Zac and Kayden

by Ryan Keith

Chapter 3 - Into the Light

     Zac awoke sensing a presence at his side. He turned his head and blinked a few times. Kayden sat crossed legged on the bed, leaning against the wall, calmly watching Zac. Zac felt his boyfriend’s hand gently stroke his hair.

     “You look…like…a stalker,” Zac whispered.

     A small smile brightened Kayden’s face for a moment, but Zac sensed hesitation behind it.

     Zac patted the pillow beside him. “Lie with me?”

     Kayden complied and stretched out his body on Zac’s bed. His hand brushed over Zac’s for a fraction of a second, but he pulled it away. He stared up at the ceiling, not wanting to face Zac.

     Moments passed as Zac remained silent, his eyes focused on Kayden. Hesitantly, Kayden placed his hand over Zac’s, and then Zac turned his hand so that their fingers could intertwine.

     Kayden finally turned his head, his eyes puffy and red. Zac watched silently as Kayden opened his mouth and tried to say something, but no sound came out.  He closed his mouth and clamped his eyes shut.

     At that point, Zac realized how cold Kayden’s hands were. He pulled them up to his face and blew his hot breath over them. Kayden opened his eyes and watched as Zac used his hands to warm Kayden’s.

     Kayden’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down before he inched his face closer.

     Zac pulled away and slightly tilted his head. “Sorry,” he whispered, “morning breath.”

     Kayden noticed a red glow on Zac’s face. Kayden propped himself on one elbow and grabbed something from Zac’s desk.

     Zac didn’t turn his head. His attention was focused on Kayden’s armpit. There was a brush of hair in there and he couldn’t help but breathe in a bit of Kayden’s aroma.

     When Kayden lay back down, Zac stared at what he held in his hand. “Listerine strips?”

     Kayden nodded.

     Zac couldn’t hide his amusement, and he laughed as Kayden smiled a little more. Zac took the packet, opened it, and took a strip. He waved it in front of Kayden’s face and the boy opened his mouth. After Zac had popped the strip into Kayden’s mouth, he took one for himself and placed it in his tongue.

     After a moment, Zac threw the mint pack behind him. “Where were we?”

     Kayden approached a second time, and Zac accepted him without hesitation.

     When the kiss finally ended, Zac’s face was flushed. “What do you want to do today?” he asked.

     “Can we just stay in bed? It’s like the world doesn’t exist here.”

     Zac couldn’t believe the things Kayden said, sometimes. “That’s real sweet, Kayden, and I’d like to do that, too, but my stomach is begging for food.”

     Kayden’s stomach grumbled at the mention of food. “We didn’t eat last night?”

     “Nope. Pancakes?”

     Kayden nodded.       

     Zac got up first and headed to the washroom. He paused in front of the mirror and frowned as he stared at his reflection. It was the first time he’d looked at himself in a mirror since the previous night’s incident with Kayden and Brad. He leaned forward and touched the tender skin near his lip. During the drive home from Brad’s place, Diana had pointed out the mark on his face. He’d been able to keep it hidden on the earlier drive to Brad’s apartment. He convinced her that he’d walked into a door, and that made her back off. He remembered the surprise and aggressiveness she had shown when he refused to let her take a close look at it after they got home.

     “She actually scolded me,” Zac said to his reflection in the mirror. He’d been embarrassed when she chewed him out. He’d wanted to give her a piece of his mind, but he couldn’t come up with anything to say. As a result, Diana nagged at him for fifteen minutes before he excused himself and went to his room.

     He hadn’t understood what the problem was until he saw how bad the bruise looked. He could understand why Diana had been worried; even then, the morning after, it looked as if he’d just come out of a fight.

     “She must’ve thought I had a fight with Brad,” Zac whispered.

     “I did that, didn’t I?”

     Zac turned towards Kayden’s voice. The boy leaned against the bathroom doorframe, almost afraid to be seen by Zac, his head slightly lowered and his arms folded in front of him.

     “Will you stop looking so vulnerable? I won’t let you leave my room if you don’t stop.”

