Page 94 of Blackmail
“Brennan, I think you need to let him go,” Simon adds.
Although, does he? Larry’s a prick. He doesn’t treat Jacob well.
I have to say I’m proud of him, though. Standing up to Brennan this way when he used to feel the need to please him.
“Please.” Larry’s face is turning even redder. “I can’t—I can’t breathe.”
Brennan only presses harder. “You’ve made the mistake of getting on my radar, you piece of shit. If I hear one single word about you harming your kid from now until eternity, I’ll cut your dick off, feed it to you, and then toss you in the fucking ocean tied to a boat anchor. You understand?”
I glance at Simon, silently asking, Is he serious?
Simon shrugs. Maybe.
“I’m gonna ask one more time. You got it?” Brennan jostles Larry again.
“I got it. I got it. I promise. Please let me go.”
Finally, Brennan gives the man one last shove and lets go. He leans down and says something I can’t hear to Jacob before pulling away.
Simon pulls Jacob back inside my place and shuts the door behind them.
I turn to Simon's former pimp. “Leave him alone, Brennan. Jacob’s just a kid.”
He laughs. The dick. “Oh for fuck’s sake. All I did was suggest he crash at your place for a while. And this piece of shit isn’t going to complain, because if he does, you or I will make sure he gets what’s coming to him, right?”
Without waiting for my agreement, Brennan exits through the stairwell door, footsteps fading fast.
I give Larry a long, hard look, letting him know I’ll closely monitor him. And I hate to say it, but I agree with Brennan. Jacob might be better off crashing at my place for a while. I’d even be willing to make Larry sorry if he hurts Jacob again.
My dick’s a little bummed out that the condo is still so full of people, but the rest of me is not. Because Simon is smiling, he’s staying.
He’s mine.
Epilogue
PJ
Two months later
It’s weird seeing new people at brunch. One of these days, we’ll outgrow the back room at Gil’s. Not too soon, I hope. Kinda like it here.
Then again, I might not even be here when it happens. Either because I finally found Evans, or because I’ve given up.
“Hey, motherfuckers, listen up because I have an announcement. Sebastian and I finally found a new house we both like. We’re having a housewarming party next Saturday. None of you assholes are invited, but you’re allowed to come help us pack.”
Sebastian shakes his head. “You’re all invited to the housewarming, and we’ve got movers to help us pack.”
Guess it’s understandable that Simon’s a little bit pissy. We all tried to get him to break up with Sebastian at one point. We were worried about the way he kept showing up at brunch with bruises, and we’d already dealt with getting Christian away from his abusive ex.
We were all trying to help. It’s hard to see someone in trouble and not speak up. It is for me, anyway. Seems that way with the rest of the group too.
So, Simon started bringing Sebastian to brunch so we could all get to know him. He seems like an okay guy after all. I’m still not clear on why they keep bringing Simon’s brother and their teenage neighbor, though.
Not my circus, though. I’ve got bigger problems.
Over to my left, Simon’s talking real estate with Michael. Something about how it was a rough search because there’s not a lot on the market right now. They need enough room for Simon’s cat, a yard for Sebastian’s new dog, and a room with an attached bath for his brother, yada yada, home office. Something about quartz kitchen counters because they’re easier to clean?
I don’t know. I’m barely listening because I’m having trouble sympathizing with how hard it is to find a place to live when your boyfriend is wealthy. Simon’s a good guy, though, a good friend, and he deserves happiness. I don’t want to be the asshole who pisses all over his good mood.
