A Fine Line

In The Arms Of Another

Austin was summoned into his father's office the next morning, before breakfast. Usually he'd protest as breakfast was his favorite meal. But Austin had thrown up earlier that morning, so he wasn't exactly feeling up to eating anyways.

He closed the heavy door behind him, circling his father's desk to sit in front of it. The old man acted as if he hadn't noticed him, reading the newspaper with a steaming cup in his hand.

Indifference wasn't a good sign. Austin cleared his throat quietly, to announce his presence.

Mr. Lassiter glanced at him from his glasses, setting the paper down along with his spectacles. He sighed drearily, folding his hands on top of the desk.

Austin tore his gaze away and down to his hands which were already nervously intertwined. The old man started on his lecture. Austin listened to every word, unable to tune them out. Though he wanted to, desperately.

"...behavior is completely unacceptable, Austin. You're only job is to represent the family well. What do you think people would be saying if they'd seen you drunk at an Opera. With our colleague, no less. It was completely irresponsible and- Look at me when I'm speaking to you!" Mr. Lassiter slammed his hand down on the desk, making Austin jump to attention. He corrected he slouched posture and stared into his father's eyes, which held nothing but contempt for his son. "You are a disappointment, Austin. You're weak and stupid. You do what you want, when you want it. You give no thought to the reprocussions your actions have on this family."

Ausitn jumped to his own defense. "That's not true." That wasn't a smart move. Mr. Lassiter reprimanded him for interrupting, then countinued his lecture.

"If I'd had another son, he'd be getting the inheritance. But I don't. Which means everything your grandfather and his father before him built, lies with you. And you're too goddamn selfish to care. You'd rather be traipsing around, womanizing and drinking with your friends. With an esteemed guest of Amherst, at that." Then, "You don't care about anyone other than yourself."

Austin swallowed, grimacing at the pounding in his head. Like a jackhammer. This wasn't a fight he would ever win. The best he could do is apologize and leave. A few days would go by and things would be tense. But eventually, things would go back to normal until Austin did the next stupid thing. And having feeling for a man was a pretty good place to start.

"I'm sorry." Austin said firmly, continuing to look down at his hands. They were dry. He needed a balm for them before they began to bleed.

"Are you? You don't seem sorry. You seem like a horse who's been whipped for misbehaving. Is that what you need, Austin? To be broken? Because I can do that, easier than you might think." He finished with a snap of his fingers, pointing at him in warning. "Don't test me, child. One last chance. That's what you get. One chance to turn this around."

Austin's stomach dropped. It hadn't been the first time his father had threatened him, but no matter how Austin tried to deny it, they always made him cower in fear.

"What would you like me to do?" Austin asked in offering. He knew he wasn't good at finances. Maybe he could work on that. Appease him a little.

"You need to be an adult, Austin. Stop acting like a child. Get married. And not just to any depraved young girl you've had your eye on. I want to see a polite, young woman at your side." Mr. Lassiter said. "And stop drinking. Pay attention during meetings. You don't think I haven't noticed you joking around with that Reyes' boy instead of working? I'm not a fool."

Austin inwardly cringed, staring back down at his hands. They'd been too obvious. And getting married was the last thing he didn't want to do. The thought of it made him sick. Kissing someone other than Rafa made his stomach turn in all the wrong ways. "Why must I get married? Fine, you want me to stop drinking, to stop acting a fool and pay attention in meetings, I'll do that. But marriage? Plently of men don't get married, father. It isn't necessary."