     Without a word, Zac stepped over to the toilet and pulled his boxer fly open. As he urinated, he felt Kayden’s presence behind him. The boy reached around and carefully held Zac’s member in his hands.

     Before Zac could comment on how awkward that was, he felt Kayden nipping kisses on the back of his neck, which made him shudder. He thought he was experiencing the kinkiest thing ever.

     He didn’t even realize he was done until Kayden gave him a shake and put his tool back through the flap.

     Kayden’s arms remained around Zac’s waist. The two teens stood, neither one wishing to make the first move.

     “Kade…”

     “Zac…”

     Zac felt Kayden’s arms squeeze him snugly before they fell back to his sides.

     “Let’s go down,” Kayden said.

     Zac and Kayden descended to the main floor, where Lenne ambushed Zac the moment they reached the kitchen. 

     “What the hell happened to your face?”

     Zac’s parents turned to him, and Kevin’s eyes bulged out. Zac almost felt Kayden shrink behind him.

     “Zac, what happened?” Kevin asked, showing genuine concern.

     “What’s with the…” Lenne waved her fingers around her face. She didn’t know what to call Zac’s bruise.

     “Nothing, Lenne,” Zac responded immediately.

     Lenne looked at Kayden, who was still behind Zac. “Kayden did that!” she accused.

     “Did he hit you?” Kevin demanded, getting up from his chair.

     “No! Well, it was by accident…”

     Diana gasped and Zac felt his whole body groan. “Guys, it wasn’t on purpose. He didn’t mean it. Kade, stick up for yourself!” Zac said harshly, to no avail. Kayden was as white as a ghost behind Zac.

     “Not on purpose? That’s what they all say!” Diana said. “You’re seeing another boy, aren’t you? That’s where I dropped you off last night. You went to see the other boy and Kayden found out. Oh, no…Zac!” A tone of disappointment marked Diana’s voice.

     Zac, finally realizing where Lenne had gotten her imagination, slammed his hand on the counter to grab his family’s attention. “It was an accident!” He almost grinned over the way his family was panicking.

     “You told me you walked into a door!” Diana accused.

     “You expected the truth?” Zac challenged.

     “So, what happened? I was just kidding, by the way, Kade. I know you too well. Did you shit yourself, son?” Kevin grinned. He seemed to be the only one who was listening to Zac.

     “This doesn’t leave the house,” Zac said, turning to Lenne. “I mean it.”

     “My mouth is shut.” Lenne dramatically zipped her lips.

     “Kayden was fighting with a guy, and as I was trying to pull him away he backhanded me by accident. He hadn’t even known I was there. The guy I went to see later last night is the one Kayden fought. He has a crush on Kayden and he tried to threaten him. I went to tell him to stay away from my boyfriend.” He glanced around and saw impressed looks.

     Kayden clutched his shirt tightly as he stepped forward. “I- I’d never intentionally hurt Zac. I swear on my life. I can’t even believe I did that… I should go.”

     As Kayden turned to leave, Zac grabbed his arm. “Hey! You’re not going anywhere. Dad was just hassling you…and Diana and Lenne are drama queens.”

     “What?!” They both exclaimed.

     “And I don’t want you to be by yourself right now. You do too much thinking when you’re on your own.” Zac said.

     “That’s pretty mature of you, Zac.” Kevin nodded his approval.

     Zac laughed nervously, realizing that his family had heard his exchange with Kayden. He was certain that if they knew what he had said to Brad, they wouldn’t be so impressed.

     Lenne raised her hand as if to ask to speak.

     “What?” Zac gave her a look.

     After unzipping her mouth, she asked, “It was Brad, right?”

     Zac opened his mouth, but then closed it and simply nodded.

     “I knew it! That bastard is going down!” Lenne crossed her arms.

     “Lenne!” Diana said, shocked.

     “Don’t start anything, Lenne. It’s over for now. If Brad does anything else, I’ll put an end to it quickly,” Zac told her.

     “Good idea.” Kevin again nodded approval.

