TW: mentions of rape in this chapter.

…

You wrote Tommy off.

I sent you a few more texts from Tommy's phone, but you've ignored them all. You did it, Steve. You realised what (who) is good for you and what (who) is not.

Now I just have to figure out what to do with him.

Here's the thing. I'm no physical wonder, and even after weeks in a cage, Tommy could overpower me. I'm not a monster. I can't go in there and slit his throat whilst he's high. It poses a problem, but it's also a good thing because I need a distraction right now.

It's been a week since our date, and you haven't called me. Not even a text.

You're busy with school. Your dad is pressuring you to join his company. Carol is harassing you about Tommy. It's safe to say your plate is full. I don't want to add to it by being needy. Don't worry, Steve, I know how to wait.

But you're not too busy to answer a text from a number I haven't seen before.

R - [01:12 PM]

Hey bitch, I'm back in town.

Drinks?

Steve - [01:15 PM]

Hell yes.

Tonight?

R - [01:16 PM]

Love ya!

Love ya? Who is this 'R', Steve? After a quick search through your contacts, I find that 'R' is a woman called Robin Buckley.

Tommy laughs when I mention the name. "Robin is a leech. She worked with him the summer after graduation, and now they're fucking attached at the hip or something." He snorts another line of coke. I was feeling gracious, and he opens up when he's high. "She's a fucking bitch, though. Never liked her."

Translation: she saw right through his bullshit.

"She back in town or something?"

"They're getting drinks."

"And before you know it, Steve's running off to her stupid country house. Take it from a guy who knows them both. It's a lost cause. You can't come between him and Robin."

I never said I wanted to. You're allowed friends, Steve. I'm not controlling like Tommy.

"Robin Buckley," he drawls and then grabs his crotch with a laugh. "She wouldn't know a good dick if it was inside her. Even Steve says he hasn't fucked her."

Translation: she turned him down. Probably multiple times.

"Eddie… can you bring me a hooker or something? I'll be good, I promise. I'll tell her I'm into this cage bullshit. My dick hurts, man."

"Jerk off."

"You took my phone! Am I supposed to stare at the wall?"

Jesus. Princess Tommy Is at it again. First, with the white bread and cow milk. Now with the fucking porn. "I'm not giving you the phone to watch, Steve!"

He laughs until he's gasping for air, and tears stream down his face. "You watched the videos! Did you jerk off too? I get it. Steve is fucking hot. I mean, has he let you fuck him yet? Probably not, since he hasn't dumped your ass."

Why do I even bother with this guy? I turn to leave, and he's at the door. He bangs on the glass with a dull thump, thump, thump.

"Wait! Wait! C'mon, Eddie, I was just messing with you! You wanna know about Steve, yeah? I can tell you what really gets him going."

I pause but don't turn around to look at him. It's enough to get him to continue.

"Flattery. Steve's a sucker for flattery. You blow smoke up his ass, and he'll blow you, get it?" He giggles at his own stupid joke. "He wants love, man. Say the magic words, and he's yours. Works every time."

Manipulative. But informative.

I give him his porn. The guy had a stash in his fucking car, Steve. Why you and Carol like him is beyond me. Speaking of Carol, it's time to send her another text.

Tommy - [03:47 PM]

Hey babe, thinking of you ;)

It's lonely out here with nothing to do. Feeling better tonight.

Wanna help me out?

Tommy is such a fuck boy. It's not even hard to imitate him. Sure enough, Carol sends several pictures which I don't look at.

Babe - [03:50 PM]

Better?

Come home soon bb, miss u 3

I'm out of the basement faster than ever at the sound of him unbuckling his belt. I may have him in a cage, but there are some things I never need to witness. I've seen his dick one too many times as it is.

You're meeting Robin at seven, which gives me time to prepare.

Robin Buckley comes from a well-off Christian family. Not as rich as you, but definitely a comfortable upbringing. She's currently studying abroad in Indonesia and protesting deforestation there, so her visits are rare—no wonder you're so eager to see her. There's no boyfriend in the picture, as far as I can see. Are you more than friends?

But when I see you two together, it seems more platonic than flirty. She's loud and boisterous, pokes you hard in the ribs, and her laugh is infectious. Honestly, Steve, she's got me smiling into my drink, and I don't even know what the joke was.

