Chapter Three

Brendan shut the door heavily, once more shielding himself with his hood. He looked out across the village, spotting Steven and Phoenix at a distance. Steven was holding the little boys hand, chatting animatedly to him. Brendan remembered a time when Steven's voice would wash over him, lulling him more than anything else could. That had been the worst consequence of prison; feeling the memory of that voice slip away from him.

He followed after them absently, feeding his hunger for the man he had lost, allowing his voice to flow through him, once again filling him with warmth and comfort.

Steven approached Darren outside The Dog, flashing him a bright smile as they began speaking. Brendan was too far away to hear them but judging by Steven's enthusiastic hand gestures, Brendan imagined he was speaking to him about the job opening.

At this point Brendan took a moment to reflect on why Steven needed a job in the first place. What had caused the deli to burn down? Why hadn't Steven rejoined Douglas when it was re-built? Not only that, but what had Steven been doing for money all this time?

Steven finished speaking with Darren and continued on his way, slight bounce in his step. Brendan loved seeing him happy but it also made him ache. Every moment he remained here reminded him of how much he didn't belong anymore. Steven was undoubtedly better off without him and he and Mitzeee had each other now.

Brendan pulled his jacket tighter around himself, heading closer to the pub. It was strange to think how close it had come to belonging to him. Brendan pushed the thought roughly aside, his attention diverted when he saw Steven's father approaching. Hastily, Brendan hid himself from sight.

"Alright, mate?" Darren greeted him in that uneasy way he had once reserved for Brendan.

"Was that my Steven just then?" He responded, voice gruff.

"Yeah, he was asking about the job going."

"Oh?"

"You sound surprised…" Darren said slowly.

"He gave me the impression he was taking up a job at the club." He replied smoothly.

"Oh, he didn't say." Darren frowned.

"I guess I'm saying then."

Darren blinked, smiling tightly. "Alright, thanks for the heads up."

Steven's father nodded, hands clasped behind his back as he moved away. Brendan frowned after him, falling into step behind him. He walked to Chez Chez, still named such, and let himself in. Brendan stopped short, confused.

"Brendan?" It was Mitzeee. She came up behind him, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "I thought you'd gone."

"Why is he going into my club?" Brendan asked shortly, turning to her.

Mitzeee looked uncomfortable, eyes drawing away from his face. "I meant to say…"

"Say what?"

"He owns it."

Xxx

"Brady."

Brendan ignored the voice, continuing with his press ups. He did them every morning; it cleared his head and strengthened his resolve to stay in this place another day.

"Brendan." Warren crouched down next to him, peering into his face.

"Get lost, Foxy." Brendan grunted, picking himself off of the floor and wiping his face on a t-shirt.

"It's visitors day today." Warren straightened, looking at Brendan with steely eyes.

"And?"

"Aren't you expecting anyone?"

"No." Brendan said shortly.

"I would have thought your Cheryl would make an appearance." Warren commented, hiding his smirk.

"I said not to."

"What about Mitzeee?" Warren's eyes flashed dangerously then.

"No chance." Brendan said, more determined. "Especially with ye here."

Warren's expression distorted into something ugly but it passed momentarily.

"Ste?"

Brendan's jaw tightened. "Don't say his name."

"What happened with you two? Did you ever make it?" Warren's tone was mocking but he sounded genuinely curious too.

Brendan looked at him suspiciously. "What do ye want, Foxy?"

"I'm bored." Warren sat heavily on Brendan's bed.

"I can't help ye there." Brendan said, finding a spare shirt to throw over his head.

"Come on, give me something." Warren leaned forwards eagerly. "You disappeared off the radar for a while. I heard you got out of the game."

Brendan turned to him then, expression guarded. "Oh yeah? Keeping tabs on me, were ye?"

"As I said, I'm bored." Warren said, leaning back now on Brendan's bed. "So?"

"Yeah, I went clean." Brendan said shortly. "Evidently it didn't last."

"Why though?" Warren asked, eyes glittering.

"I ain't telling ye."

"I think I can guess." Warren said smugly. "Can't say I'm too surprised, you two were always gonna get there eventually. Shame you're in here now, mind…"

"Shut up, Foxy." Brendan said bluntly, moving out of the room.

Warren trailed after him like a distorted shadow.

"I'm just trying to help, Brendan. Someone to talk to and all that."

Brendan spun around, causing Warren to stop abruptly before he barrelled straight into him.

"Ye hate me, I got ye locked up. Why would ye wanna talk?"

Warren shrugged. "I don't have many mates in here, I figure while we're here together we might as well get on."

Brendan looked at him with narrowed eyes. "When do ye get out?"

"Longer than you." Warren snorted derisively. "And you're the one who killed your own dad!"

Brendan grimaced then, turning away from him once more.

"Find another mate, Foxy."

"Hey, don't be like that!" Warren continued to follow him. "You'll need all the protection you can get in here, bloke like you."

"Bloke like me?" Brendan sneered, turning to get up close to Warren's face. "Ye think I give a shit that I'm gay anymore? I could fuck whoever I want in this place if I turn the charm on enough, even ye."

Warren snorted. "You reckon? Because I don't think you really believe that."

"I don't care what ye believe." Brendan said, voice low. "Now get out of my face."

He walked briskly away. Warren paused before shouting out after him.

"Maybe I'll ask Ste to come visit me! Sounds like he's pretty desperate to get in from what the guards have told me."

Brendan clenched his fists, resisting the bait.

"What do you think this lot will make of him? Skinny lad like that? They'll be salivating all over him I'll bet."

"I'm done with him." Brendan said, voice hollow.

"I fell for that once, not again!" Warren laughed. "I will break you, Brady!"

