by Alan Wild
Nellie said, “That would be right. He was around 50 years old when he had his legs broken. He was married to my mother. She was beaten and abused daily. My husband did give him a warning. He said that he didn’t want to see as much as a paper cut on my mother, or he would make him pay. Sal’s answer was to move to California so we couldn’t see her bruises. There were rumors my mom was pregnant. She was too old and couldn’t be a mother to the children she already had. She had no business having another child. I guess that is why she gave him up without a fight. It made it easier to escape Sal’s terror. We moved my mom, and while we were busy, Sal poured boiling coffee on my son. It should have stopped there. My husband couldn’t let it go. He broke both of Sal’s legs, crippled him. So, Sal’s answer was revenge.”
Ray spoke and said, “I am sure we will have a better picture once I question Salvatore Petrelli Jr. Does anyone have anything else to add?” Nate raised his hand and stepped forward. “I was looking into the people murdered in Noah’s home. They were transient drug users. They were promised drugs for labor. All they had to do was help Sal pack up all of Noah’s belongings. We still don’t know what went wrong or why they were murdered. It clearly had something to do with Salvatore’s rage.”
Ray smiled at Nate and thanked him for working while he should have been resting. “I will find out the motive later today.” Oliver had been unusually quiet while staring out the window. Ray leaned over Noah and whispered, “Ollie, you okay? You got quiet suddenly. What’s up?” Oliver still had a death grip on Noah’s hand, so with his left hand tangled in IV lines, Noah reached up and pulled Ray close. He whispered in Ray’s ear, “Anthony is Oliver’s EX, the one who raped him, treated him like he was shit and was disposable. I know you love Oliver. Don’t let this confrontation happen for everyone here to see. Oliver deserves better. Now, I am in no shape to kick the shit out of the guy, but you are. Do that, and I will consider forgiving you for treating me like shit.”
Ray pulled away with an uncomfortable smile on his face. He looked at Oliver, then at Noah. The Sargent cleared his throat and said, “All right, before we go, I need to clear the air. I am an asshole. I have treated Noah like shit. Truth is, I have always had feelings for Oliver, and I thought that if I could prove Noah was the mastermind behind the murders, then Oliver would see the light. I was wrong, and I apologize for the way I treated you, Noah. What I didn’t realize is that Oliver does see the light. Oliver deserves so much better than what he has ever had in the past. Noah is the light; I have had the privilege of watching these two interact as they discovered their love for each other. It’s clear the way Oliver lights up when Noah walks in the room and the way Noah looks out for Oliver.”
After that speech, Noah had misty eyes. He thought, “This was about the sweetest thing anyone has said to me. I just wish that Oliver was present in the moment. He seems like he is miles and miles away even though he is sitting right next to me, holding my head.
“Okay, enough talking, the guys need rest so they can heal. Let’s give them privacy.” Oliver remained quiet as his eyes watered up, still looking out the window. Noah asked Owen and Willa to stick around in the waiting area for a bit. They had some things to cover. Everyone was leaving.
Nora grabbed her brother’s free hand and said, “We are going to take mom to get some breakfast and then a nap. We will be back later this afternoon. She rubbed Oliver’s shoulder and walked over to Ajay and said, “What is going on here?” Ajay had a serious look, and he said, “I will explain later.” He reached in his pocket for the keys and handed them over. “That is the set of keys for his house also. I am sure Oliver wouldn’t mind if you stopped and made a few copies. The police should still be there. If you don’t feel like going out, then Oliver has food leftovers from restaurants that are untouched. Owen ordered $450 worth of Chinese food the other night. He had all three meals delivered in excess. There are even pans of scrambled eggs, potatoes, and bacon.”
Ray was waiting, holding open the door as everyone left. Summer walked out; Noah could tell she was punishing herself more than Oliver ever could. Only one person remained. Ajay and Ray stood at the door, Ajay with his arms crossed, and Ray ready to pounce.
Anthony expected Ray to close the door. When it became clear that he and Ajay refused to move, he spoke up. “Oliver, I know this isn’t the time or place. I would like to apologize for the way I treated you. You were good to me, and I took you for granted. I am sorry,”. Looking around, Anthony noticed the way Noah was scowling at him and feeling the brooding pair holding the door open. Anthony asked, “Ollie, can we grab lunch or just go talk somewhere private?”