     “You’re agreeing to this?” Diana gave Kevin a look of concern. “Is this the behavior you promote in your child?”

     “Zac’s old enough to make adult decisions.” Kevin’s stare didn’t leave Zac’s eyes. “He knows the consequences, and besides that, I’d do the same.”

     A smile broke over Zac’s face, which only his dad could see. A smirk highlighted his father’s visage as he turned his attention back to his newspaper.

     Diana didn’t look convinced, but she held back on commenting as she sipped her coffee.

     Lenne just shook her head, reflecting her disgust over Brad.

     Zac turned to the still pale-faced Kayden and asked, “Pancakes?”

     Even though Kayden had almost lost his appetite, Zac’s reassuring smile brought it back.

***

     Kayden sat on Zac’s bed, tapping his fingers on his leg as he waited impatiently for Zac to finish showering. Kayden knew it was for the best. Their last attempt at showering together in Zac’s washroom had left both of them with a few bruises.

     Kayden scanned the room for something to do, but his thoughts returned to the night before. He stood up, determined to keep his mind off of that subject. He didn’t want to think about what he had done with Brad. He knew that it was a mistake he wouldn’t make again.

     He bent down to pick up some articles of clothing that littered Zac’s floor. Zac was usually neat with his room, but the night before had been an exception. After picking up a shirt and draping it over Zac’s desk chair, he bent down and retrieved Zac’s pants. He felt something stiff in the jeans as he tried to fold them. He curiously reached into Zac’s pocket and froze. The pants fell to the floor as Kayden stared at the papers.

     Shit! He saw these? He unfolded the pages and went through them in detail. When he heard the shower shut off, he quickly slipped the first two pages beneath his towel and returned the others to the pocket and again dropped the pants. The nervous boy shot up straight as Zac opened the shower curtain.

     “Sorry I took so long.” Zac smiled into his room, though the bathroom mirror.

     A towel hung loosely around Zac’s waist as he stepped into his bedroom, drying his hair with another towel. “It’s all yours,” he said, winking and smiling.

     Kayden grabbed the towel from the bed and stood up. He smiled back and entered the washroom and closed the door.

*******     

     Helen walked into the kitchen and saw her youngest sibling staring out into the back yard. She followed his line of sight and noticed he was looking at basically nothing. She stood back and stared at her brother for a few moments. The boy didn’t seem to notice her.

     She sighed, hoping to get his attention, but his mind wandered in the clouds. She smiled at herself and at the fact that the young man was so much like their father. Jett sat at the kitchen table wearing plaid lounging pants. His legs were stretched long while his massive arms rested on the table. He held a glass of orange juice gently, as if the glass might shatter in his hands. As usual, her younger brother wasn’t wearing a shirt around the house. Their mother always nagged at him about catching a cold, but he seemed to have proved that notion wrong.

     Helen cleared her throat, trying harder to draw his attention. When he didn’t turn, she finally gave up and sat down beside him.

     “Jett?”

     When Jett slowly turned to his sister, his eyes widened. “Helen! You’re home!”

     “I came home late last night. Whatcha up to?”

     “Nothin’,” Jett whispered, as he again looked out the back door.

     “I could see that,” she said. “The question is, why?”

     “Why are you home?”

     “Answering with a question is really not what a gentleman should do.” She smiled.

     “But walking around without my shirt is?” Jett grinned.

     “I’ll be honest with you. All women love it. Especially if it’s a body like yours. There’s no shame in showing it. I can’t tell you how hot it is when I see Greg vacuuming his apartment in just his jeans!”

     Jett had met Greg, his sister’s boyfriend, a few times. They were pretty serious. Helen was off in her dream world while Jett smiled.

     Helen turned her attention back to her brother and placed her hands around his. “But don’t change the subject. I know you, my little brother. You have that look like you’re carrying the whole world on your shoulders. Dad often walked around like that.”

     “Sorry.” Jett bowed his head.

     “Just tell your eldest sis what’s eating you. Maybe I can shed some of that burden.”

     Jett looked up at his sister and met her understanding gaze. She waited patiently as he squirmed in his seat.

