Can't Stop These Feelings - 4. Payback's A Bitch

Payback’s A Bitch:

A few days later there was a knock at the front door Nate went to answer it. “I got the door, Brad,” As he opened the door, Jesse smirked at Nate. A pissed off look appeared out of nowhere on Nate’s face. “What do you want?” Nate said with a snarl.

“Calm down Nate, have a sense of humor for god sakes,” Jesse said as he went to place a hand on Nate’s shoulder, and he jerked back.

Nate balled his fist and gave him a look that should have killed, “You really upset Brad, that set up for that date with Michael was evil.” Jesse chuckled which angered Nate even more. Nate drew his arm back and punched Jesse in the face. Jesse’s head jerked back, and blood started spewing from his nose.

Jesse reached for his nose with his hand as the blood ran from it, “What the fuck Nate, I’ve never seen you violent before.” Nate watched as blood ran down the front of Jesse’s polo shirt.

“If you ever hurt Brad again, it will be much worse,” Nate growled with venom, staring at Jesse’s bloodied face.

Brad heard the commotion from his bedroom and looked over the banister at Jesse’s bloodied face, “What the fuck Nate?” He looked expectantly at Nate.

“Hey,” Nate was shaking from the anger he felt as he pointed at Jesse, “He started it by messing with you,” Nate said shifting on his feet nervously.

“Jesse go up to my room and grab a clean shirt,” Brad said as he motioned Jesse up the stairs with a look of pity. “Nate man I can defend myself,” Brad walked down the stairs and smirked at Nate whispering in Nate’s ear, “Nice punch bud, but don’t do that again. You’re not the violent type bro.” Brad pulled Nate into a hug and kissed his forehead, “You’re one of a kind bro, I wouldn’t trade you for all the money in the world.”

“Yuk quit kissing me,” Nate wiped his forehead from the sloppy kiss. “I don’t know where your mouth has been you might be contagious,” He chuckled with a smirk on his face. “You’re not gonna tell Mom what I did, right?” He said with a worried look on his face.

Brad burst out laughing, “Nate I’m not telling Mom, and I’m pretty sure Jesse will be too embarrassed to admit a fourteen-year-old beat his ass, so no worries.” Brad ruffled Nate’s hair, while Nate chuckled.

Nate ran and grabbed a wet towel and sopped up Jesse’s blood from the floor and ditched any evidence before their Mom returned from the store. Just then Jesse came out of Brad’s room and started down the stairs, “Nate you should take up boxing, you have a hell of a wicked punch.” Jesse joked with a half-hearted smile.

Brad glanced at his brother and Jesse, “Are you guys both good?”

Nate was the first to speak up, “I’m sorry Jesse, but remember what I said.” The statement hit its mark and Jesse nodded.

Jesse locked eyes with Nate, placing a hand on Brad’s shoulder to steady himself as he had a little dizziness,“We’re good Brad, remind me never to piss the little shit off again,” Jesse said with conviction.

Brad smirked at Jesse, “What was the smartass comment you made the other day? Oh ya… What are you gonna do sick Nate on me?” He said sarcastically.

“Ya… Uh, can we forget about that and never bring it up again,” Jesse asked with pleading eyes.

The trio went into the game room and started playing games on the Xbox, which produced a bunch of bantering. Nate got up from the floor after his turn was over and made a phone call. Once he returned, he said, “I’m goin’ to a friend’s I will be home by curfew Brad, can you let Mom know I’ll eat when I get home?” Brad nodded, and Nate headed out for the day.

Once Brad was sure Nate was gone he turned to Jesse, “What the fuck was up that you did that to me with Michael?” Brad’s eyes bore into Jesse’s soul looking for answers.

Jesse shifted around on the couch trying to avoid looking at his friend, “Well, I uh… I was jealous…” Jesse fidgeted with his hands. “After all these years of being friend’s, you tell everybody you’re gay… After I’m dating somebody, do you know how bad that hurts? I’ve had a crush on you for like the last seven or eight years, and now… It sucks man.” Jesse said with a pained expression on his face.

Brad sighed and placed his arm around Jesse’s shoulders, “Dude, you could have told me.” Squeezing Jesse a little tighter, “Who knows, maybe if you admitted how you felt back then, I might have figured out who I was instead of taking seven years.” Brad smiled at Jesse, “Wanna go out for a drink?”

