Brandon is not making a great first impression on Ryan, the more he sees of him. It's obvious that Aiden and Ben are less than impressed themselves. Ryan wonders what Abby sees in the guy. See what's happening in this week's chapter of In Pieces. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Emjoy!
In Pieces #46 (11.5)
Before Ben had a chance to reply, Aiden arrived at the
table, carefully balancing three frosty mugs of beer. Ryan started to reach for one, thinking to
relieve Aiden of some of his burden, but Aiden managed to set all three on the
table without spilling a drop before he turned toward Brandon.
“Where’s Abby?” he asked, almost belligerently.
“In the little girls’ room,” Brandon replied. “Powdering her nose, or whatever females do in
such situations.” He grinned at Aiden, a smile which Ryan found rather
predatory. Aiden didn’t return the smile. He made no move to take a seat,
either. Ryan got the distinct impression he was willing Brandon to leave, or if
he didn’t go, he intended to take his beer and put some distance between
himself and Abby’s boyfriend.
An awkward silence encompassed the four men, one Ryan didn’t
feel entitled to break, as the newcomer to the group. He wondered if Brandon
created this kind of tension wherever he went, or was it just with the members
of Salvation? Brandon was drumming his
fingers across the tabletop, as if he hadn’t a care in the world, Aiden was
glancing around the club, as if searching for his missing twin, while Ben
openly glared at Brandon. Not quite how Ryan had envisioned spending the break
between sets with Ben. The Guinness sat,
untouched, on the table.
The seconds ticked by, the noises from the other people in the
club a mere background noise around them. Just when Ryan thought he couldn’t
stand it any longer, he heard a sharp ding. Brandon pulled out his phone and
glanced at it. “Ah, there’s my lady love now,” he said. He quickly typed a
reply and replaced the phone in his pocket. He unfolded himself from his seat
with no sign of any immediate urgency.
“Sorry to leave such riveting company, but she requests my presence
outside. What else can I do but obey? Catch you all later.” He winked, then
began to amble in the direction of the back of the club but turned at the last
moment, as if a sudden thought had struck him.
“By the way, Aid, don’t wait up for Abby tonight. I’ve got a
motel room here in town, we’ll be spending the night there.” He didn’t wait for
a reply, but spun on his heel and slouched away.
“Motherfucker,” Aiden mumbled.
“Yeah,” Ben agreed. All three men reached for their beer at
once and took a good, long drink.
Aiden replaced his mug then pulled out his phone and began
to furiously text. Ryan could just imagine who he was texting. He received a
reply moments later and scowled at the screen before putting up the phone.
“Something wrong?” Ryan inquired.
“She told me to behave. He’s
the one she should be telling that to.” He glanced in the direction in which
Brandon had disappeared into the crowd. Ryan could just feel his inner
debate—should he go out there or not, try to talk some sense into Abby. Apparently
he decided against it, probably realizing he’d see her again when they started
the next set. Confrontation postponed.
Ryan reached for Ben’s hand and squeezed it. “Don’t let him get to
you, he’s not worth it.” He felt Ben release a long sigh, before he returned
Ryan’s squeeze.
“I know you’re right, but I see how he is. I mean, he was
hitting on you, with Abby right there and everything. She deserves better than that.”
“I totally agree,” Aiden spoke up. “She deserves some
happiness in her life, not to be chased after by sleazes like him and Cameron.”
“Aiden, I promise you this,” Ben said solemnly. “When we no
longer need his support, we’re done with him. And with anyone else like him.
Then maybe Abby will tell Brandon to go fuck himself, she doesn’t have to take
his shit.”
“I think she would dump him now but she lacks
self-confidence in herself. As a person, and as a woman.” He shrugged. “Having
your twin brother tell you how great you are doesn’t make quite the same
impact, I get that.”
“Yeah, but you’re not going to quit telling her that, are
you?” Ben said.
“Hell no. She’s my sister. I’d do anything for her.”
“So would I,” Ben said, and Ryan echoed his sentiments.
Aiden smiled at them
both. “You guys are great. I appreciate
your support, more than I can ever tell you.”
“Support? What kind of support?”
At the sound of a familiar voice, Ryan looked up to find
Deacon and Keanu standing beside them. They held almost empty glasses in their
hands, and they seemed to be in high spirits, faces flushed. Ryan could almost
imagine what they might have been up to. Not that he blamed them. Given the
choice with Ben, he’d have gone for it too. There was always later.
“Hey, do I need to knock somebody out? Somebody causing
trouble?” Keanu raised a clenched fist, as if to demonstrate his willingness to
leap into the fray for his friends’ sake.
Laughter broke the pent-up tension rather effectively.
“Not tonight, slugger,” Aiden said. “But I’ll keep you
posted.”
“And on that note, I think we should get ready for the next
set,” Ben said. “Want to text Abby to come in?”
“Yeah, sure.” Aiden pulled out his phone, as they all stood.
“You going to take more pics?” Ben asked Ryan. He shook his
head.
“I think I have more than enough,” he said.
Ben smiled. “Good.
Stand by the stage, where I can see you?”
“You got it,” Ryan said. He raised three fingers and swiped
them across his chest. “On my honor.” It felt silly to say scout’s honor, as he’d
never been a Boy Scout, considering their stance on homosexuals. He’d never
felt the loss.
“Then let’s do this.” Ben pulled him close for a last
lingering kiss before they headed toward the stage once more.
to be continued
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