     “Okay, but I’m altering the story to keep it general. I just need to know what I should do.”

     “Sounds fair. Everyone has their secrets.” Helen smiled generously.

     Jett didn’t know what she meant by the smile, but he brushed it off. “I have these two friends who’ve been dating for about a year. Someone I know wanted to break them up in order to date one of them. I liked this person and I hoped to maybe change them. Not sure how, but I wanted them to notice me, I guess.”

     The hands covering Jett’s squeezed reassuringly.

     “I couldn’t keep it a secret anymore, and I told my friend about it. I told him what I knew and what I had tried to do for that person.” Jett lowered his voice. “I told my friend how I felt about that person.”

     He looked up into his sister’s stare. “This person… did something to one of my friends that is unforgivable. But I’ve liked this person since I was a kid, before they moved away. They just moved back, but… he’s changed…”

     Helen’s eyes widened with surprise, but otherwise, she didn’t react.

     “Not the same person I knew back then. My friend told me not to give up on the person. But time after time, they prove to me they won’t change… I’m afraid that the person I liked is lost forever.”

     Jett fell silent and lowered his eyes.

     “Let me tell you a story,” Helen said. “Back in high school, I fell in love with a guy I was sure I’d marry in the future. We both believed it. But then, we went to different universities. It was hard for us to see each other, and every time we did, it was under stressful circumstances. We seemed to fight more than we got along. People change. We talked, of course, but we realized that we each wanted different things.”

     “What are you getting at?” There was no malice behind Jett’s words. His features showed concern about what his sister was hinting.

     “As much as we’d like to believe that someone will change to meet our expectations, it’s easier on our hearts to just move on. Giving them another chance to let us down can just be too painful. If this person has not begun to change by now, then they aren’t worth it…”

     “Just cut them out?” Jett asked.

     “’Fraid so, big guy.” Helen gave a grim smile. Seeing her brother’s glum look, she tapped his hand. “It’s hard now, Jett, but it sounds as if this person doesn’t think much of you. And if they pretend to, only to further their own goals, they’re not worthy of your love.”

     Jett nodded and turned his attention to his glass of orange juice.

     Helen got up and leaned over to kiss the top of her brother’s head. “Do what you must, but protect your heart. Don’t let anyone break that golden heart of yours, okay? You’re the gentlest boy I know. You have a good nature about you and a sense of justice that Dad would be proud of. Just do what that heart tells you.”

     Helen walked away, content with the smile she had left on Jett’s face.

*******

     Zac sat on his bed, surfing the boring television channels. He wondered how many church programs he had run through, and realized he was going through the same ones over and over. He wasn’t really looking for something to watch; he was waiting for Kayden to get out of the washroom. He was a bit confused as to why he had closed the door, but realized he might have had to use the toilet.

     Zac looked up when the bathroom door opened. He was disappointed to see that Kayden was already dressed in the clothes he’d worn the day before.

     “You could have borrowed some more of my clothes,” Zac joked.

     “Actually, uhm, I forgot… I made an appointment for my bike to be serviced,” Kayden said, ignoring the clothing issue.

     “Today?”

     “Yeah. It should only be a few hours. I need to have the carbs synchronized.”

     Zac gave Kayden a blank stare.

     Kayden smiled and then chuckled. “My bike’s acceleration is uneven. I found a guy who can take care of it for me. And he’s going to show me how to maintain the bike, too. You could come, but it might be boring.”

     “When will you be done?”

     “Should be through in the afternoon. I’ll come back here when I’m done. Then we can spend the rest of the evening together, okay?” Kayden’s comments indicated that he wasn’t going to change him mind.

     Zac nodded. “All right. I think I wanna go swimming for an hour or so. I’ll grab a ride from Dad.”

     Kayden grinned and grabbed his jacket. He swung by Zac and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “I’ll be back before you know it.” And he was off.

*******     

     Brad ground his teeth furiously as he stared back at his reflection. He’d been sitting in his car for almost an hour. No amount of coverup would hide the markings. His face was blemished from Kayden’s blows.

