Page 15 of Game of Revenge

No, that just won't do.

“Mom, please eat something,” I coax, pushing the chicken soup closer to her. It's her recipe. The one she always made for me and Brian when we were sick or upset.

The pizza Tray ordered from lunch still sits there uneaten and cold. I know he was just trying to help, but we don't need the carbs.

“Thank you, baby, but no. Maybe later. I just want to go to sleep.”

Standing, she grabs the bottle of vodka from the counter, then leaves, going to her room.

Silence. It's too quiet. This house has always been loud and hectic. Brian laughing or yelling at a football game.

My mom on the phone with my aunt discussing the gossip at the hospital. She's been a nurse there for thirty years.

I bet she never expected to get a call about an ambulance coming into the bay and finding out it was her unresponsive son.

Finding him with his face bashed in, broken and bloody will be an image that stays with me forever.

I did the right thing. He would have suffered otherwise.

Right?

No, Mike, now's not the time to second guess. You wanted him gone and God looked down on you and answered your prayers.

Fuck, I need to get out of here. Kiernan and Tray are out for a walk. I should have gone with them.

Putting the soup in the fridge, I grab a bottle of water and go to my room. I haven't been back here in a long time and it looks like my mom didn't change a thing.

Laying on my bed, I stare up at the tattered rock star posters on my ceiling, remembering the nights I would fuck my hand to them.

I've always been gay and proud of it. But this town doesn't accept people like me and the guys.

After we lay my brother to rest we need to get the fuck out of here before things escalate even more.

Rolling over, I dig into my side table. I doubt I have any left, but I could use something to help me sleep.

Last time I went on a bender, Brian, tossed my room apart looking for drugs. He was always sticking his nose where it didn't belong.

The perfect son. The one who could do no wrong. Excellent grades, played sports without trying, and had the favor of our mother.

But he's gone and now it's my time to shine.

Chapter 5

Tray

Shit has officially hit the fan, and I don’t know what to do. Brian wasn’t just my friend, I loved him. We weren’t as close as Mike and I or Kiernan and I, but I still loved him. He was the one I’d go to when I was upset.

Always there with a funny joke or story to cheer me up when my days were overwhelming. And now the silence is louder than normal and tainted with grief.

Walking to the closet, I grab our suits and lay them out on the bed. Hard to believe we just wore them for the reunion.

Mike needed new pants, so I went shopping yesterday. I felt like everyone was staring at me.

I don't like this town. I want to leave as soon as we can.

I can hear Kiernan crying, and Mike comforting him through the closed bathroom door.

They need each other right now, so I leave them alone for the moment. Quietly, I exit the room and walk along the halls filled with Brian’s smile.

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