Oliver looked up. He looked as though he had just recognized where he was. He reached down and kissed Noah. He tried to lighten the mood, and he said, “Sugar tits, I will be right back.” It was missing the humor from all the times before. Now it just sounded like a sad plea for something Noah wasn’t sure of.
Chapter 30
Noah Blain
There was a sinking feeling in the pit of Noah’s gut. He wasn’t entirely sure he would ever see Oliver again. Ajay took the seat Oliver previously occupied. He reached up and ruffled Noah’s hair and said, “He loves you; He’ll be back.” Noah had a sad smile and said, “I hope so. Hey, can you call Owen and Willa and ask them to come back? I need a phone. I hate not being able to stay in contact with everyone when we have so much going on. Oliver would be happy to know that I learned my lesson. My phone is mobile for a reason.” Rolling his eyes, “Don’t tell Oliver, but he was right.”
Ajay sent off the text message, and something just occurred to him. “So, when you went back to your house, you didn’t find your phone?” Noah grinned then dropped his chin. He said in a low voice, “No, I found it.” The look of confusion Ajay had on his face didn’t come close to the suspicion building in the back of his head. He said, “I am so lost, help me out here, if you found your phone, then why do you need a new phone?”
Noah, blotches of red creeping up his face, exhaled and said, “You have to promise not to tell anyone. Oliver included.” Ajay smiled, “I’ll bite, Okay, I promise.” Letting out a little growl, Noah said, “Oliver has been on me for some time about keeping my phone on me. I thought it would be funny if I placed the phone on me and told Oliver to find it.” Squinting his eyes and looking at Noah with suspicious eyes, “So where did you put it?” Noah placed his hands over his face and let out a moan of embarrassment. “I put it in my underwear.” An uncontrollable and highly contagious laugh escaped, Ajay didn’t even try to contain or stifle his laughter. “Oh my god, dude, this is priceless material.” A serious look combined with a shock of horror, Noah gasped and said, “You promised not to tell anyone.” Still laughing, Ajay managed to say, “I don’t plan to tell anyone; it will be our little secret. What I do intend on doing with this valuable information, is to never let you live it down. I plan on giving you shit for the rest of your life. The same way I tease Oliver about the way he eats a candy bar. Buckle up, buddy, let the fun begin.”
“So, what happened to your phone? if it was in your underwear, why get a new one?” Asked Ajay. The cringe and look of humiliation on Noah’s face made Ajay concerned. Noah said, “Sal was punching me in the stomach. I managed to head butt him, but that sent his fist to my crotch. He punched my balls. The phone took the brunt of the punch, though. Anyway, at some point, I had pissed myself.” Ajay said, “Shit that had to hurt are you alright down there?” The sympathy pains most men feel began to creep in and take hold, Ajay unconsciously grabbed his own crotch. Noah shook his head, “Swollen and painful but intact.”
Owen and Willa walked in together, Noah was never happier in his life for the distraction. He blew out a relieved sigh and said, “Oh, thank god!” Willa said, “Oh honey, you are learning, that is exactly what a fine woman wants to hear when she walks in a room.” Noah opened his mouth to explain exactly what he meant. Ajay placed his hand on Noah’s arm and said, “Dude, no! just let it go.” Owen smil
ed and asked, “What did you need from us?” Noah explained that he needed a new phone and rattled off a list of other electronics he required. He asked if they could bring in his laptop also.
Looking at Willa, he said, “I know this isn’t your specialty, can you look at other web sites for private investigators. We need to move on this fast. I started our web site, but now it's urgent because we have all this free press and I intend to take full advantage of it. We need to have some shirts printed with our name on it. Oliver told everyone to build hype around opening the agency; this is our opportunity.” Willa said, “Oh, honey, no. You are here to rest and heal. You have enough money to buy your own advertising agency. We will just hire the best firm money can buy. I will find them, call them, and hire them. You can pay for it.” Giving it some thought, Noah agreed. “Okay, fine, but they need to get on it. It’s urgent.”