     “He’ll pay for this!” Brad swore aloud as he glared at the mirror. His head dropped as his shoulders began to tremble. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this… He wasn’t supposed to call my bluff.”

     Brad then shook his head. He knew that wasn’t it. Kayden hadn’t called his bluff. Kayden had believed him as much as Brad had wanted him to. He just hadn’t foreseen that Kayden would try to kill him.

     Frustration showed around his eyes. He could almost hear his father’s voice criticizing his management of his affairs. Brad pounded the steering wheel at the thought of his father. Why the fuck am I thinking about that bastard?

     He looked up again to see the markings that were so noticeable. He knew he couldn’t remain hiding in his car. He had a photo shoot to steal.

********

     “Kayden! Look at me!”

     Tears fell from Kayden’s face as he clutched his knees. His right knee wouldn’t stop shaking.

     “Kayden!”

     Slowly, Kayden raised his head to look at the man.

     “You don’t want your parents to know, right? Can you imagine how hurt they would be? You’d break your mother’s heart. I can’t even think what my brother would say…”

     Those words increased the boy’s tears. He sobbed openly. Taking short breaths, he felt as if he were in a nightmare.

     “They don’t need to know, Kayden. I can help you, but first you will have to help me. Do you remember…”    

     “I- I don’t know!” Kayden bellowed.

     “Shhh.” His uncle hushed him. “I want you to think really hard. I know you know it, Kayden. You’ve seen him punch it in lots of times.”

     “I only remember the 8 and 5. I don’t know the rest!”

     “You do, Kayden.” The man put his palms together and calmly tapped his fingers against his mouth. “I do want to help you, Kayden, but I need your help first.”

     Kayden’s chest heaved as he began to hiccup from the stress.

     “You never met your grandfather. He was a very hard man. If he were alive and knew about you, you’d be better off dead. Think about what could happen if your dad found out.”

     “You don’t have to tell him!” Kayden implored.

     “But I do. You need help, and I think telling him would help you…” The man paused. “Unless you think you could help me. I could keep your secret. No one would ever know. If you happen…”

     “But I don’t know!”

     “Don’t interrupt me!” The uncle’s glare at Kayden clearly frightened the boy. “You don’t want to see me angry. I really wish I could help you…”

     “I could find out,” Kayden offered. “Dad opens it sometimes when I’m around. I’ll remember it next time!”

     The uncle’s lips quivered slightly and he looked away. “I doubt you could pull it off. You’re just not a bright boy.”

     “I can do it!”

     “Are you sure?

     Kayden hesitantly nodded.

     *BEEEEP* BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*

     Kayden turned his head to the left and saw a speeding car in the lane he was about to switch over to. Without hesitating, he floored his bike, trying to get ahead of the vehicle. The car pulled up alongside and the driver gave him the finger before speeding off.

     “Fucking focus on the road, dumbass,” Kayden muttered to himself. He took the exit ramp up Allen Road and had no trouble navigating to his destination.

     Kayden pulled up to the sidewalk, near the St. Clair station, and looked up at the building in front of him. He was impressed by the high-rise office tower. Looking at his watch, he noticed it was just after 11 AM. It was the first time he’d ever ridden his bike on the highway. It hadn’t occurred to him that the trip was dangerous. All he knew was that he had made it. He reached into his coat and pulled out the two sheets of paper he had taken from Zac’s pants.

     Why didn’t I just tell him the truth?

     Kayden jumped off his bike and stepped up towards the stair platform. He had often passed though the St. Clair station on his way to school, back when Rick was alive. He cast that thought aside as he walked out into the street. The honking of horns hit his senses first, before the bright light of the sun.

     His mind was blank as he reached his destination. The height of the building was comparable to the ones adjacent to it. He jogged up the steps and approached the revolving doors. Peering through the glass, he saw only a security person behind the lobby table.

     Kayden pushed against the revolving door and was surprised when it didn’t budge. He stepped back and saw hinged doors on either side of the main entrance. Those doors were also locked. He peered in again and noticed that he had caught the security officer’s attention. The man stood up and walked to the entrance.

