AN: The POV jumps around a bit in this chapter, hope it's not too confusing...
Heath had let himself get carried away, he wasn't a bloody poofter! What the hell was Murphy doing to him? Heath needed to get this under control, he figured he wouldn't have too much trouble with it, there were so many reasons to dislike Murphy. For starters he was annoying. And what was the go with his lame rock star vibe? Just because he pulled off dressing like one, didn't mean he was one. His music was crap, nowhere near enough bass. That's probably why his latest record deal fell through. And then there was the drug issue and the teacher thing. Those who can't do teach and Murphy had even screwed that up because he'd showed up to class high. And Heath really had a problem with blue eyes, especially Murphy's, they were so bright and captivating, no one should be allowed to have eyes like that. And hadn't he heard of scissors or razors? Murphy needed a haircut and a shave, so what if that grungy look suited him?
"Heath? Heath!" Casey's voice interrupted Heath's thoughts.
"What?" Heath snapped at Casey, he was in no mood for...well anything but brooding.
"Are we cooking dinner or going to Angelo's?"
"Why the fuck would we cook when Brax owns a restaurant?"
"Geez, settle down Heath, it's just dinner."
"Whatever. Let's go." Heath stomped over to the front door and reefed it open with way more force than was necessary. And there was Murphy, Christ, Heath just couldn't catch a break.
"You," was all Heath could manage to say though his rage. At least it wiped the smile off Murphy's face.
"Hello to you too," Liam replied measuredly, determined not to let Heath's rudeness rile him, and conscious of the fact they had an audience. Heath seemed to be too as he turned to Casey.
"Go ahead Casey, I'll catch up."
"Ok," Casey shrugged and left.
"'What'd ya want?" Heath said, feeling no need to play nice.
"I came over to apologise."
"You don't have to apologise," Heath began politely enough, "I don't give a fuck what you do, you're nothing to me."
"And there it is," Murphy said irritatingly, "I don't know why I bothered, you're such a jerk."
"Yeah and you're a whiny, failed rock star who can't function without popping pills."
"And you're a second string brother who can't hold down a job."
"Fuck you, you're music sucks."
"And you're tattoos are shit."
"You're eyes are too blue."
"Well you're a crap kisser," Liam accused. It wasn't true but he was running out of insults.
"Prove it," Heath shot back, too fired up to care that it didn't really make sense. Murphy's reply was to shove Heath back into the wall and slam their mouths together. It was a frenzied kiss, both of them determined to take what they could, while they could. Liam pressed his body against Heath's, wanting to feel as much of the other man as he could, and loving that Heath had nowhere to go. Heath's back was cool where he was pinned against the wall, but his front where Murphy was pressed against him burned. God, Murphy wanted him bad, and the feeling was mutual, but Heath couldn't let Murphy have it all his own way. As their mouths did battle, Heath slid his hand behind Murphy's neck. He ran his fingers up Murphy's skin and slid them into his hair, and clutching a fistful, he pulled Murphy's hot mouth from his own.
"God, what you do to me..." Liam panted when they broke apart.
"How was that?" Heath challenged, not sure himself whether he was trying to prove Murphy wrong or seeking approval.
"I'm not sure...maybe you better do it again," was Murphy's sassy reply. That was all the encouragement Heath needed, his whole body was screaming for more, more, more. Heath kissed Murphy's mouth again. God, this was so much better when neither of them were drunk or high. And that thought brought with it the memory of Murphy's refusal to tell Heath why he'd taken the pills.
"No, get off me," Heath said, shoving Murphy back. "Why should I let you have what you want? You couldn't even answer a simple question." Liam was dazed for a moment by Heath's abrupt ending of their contact. Question, what question? Why'd you do it Murphy? Why start using again? And in a moment of clarity Liam realised Heath's irrational anger tonight was because he'd hurt Heath's feelings.
"I'm sorry about that Heath, I was just embarrassed I guess."
"Embarrassed?" That hadn't been the explanation Heath was expecting and it took the edge off his anger.
"Yeah, and I'd still rather not say." And just like that, Murphy managed to put the edge right back on Heath's anger.
