"That's good. For a minute there, I thought I wouldn't have a chance."
Brett wasn't- was this real? Had he actually just said that?
"Excuse me?" Liam felt the need to ask. He wasn't so sure his ears weren't playing tricks on him.
"Well, if you've had attractions toward other men, then maybe you can get over Theo. Maybe someone could help you... Someone who understands what it's like to feel abandoned in a very crucial time. Someone that, hopefully, you can learn to trust?"
Brett looked at Liam with sincere eyes and a bright, sure smile. He wasn't being his normal, cocky self. He seemed like he was being genuinely comforting- in his own way at least. It was still mostly about Brett's attraction to Liam. At the root of it anyway.
But that wasn't all was it?
Brett saw something in Liam from the moment they met; at least from his recount.
Brett was trying to comfort Liam about Theo and his new... situationship with Josh. It couldn't exactly be called a relationship, could it? Not in a traditional, or more domestic sense of the word.
"Brett... I think some people are more attractive than others... that's not a gay or straight thing. It's not even just human nature. Hell, animals are-"
"Are you suggesting something primal?" Brett said with a suggestive, low laugh which made Liam almost chuckle.
He was trying to get under Liam's skin. The worst thing, though? It felt like it was working. Liam could laugh at his jokes, but he could still be mad about what Brett had done to Theo. He could see why Brett wanted a chance at redemption. He seemed to be a kid when it all happened. It also doesn't excuse it or make it alright.
"Brett... When you said that you didn't-... what did you mean exactly?"
Brett turned to Liam in surprise. He was a little surprised it was coming up. Or more- that it wasn't immediately asked. He was sure Liam would have tried to call him out on it if he didn't believe him.
"I didn't rape him, Liam. I was drunk. I was mad. I threw things. Said things I wish I could take back. I really did love him. No matter what he'd have you believe. We loved each other. I just-" Brett took a deep breath and looked at Liam with intensity, but also softness. "It was our anniversary. Ok? It was a hard day. I didn't have a way to plan anything because I wasn't allowed to go anywhere. I couldn't even get a job at the bar with him because every five seconds I'm having
to pull someone off of him because he's not obviously making it clear he's taken. Everyone he worked with even decided I was banned from ever going in there again. How fucked is that?"
"It sounds awful" Liam said trying to remain neutral.
"Please don't patronize me. I know he told you his version and you believe it. But I mean... It's only fair to hear mine before you make up your mind about me..."
Liam just nodded and took another sip of his beer.
"He came home late. Way later than he told me he would. Said he was training some dude, but I was already pissed. I couldn't even plan anything for our anniversary and it didn't look like Theo cared either because he didn't do anything to show he did. He could have called in or left early or something. Peter and Derek would have understood. Instead he comes in with a wad of cash waving it in my face making me feel even more like a loser and a child and even worse, a charity case."
Liam was in shock. He was already disturbed by Theo's version, but Brett's version... it was the same but... different. Brett was hurt too...
"He told me he was sorry but... he chose to stay there with some new guy doing who knows what instead of spending our anniversary together... He moved to stripping because he cared more about the money he'd make rather than how it would make me feel or how it would impact our relationship. He seeked out attention from whoever would help him financially and claimed he 'did it for us'. He could have just let me work. He didn't even give me the choice. He didn't make decisions for 'us' if he couldn't involve me. He did what was best for him."
Liam took in everything that Brett said. Every detail. Every word. He listened to everything carefully and expressionlessly. Neutral. He was trying to decide if he thought Brett was telling the truth, but... then again... he'd said virtually the same story as Theo... it was just a different perspective, right? Brett's feelings.
His feelings are valid too, right?
"Anyway... by the time he got home... I was wasted. Like beyond. I don't think I've ever been that drunk in my entire life. He came in with money and apologizing and to me... it was nothing. It made me feel like I came second. I was tired of it. I threw things and I accused him of messing around... I didn't rape him... I may have been drunk and maybe I intimidated him into doing some sexual stuff... but I didn't rape him..."
"What's the difference?..."
Brett looked at him with pursed lips and a raised brow, his eyes squinted.
"I'm only asking because the charges... I'm not being an asshole. Promise."
"I didn't fuck him. I made him blow me. I said if he can do it for strangers, then he should be able to do it for me for our anniversary..."
Liam couldn't believe it. Brett was actually telling him this. Like it was normal.
"I don't-"
"Look I didn't claim to be innocent. I just didn't want you to get the wrong information from bad blood. I served my time. It was a one-time thing that happened when I was seventeen. Anyway.
Thanks for the chit-chat. Dinner was lovely. Best be going."
Liam didn't even make a move.
Liam sat on his bed thinking over everything that Brett had said.
And Theo...
Theo never said Brett raped him... used.
That was the word he said. Used. Thinking back on it, that is a very broad term for something so serious.
Hey did you make it home alright? -M
Shit. I forgot to text Mason back.
Yeah. Got a ride. Thx -L
Tell Theo thanks. I'm sorry but I was held up. I'll make it up to you -M
Sure thing -L
Was it a lie? It was debatable. Not telling Mason it was Brett wasn't exactly a lie. Lie by omission? It wasn't exactly important.
I'll come and get you tomorrow -M
I'm off tomorrow -L
Yes but Corey says it's a surprise for Theo's birthday -M
Theo's birthday was like a month ago? -L
That's the surprise part -M
TO MAKE HIM THINK PEOPLE FORGOT HIS BIRTHDAY?! MASON THAT SUCKS! -L
Before you start projecting your issues, they did something small and WE didn't even know him -M
That was fair. Corey was a better friend than Hayden had started being a girlfriend. Even to Liam. He was great at giving advice. He also seemed like a great person for Mason.
Just let me know what time and I'll be ready -L