     “The offices are closed on weekends, kid,” the man said. “You’re not getting in unless you have an access card. You waiting for someone? Your daddy working up there?”

     “Ah, something like that,” Kayden replied. “I’m looking for my aunt, actually. Lara Ryan?” Kayden swallowed as he remembered the name from Brad’s papers. “I’m not sure if she came here. She left a note at home telling me she went to work. She isn’t answering her cell phone.”

     The security guard stared at him for a moment before crossing his arms. “I didn’t see her come in today. I’ll ring up her office, though. She might be in.”

     “Nah, it’s all right.” Kayden grinned. “I’m supposed to meet her at the coffee shop across the street, anyway. I’ll just wait. Thanks a lot, sir!”

     Kayden stepped back and walked away. He went to his bike, got on it, started the engine, and wondered what to do. A new destination suddenly entered his mind. Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

***

     Fresh flowers gracefully decorated the stone paths that led to the various sections of the cemetery. A lone man turned his attention from the stone that honored his loved one. He didn’t think there was anyone else in that section of the cemetery, but the appearance of Kayden made him realize how old he was. Poor boy. A soul meriting a visit from a boy that young must mean a great loss. The man bowed his head to the stone and then walked away.

     Kayden stood over his guardian’s grave. “I always forget to bring something, Rick,” Kayden whispered.

     A smile spread across Kayden’s face. The wind passed among the stones that protruded from the ground. Petals of nearby flowers were carried by the wind to settle at Kayden’s feet.

     “I drive now. I got that bike of yours up and running,” Kayden blurted out. He didn’t know what else to say. Why did I come here? “Why did you buy it, anyways? You never worked on it, and you never got anyone to look at it. Anyway, it works great.”

     The silence of Rick’s grave answered him.

     “I want to talk to you, Rick. Why can’t I hear your voice? You always knew the right way. You always knew things before I told you.”

     He closed his eyes. He wondered how his late guardian had been able to understand his moods before he recognized them himself. When Kayden’s anger was about to explode, Rick had always known how to defuse it.

     “Nothing surprised you. How could you see so far ahead?”

     An image of Zac suddenly flashed though Kayden’s head.

     “How can he see so far ahead…”

     Kayden’s eyes widened at his sudden thought. Staring at Rick’s stone, Kayden asked, “Am I supposed to tell him? You’re telling me to tell him? To tell him everything?”

     Kayden’s hand crept up to his neck and stoked it gently. He closed his eyes. As if his hand were not his own, the gentle touch became a tight grip around his neck. With a gasp, Kayden released his neck and fell to his knees as memories of his dark past surfaced in his mind.

     “He already knows how fucked up I am, Rick. How much more time do I have before he realizes I’m broken?”

*******

     Brad gripped his coffee mug as he stared out the coffee shop window. He wished someone, anyone, would dare say something to him at that moment. He wanted a fight. He felt like kicking the shit out of somebody. Frustration and anger caused his fingers to tremble. He’d never been so insulted in his life.

     “What did you expect, Brad?” a voice behind him said.

     Brad knew who it was, but he didn’t answer.

     “You showed up to a shoot with your most valuable asset blemished. No amount of makeup could hide those marks. What did you do? Get in a fight with a gorilla?” Trent asked.

     “Shouldn’t you still be at the photo shoot?”

     “My first set is done. Thought I’d come over for coffee, because I started dozing off after you left. The sight of your face was keeping me awake.” Trent laughed as he sat down beside Brad.

     “I was just waiting for someone to show up and give me some shit,” Brad growled. “Want me to dent your face?”

     “Aww, sugar! A threat? I’m so touched!” Trent said sarcastically.

     “Leave me alone…”

     “What happened? Lose your boy toy? Fate deal you some bad cards? Tell me,” Trent said, rubbing Brad’s thigh.

     Brad stared at Trent’s hand but didn’t remove it.