Noah asked Ajay for the fifth time in the last hour what time it was and how long Oliver had been gone. The nurse came in and said, “You must be hurting pretty good right about now. You had a full house when we needed to give your pain meds. Are you ready for them now?” Noah ignored the nurse and looked at Ajay with worry etched on his face. Ajay said to the nurse, “He is ready.” Looking at Noah, “Please trust me. Oliver is fine.” Noah couldn’t hold back the tears that had threatened to break free. “What if he decides that I am just not worth the trouble. Look at all the pain and headache I caused already. Why would anyone want that? Plus, did you see Anthony? He is ripped, and what is it called? daddy hot.”
“Look, Noah, he wants you. He wants to be with you. Do you know how many guys I’ve tried to set him up with? Countless! Finally, we had a heart to heart. Ollie sat me down and told me exactly what he wanted in a man. He wants someone who will put him first. Someone that will depend on him and let him be himself. Oliver told me he refused to look for love, and he wanted me to stop setting him up. He truly believed that when it is meant to be, it will be. Sure, I gave him shit about turning into an old maid. He just knew someone would come along and steal his heart. And look at that, you did. Plus, whatever you said to Ray has him on high alert. He followed them and wasn’t afraid to let them know it either. Oliver will be fine.”
A few minutes passed, filled with nothing but silence. Ajay looked over and smiled. Noah was sound asleep. The nurse was gathering her supplies and her cart. She looked over at Ajay and said, “You are a good friend. I am sure he needed to hear that.” Ajay had a sad smile and said, “I just wish I could find someone like him for myself.” The nurse said, “It will happen for you too, sweetie, it will.”
Leaving Noah to sleep, Ajay sent a text to Ray, “Where in the hell are you? What is taking so long for that douche nozzle to apologize to Ollie?” A few minutes passed. Ajay was going to head to the café to grab a bite. His phone buzzed. “They are in a consultation room on the second floor. I will meet you at the elevator.”
Joining Ray, standing outside of the consultation room, Ajay asked. “How long have they been in there?” Shrugging his shoulders, Ray said, “I don’t know,” Ajay said, “Bullshit, you know exactly how long they have been in there. What are you not telling me? Ray shook his head and said, “They were fighting, yelling, then it got quiet. I heard some moaning that made me want to leave so they could have their intimate reunion and give them the privacy they asked for.” Rage crept up from the pit of Ajay’s stomach. “Are you fucking kidding me? After sitting up with Oliver for countless nights while he told me all the horrible things, this guy did to him. I am not going to sit back and let it happen again. He reached for the door, Ray grabbed his arm and asked, “Are you sure you want to know?” Pulling away with more force than was required, Ajay said, “Fuck, yes, I want to know.”
Taking a moment to compose himself, Ajay opened the door in time to hear Mr. Douche Nozzle telling Oliver, “I know exactly what you need. I can give it to you. Come back to me, I miss you.”
Ajay looked at Oliver, who had his pants unbuttoned, falling off his ass with swollen red lips, said louder than necessary, “Ollie, your boyfriend needs you.” Oliver, who looked panicked, asked, “What is wrong? Is Noah okay?”
Ajay said, “Wait for me by the elevator, and I will explain on our way up.” Oliver buttoned his jeans and left without looking back. Ajay and Ray walked in and closed the door.
Ajay raised his hand up and gently ran his finger over Anthony’s jawline and said in a low growl, “I don’t know what power you have over Oliver, but it ends right fucking now sweetheart.” Anthony laughed and said, “Who are you exactly? The childish little boy followed him all over high school. Oliver needs a real man to take care of him.” Ajay cracked his neck twice and said, “I am his best friend, I picked up the pieces after you decided to fuck him over and use him up.” Anthony shook his head. “I was good to Oliver,” Screaming at the man while spit flew, Ajay said, “You fucking raped him regularly. That is not the definition of treating someone well” Anthony, still shaking his head, said, “That is what Oliver likes. He wants it rough.”
