Lost in the middle of nowhere

ONE NIGHT ONLY

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Brendon followed Dallon's directions, and that's how he found himself sitting alone in a booth at May's diner, nursing a cup of coffee in an off-white mug. He wasn't sure why he didn't just make another left and get on the interstate. The possibility of finding a room to rent for the night was a known possibility of why he didn't just drive through, and there truly wasn't a reason to be in New Orleans other than just to pass through or maybe find a voodoo priest. There were a few people he's like to curse. But, was he that spiteful? Maybe.

Brendon didn't have much choice in visiting Louisiana. Well, he did, but not really. The supposed 'time off' was Brendon getting in his car, not telling his friend and family where he was going, and headed south. That was nearly two weeks ago, and he has now been presumed as a missing person. It was beyond him how Dallon and that Sheriff didn't notice. It seemed that everyone stopped caring after two weeks.

Ryan, his now ex-boyfriend of five years wasn't the nicest person to get along with, but Brendon tried to be 'the better boyfriend' despite the fights and bruises he needed to cover with his sister's concealer.

Brendon was going to surprise Ryan two weeks ago today by coming home early from a photoshoot that was supporting a new line of LGBTQ clothing. Most of them represented the colors of each flag. It was a nice line and not tacky. Brendon would even wear it.

The surprise was simple, but apparently, it was time for Brendon to finally understand what Ryan had been doing behind his back through the entire 'relationship' they had. Well, it wasn't a what, more of a who.

Brendon had walked in on Ryan deep throwing the model's best friend Spencer, and ran out of the house, got in his car, and headed south. He never looked back once despite his family and friends. He knew that he'd eventually have to return. They probably thought he's dead in a ditch somewhere.

What Brendon and Ryan had was 'young love,' and everyone knows that kind of love never lasts but Brendon didn't want to believe that. He wanted to believe that Ryan did love him despite the mental and physical abuse. He wanted to believe he wasn't all those things that Ryan called him in a fit of anger. He wanted to believe that Ryan is a good person and would never do something like that to him for five years, the abuse and cheating.

Brendon's deep thoughts were broken by the sound of the bell above the seemingly empty and quiet diner. He didn't look away from his coffee mug, let alone flinch from the chime, but it did break his thoughts enough that he could finally hear everything around him again. Who would be awake this early in the morning?

Brandon flips his wrist to look at his watch. There was a large bruise just underneath the band. It was in the shape of thin fingers and he quickly pulled at the sleeve of his leather jacket. It's not like he knows anyone here, but people like to ask questions and he doesn't think he could answer those prying inquires at a time like this, a time where he is at his worst and broken.

  It was nearly 6 A.M. He had been sitting here for four hours, lost in his brooding thoughts, and it felt like it had been five minutes.

"Where does the time go?" Brendon muttered to himself before lazily drinking the remainder of the caffeine in his mug. There was no reason to find a room now. It was almost sunrise and there were too many cups of coffee consumed for him to get any sleep.

Four hours was long enough. Brendon needed to get moving again before the Sheriff said anything, that's even if LeBlanc knows about the missing person report, that ironically Ryan put out assumably because his financial services were cut off by Brendon leaving.

Brandon scoffs from the thought and tosses a few bills on the table. How was he so stupid to love someone like Ryan Ross? All he did was use Brendon, hurt him for saying or doing the 'wrong' thing. Brandon deserved walking in on what he did. He deserved every bit of it.

Tears formed behind his eyes but refused to let them fall while he pushed his way out of the small diner and slammed his door when he sat in his car. He was so stupid for believing someone could honestly love him and not his money or what he had become.

Brendon headbutted the steering wheel and kept his forehead pressed against the top, letting the tears finally drop into his lap. How could he let himself be abused and believe there was love involved?

There was a sudden loud knock on his window and Brendon jerked and flinched away from the noise, clearing his tear-soaked cheeks with his palms. He takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself before glancing to see who was standing by the window.

Brendon's brows furrowed while he rolled down the window, looking at the silhouette of a literal giraffe. "M - Mr. Weeks?" Brendon's voice was raw from lack of use and his tears. "W - What brings you here this early? Do you ever sleep?"

"I should be asking you the same thing, Brendon." Dallon smiles, leaning his limbs against the open window. "I thought you'd be in New Orleans by now. Must not be that important if you're still here."

Brendon snorts despite his mood. "Maybe I just have something more important here." He challenged.

One of Dallon's brows raised and he tilted his head. Brendon wanted to laugh because he looked like a small husky. "Oh, and what would that be? Nothing is exciting here."

Dallon did have a point. The town seemed fairly boring. But, Dallon seemed so - intriguing. "Well, Sleep is my main concern. After that, then I have no idea."

Dallon hums. "Why don't you have breakfast with me first? My treat -"

Dallon was quickly cut off by Brendon. "Oh, no. I couldn't ask you to do that."

"Good thing you're not asking. Come on, Darlin.' Have breakfast with me and if you're bored by the end, then you can go on your way and never see me again."

Brendon thought about it for a few seconds. Dallon did seem like a genuine 'southern sweetheart,' and who could resist the temptation of breakfast. Not only that but a free one. Dallon was also very attractive so he wouldn't mind looking at the cute giraffe man. He highly doubted that Dallon could ever be boring, so, maybe that means he will see the man again after this. "Okay." Brendon croaks out and Dallon brightly smiles.

Dallon steps away from the door, the smile never fading, and held out his arm for Brendon when he got out of his car, locking it before taking the offered arm with a smile of his own.

With a smile like that, Dallon doubted he could love Brendon for one night only.

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