I don't stay long. You deserve time alone with your friend. There's nothing to worry about with you two. But I'm glad for the app on your phone. It's nice to be included in your conversations. It keeps me going over the next few days.

R - [02:37 AM]

Tell me more about Eddie.

Pleeeeease?

You're so secretive it's annoying!

Steve - [02:40 AM]

You realise I'm supposed to be sleeping?

R - [02:41 AM]

Boo hoo.

Details. Now.

Steve - [02:41 AM]

Fine.

Eddie's different. I've never met anyone like him.

He's also hot. Seriously hot.

R - [02:44 AM]

Fairs.

Steve - [02:45 AM]

He makes me feel things, Robs.

It's scary.

I should call him. But what if he doesn't like me?

What if he just wants sex?

R - [02:48 AM]

Then have hot sex with the guy.

Steve - [02:48 AM]

Not helpful.

R - [02:49 AM]

Wanna get out of the city, smoke weed and think about it?

We can get crepes on the way.

Steve - [02:50 AM]

Pick me up in the morning?

R - [02:50 AM]

Sure thing, dingus.

Love you.

Steve - [02:51 AM]

Love you too.

It looks like Tommy was right. You are running away with Robin. This 'country house' he mentioned, I need to know where it is.

You think I'm 'Different. Hot'. And how can you run away from us? Just pick up the phone, Steve. Of course, I want more than sex. Otherwise, I would have followed you inside after our first date. Why can't you see that?

Abandonment issues run deep. Trust me. I know that better than anyone. Why do you think I live with my uncle and not my parents?

"I told you," Tommy says yet again when I mention your vacation plans. He's smug, and it's irritating. "Has he called you since your date? Of course, he hasn't. You didn't fuck him when you had the chance. It's too late now."

"You don't know that."

"I know Steve. Right now, he's getting high off his ass with Robin and laughing at your tiny dick. They'll go partying, and by next week, he'll be on to the next guy who gives him a second look." Tommy sighs and starts to pace around the cage. "I told you. Compliment him. He likes to be loved. You're doing the opposite. He doesn't want space. He wants to be chased. Prove you want him."

And now he's our relationship therapist? It's annoying how good the advice is, but he was your best friend for over twenty years.

"Why are you helping me?"

"You get the guy. I get out of the cage. It's what you want, right? I just want out. Fuck everything else. I'll help you get Steve if it means I get out."

"What stops you from turning me in the moment I let you go?"

"Mutual destruction. Go to my house, find my laptop. Look for the file 'pool party'. You'll see what I mean. And then we're even."

Curiosity killed the cat. It feels like a trap, but I do what he says. The laptop was just sat out in the open, mockingly.

'Pool party' turned out to be a video file, and it looks a decade old. You're there, younger and definitely drunk. Oh god, this isn't a sex tape, surely? But you don't stay long. You disappear into the large house with a girl that looks vaguely familiar, leaving Tommy and Carol outside with another girl.

The unknown girl is sitting by the pool edge, nursing a bleeding hand. Carol's face fills the frame suddenly like a bad jump scare, and she grins wide. "Barbara looks lonely. Go keep her company, baby."

She takes over holding the camera, and Tommy sits with the girl called Barbara. She looks uncomfortable. He's drunk or high or both. When he touches her leg, she tries to push him off, but even in his inebriated state, he's stronger. Carol films the whole thing. I skip forward to the end when Tommy stands and zips up his pants, leaving Barbara crying beside the pool.

Where did you go, Steve? Did you not hear what was happening, or did you just not care? Surely you can't know. You wouldn't be friends with Tommy and Carol if you did. It's the type of thing that would ruin Tommy if it got out. And he's right. It is enough to buy his freedom.

Back to the problem at hand, though. Where have you gone, Steve?

Robin Buckley is not a wealth of information. Her online presence is locked down and private. You've only posted one photo of two candy-coloured shots. There's a reflection on one of the glasses.

Bella's Boudoir is two hours out of the city and in the countryside. Thank god it wasn't a franchise. Gareth was more than happy to cover the next few days, and with Will back, he can help out. Tommy has enough sustenance and crack to last him a week, so I am duty-free.

Sure, I only have my shitbox of a van to drive, and it will stick out like hell in your little haven, but it's worth it. That's if it doesn't crap out halfway there. It's all worth it when I enter the bar and see you laughing with Robin. You guys really come here every night, huh? I've missed your face, Steve. I already feel better, and the shakes have subsided.

