Lights, Camera, Slut it Up! [Boy/Boy]

Chapter 17: Vulnerability

Lights, Camera, Slut it Up!: Chapter 17: Vulnerability

               I watched the deputy saunter over to the waiting cell and lazily glance at the clipboard in his hands. "Nicholas Tyler?" I stood and walked over, my muscles stiff and achy. "The charges were dropped, you're being released." The constriction in my chest finally released... at least until I was escorted back to the main lobby and Maxxie came into view. He stood quickly and I could see all the worry and fear he felt written on his face.
I stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to say or do. How would he react to the fact that we had gone to bed together and he got a call to see if he could pick me up from the police station? I didn't have to wait long for the answer. He pulled me into his chest and let out a shuddering breath. "Don't ever scare me like that again." One of his hands rested in my hair and the other on my lower back. When he finally pulled away he examined the developing bruises.
"Where are my mom and sisters?" I knew my mom had been asked to talk to a deputy about the night's events but undoubtedly she would have been able to leave hours ago.
He smiled, satisfied that I had no permanent damage. "They're at your apartment with Liliana and Angel... what happened Nicky?"
"My dad had my mom pinned to the wall and she was screaming. He turned on me." Now that adrenaline wasn't flooding my system, my whole body was shaking. "He was going to beat me with his belt again and –"
"- again?" Maxxie had gone rigid and I was thankful that no one was in the lobby with us.
I shook my head, "He beat the hell out of me before he disowned me when I was seventeen."
"Is that how you got that mark on your shoulder blade?" I hadn't realized he noticed that. I shook my head and he pulled me closer. "Oh baby."
"I want to go back to your place." My hands lowered to run over his ass and he smirked down at me.
He brushed my hair over my ear, "If you need sex Nicky, all you have to do is ask."

               Boy did I ask for it. The second we got into Maxxie's apartment my clothes were ripped off and Maxxie had produced a silky black cord. Between kissing and grinding, my hands were tied together and held out of the way with the help of a hook that normally held a large print on the far wall. With everything that had happened, I just wanted to forget... at least for a little while.

               I listened contently as Maxxie talked about his company and the interns that he invited to officially join. We were on the way to the party he was throwing for them now. Thankfully all my bruises from that night had completely healed over the last two weeks, so Maxxie wouldn't have to deal with any domestic abuse rumors.
As we walked in, I saw how loved and respected Maxxie was as the boss. People fell over themselves to greet us. They showed me as much respect as they showed him. "Enjoy yourself Nicky." Maxxie squeezed my hand and a feeling of contentment began to settle over me. I liked where I was now. I liked having Maxxie on my side... and I liked being by his.
Champagne was passed around as everyone conversed and enjoyed the light-hearted mood that filled the room. While Maxxie was distracted talking to some of his workers, I snuck out onto the balcony. It was a beautiful night, but due to the weather, it was too cold to be outside for too long. "Hey Crystler," I smiled up at the stars. My hand found the locket I always wore and freed it from under my shirt. "I hope you're happy. I miss you." I kissed the jewel before tucking it back into my shirt, the weight of it a comfort against my chest.
"Isn't that sweet!" I jumped at the slurred voice, having not realized that I wasn't alone. "Who's Crystler? Was your boyfriend?"
I turned to see Cole, dressed in a suit that was half tucked in and hair that was tousled as if he had repetitively ran his hands through it. His fingers clutched a half empty bottle of clear liquid, and judging by the smell, it was alcohol. "What are you doing here? Did you get kicked out of all the nightclubs?"
He smirked at me, his smile easy while his posture was rigid. "Funny. Want a drink?" He held the bottle out to me but I refused. It was one thing to have a few sips of champagne with Maxxie, but I was done with the hard stuff. It was a temptation I didn't want to give into. He staggered closer and I tensed when he grabbed onto me to keep from falling. "How come we don't fuck anymore?"
"- because you're the asshole that left me on the street with a bad trip because I wanted to go home." My words were cold and he flinched at them.
His hand clumsily tried to work the fastener on my pants open, "Well let me make it up to you."
I pushed his hands away, causing him to lose his grip on the bottle. "You need help Cole." He began cursing as he kicked at the broken glass, sending shards cascading all over the balcony. I turned to go back inside but stopped short at the man standing in the doorway. Maxxie looked perplexed as he stared at Cole's stumbling form.
"Are you okay baby?" I shook my head, taking the few steps to stand next to Maxxie. He pulled his cell phone out. "I'm on eighteenth floor balcony and I'm going to need an escort."
Cole smiled at Maxxie, his attempt at seduction making him look more like a clumsy chicken. "Is he not meeting your needs Master Grant?" He cozied up to Maxxie's chest, "I can be your escort." Maxxie scowled at the use of his stage name. I was the only one who had used that name in the past five years and I had the feeling that Maxxie wanted to keep it that way.
"Mr. Nettle?" I expected to see one of Maxxie's security guards, not a petite woman with eerily familiar facial features. "I sincerely apologize for my brother's inappropriate behavior." This was Cole's sister? Cole's sister worked for Maxxie?
His features softened a bit. "Miss Daniels, Cole will be escorted off the property tonight and I'd advise you be more selective in the future if you wish to remain in your current position."
"Yes Mr. Nettle, it won't happen again." She followed Cole and the security guards out of the building, her head hung down in embarrassment. While I knew Maxxie was being stern to help her, I also knew that most employers would have fired her on the spot.
"She is a great worker but she should have known better than to bring him to her job."
"Speaking of siblings, when am I going to meet your brother?" He hadn't talked about his family other than his mother being Italian. Did he not want me to meet them? Undoubtedly word and rumors surrounding my family had spread... was Maxxie ashamed of me?
His smiling face turned sour. "I know what you're thinking Nicky. Stop it." He pulled me against him and held on tighter when I fought against his hold. "Talk to me Nicky, don't push me away."
"With what happened... back then, do you not want your family to find out about us? About me?" My heart was in my throat and I suddenly didn't want to know the answer. Even though I hadn't said it out loud yet, I was in love with Maxxie. The mere thought of being his dirty little secret sent my heart plummeting. "Do your parents know you're gay?" He released me and I took a step back.
Maxxie squared his shoulders, "Does it really matter if my parents know I like men?" Yes, it did. If they knew he was gay but didn't know about me, then Maxxie was ashamed of being with me. If they didn't know, then Maxxie was ashamed of being himself. Both were horrible options but at least I could understand the latter... he laughed as his shoulders relaxed. "They know I'm gay –" He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. "- and they also know about you." He showed me his screen. It was a group message between him and his parents. He had been sending them pictures of us and a few of just me. After every one, his mother threatened to stop cooking for him if he didn't bring me to Italy to meet her. His dad gave him props for finally asking me out.