“I can’t dude, I have a date with Cade,” Jesse winced as the words left his mouth. “We’re goin’ out to dinner and a movie.” He said with mixed emotions and a sigh escaped. “I actually need to get going, so I can get cleaned up from, well… you know…” Jesse stood up to leave heading toward the door, he paused and hugged Brad. “Talk to ya later dude.” Brad nodded and closed the door.

*****

A few weeks had passed, Brad had his cast removed and was pretty well healed up. Jesse had backed off of the blind dates business after his and Nate’s come to Jesus moment. Nate reminds him each time they see each other of the now standing rule of not hurting Brad. On Saturday night Brad decided to get dressed and head down to the club and check out the prospects.

Once at Hang Over, which was ironically the club’s name, Brad meandered to the bar and found a seat motioning for the barkeep. He ordered a draft, as he sipped his beer a beautiful blonde sat beside him. Brad was secretly checking him out from head to toe using his peripheral vision. The Blonde ordered and waited for his drink, turning towards Brad he smiled, “Hi, I’m Mitch, come here often?” Mitch cringed after he said such a cheesy cliche.

Brad turned with a smile chuckling offering his hand, “Nah, last time I was here must’ve been a few weeks ago. I was on a blind date that was anything but enjoyable.” He smiled at the gorgeous blonde. “I’m Brad, it’s nice to meet you, Mitch.” Brad got a chance to actually look over Mitch, he had wavy shoulder length hair, blue eyes, and the most sensual and delicious looking lips he had ever seen. Brad to another sip of his beer and with a friendly smile he asked, “What about you, do you come here often?” He asked Mitch with a smirk, patting his shoulder.

“Uh no, I usually avoid bars, my friends pushed me into going out…” Mitch said with a shy look on his face as he sipped on his ice cold beer. “They told me I needed to go meet somebody nice and get the hell out of the dorm room.” Mitch giggled and smiled at Brad, “I think they just wanted the room so they could sneak their girlfriends in, but hey at least I got to meet you.” Mitch took a sip of his beer and had foam mustache from it, causing Brad to laugh. “What did I say that was so funny? My friends basically telling me to get lost?” Mitch said with a hurt expression on his face.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Brad said apologetically, “My date from hell was set up by my best friend Jesse,” Brad chuckled and smiled briefly at Mitch, “Jesse was taught a lesson by my fourteen-year-old brother not to hurt me by setting up horrible blind dates, Nate bloodied his nose, and there’s some standing rule between them which I’m not sure of.” Brad to a sip of beer, “Mitch are you dating anybody?”

Mitch set his beer down, “No, nobody important in my life,” He shook his head and a sigh slipped out, “I haven’t dated nobody since I graduated high school.” Mitch chuckled, “So, your brother bloodies the guy's nose?”

“Uh, ya… I was upstairs and heard a bunch of commotion and come out to find Jesse’s nose leaking like a faucet,” Brad giggled sipping his beer, “Nate was so pissed off he was shaking,” Shrugging his shoulders, “I’ve never seen Nate get angry or hit anybody until that moment, he’s usually a jokester, it was a weird situation.” Mitch laughed so hard he was in tears, gasping to catch his breath.

“Oh god that’s hilarious, so how big is your brother?” Mitch asked curiously.

“He’s a little shorter than me and scrawny little shit,” Brad laughed, “Honestly to think about it if the wind blew too hard Nate would get blown away.” Brad motioned for a refill of both their drinks. “How old are you Mitch?”

“Just turned twenty-four, I’m working on my master’s at the university,” Mitch paused looking into Brad’s eyes. “How about yourself?” He asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

“I’m twenty-one, I graduate with an associates degree in Social Work next month,” Brad smiled at Mitch. “Hopefully I can find a job around here, helping kids…” Brad stopped talking as a thought of his father ran through his mind, causing him to shake.

Mitch looked at him with concern, “Everything ok Brad?” He rubbed his hand on Brad’s back.

Brad didn’t realize he was shaking until he felt Mitch rubbing his back, “Sorry, my father uh… beat me pretty bad the day I came out he broke one of my arms and other stuff. I had a hard time doing stuff, including breathing for quite a while.” Mitch gave him a sad look while Brad continued talking, “My Mom and Nate got me through the hard shit, without them I dunno what would’ve happened.”

“Well if you ever need somebody else to talk to feel free to ask,” Mitch smiled caringly, “My parents were really good when I came out,” He said caringly while caressing Brad’s arm. “Mom’s comment was “Now I get to have a second son,” just like she always wanted another son.”