I grab a beer and find a dark corner to sit in unnoticed.

You two drink a lot. It's a surprise you're still standing, and you're unsteady as you make your way to the bar. You're ordering more drinks when Robin picks up her phone and leans in to say something to you. You nod, and she disappears.

You dance in your seat, down your shot, and then Robin's. Is she not coming back?

Carol is calling Tommy again, and I take my eyes off you to deal with the stupid phone. She thinks he's gone away somewhere to 'detox' and won't. Stop. Calling. I send her a picture of my beer, even sprinkle a line of sugar next to it. That should keep her quiet for a while. Sure enough, Tommy receives a text seconds later.

Babe - [07:12 PM]

Ur supposed to be detoxing!

WTF Tommy?

Don't talk to me. U make me soooo mad!

"Hi, Eddie."

I freeze and look up. Because it can't be, but it is. Robin is standing behind me, smiling.

Shit.

I stare at Robin.

Robin stares at me.

After an eternity of silence, she laughs and grabs my arm with a vice-like grip. "Come on, let's go see Steve."

"Wait, I-"

"No buts." She's surprisingly strong as she drags me to your table. This is it. I feel it in my bones. You're going to freak out and tell me to fuck off. We're over. "Hey, Steve! Look who I found!"

You look up, eyes going wide, and then you smile. "Eddie!"

"Hey, Steve." I'm forced into the seat next to you and manage to smile back.

Robin holds the bomb, and she wastes no time dropping it. "Yeah, I found creepazoid-nine-thousand staring at you from across the room."

Ouch. She could have softened the blow a little.

You look surprised, but then you smile again. "You're stalking me?" And you sound… excited? "How did you find us?"

I explain about the photo and point out the reflection when you get out your phone to inspect it. Again, you seem amazed but not suspicious or repulsed. Robin leaves us to buy more drinks, and you grab my hand. Your eyes are slightly unfocused, and you've drank a lot tonight, haven't you?

"I've missed you, Eddie."

"You could have called."

"You could have called too." True. I gave you space, and that's not what you want. You look down at our hands and sigh. "I did promise to call. Didn't I?"

Robin's back, and you down another shot. I decline mine. You laugh, hold onto my arm, and it's more than I thought possible. You don't think I'm a creep. You're not yelling at me. Even Robin is smiling.

"You have to see the cottage," you say, waving your arms, and you almost knock a glass off the table. "It's Robin's little hideout in the forest. It's amazing."

"It's also a secret," she says, an edge to her voice when her gaze lands on me. "So if you tell anyone… well, I'll have to kill you."

You laugh, but I know she means it, and we're not talking about a cottage. We're talking about you. She does love you. It's evident in the way she helps you out of the bar, into her car and buckles you in. She's stone-cold sober, and did you drink everything tonight?

With the door shut, she turns to me, expression is stern. "You're only here because Steve wants you to be. I'll kick your ass to the curb the moment he says so. We clear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Stay close. The turning is easy to miss."

She wasn't wrong. It's dark in the forest with a trail so narrow it's surprising the van can make it without veering into the ditch. My only guide is her tail lights, and is this a trap? Are you luring me to my death?

There is a cottage tucked away in the trees with the wilderness growing all around. Maybe we could live out here forever. You look beautiful in the dark as you stumble over to my van and pull on the locked door. Your frustrated groan is audible.

"Eddie, c'mon, don't be an asshole. Open the door." I do, and you almost fall on your ass as the door flies open. You don't find it funny even as Robin and I laugh. "Fuck both of you."

"Let's get you inside and in bed."

You're heavy in your incoordination, and it's hard work getting you upstairs into one of the two bedrooms. Robin helps undress you and tuck you in. You're like a little kid, wide-eyed with your body swaddled in blankets. "Night, Robs."

"Night, Steve."

She leaves us alone with one last warning look in my direction. I sit on the edge of the bed to play with your hair. It's thick and smells faintly of hairspray. You hum happily and burrow under the covers until only your eyes show. You blink slowly as you fight sleep. You really are a child tonight.

"Sleep, Steve. You're gonna be hungover as hell tomorrow."

Your eyes crinkle as you smile, and your voice is muffled when you speak. "You'll be here, right? You're not gonna disappear?"

"No. I'll be right here."

