Neighbour

22.

When Eddy woke up from his alarm the next day, Brett was gone. Only the pillow and blanket from yesterday laid carefully folded and stacked on the couch. At least it was quiet through the wall but still not so quiet he needed to worry that something had happened. He could faintly hear what sounded like the shower running, which matched what Eddy was about to do as well. 

The warm water felt nice and woke him up a little. It had been quite late before he had actually gotten to sleep, having been up several times during the night to check on Brett. He had snuck some pictures of the bruises as well, careful not to wake him. It was a bit creepy maybe, but he just wanted to be able to prove it if Brett ever dared to tell the police what was actually going on. 

He got himself dressed, wondering if Brett would show up to work today. How would he explain the bust lip and swollen cheek for the others? It was clear as day that someone was beating him. 

Eddy was just about to be on his way, even having put his shoes on when he saw the post-it note on the inside of his door. He recognized the blue post-it he always got for himself, indicating it came from his own pad. 

I'll drive tomorrow. Meet me in the garage half past. If Mike asks, you're taking the  bus.

The handwriting was barely legible, looking like the guy had been shaking while writing it. Poor man was probably nervous about offering as Mike didn't seem too happy about it last time he realized they had come home together. 

Mike didn't need to worry about Brett doing anything with Eddy anyway. Brett was way out of his league, and Eddy wasn't really interested in him like that anymore. Sure, he had a small crush on him initially, but he wasn't one to go after someone else's man. 

The elevator dinged and Eddy stepped in to head down to the garage. It was nearing half past, and as he stepped back out his alarm to remind him to run for the bus went off on his phone. He switched it off and walked quickly through the concrete surroundings to get to Brett's parking spot. 

"Hey," he said softly, spotting Brett by his car. He didn't want to scare him with sudden, loud sounds. He had his back towards him, but probably hadn't heard him coming. "How are you?" 

Brett turned slowly, giving Eddy a small smile. The red mark on his cheek from yesterday was for the most part hidden under a layer of makeup that looked like he had just put it on with his fingers and not blended into his skin tone properly. There wasn't much he could do for the cut in his lip, but it looked to be healing well. 

"Hey, want a ride today?" Brett asked, walking around the car and opening the trunk. "I figured if… if we just don't go up and down the elevator at the same time and…" 

"We'll figure out how to keep it from Mike, don't worry Brett. How are you feeling today?" Eddy asked, trying to seem casual but the worry seeped through. Brett shrugged a bit. 

"I'm fine." 

"You haven't blended out the makeup." 

"I haven't?" 

Brett quickly leaned down to check in the side mirror, cursing softly to himself when he realized how obvious it was. 

"Shit… what am I gonna do? I can't let people see…" Brett muttered, taking his glasses off and rubbing his eyes. "They'll think he's an abuser, which isn't the case." 

Eddy blinked a few times at how insanely wrong Brett's last sentence had been. He decided against speaking up about it, though. It wouldn't help. 

"How about we stop somewhere and I can run in and get one of those… you know, the sponges?" Eddy suggested, checking the time. "We'll make it if we hurry." 

"Would you do that for me?" Brett asked, surprised. "Are you sure?" 

"Of course, let's go. Don't worry about it, Brett, I got you."