Finding love - 12. Chapter 12

I guess you could say Nathan and I talked, it was more so him talking and me listening. He was struggling with being bisexual and of course Brody was his obvious choice to experiment with. I sat there arms crossed the whole time and glared at him.

“I am jealous of your relationship with Noah.”

I scoffed, “Funny way to show it. You’ve always treated me like trash even before I came out. Never once did you show an interest in me.”

“That’s what brother’s do, especially older brothers.”

“Not true. You’ve always been super nice to Nick and you’ve gone out of your way for him. What did I ever do to you?”

“I was Noah’s until you came along.”

“You make it sound like I was his property. I just loved my big brother and he helped me through a lot of things. I can’t believe you are jealous.”

“First you take Noah and then you take Brody.”

“Again, I didn’t take anyone, they are not property. I worshipped Noah, yeah, but I wasn’t in love with him. Hell did I dream about Brody? Absolutely, but I’ve also dreamt about Asher and Mark”

“Maybe I should tell everyone you want to kill Mark? You’ll go back to the hospital.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

Nathan stood up and lunged at me and his fist connected with my face. I screamed and pushed him off me best I could. I pulled the door open and stumbled past my parents and uncles and made a dash for the door. I knew I wasn’t safe around Nathan and had to hide. I took off out the front door and down the hill running to towards the church building. I knew there had to be somewhere I could hide.

The next thing I knew I was being tackled to the ground and starting screaming and flailing my arms.

“Would you chill out,” Brody said. “Damn, I didn’t know you could run that fast. I caught him dad,” he said over his shoulder.

“Your eye,” Mr. Andrews said as he pulled me up.

“Nathan,” was all I could mutter before collapsing in Brody arms.

I felt him arms embrace me and I could hear Mr. Andrews talking to someone when I heard sirens. It turns out that when I screamed one of the neighbors called the police. Mr. Andrews talked with the officers and they made sure I was ok before they left. Brody carried me back up the hill towards the house and set me in the chair on the porch. My grandmother came outside and went into full panic mode when she saw the bruise forming around my eye. She got a steak and told Brody to hold it over my eye while she went back into the house.

Brody stood guard while the adults were sorting things out. I just knew I couldn’t stay there and I didn’t want to go back to the hospital.

Asher came out of the house with Noah Jr and Carly in tow. He walked them to the car and then came back.

“Matt could I see you eye a second,” Asher said softly.

I nodded and Brody removed the steak from my eye. I saw Asher start to shake;

“What the fuck is his problem,” Asher growled.

“Me,” I said and I pushed Brody’s hand back over my eye. The coldness of the steak felt good.

I had closed my eyes and was resting when I heard my parents come outside.

“I can’t believe he’s blaming Matt,” Dad said with obvious anger.

“There is only one thing here to do,” Mom said. “Ship Nathan off to my cousin’s”

“Are you sure that is going to work?” Dad asked.

“They have a farm in the Lehigh Valley,” Grandpa said. “You know the refuge for LGBTQIA+.”

“Being gay isn’t the problem,” I interrupted. “It’s me and he’s angry.”

“That maybe but many of the counselors at the farm have training with at risk youth.” Grandpa said.

“What about anger management,” I said while rolling my eyes, I also winced in pain.

“They do have experience with that too,” Mom said. “I talked to my Cousin Emerson who runs the mental health side and he said they can definitely help Nathan. He won’t be leaving until the morning and I don’t want to put you of Mattie, but where would you like to stay?”

“He can stay with me,” Brody replied quickly.

“I’m not so sure about that,” Mr. Andrews said. “We don’t need any hanky panky in the house. I have films to review and your mother is working too. She and Ron have a presentation next week on LGBTQIA+ clubs and including sports with all the superintendents in the country.”

“Why don’t you let him stay over with me,” Asher said and winked at his brother.

“Matt and Brody stay with you,” Mr. Andrews questioned. “I’m not so sure that sounds any better.”

“Just where are you staying Asher?” Dad asked. “I know you got a pass to come home for Matt’s discharge.”

“I am staying with Carly but there are several extra bedrooms.”

“Shouldn’t you ask Carly before you commit to the extra people,” Mom asked.

“She is staying at her dad’s while he’s in California getting Mark settled.”

“That was fast,” I said.

“He didn’t want Mark causing any more problems for you. I know Mark’s mother was very disappointed in what he did and she’s getting him some help.”

“That’s good to know. Are you sure you want two teenagers?” Mom asked.

“Nothing Brandon and I can’t handle,” Asher said with a wink.

“Matt, are you ok with this?” Mom asked.

“I guess,” I said trying to hide my excitement.

Mom let me go upstairs and pack somethings. I hadn’t even gotten to see my new room yet due to all the drama. I climbed the stairs and made my way into Noah’s old room. The little hallway had remained the same with various pictures of Noah from the various sports he played. As I approached the room I heard what sounded like breaking glass. I pushed open the door to find Nathan taking a baseball bat to everything in the room. I opened my mouth to scream but crumpled to the floor.