Brad smiled toward Mitch, “Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

Mitch nodded his head finishing the last of his drink, “Would it be ok to exchange phone numbers?” Brad smiled at him and traded cell phones placing each other's numbers in one another's phone. “Well I really need to head home, I have to get a research paper finished, the class is on Monday.” Mitch stood up placing his hand on Brad’s shoulder, “I’m glad I came here tonight, it was really nice to meet you. Give me a call the next time you’re free.”

Brad looked into Mitch’s eyes with a feeling he couldn’t describe in words, “I… It… I’m glad I came tonight too, I’ll call you next weekend?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Mitch walked off with a goofy smile.

*****

Brad went up to his room peeling off clothes and laid on the bed with a cheesy grin, when Nate knocked on the door, “Come in Nate, I don’t have anybody hidden in my room. Geez, how many times have I told you just to come in my room?” He said with a sigh.

Nate opened the door, staring at the expression on Brad’s face, “Okay, what’s up with the goofy ass grin on your face?” He asked as he flopped on the edge of Brad’s bed.

Brad smiled stupidly at nothing in particular, “I… I met somebody…” Nate started laughing uncontrollably, and Brad rolled his eyes.

“Oh my god, Brad has a boyfriend,” Nate said as he jumped off the bed giggling like a school girl.

“Shut up Nate,” Brad said shaking his head, “I don’t have a boyfriend, he’s I guess a friend… I dunno but he’s really nice. We are to call one another next weekend.”

Nate laughed, “You have it bad for him, what’s his name?” He questioned like an interrogator, “Where’s he from? What’s he look like? What’s he do for a living?”

Brad shook his head, Would you like his social security number, and to have a background check done to Nate?” He sighed, “His name is Mitch, he goes to the university and is working on his master's degree. Mitch is about my height maybe a little taller, and blonde hair and…”

Nate cut him off with a gagging sound, “God, quit… just quit… you’re gonna make me barf. You’re in love just admit!” His stare attempted boring holes into Brad’s soul. “When do I get to meet him?”

Brad looked at Nate knowing he wasn’t joking, “Uh, you promise not to punch him in the face?”

Nate looked at him with a stone face, “If he doesn’t hurt you, then I won’t punch him, otherwise no promises.” He said with a shrug of his shoulders. “So Mitch, huh… as in Mitch the bitch…” Nate said with a chuckle grinning at Brad.

“Stop it you little nutball,” Brad said as he yanked Nate back onto the bed and started tickling him mercilessly. “Now… if I decide to let you up, and if I quit tickling you do you promise to lay off the comments. And… no more threatening to punch people I’m a big boy Nate I can protect myself.” He studied the look on Nate’s face.

“I’m telling you, Brad, if you don’t let go I’m leaving a puddle on you’re bed,” Nate gasped while he laughed. “I wanna meet Mitch,” Nate stated firmly as Brad released him and scooted up on the bed resting his back against the wall.

“What do you think Mom would say if I invited him over next weekend to meet the both of you?” Brad mumbled remembering the reaction the last time he had a revelation.

“Brad get real, Mom would love to meet him,” Nate said with a confident smile, “Maybe you should call him and see if he wants to meet us?” He said suggestively with puppy dog eyes.

Brad shoved Nate off the bed with a loud thud, “Quit giving me those eyes, I’ll text him and talk to Mom after. Love you but scram…” He laughed as Nate got off the floor rubbing his ass.

“Okay, I can see when I’m not wanted,” Nate joked, “Kiss it and make it better… Oooo, no skip that, that’s so gross to think about, YUK!” Nate disappeared out of the room.

Brad chuckled as Nate left the room still rubbing his ass, and pulled out his phone.

Brad: Hey

Mitch: What’s up?

Brad: Uh, I sorta told Nate I met you

Mitch: He wants to hit me already?

Brad: lol not really, I don’t think

Mitch: You sure?

Brad: Ya, I wanted to ask you a question

Mitch: K?

Brad: On Saturday wanna come to dinner and meet my Mom and Nate?

Mitch: Sure time and address?

Brad texted the time and address, putting his phone away. He pulled on some shorts and roamed down the hall knocking on his Mom’s bedroom door.

“Come in,” Marlene said with a smile lounging in her housecoat reading a book, “What’s up honey?”

“Mom, I invited somebody I met over for dinner Saturday night is that okay?” Brad said hesitantly looking a the floor.

“Honey come over here and sit down,” Marlene said patting the bed beside her, “I know the last time you came to your father and me, he reacted horribly but I want to meet this guy. He must be special for you to invite him home, what’s his name sweetheart?” She asked as she placed her hand on Brad’s shoulder.

