Desperate Measures (On Hold)

Chapter 12

Locke let him up but he wasn't alone.

"Charlie?" Reese felt his eyes widen and mouth drop open at the sight of the redhead half naked coming out of Locke's room. In fact, they were both half naked, both in boxers that looked like they were hastily thrown on a few moments ago. 

"You two know each other?" Locke crossed his arms, leaning against the wall as he raised a brow at the scene unfolding in his living room. 

"We went to school together." Charlie scrunched his nose in distaste. "Why is he here?"

Reese ground his teeth together, keeping his eyes on Locke. "I need more."

Now both of Locke's brows went up. "You got money?"

Reese shook his head but held his gaze as a smirk curled the blonde's lips. "Ah. Well, Charlie and I were just about to get started if you'd like to join us."

"What?" Both Reese and Charlie looked at each other in horror before looking back to Locke.

"No."

"Absolutely not." 

Locke shrugged. "There's nothing like some old tension to spice things up. I'll be in the bedroom if any of you need me."

Reese couldn't believe it as he watched Locke leave the two of them out there. Did he really expect them to follow him? Reese looked at Charlie, hatred burning through him. Not in a million years.

Charlie looked at him with a similar expression but he surprised Reese by asking, "Well are you coming or not?"

"What?"

Charlie rolled his eyes, sighing. "You've already interrupted us. You might as well join us."

"Are you insane?"

Charlie crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh please. We both know you're gay. It's time you stop with the homophobic bullshit and get over yourself."

Reese blinked. "I never said-"

"You know we're out of high school now. You should grow up."

Reese felt his temper rising. "It has nothing to do with that. I just don't want to have sex with you."

A low whistle sounded from the other room as Locke stepped back out. He was grinning. "Damn. You two are just a bundle of tension. Now we can either release that in the bedroom or you can go, Charlie."

Charlie snapped his head towards Locke. "Excuse me?"

"Sorry, love. Reese is my best customer. I'm not kicking him out."

Charlie looked between them before huffing. He went to the bedroom and returned a few moments later with his clothes and bag. He strode past them without saying a word but Reese couldn't help but notice the shine in his eyes, almost like unshed tears.

Once he was gone, Locke looked him over. "You're not looking too hot and I don't mean physically."

"Whatever. Can you get me a dose or not?"

Locke looked at him for a moment before tossing him a bag. It was smaller than what Reese was use to getting but a moment later he understood why. "Consider that one on me. You look like you need it."

Locke turned and started making his way back to his room but stopped when Reese called his name. "But... Don't you want...?"

"You clearly don't want that and I'm not going to force you." Locke replied without turning around. "The offers there as an offer, Reese."

And then he left, shutting his bedroom door behind him which Reese took as a hint and got out. 

He didn't know where to go now. Home wasn't an option. Julian's wasn't an option. He just needed somewhere to- "Anna?"

She looked up from where she was perched on the snow covered bench of the bus stop. She was bundled up in a warm winter jacket, a hat and had a coffee clutched in her gloved hands. She gave him a warm smile. "Hey, Reese! How's it going?"

He sat next to her, if only to pass the time until he figured out where he was going to go. "Honestly, I've been better. What about you?"

"I'm okay, just coming from my boyfriends. What's wrong? If you don't mind me asking."

Without thinking, Reese just let everything spill. He was tired and he wanted someone to rant to who he didn't care about so if she judged him, it wouldn't matter. "My uncle came over for Christmas but he... We have a bad history and he kind of got me in trouble with my parents and I can't go home and I met this guy who I think I might like and who likes me but I ran out on him tonight because I got scared and don't know what to do."

"Shit," Anna cursed, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Reese. I don't know what to do about your family situation but I think this guy you might like will understand if you explain to him what's going on."

"But I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because... I'm afraid he won't want anything to do with me once he finds out."

"Listen," Anna said, setting her coffee down and giving him a stern expression. "If he doesn't like you after you open yourself up to him then it's better to find out sooner rather than later because he isn't worth your time. Has he given you any reason to think he won't accept you if you tell him what you're afraid of?"

"No..."

"Then go for it. And here," she snatched his phone out of his hand, taking off one of her gloves and typing something before handing it back. "Here's my number if you ever need a place to go or someone to talk to. I live with my brother and he'll understand if I tell him one of my co-workers needs a place to go. We've been there, too."

He blinked at her in surprise. "I- Thank you."

The bus was coming up the street so they stood up. "Anytime. Now go get your man." She winked before the bus pulled up and she got on, leaving him alone. 

But he wouldn't be alone for long because he decided to take her advice and go back to Julian's and tell him everything.