Chapter 107 - Beat The Gay Out Of You

Jack. 

We have been dating for a week and two days. 

I mean, this is very weird for me. He is not my first relationship, but it feels like he is. The significance of this relationship outweighs all my others. For the first time in a relationship, I am honest with the person. When I look at Trick, I want to tell him everything. Share my whole life with him. 

That is just how I feel. 

''Come in,'' I hear his voice through the door after my gentle knock. He looks up from the canvass in front of him and gives me a warm smile. That smile melts my heart, into a gooey mess. Just a smile from Trick and I am weak in the knees. 

I move closer to the corner and stand behind him. He is seated on a little stool with a paintbrush in his grip. I plant a soft kiss on his lips and he deepens the kiss by pulling me closer with his free hand. The paintbrush falls to the floor with a soft thud on the carpet and I slide my tongue into his mouth, wanting to taste more of him. We kiss for a couple of seconds before he pulls back and rests his head on my forehead. Kissing Patrick brings out the same feelings in me like the first time I kissed him. The Joy within me bursts out. 

This boy will be the death of me. 

''I didn't think you'd be home. I just took a chance.'' I tell him. 

I left school early, usually, Ford always drops Lance but he has been MIA, these past couple of days. I feel Lance slipping away from his usual self. Everything that is happening is taking a till on me and there is nothing I can do to help him. I called Ford today. I needed to let him know that he was hurting my friend. He can't just disappear and leave him without any word. I know that is just a character trait he has. He likes to sort things out on his own. Keep things hidden from Lance. I don't know if he will ever be completely transparent with my best friend but I wish he would. 

I talked to him and warned him to talk to Lance. He sounded terrible. I am sure he sorted things out. Today, John's driver picked Lance up so I didn't have to drop him off. There is a lot of suspicious with that, this was a first and Lance left completely worried. I guess we will find out what it is about later. 

''I left the gallery early. There is a showing next month and Adina wants me to show my work again.'' 

I am so proud of Trick. The way he handles his life. With so much maturity. I look up to him and he has no clue. 

''This looks good,'' we both turn to the painting. The painting looks fresh, almost like he just started but to me, it is already beautiful. 

''I just started. I am having a tough time with this,'' he confesses. 

''Do you want a distraction?'' 

He smiles ''I don't mind a distraction,'' he mutters pulling me even closer. I close my eyes because this is everything to me. His smile, the way he looks at me. I have never felt this way about anyone before. 

''Go out with me, on a date.'' 

His eyes open wide, ''I thought we were going to keep it low for now?''

I shrug, pulling him even closer, being with Jack makes me want it all. I don't want to lay low with him, I want to go out with him in front of everyone. I want people to see us and feel jealous that I have him all to myself. Yeah, I know that is conceited but he makes me want it all with him, to the point where it is driving me crazy. 

''I want to take you out, can we do that?'' I bat my lashes, trying to be cute. It works because the smile on his face widens. I already know he is giving in to me. I can always get away with anything when it comes to Trick. That is another thing I love about him. Shit, I don't mean love, I don't want to go that far yet and say, love. We are still figuring each other out; taking things slow. It would be weird to say I love him so soon, even though right now this feels so much like love.

''Another club?'' he asks. 

I place my hand on my chest feigning hurt ''Wow, what kind of guy do you think I am. I can take my boyfriend out on a proper date.''

He laughs at my reaction ''you just seem like a fun, fun guy. I would think those are the only places you like to go.'' 

I roll my eyes playfully ''How about I surprise you, treat you like the prince you are.''

He chuckles, I sense the nervousness in his voice. The fact that I make him nervous makes me feel even more special. I like this so much. 

''We don't have to do anything special,'' he dismisses. 

I shake my head immediately, pulling back from him. I look at his clothes and he is dressed in a pair of ripped shorts that are stained with different colors of paint, his shirt is short-sleeved and very messy too.

''Go on, change into something nice and I will be back to get you,'' I give him a wink. He stands up from the stool and walks over to me, grabbing both of my hands in his ''I want to show you how much you mean to me.''

With a smile, he nods gently ''Okay,'' he agrees to my excitement. 

I leave him and go back to my apartment. I haven't seen my dad all through this week. The best part of my days is when I don't have to come home to him. The fact that he is absent makes my life more enjoyable. I change my clothes hurriedly and grab my wallet from the table beside my bed. The living room is dark when I walk in, as I am about to walk through the door, I hear the jangling of keys. My heart freezes in my chest. Shit, I already know who it is. Why does he have to be back now; of all times?

The door opens and he frowns when he sees me. Our relationship is mutual. He hates me just as much as I hate him. I don't even know why I got someone like him as a father.

''Where are you off to?'' he mutters uninterestedly. 

Most times, I try to ignore him. This man fuels on attention if I give it to him. He will win and right now, I am still in my bubble. Theo one that involves Jack and all the happiness he brings to my life.

I succeed in passing but the moment I feel his grip on my hoodie, I know he is not going to let me go just like that. I can smell the alcohol on him. He is very drunk right now. His eyes are droopy and his words are slurred. Talking to him right now will be futile and it will only lead to the kind of interaction I don't want. 

''I am talking to you boy,'' he yells as he tosses me to the corner of the living room. I feel my back hit the wall roughly. It will most definitely leave a bruise. I try to stand up but he walks over to me in so much speed that I know today is going to be one of those days. Whenever he is frustrated, he takes it out on me. I don't know what must have happened to him today but he seems to be in that mood. 

''I am just going out with Lance,'' I tell him because the faster he gets off my back the better it is for me. 

''Your faggot boyfriend,'' he snarls those words that make me even hate him more. He hates Lance just as much as he hates me, even though Lance and his mother are the only family I have. They have been there for me a lot more than he has. 

''He is not my boyfriend,'' I retort, knowing full well that this is a mistake. I don't aggravate him, usually, I like to stay quiet but I can't right now. somehow this is all a lot more relatable to me. he used that offensive word. Before I would have ignored him but now I am now part of the community.

His grip is still on me and as I try to budge free away from his hold, he just holds on tighter ''You know, the best way to get this queer shit out of you is to beat it out. Pain never hurt any one,'' he smiles evilly. Beat the gay out of me. this is a new low, even for him. 

''I am not gay,'' I shout so loud with so much anger within me. this makes him push me again, to the wall. This time, the hit is instant. I feel the punch as he swings his fist to my nose. There is a crack. The kind that sounds like a break.. The pain numbing to me.