"Good. I'm glad you came. I'm sorry I didn't call."

"Me too."

You fall asleep quickly, and then it's just me and the wind. Robin is moving about in the other room quietly, and it's nice. I could get used to this, being in bed with you. You're warm and open in your sleep. You look so young, Steve. It's a shame life wears us down. I want to take away all that stress.

Tommy can't bring you down anymore.

The sunshine is bright out here, and the room looks bigger in the morning light, or maybe it's because you're no longer here. The other side of the bed is empty, cold. You've been gone a while.

Out on the landing, it smells like pancakes, and there's laughter downstairs. It's your laughter, and like a moth to a flame, I'm drawn to you. It feels like I'm intruding when I walk into the kitchen to find you and Robin huddled around the stove. But then you look over your shoulder, and your smile is warm and inviting. You break away from her to come over to me, arms open.

Hugging you is like coming home after an extremely long day. You've showered because you don't smell like a bar anymore but soap and coffee.

"Morning, sleepyhead. You were out cold when I woke up."

"Yeah, it was a long drive."

"I bet." Robin gives us a knowing look as she sips her coffee. "Steve loves a big romantic gesture. Chasing him down is good, creepy, but good."

"Don't be a bitch."

"Fuck you too."

It's funny, Steve. The way you are with Robin. It's like you're siblings.

Tommy was wrong about her too. There's no competition here. I don't need to come between you two. Robin is good for you. She makes you laugh, and I've never seen you be so carefree before. You're like a whole different person. I like this side of you, Steve.

We spend the day together in the cottage, drinking coffee and existing in each other's space. It's the longest we've ever spent together. Sometimes, words aren't needed, and it's one of those times. The silence speaks louder than words. We work well together, Steve. Can you feel it too?

When Robin comes back from the nearby town, she's got weed. It's been a while since I smoked. Not since high school, anyway. It's relaxing. No distractions or phones since you insisted we lock them away in a drawer. The world is a million miles away. It's just us.

Weed makes Robin sleepy, apparently. She's out like a light, and you have to carry her to bed. When you return, your body is loose and open to me as you drop into my lap with a groan. "She's heavier than she looks."

"Bet I'm heavier."

"Definitely."

"Rude."

You light another joint and blow smoke at me. "You know, there's one thing I love to do when I'm high."

"Yeah?" I take the joint as you smirk.

"Jerk off." You laugh when I cough. "What, you can't tell me you've never done it."

"Not for a long time."

There's a shift between us, the air becoming thick with more than smoke. Your hands which were resting lightly on my shoulders, move down to my chest, and you grab, feel, and laugh. "Flat."

"Jesus Christ, you're high."

"I wanna touch you, Eddie."

The bedroom never felt so far away. You take the joint and stub it out, then stand with your hands held out to me in invitation. I take them, helpless in following you.

We don't have sex. We're both too high for that. We kiss until we can't, touch, explore, and your body is a masterpiece, Steve. Seeing all those moles in person, being able to touch them? It's a divine experience. Every party of your body opens up to me, and you laugh like it's your first time. Maybe it is. Has anyone ever treated you right? Or are they all like Tommy, pushing you down only interested in using your body?

When you cum, your body trembles, and you hold me so tight it's like you think I'm going to disappear. I'm not going anywhere, Steve. Not now, not ever. There's nowhere else I would rather be than in your arms for an eternity. "Eddie…" You sigh against my lips, music to my ears.

And then your mouth is around me. Wet. Hot. It's your name being pulled from my lips, my body experiencing the ultimate pleasure because of you. I want to live inside your mouth, crawl inside and never come out. Would you let me?

You curl up in my arms like you belong there, and we fit, Steve. Do you feel it? You were made for this, just like I was made to love you.

I was made for loving you baby.

You were made for loving me.

I understand the lyrics now. For a disco song, its lyrics run deep.

And I can't get enough of you, baby.

Can you get enough of me?

It's intoxicating.

You're asleep, but I'm a live wire. How can you sleep when we're together like this? You feel safe with me. You trust me.

I will do anything to keep you. I can't risk letting Tommy go. If he tells you what happened, you'll go away. Even with mutual destruction assured, I can't risk it. It's not an easy decision to make, but you're worth it. Tommy has to die.

Finally, I sleep too. There's a lot to do, Steve. I need the rest.