Noah’s frown deepened. The female voice inviting him in had sounded familiar, but he wasn’t sure who… he stepped forward and swallowed hard.
“Hello Noah,” she didn’t sound too unfriendly, but Noah sensed danger and felt like running away. He didn’t. He smiled uncomfortably and gave her a nod.
“Hello Mrs. Walsh. I didn’t expect to find you here.”
“I’m sure you didn’t,” Lucinda said, her eyes sharp and cold. “And believe me…I wouldn’t share my air with you unless it was absolutely necessary.”
That sounded plain hateful and Noah quickly looked at the door, ready to make a run for it.
“Don’t even think about it,” Lucinda interrupted his line of thought, “unless you want the police on your tail.”
Police? Noah paled, suddenly realizing the predicament he was in. He’d told Brian everything! There was no doubt in his mind. Lucinda knew.
She pointed at the TV screen in a cupboard and waved with a remote control.
“Please take a seat and enjoy your show.”
Noah was glad to sit. He felt nauseated and dizzy. Then he watched the screen in horror. It only took him a few minutes to realize his encounter with Brian had been filmed. From start to indubitably the finish. Brian’s face had been made unrecognizable – Noah knew the techniques to do that – but his own face was very clear. And so was his voice. Confirming the price for his sexual cooperation, sharing his part in the Zoë drama… everything was on there. And Lucinda wouldn’t let him get away with it. The way she was watching him was very telling. He was doomed.
“Obviously this was a recap, but we do have the whole thing on tape,” Lucinda turned off the TV. “I’m pretty sure the police would be very interested in this. Prostitution is still very illegal in this country, you know.”
Prostitution. Noah almost threw up, but he managed to bring out some words.
“What do you want?”
“I want you to go. Again. But this time I don’t want to see your face in this town ever again. If I even hear a rumor about you having contact with anyone in or from Oakdale, this tape ends up on Margo’s desk. And I think I can find some news stations that would be interested in it too. I will ruin every little chance of success that you might get. In short: I will turn your life into the living hell you put Luke, Reid and the kids through. The only reason I’m giving you this chance to leave town is because of the love you and Luke once shared. I know my grandson loved you, for whatever misguided reasons, and I respect that. But just give me one tiny little provocation and I’ll do what I really feel like doing… destroying you.”
Lucinda’s anger filled the room and Noah felt like choking.
“Did I made myself clear, Mr. Mayer? I’ve instructed several lawyers and private investigators to make sure you will stay away. Even after I’m dead, Mr. Mayer. Don’t ever set foot in this town again.”
She pointed at a suitcase. “I took the liberty to check you out off your hotel, so you can leave immediately. If you’re here tomorrow, you’re mine.”
Without another look at him, she left the room and Noah needed several minutes to digest it all. He stared at the black TV screen. Movies had always been his passion and now a movie ruined his life. He rose to this feet and grabbed the suitcase. Nobody in Oakdale was important enough to risk Lucinda’s fury. So he left.
***
“For some reason my theme in life is about losing people and I’m so sick of it.” Waylon grabbed the toy again and pulled it close. It made him look like a big sulking kid and Dave had to force himself not to smile.
“That’s everybody’s theme in life,” Dave answered. “And I’m not trying to underplay your horrific childhood, but losing people is a fact of life. We all have to deal with that.”
“It sucks.”
“It does.”
“Makes me wonder why I even bother.”
Dave narrowed his eyes.
“You’re not planning on doing something stupid, right?”
Waylon shrugged. “Would it be so stupid? I’m not so sure about that, to be honest.”
“Just think about your project. The beautiful music you’re creating. You know you’re touching hearts with that.”
Waylon shrugged again. “So? There will be other music, other musicians… I know I’m full of myself, but I honestly don’t think I’m irreplaceable.”
“You are to me.”
Dave was surprised by his own words and it made Waylon raise an eyebrow.
“Where did that come from?” He sounded almost teasing.
“Hell if I know,” Dave snorted, shaking his head. “Must be some old residue of my love for you.”
“Must be,” Waylon nodded, his face all sad again. “It’s nice there’s some of it left, but still…” he sighed, “why have we allowed it to slip away?”
“I don’t know,” Dave whispered, feeling sad too. “I guess we never got our priorities right.”
Waylon nodded. His eyes on the floor, because he simply couldn’t bear watching his husband. He didn’t want to feel that flicker of hope. He didn’t want to think about how it could have been.
He even didn’t look up when Dave took a deep breath.
“So…where do we go from here? You mentioned earlier that you want to call it quits and…”
This time Waylon did look up, lifting his hand.
“No. That’s not what I want, Dave. I realize it’s inevitable, but it’s definitely not what I want.”
Dave was overwhelmed by the emotions that flooded him. It was like being intimate with his husband again had broached an almost forgotten load of love that came rushing in, right now.
Seeing Waylon so honest, so vulnerable, reminded him of earlier days. When they had fun. Good talks. Good sex. Respect. Understanding.
The feelings motivated him to be honest and vulnerable too.
“Is it? Inevitable, I mean…”
For a moment – that felt like hours – both men stared at each other. There was pain, distrust, disbelief and confusion hanging between them. Entwined with hope, connection, memories and…really?…love.
“I can’t go on being second choice,” Waylon whispered, almost desperately.
“I understand,” Dave’s tone was soft too. “I can’t go on as we were too. But what if we could use all our mistakes and take a whole different approach…”
Suddenly Waylon started shivering and without thinking it over, Dave stood up and sat next to his husband. Putting his hands over the shaking fingers.
“Sssshhhh, calm down…” he hushed, “I didn’t want to scare the hell out of you…”
That made Waylon chuckle and look next to him. He even managed a small smile.
“I really thought I’d messed up beyond repair.”
“So did I,” Dave admitted, “but I’m not so sure anymore. There’s still something there.”
Waylon nodded, without averting his eyes. He carefully touched the face in front of him. Almost like he had to convince himself he wasn’t dreaming.
“I never stopped loving you,” he whispered, grinning a little, “Believe me…I’ve tried real hard, but I just couldn’t stop…”
It made Dave lean forward and they shared a soft and exploring kiss that deepened within seconds and turned hungry within minutes. Hope was growing.
