in a comforting gesture, "Listen love, ye've got nothin to worry about. If ye want to know though ye should speak to my brother."
I nod my head while passing her a tuna salad roll, and quickly make her a tea. She quickly eats it, "Im sorry if I held ye up love."
"Its alright, I don't think I'm gonna come to the club tonight anyway" I sigh.
"Why not?" Cheryl asks looking shocked,
"Because I think Brendan's in a bad mood with me, I don't think it's a good idea" I say and give her a small smile, "Anyway I hope it all goes well."
She nods her head, "I'll text ye later. Just incase you change your mind."
She waits while I cash up then lock up and when we get outside we're having a laugh until Cheryl looks up at the club balcony and freezes I follow her eye line and see Brendan with the boy from the deli earlier.
The boys got his hands on Brendan's suit jacket grabbing it tightly, I feel a sicky feeling and turn my eyes away feeling like they've been burned.
"Ya still think there's nothin goin on?" I ask turning to Cheryl, who doesn't look so sure now.
"I'm goin to kill this brother of mine I swear!" she huffs "Ye better come tonight, not for Brendan but for me." she says giving my arm a tight squeeze before heading back.
When I look back to the balcony Brendan's no longer there but the other man is, looking right at me with a dangerous glint in his eyes. He waves at me acting normal and I guess it's not his fault and that Brendan's probably playing him aswell. I nod to him before pulling my hood up and go on my way home.