     “You could say that. I just need to step back for a minute, you know? People usually jump the gun when things don’t go as planned. One thing I learned from my dad is that shit will hit the fan; just make sure none of it hits you. I need a break and something to take my mind off things.”

     “How about a party?” Trent offered.

     “What kind?”

     “The kind only hot people are invited to.”

     “Then how come I’m not already on the invite list?” Brad asked smartly.

     “Because you never left your number, sweetie.” Trent winked at Brad. “You just picked up and left.”

     “And whose fault was that?” Brad asked, in full bitch mode.

     “It was mine,” Trent answered, as he rubbed Brad’s leg. “I should have guessed you’d leave before I woke up. I should have taken care of the paperwork before you fucked me.”

     “You know how to make a man happy.” Brad smiled and added, “All right, I’ll come to the party. My face is bruised, but my ego isn’t.”

     “Brad, your face looks like you’ve just finished a fight. Do you know how hot it looks? If they were doing a cover for a bad boy type, you’d definitely fit the part.”

     “I know I’m hot; I don’t need you telling me that.” Brad smirked.

     “I know. But I also know how much you like hearing it. Here’s my number. Give me a call later. It’s tonight.”

     “You want me to go as I am?”

     “You have money.” Trent laughed. “And free time. Shopping always does people good. Come around ten, okay? I gotta go.”

     Brad watched as Trent walked off. His ego had taken a blow, but Trent had made him feel like he was back in business.

*******

     Lenne was typing when Zac walked into her room. She didn’t greet him, but rather kept up her typing pace.

     “Hmmm,” Zac sighed, as he fell onto Lenne’s bed.

     *tap*tap*tap*

     Rolling over, Zac released a heavier sigh and stretched. “Huaaahhh.”

     *tap*tap*tap* pause *tap*tap*tap*

     Zac finally sat up and glared at Lenne’s back. He released a loud yawn, trying to drown out Lenne’s typing.

     *tap*tap*tap*tap*tap*tap*

     “Ahem!”

     *tap*tap*tap*

     “Lenne!”

     “If you wanted my attention, you should have said something,” Lenne answered, her back still turned.

     Zac sat up and crossed his arms, just as Lenne turned around.

     “What?”

     “Are you busy?”

     “No, Zac, I’m just clicking away because my fingers need exercise.”

     “Kayden left…”

     “Zac, that was hours ago.” Lenne tilted her head. “What have you been doing all this time?”

     “Reading…listening to music…thinking.”

     Lenne turned back to her computer.  “Where the hell is the save button?”

     “Top left. The blue and white square.”

     After saving her essay, Lenne again turned to Zac. “Okay, what’s up?” She noticed that Zac was holding some sheets of paper. “What are those?”

     “You have to swear to secrecy. No one can know about this, okay?”

     “Okay…”

     “Seriously, Lenne, not a soul,” Zac pleaded.

     “I swear!” Lenne said, sensing Zac’s uneasiness.

     Zac handed the papers to her.

     After a moment, Lenne sat on her bed. “What is all this?”

     “Brad’s threat to Kayden. Kayden’s adoption was fixed. It’s not legal.”

     “I figured that much. I just didn’t ask the specifics,” Lenne said.

     “None of us did. There was too much going on, I guess. But now, Brad has dug this stuff up.”

     “And?”

     “I think this has Kayden freaked out,” Zac said.

     “Brad is going to rat him out?”

     “I believe he was threatening to.”

     Lenne nodded. “Oh, I get it. He wanted Kayden to be unfaithful, as a trade off, huh?”

     “Yeah…”

     “Does Kayden know you have these?”

     “I think he might. I had a bad feeling when he left this morning. I felt…” Zac paused.

     “You felt what?”

     “Like I was being lied to…”

     Lenne sighed and leaned back. “How do you know?”

     “I don’t. It’s just a feeling. When he broke up with me, back last year… I felt this was like that. I’m just afraid of what he might be doing today.”

     “He’s not cheating on you, Zac.”

     “I know that, but what is he doing? And why can’t he tell me about it? I mean, I know he has trust issues, but I didn’t think he’d keep on hiding things from me…”