Ajay moved even closer, his left hand reached around and grabbed Anthony’s ass, and with his right hand, he grabbed his crotch, whispering in Anthony’s ear he said, “You are going to leave and never return to Denver. If you as much as show your face around here, I will personally fuck you so hard your asshole will bleed for days, you know? Like the way Oliver’s did. Then when I am good and ready to let you release your load, I will slice your dick in half. Now, I just need to know that you understand.” Squeezing Anthony’s balls tighter, Ajay said, “You can just shake your head if that is easier for you.” Anthony shook his head, and Oliver’s friend let go. As he walked out, Ajay looked at Ray and told him, “Make sure he leaves Colorado.”
Joining Oliver at the elevator, Oliver said, “It’s not what you think.” Ajay, feeling his nerves frayed and temper short, yelled, “Really, Ollie, what am I thinking? Enlighten me!” Oliver shook his head “Anthony was all over me, he forced himself on me like he always did. When he was done, He tried to kiss me, I pulled away, so he hit me.” His friends’ words were the trigger for Ajay’s rage. He stuck his arm out before the elevator could close. The elevator door reopened, and Ajay flew out. Oliver caught his arm, but the spry man just twisted from his friend’s grip. Making it up to Anthony as he made his way to the staircase, Ajay said, “You fucking piece of shit, you’re and god damn rapist and you fucking hit him? Is that what you think he likes?” Ajay had his hand curled at his side, ready to deliver a punch worthy of the most deserving prick he ever met. Oliver caught his arm and said, “Let’s just go. Noah needs me.” Ray was faster than Ajay could have ever been. He delivered a swift punch that knocked Anthony on his ass.”
After speaking with security guards Ajay and Ray honored Oliver’s wishes to not report the assault. Then hearing Anthony spewing his threats, promising Ray that he would make sure he was fired, Ajay and the receptionist at the desk outside of the consultation rooms both swore they saw Anthony swing first. The security officer offered to call the police to file charges. Ray declined, and the three men made their way up to the fifth floor while security escorted Anthony out of the building.
Stepping out of the elevator, Ajay told Oliver, “Go get an ice pack and clean yourself up for fuck sake. You don’t want Noah seeing you like this. He has been worried sick about you. I would hate for you to show him that he had good cause to worry.”
Moving to Noah’s room, Ajay said to Ray, “I don’t know what the fuck that guy has over Oliver. Ollie could easily break him in two. Why in the fucking hell would he go with him in the first place, and furthermore, why would he stay long enough to put himself at risk?”
Not offering his opinion, Ray stepped into Noah’s room with a smile on his face. He looked at the man in the bed that just woke up. Ray showed Noah his swollen fist and said, “You owe me big! I may lose my job, thanks to you.” Noah let his jaw fall, and a gasp escaped. “I didn’t really think you would do it.” Ray shrugged his shou
lders and said, “The guy deserved it. Besides, I really did mean what I said. I am sorry for the way that I treated you.”
Walking in Noah’s room, Oliver had a bag of ice on his mouth. Noah gasped again and asked, “What in the hell happened?” Slowly inching his way to Noah’s bed, Oliver sat in the chair, grabbed Noah’s hand, and said, “I love you!” With guilt written all over his face. He gave in to the tears that became sobs while Noah just held his boyfriend.
Later that afternoon, Noah received a surprise; Owen and Willa delivered a new phone, tablet, and laptop computer. Working on the web site and social media, worry had set in and settled in the pit of his gut. Oliver was so upset, he couldn’t speak. “I can’t ask him what happened to upset him so much, it isn’t my business. I have no idea what to do.”
Ajay returned after taking a break. Noah smiled “You don’t have to stay. Hospitals suck. The chairs are hard, the TVs are small, and the coffee is horrible. Owen and Willa dropped off my computer and a new phone. If you insist on staying, then you have to choose the Netflix movie.
“Deal! I want to talk to you about Oliver. He is devastated that he allowed himself to be manipulated and abused by Anthony again. You have no idea what Oliver was like when he moved back to Denver. He spent time searching aimlessly for answers that just weren’t there. The person he was in college certainly wasn’t that same person that returned to Colorado. He was unsure of himself, hardly spoke, and just moped around. Noah, before he met you, he had plans to host parties and live it up. That didn’t happen. He cooked enough food for parties and gave the food away. We didn’t have to cook or shop for months. Oliver met you, and everything changed. I could see the change the second I laid my eyes on him. He is bright, he smiles, and his whole outlook is lighter. Noah, you make him happy.”