"Christ you're annoying, no wonder you're Mrs skipped the country to get away from you. But at least your kid doesn't have to put up with a loser, druggie Dad."
The next thing Heath knew was pain in his face as Murphy's fist collided with his mouth.
xxx
Meanwhile at Angelo's...
Brax noticed Casey walk into the restaurant alone. Of course, it was dinner time.
"Hey Case, you want a pizza?"
"Yeah, make it enough for Heath too."
"Alright, where is Heath anyway?"
"Liam showed up at home and Heath said he had some stuff to sort out with him."
"What stuff?" Brax asked, it better not be what he was thinking.
"I dunno," Casey shrugged, "he was over the night before last too, woke us up at two in the morning, I guess it was kinda weird..." Casey trailed off, as though the thought hadn't really occurred to him before now. Yes, it was weird and Brax had told Heath not to go ahead with this, did his loose cannon brother ever think?
"Grab a seat Casey and I'll get someone to come take your order." Casey did as he was told and once Brax had him sorted he headed outside and jumped in his ute. Brax didn't have too much time to get wound up as he drove home, it was less than a five minute drive after all. Bloody Heath, on what planet did he think it was a good idea to supply Brax's employees with drugs? Brax pulled up in the driveway, hoping he wasn't too late to put a stop to this. Brax arrived on the scene just in time to see Liam snap and punch Heath in the face. Knowing Heath, he probably deserved it.
xxx
Heath lifted his head in time to see Murphy disappear around the corner. Automatically his hand went to his mouth, he could feel his lip swelling already. He should probably feel bad about pushing Murphy's buttons enough to turn him to violence, but the overwhelming feeling flooding through him was lust. He hadn't thought Murphy'd had it in him. Heath rubbed his aching jaw, and tasted blood in his mouth, it sent a thrilling shiver through him; he wanted more. More of that heated emotion, more of that passion, more of this feeling of being so alive. Knowing he had the power to effect Murphy so much was intoxicating.
"Heath? Heath!" Brax didn't look happy. "What the hell was that about? If you sold him anything I swear I'll..." Brax. His brother Brax. Heath could still taste Murphy's mouth. He'd been kissing Murphy. Brax was looking at him expectantly. Brax was right here. Jesus Christ, how much had he seen? Lie. Play it cool and lie. If you sold him anything... Sold? Drugs. Brax thought he was dealing to Murphy, thank fuck.
"Well?" Brax demanded.
"You saw what he did..." Heath said, testing Brax, it was pretty clever if Heath did say so himself...
"Yeah he punched you," Brax stated.
"Exactly. I wouldn't give him what he came for."
"Should I be worried?"
"Huh?"
"About Liam. Is he using again? Should I give him the boot from Angelo's?" Ok, maybe it wasn't so clever after all.
"No, don't do that Brax, it was just a misunderstanding..."
"Fine," Brax said. "But you better make sure you don't misunderstand this. Do not sell him drugs. In fact, don't sell any drugs, I told you I'd think about it." Brax finished, emphasizing his point by getting up in Heath's face.
"Alright, fine," Heath agreed to make Brax back off.
"I mean it," Brax said to reiterate the point.
"I get it," Heath told him and he meant it too.
"Good," Brax nodded and Heath saw the tension drain away. "Now what about that face? You want some ice for it?"
"Na," Heath replied, "Murphy hits like a girl." That wasn't true but he could hardly tell Brax that he wanted the pain and the bruise that would come, as a reminder of how good he felt now. Brax considered him for a moment longer and then let it go.
"C'mon, get in the car. Casey's ordered dinner for us." Heath did as Brax asked. Sitting next to his brother on the drive to Angelo's Heath really considered the possibility of his brother's finding out about Murphy. In the past it had just been an abstract idea but this close call had made it real. Would they laugh? Would they try to talk him out it? Would they disown him altogether? And with the endorphins still flowing through his system, Heath wasn't sure he really cared.
AN: Hope y'all enjoyed that. I've been on a roll with this story lately but the next chapter will probably be a few days, I've gotta figure out what direction I'm gonna take this…. Thanks for reading.