"Good luck with that." Brendan replied stiffly, taking himself out of Warren's sight.

Xxx

"Why didn't ye tell me?" Brendan asked heavily. They were back in Mitzeee's flat. She'd made him some coffee but it remained untouched on the table.

"I thought it might upset you." Mitzeee answered sadly. "I know the club meant a lot to you."

"Not as much as…" Brendan trailed off. "It's not really about the club."

"It isn't?"

"It's this man," Brendan snarled. "Showing up and taking everything that belongs to me. My club, my village, my…"

"Ste?" Mitzeee raised her eyebrows. Her face was kind but Brendan could tell she was holding something back.

"What is it, Anne? Why are ye looking at me like that?"

"You really need to talk to Ste, Brendan."

Brendan shook his head resolutely. "I can't. He's better off without me."

"Is he though?" Mitzeee pressed.

"What are ye saying? That he isn't safe with… what's his name."

"Sam." Mitzeee replied.

"Samuel. Samuel what?"

"Spencer."

"Samuel Spencer." Brendan allowed the name to roll off his tongue. "I don't trust him."

Mitzeee gave a little smile then. "Have you even spoken to him?"

"I overheard him telling Darren that Steven has a job at the club so not to bother employing him at The Dog."

Mitzeee frowned deeply then. "Ste doesn't want to work at the club." She said slowly. "Why would Sam do that?"

"Why indeed?"

"There must be some mistake." Mitzeee said, turning her face away.

"That's what he said." Brendan said, feeling panic rise. "Ye didn't know he was capable of this?"

"No!" Mitzeee looked worried now. "Ste's not going to be happy."

"What's so wrong with working at the club anyway? Suited him before." Brendan muttered quietly.

"Oh, Brendan! You can be so dense sometimes. What do you think?" Mitzeee exclaimed, exasperated.

Brendan stared blankly at her.

"Why would he want to work there again? With all those memories? He hasn't set foot in the place since!"

"Seriously?"

"Yes!" Mitzeee flicked her hair behind her. "Now how are you going to fix this?"

"Me?"

"Who else?"

"What do ye expect me to do about it?"

"Talk to him!"

Brendan stood up, pacing around the flat. "I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"I have to leave him alone, it's for the best."

"You listen here, Brendan Brady." Mitzeee began, rising and placing her hands on her hips. "You don't know how lucky you are to have another chance. If Riley were here don't you think I'd jump at the opportunity for us to be together?"

"It's not the same, Anne. Riley didn't hurt ye like I hurt Steven."

"He left me, is that not enough?"

There was silence between them. Brendan broke it eventually with quiet words.

"Are ye saying that's how Steven feels? Like I left him?"

"You need to talk to him." Mitzeee said, calmer now. "Promise me you'll think about it."

Brendan nodded absently.

"You won't leave will you?"

"Of course not." Brendan said, shocked.

"But earlier…"

"Just because I said I won't go near him doesn't mean I won't look out for him, especially with his dad around."

"You can stay here as long as you like."

"That's kind of ye, Anne but I best find somewhere for myself."

Mitzeee nodded, giving him a small smile. "Ste's gonna be back soon, what should I tell him?"

"Ye best let Samuel explain it to him."

"You can stay here until you find somewhere." Mitzeee offered.

"Thank ye."

The door went then, startling both of them. "I'll just…" Brendan stepped back into the bedroom, closing the door partly shut after him.

"How are my two favourite boys, hm?" Mitzeee greeted them. Phoenix ran into her arms, stroking her hair.

"Ste took me to see the ducks, Mummy."

"Did he now?"

Steven placed their bag on the table. "He's proper worn me out today you know."

"You had fun though?"

"Course!" Steven ruffled Phoenix's hair. "I'm sorry I can't stay for a bit, my dad wants a word."

Brendan saw Mitzeee's expression change. "Yeah? What about?"

"Oh I dunno, he just texted me." Steven bent forwards to kiss her cheek. His line of sight was directly where Brendan was standing. He frowned, pulling back. "Is someone here?"

"What? No." Mitzeee said quickly. Phoenix blinked at her, looking curious.

Steven frowned, moving past her towards the bedroom door. Brendan drew back hastily, breath catching in his throat.

"Ste, there's no one!" Mitzeee said quickly.

Steven had just reached the door when his phone buzzed again. He took it out of his pocket and frowned. "He's keen, I better go." he said, thankfully backing away from the door. He'd been close enough for Brendan to smell him.

When he heard the door close Brendan let out a deep breath of relief.

"This can't carry on." Mitzeee hissed, opening the door. "He's gonna get suspicious."

"Why are you hiding from Ste?" Phoenix asked, his little face scrunched up in confusion.

"It's one of those things, wee man." Brendan said softly.

"But he misses you." Phoenix said sadly.

"Phoenix." Mitzeee soothed.

"He cries."

Mitzeee and Brendan exchanged a look.

"How is he so perceptive?"

Mitzeee shrugged. "Doesn't get it from his dad, that's for sure." She laughed, but there was a tinge of sadness to it.

"Come on, I'll get us some dinner, how's that?" Brendan offered. Phoenix's face lit up.

"You don't have to, Brendan."

"I'd like to." Brendan said. "What ye got in?"

Xxx

Later that evening when they'd eaten and Mitzeee and Phoenix were curled up asleep together on the sofa, Brendan made a few phone calls. He enquired about a particular flat nearby. Thankfully it had passed through so many hands that the landlord didn't know him. He offered Brendan the chance to view it the next day.

Brendan wished he could go back to his own place but he didn't know who was living there currently. This new flat would have to do in the meantime. His real home had been with Steven however, and he certainly couldn't stay there. He would have to settle for living right above him.