The Cost Of Love (Bxb, Rape, Abuse)

Hello Stranger

They were silent as they approached the garage. "Let's see if we can't get you back on the road."

"Morning Shelly how're ya doin'?" Mike asked as he came out from the shop.

"I'm doin' just fine, thanks for askin'. This is Austin; he's the owner of the Crown Victoria."

"Morning Austin, nice to meet you; I won't ask how ya doin' since a man with car troubles is never having a good day. Good news is I know the problem, your alternator's gone bad; when that happens no charge to your battery." Mike had long hair pulled into a greasy ponytail. His coveralls were a permanent home to oil stains.

"I thought so, every time I'd come to a stop the lights would dim."

"It's a pretty simple fix but your car's a police edition, the alternator's not standard, I'm gonna order one. Levy isn't a hub of activity so it'll be a few days."

"How much is it going to cost?" Austin bit his lip worried the money he had wouldn't be enough. He missed Shelly standing behind him shaking her head and giving Mike a hard stare.

"I really don't know but as soon as I find out I'll contact you right away. Do you have a number I can reach you at?"

"Um...no I don't have a cell phone, but I am staying at the Pine Crest Motel."

"Okay as soon as I find something I'll get a hold of you."

"Thank you for your help." Austin said as he and Shelly left the garage.

Shelly asked him if he wanted her to walk back to the motel but he politely declined and started to head back. He hoped that Mike would be able to find the part soon and he could get back on the road. He was confident it wasn't going to take long. He remembered when he worked on cars with his dad and they had replaced an alternator before. Austin began to ponder some of the questions Shelly had asked him. Had Eric used him as a convenient excuse?

After he got back to his room Mrs. Miller came knocking on the door telling him that Mike was on the phone. Mike told him that the maximum total would be $450 that included labor and the part, and three days delivery. Mike said it could be less with a "Davenport special", chuckled than hung up. Austin had no idea what was funny; he was worried the delay was taking too much money from his final destination. His bleak options threatened to start a panic attack prompting him to take another walk around town and clear his head.

He was failing. He tried to leave Eric and the universe was sending him a message that he had made a huge mistake. Maybe if he went back to Eric and they talked, he could offer some of Shelly's suggestions about school, and make Eric understand he didn't want to be treated that way. Austin walked and tried to convince himself he could go back, but he noticed his body was shaking. He looked at his watch as he clasped his hands and saw it was past one o'clock. He hadn't eaten lunch and he needed more smokes. He shrugged and decided to ask his appointed town guide.

"Afternoon Austin." Shelly yelled from across the bar. "I'll be with you in just a minute."

"Take your time." Austin replied as he took a seat at the bar.

"What can I get for you?"

"I was wondering if you knew of a place I could grab a bite to eat and pick up more cigarettes."

"I sure do. The Red Barn Deli right down the road has great cheese steaks and anythin' else you need."

"Thanks. How far of a walk do you think it is?"

"It'd take you over twenty minutes to get there but just wait one second." Shelly said as she headed into the back of the bar.

Shelly returned with a young man that looked about Austin's age. He was about an inch taller than Austin and muscular; Austin guessed he was close to two hundred pounds. He was dressed in tight blue jeans, button down plaid shirt and a worn baseball cap that covered his light brown hair and mesmerizing sky blue eyes.

"Ryan this is Austin. He's in town for a few days on his way down to Florida. Ry, do me a favor and take him to the Red Barn since his car is in the shop." Shelly said as she introduced them

"Sure thing mom. Do you want anything while I'm there?" Ryan asked.

"No I'm good. Austin is that okay with you if Ryan takes you? I don't want you to have to walk all the way there and back it's gettin' hot out there." Shelly asked.

"Um...yeah that's fine with me."

Austin followed Ryan to an old 1975 Chevrolet pick-up. Shelly had been the nicest person to him but he realized he didn't know anything about her. He supposed her son couldn't be a danger, again if they meant to do him harm there was plenty of opportunity.

Ryan easily engaged him in conversation. He had the same easy manner of his mother, even if physically Ryan probably resembled his father. Ryan joked about his mother.

"Mom can be a little pushy, but she means well. I'm surprised she hasn't lectured you on the dangers of smoking."

"No, Shelly's been unbelievably kind, no lectures." Austin assured him.

Ryan chuckled, "Yeah, she's kind, but the lecture is coming. She says she was born to mother."

Austin tried not to stare but he caught himself looking at Ryan. Ryan wasn't what he considered drop dead gorgeous but he had an appealing southern charm to him. He had a great laugh that showed perfect teeth.

When they arrived at the store Austin had Ryan order for them since he had no idea what was good. They went out back to a table to wait on their order. Austin realized it was the first time he had been alone with a man other than Eric in four years.

"So what's it like living in the north?" Ryan asked, bringing him out of thoughts.

"What do you mean by that?" Austin was puzzled.

"I've never been up north. Guess I wondered what differences you've observed."

"Oh, well I love the snow. It's hard to describe the feeling of walking in the snow or feeling it, but it's neat whenever we would get a lot of snow and then when summer comes you look out into your yard and picture it being covered under a foot of snow. After being down here I can also say it's a lot faster paced, it seems like up there everyone is in a rush to go nowhere. To tell you the truth I kind of like how things down here are slowed down."

"Our snow falls are mild and random. It brings everything to a halt, because we just aren't equipped for it. To tell you the truth we have more like two seasons, fall and summer. I wouldn't mind seeing everything all covered over in feet of white snow just once."

"I think you'd like it."

"I'm sure I would. But the pace of Levy actually suits me. Let me go and check on the food I'll be right back."

"Here's the money for my half." Austin pulled out a twenty.

"Please, put that away, mom would kill me." Ryan said with a smile.

Austin and Ryan lingered at the deli for over an hour. Ryan Davenport he found out was the youngest of Shelly's children. Apparently Shelly was older than she looked or began her family very early. Austin found he was enjoying himself. He couldn't remember the last time he had such a good time; talking and simply being listened to with no fear of saying the wrong thing. He didn't know what it was about Ryan but he felt at ease. Most of the people he met were co-workers of Eric; he was usually intimidated by bigger men.

"Hey, I was wondering if you're not doing anything tonight would you like to come to the drive-in with me? There isn't much to do in this town but I figured it would at least be something for you to do tonight."

Austin paused, who had drive-in theaters? "Do you know what they're playing?"

"It's a double feature. The first movie is The Hunger Games and the second is The NeverEnding Story."

"I love The NeverEnding Story. That's my all-time favorite movie." Austin said with a huge smile.

"So does that mean that you'll go?"

"Yeah, but only if you let me pay for half."

"Okay fine. I'll swing by the motel and pick you up around seven, we can grab a quick bite to eat then head over to the movie."

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Ryan has been introduced and is quite friendly. I think it runs in the family.

Next chapter the Date?