The Bad Son (Book 2)

Chapter 42

On emotional overload, outside, Can leaned against the wall and cried. These days, he felt like a complete waste of space. Logically, he knew it wasn't true. He was worth something, but the only person who he wanted to be worth something too didn't want him.

Tin, doing deep breathing exercises, slowed his heart rate, heard the vicious sobs. Telling himself it's not his problem, he should just walk on by, he carefully moved out of the shadows. He stopped. 

"Can? What the fuck is wrong?"

Can took one glance and threw himself at Tin, clinging on him just like a monkey. They tumbled to the ground. "Where the fuck have you been hiding?" Then promptly buried his head into his chest and bawled.

Tin tried. He honestly did. He tried to push Can off him. The minute his hands touched his shoulders, and felt him quiver beneath his touch, the rubbing against his chest... something inside broke. He dragged them both into the dark corner he was hiding in and just held him, as tight as he could, gently patting his back, whispering nonsense words, like Nanny did when Pha's temper tantrums cooled.

 As Can's tears dried, Tin tried again to push him away. Instead, Can lifted his head at that moment, grabbed the sides of his face and KISSED him! "You're a fucking moron, Tin Medthanan! How fucking long am I supposed to wait for you?" Then he got up and took off, running. 

Tin growled. Who the fuck did that monkey think he was? He was the one who got dumped! He didn't get to walk out on him! Furious, Tin got up and was about to run after him, when his phone rang. "Medthanan" He snapped, curious as to why Tul was ringing.

"I'm sorry to be calling you, but could you come and get whomever this phone belongs to? He's passed out at the bar of The Grand Hotel." They hung up before they could hear Tin begin to swear. 

Shoving his phone back into his pocket, Tin once again put his personal life on hold, went and got his brother. Tul was indeed slumped over a glass of whiskey at the bar. Why now? Months had gone by and he had stayed clean, even at social functions. The bartended passed him Tul's phone as he made arrangements for their driver to pick up Tul. Curiously, he scrolled through his messages.

"Oh fucking hell." People stopped and stared at the Medthanan Heir as he swore loudly. He turned and informed the bartender that someone would be here for Tul. It felt good to let off steam as he stormed out of the hotel. The valet took one look at Tin's face and ran as fast as he could for the BMW X, then backed away as he peeled out of the long drive. 

He drove straight to Gonhin's crappy little apartment. He didn't bother knocking. With one swift kick, the door caved in. Gonhin stared at the very angry younger man as he was getting ready for his shift at work. Tin reached into his pocket and pulled out several bank notes and threw them at him. "For repairing your door. Call in to work. We need to talk."

Gonhin simply nodded. He knew you don't argue with an angry man. You listen and try to reason. When they were this angry, you hope to stay alive. What he didn't know was why Tin was so upset. "You and my brother are both fuck ups, do you know that? Both of you are determined to screw up my life, as they say in the west, seven ways to Sunday." 

Gonhin stared. Tin's voice was a timber rarely heard. So low and deep, almost a growl. His face blanched and he continued to talk.

Tin rubbed his forehead, where the lines between his eyebrows were becoming permanent. "Now, tell me why the fucking hell would you tell a drunk that you're selling private details of your relationship to the fucking newspapers? I gave you a god damn settlement. So did the Thai government." 

"Tul has too much discipline to let alcohol ruin his life. Besides, it's my story to tell. I called the way you said. I waited for him to see me in person. It was you who told me he wanted to talk. When I finally reached out, he wouldn't talk to me." Gonhin screamed back.

"You asshole," Tin screamed just as loud, placing both hands on the table, "You waited how fucking long before contacting him? He had been begging since the night our Father shot that bitch to see you! I finally got him clean and sober and with one god damn text message, you sent him back down the rabbit hole."

"If I see one word, one ratty word of this in the papers, I will rake you over the coals. I guess you are a fucking idiot. You didn't read the damn agreement you signed when you took the fucking money." Tin stood up. "I'm sick of dealing with greedy idiots. Stay away from my family, asshole. I don't care if my idiot brother still does love you. Love is obviously for morons."

Gonhin just stared at his retreating back. What was in that agreement? He couldn't remember. All he knew was ever since they cleared his name, reporter after reporter was asking him for interviews. At first, he refused because he knew he had to talk to Tul first. Then Tul wouldn't meet him. 

Slowly he stood up, and got out the papers. Carefully he read them. Putting his head in his hands, he muttered, "I'm screwed." Paragraph 12, article 4, was a non-disclosure clause. It clearly stated that if he talked to anyone about the settlement agreement, or the Medthanan family, he not only had to return the settlement money but could be sued for damages.

Then Tin's words sunk in. He never mentioned anything about love. Did Tul? Was that why Tul wouldn't meet him? Oh fuck... 

Tin sat in the BMW X and called the driver. Tul was home. Nanny put him to bed. He thanked the driver. He then drove to a park that Can and he had visited once or twice. Getting out, he walked around, enjoying the peace of the night. 

He took several deep breaths and then the events of the night hit him. He crouched down and began to cry. He didn't want to be an adult anymore. He didn't want to run a company, be responsible, help his brother... 

He didn't even want to love Can anymore. Everything was just adding up too damn painfully. Why did life have to hurt so much? He wiped away his tears and sniffed. Then he stood. Taking several deep breaths, he tried hard to see a way through the mess he was in.

Slowly he shook his head. He couldn't see one. He walked back to his car, lost in thought. He went to put the car in drive when a man on the scooter parked in front of his car got off and walked over to knock on his window. He kept the visor of his helmet down. Tin grimaced but rolled the window down.

The man sounded familiar. Tin was too tired to care at this point. "Hey, can you call for service for me? My ride won't start."

Tin nodded and went to roll up his window. The man put his hand in and stopped him. "Come out and keep me company. I know you're alone. I saw you. Just until they show up." His voice was pleading. "I'm lonely and who knows how long I will have to wait."

Tin considered, then shrugged. Why not? It wasn't like he had anything better to do. Talking to a stranger might be better than wallowing in pity, self pity at that. The stranger backed up as Tin opened the door and got out of the car.

"Nice ride." The helmet bobbed. 

Tin gave a depreciated laugh. It reminded him of Can. Actually, there was a lot about this stranger that reminded him of Can... his height, the way he talked, his walk. "Take off your helmet."

"I'm ugly. I'll scare you." The stranger began to back up. Tin, with his longer limbs, deftly caught him. 

"Take off your helmet or I'll take it off." He repeated, sternly.

"Fuck, Tin, you always have to be a damn spoilsport." Can's whine could be heard clearly as the helmet came off. "I only wanted to spend some time with you. Is that so fucking wrong?"

Tin dropped his arm as if he had been burned.