I looked up at Maxxie, the fear in my gut ebbing into disbelief. "I... um –" I felt like an idiot. Not only did I second-guess Maxxie's intentions, but I did it in a way that not only insulted him, but me as well. "I'm sorry."
Maxxie leaned in and brought his lips to mine. I sighed, his warmth so welcoming and more than inviting. "It's okay baby. I just wanted us to be together for us, and not because you felt obligated because my parents knew." I understood and I appreciated that. However, that was Maxxie. He was always considerate of those around him. "Will you be my boyfriend Nicky?" I couldn't agree fast enough.

               Maxxie and I stood on the balcony for a few more minutes, enjoying the peace and quiet. It was nice to just be with him. Neither of us was trying to impress the other and it was easy. "Hate to interrupt, but you two are going to freeze to death out here. Not that I would care of course." I stared at the man in the doorway for the second time tonight. Like Maxxie, he was dressed in a tailored suit that showed off his wide shoulders. Rather than icy blue eyes like Maxxie, he had dark brown. They were so dark that they almost appeared black in the current lighting. The features were unmistakable though.
Maxxie looked at him with a slightly peeved off expression. "Where have you been? The party is almost over."
"I don't suppose you would believe me if I said I got caught in traffic?" He shrugged it off as if it were no big deal. "Aren't you going to introduce me?" He gestured toward me, but waited for Maxxie to continue.
"Baby, this is my irresponsible little brother Alessandro. Alessandro, this is my boyfriend Nicky." I loved that word. It made my stomach tingle with excitement, as well as other parts of my anatomy. Alessandro extended his hand and I shook it politely. At this rate, it was no wonder why Maxxie had been left all his father's companies.
My phone began to vibrate and I pulled it out enough to see it was my mother. I excused myself before taking a few steps away and answering her call. "Nicky, my lawyer just called and informed me that the divorce was finalized." I could hear the excitement in her voice as she spoke.
"That's great mom." I meant that too. The sooner she got away from that bastard, the better off she'd be.
"That's not the best part!" I had to hold the phone away from my ear to keep from cringing. "Given the recent events, the judge decided he was too big of a danger to have around the girls. I have full custody." That was amazing. Abby's face lit up my mind and her fears of living with that man. Now she was safe and our father would never be able to lay his hands on her.

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A/N

Hello everyone! Happy Halloween ^_^ This will be a double upload tonight to make up for the extended absence. Between classes, homework, and work... no free time XP