Chapter 10: So Mote It Be

Spending the last few weeks with Brooke has been unnerving. There are moments where I'm so excited that I'm planning my wedding to Jake and then the next moment my stomach is in knots because of the guilt. Jake should be here helping me make these decisions.

"Relax Luke. We just have to make it through tomorrow." Brooke tried offering comfort, massaging my shoulders. "Then you and Jake are free and clear."

"I know, I just miss him. I miss his kisses and it breaks my heart to see him so unhappy and even worse to know that I am causing the pain…purposely." I said sagging further into the couch at Clothes Over Bros.

"It's for the best…remember." She said crossing the store to file through today's sales receipts at the front counter.

I huffed at her indignantly. "I know. But…I know. And you sent the invitations."

"Sent two weeks ago. And I called anybody who hasn't RSVP'd. Maybe you should head home and get some rest. We've got a big fake engagement to do tomorrow." She said, finishing the massage.

"I can't. He's there. I can't face him anymore." I allowed my face to fall into my hands. This was a hopeless situation.

"Luke, do you still want to do this? Maybe we can find another way. Someway to keep you and Jake in the same loop and still get Dan off your back."

I lifted my head to look at her; I mean really look at her. One of our patented Broody – Cheery stare into the soul kind of stares. "I don't know. I can't bear to see the pain in his eyes every time he looks at me."

I watched her, hoping to see some hint of an answer. But all I saw was an almost immediate change in demeanor as she rushed from the counter leaned over me and kissed me full on the lips.

I went to push her away but the sound of the door swinging open and the chime ringing. I turned and saw Dan darkening the doorway. "So it's true. My son found himself a fine woman to spend the rest of his life with." Dan then turned his attention to Brooke. "Brooke, so nice to see you again."

"What do you want Dan?" I asked, the indignation resonating in my voice.

"Just verifying rumors. Happily I might add." The trademark Dan Scott smirk appearing.

Brooke stood behind me, our hands intertwined, keeping up the façade of being a happy couple. "You've seen what you need to see. Now leave Dan." I ordered, feeling a tad too hostile.

Dan immediately put his hands up, like he was backing off. "I'll go. Just know that I'm proud of you son." He said turning to leave.

His words immediately tugged at my heart and I squeezed Brooke's hand for support. "For what?" I asked before he had a chance to leave. I was curious; I had to know what he meant by that.

"For giving up your perverted lifestyle, of course. For settling down with a woman like you're supposed to. It's bad enough you're a tarnish to the Scott name but to be queer is a full on disgrace."

I stood there stunned as he finally left Clothes Over Bros. I slowly returned to the previously inhabited couch, my eyes never left the spot where Dan said those words.

"Luke?…" Brooke asked trying to get my attention. I felt her hand grip my shoulder but I couldn't look at her. I was locked in a hazy state of disbelief.

Finally tuning back into the scene, a sense of overwhelming rage took over. "How dare he?" I yelled through clenched teeth. "It's one thing to know how he feels. That I can brush off. But to actually hear him say it. The nerve of him."

"Relax. Maybe now he'll leave you alone and…uh oh." Brooke stopped mid-sentence.

I turned looked up at Brooke and saw her biting her lip, staring at the front door. Turning to look, I saw Jake with Jenny on his hip while his other hand held his duffel bag. Jake was leaving. He'd finally reached the breaking point, and I had caused it. My heart broke in that instant. To see his eyes looking void of any emotion and a single tear falling from his eye.

Brooke rushed to Jake and pulled Jenny from his arms before he could refuse. "Trust me Jake. You don't want her to see this." She answered not a voiced question, but more the look in his eyes. We both watched in silence as Brooke and Jenny retreated to the back storage room, away from whatever hateful things would be said or done.

"Luke-"

"Before-"

Our words came at the same time. But before he could start again, I interjected. "Before you say it, let me explain."

"Then why Luke?" He whispered.

Staring into his eyes, I watched as the wall he built up crumbled, and I saw firsthand the hurt and pain I caused. He dropped the duffel bag to the floor with a muffled thump; the metal buckles clanging as they hit the tiled floor.

"Because I felt that I had to keep you-"

I couldn't get to finish because I heard a couple popping sounds followed by the sound of glass shattering. Whipping my head around, I saw Dan stepping into the store from the now windowless storefront display.

"Do I look stupid Lucas?" He sneered, the vein in his neck pulsating. My eyes were fixated on the gun in his hand.

I begged Dan to stop. "Dan, don't. Please don't." Instead he inched toward me, the gun pointed steadfast at my head. I could hear Jake moan and I knew he was injured.

"And why not? You thought you had me fooled with this 'secret engagement'. Once a faggot, always a faggot." His words fell from his clenched teeth and spit flew at me.

"Why can't you just forget about me? Go on with your life and leave me alone." I asked as I slowly walked to where Jake had fallen. My eyes locked on the barrel of the gun and I never took my eyes off of it.

"Because you are a direct reflection of me and I'll be damned if anyone associates me with some fuckin' pervert."

Reaching Jake, I slowly knelt down next to him. He moans stopped and I prayed that he was trying to keep attention off of him and not because he died. I could see the blood soaking through his shirt and dripping onto the hardwood floor.

I whispered softly to him, "I'm sorry Jake. I never wanted to hurt you. I love you." I allowed the tears to fall, no longer caring that Dan stood above me with a gun.

Dan's continuing tirade pulled me from my moment with Jake. "You're a filthy faggot. You destroy everything you come in contact with. For years, I've wished that you would just disappear and not it looks like I finally get my wish."

The rage flowed through me like a raging river. I leapt up and into Dan's face. "Then do it. Don't pretend and don't make idle threats. Shoot me. Because nothing would be worse than living without that man." I shouted pointing down at Jake. If my loving him and him loving me makes you pissed off, then I don't give a damn."

It felt like slow motion. No sooner had I finished my rant that he raised the fun and touched the barrel to my forehead. Feeling the barrel touch my skin did nothing to weaken my resolve. I had meant what I said; living without Jake was not worth living. I clenched my eyes waiting to hear the gun go off.

And then the loud boom came…

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