Brad sighed and visibly relaxed, “His name is Mitch, I think you will really like him, Mom.” Brad smiled once his nerves relaxed and looked at his Mom.

“I think it’s great you finally met somebody that makes you happy honey,” Marlene gave Brad a hug, and he stood up. “I’ll cook something special for dinner that day,” Marlene said more to herself than anybody.

“Thanks, Mom, I appreciate it,” Brad said genuinely to his Mom, as he left the room.

The week passed by quickly, and soon Saturday was here.

*****

Marlene bustled around the kitchen in a whirlwind threatening the boys to stay out of her kitchen while she cooked furiously, making homemade lasagna, with scratch bread, and baked a chocolate raspberry cake.

Nate snuck in the kitchen as Marlene emptied the chocolate raspberry batter into the pan snagging the bowl, “Get out of my kitchen Nate, or I will have to hurt you, I want this to be special for Brad.” Nate rolled his eyes laughing, “Now get!”

Promptly at six there was a knock at the door, Nate rushed to answer it, “Mitch the bitch?” Nate snickered and Mitch laughed.

“You must be Nate?” Mitch said still laughing, “How’s the right hook?” He asked jokingly, as Brad came down the stairs finding them both laughing at one another bantering like old time friends.

Mitch put his arm around Nate’s shoulders and Nate asked, “You like my brother right?” Mitch nodded at him, “Good I like you we might have to keep you around,” He said with a smirk.

“What’s this we stuff?” Brad asked curiously at Nate and then smiled at Mitch, “He hasn’t threatened you or punched you right Mitch?”

Nate shifted on his feet placing his arm around Mitch’s shoulder, “I like him, maybe you can go find yourself a new friend,” He told his brother and both Mitch and Brad laughed, “I didn’t threaten him either.” He said as Marlene curiously popped her head out of the kitchen after hearing something about a threat. “I didn’t do anything Mom, I swear,” Nate said nervously looking at his Mom, and both the other boys laughed at him.

“You better not be swearing or threatening nobody Nathaniel,” Marlene said returning to the kitchen.

Nate relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief as Mitch ushered them into the living room.

Marlene called all of them to the dining room a short time later with the table set for a fine dining experience. Mitch sat beside Brad while Nat sat directly across from them making googly-eyed faces and joked with them. Marlene served side salads with homemade Italian dressing. Upon finishing their salad Marlene returned from the kitchen with large portions of Lasagna.

“The salad was splendid Ma’am,” Mitch said with a smile beaming from ear-to-ear, “The lasagna is making my mouth water.”

“I’m glad you think so dear, and please call me Mom or Marlene,” She said patting Mitch’s shoulder as she sat down his serving.

“Thanks, Mom,” Mitch said as the other boys smiled as the Mom pulled a handkerchief from her pocket dabbing her eyes.

“You’re welcome sweetheart, I’m so glad Brad met you, dear,” Marlene said as she rushed out of the room to hide her tears.

“She’s been a bit…” Nate giggled, “Emotional since Brad got hurt.” He said rolling his eyes.

“Oh stop it, Nate,” Brad admonished him, “I’d rather she be crying happy tears than remembering that day,” Brad shivered remembering that fateful day.

Mitch smiled at Brad, “I think she is very sweet,” He patted Brad’s hand that was on the table.

“Ugh,” Nate moaned, “Can you get a room already?” He said making gagging sounds. Brad kicked Nate’s shin swiftly, “Ouch! What did I do?” Nate asked innocently. Dinner progressed without any further wisecracks, and Mitch loved Marlene’s cake.

“Thank you so much for dinner Mom, everything was wonderful,” He said with a smile flashing beautiful the most wonderful white teeth.

Marlene so overjoyed she replied, “Honey it was my pleasure, I hope this is the first of many family dinners all of us get to spend together.” She got up from the table hustling and bustling cleaning the table.

Mitch went to offer Marlene help clean after dinner but she chased him out of her kitchen. Admonishing him the same as she had with Nate earlier in the day. Returning to Brad’s side he took him by the hand, “You have a pretty special Mom and brother,” Mitch said while looking into Brad’s eyes. “I really should be going,” He stood pulling Brad up with him walking towards the door. They paused at the door Mitch turned looking at Brad, he tilted his head kissing Brad gently.

Nate walked by at just that moment, “My god you guys are like dogs in heat, get a damn room.” He walked off giggling and shaking his head.