Expensive Favours - Favours Series #1

Chapter 48

Warning: Mention of abuse

Without realising, I spent the afternoon at Michael's, discussing things from Bruce to exams to his birthday. I didn't mention what Viv slipped to me about the apologies. I simply wished him the most belated birthday.

Regarding the drugs itself, Michael had taken it off my hands so I wouldn't stress over its location so heavily. The money I spent was definitely not worth it. Especially since I didn't have the nerves to get revenge on Michael. It had simply faded.

It felt nice to be honest, not to seek revenge with every minute I could spare. It felt nicer to see Isaac and Nicholas rekindle. Frankly, I was glad Nick had an understanding nature when it came to the crazy surrounding us. He couldn't be better for Isaac.

I was able to set up a place for Isaac and Nick to meet. On Sunday I went with Isaac and dropped him off at the little bistro tucked away in downtown Brooklyn. And when we were going over places, I slipped in an innocent question.

"You know, I heard rumours that Dean's sells drugs. I know Michael gets vodka shots in his coffee but you don't think its true right?"

He simply laughed and brushed it off. If I didn't know the truth about the store, I would've believed Isaac's lie about it. Of course I wasn't allowed to question Isaac anything related to Dean or the store and the drugs. And from my harmless attempt, Isaac wasn't going tell me anything.

I didn't push further, not willing to let him sense my paranoia and anxiety. He already had enough of it for the both of us. Despite him being a tech genius in my opinion, he still wouldn't risk texting Nicholas or even keeping his pictures. That said quite a bit.

And when I asked about his growing dirty blond hair, he gave me the uneasy response. "Uh...Oliver said he liked it." He was expected to keep it like that.

I took a deep breath and asked, "Do you like it?" Isaac roll his eyes at me then.

"I know what you're trying to do Cam. It doesn't matter what I like anyway. It's best to keep him happy."

"Is it that bad? Does he- does he hit you?" his eyes turned away, lips pursed in contempt. But then he spoke.

Releasing a sigh, he had said, "He did when I tried to leave him last year, before Katrina found out. When he felt that threat lurking, he resorted to violence. It's like he couldn't help it. Every time, afterwards he would break down and apologise. He kept saying he didn't mean to." He shook his head, dismissing it, "More than that it's the threats and control. I think he scares himself when he's violent and screaming. At least...he doesn't gaslight me. He doesn't deny it."

Before I had a response to it, he shrugged it off, "It's nothing I can't handle."

I muttered, "That's why I'm setting up a real but secret date for you with the guy you actually like, all the way in Brooklyn." He ignored my sarcasm. "Did you tell Nick? All of it?"