Gravity of Love

14


The rest of the night was nothing but pleasure. A hedonistic feast as we had jumped each other: touching, sucking, and kissing whatever piece of skin we could. Every touch of his hand and every caress of his tongue made all my worries go away. No Mannix. No Ren. Just the fire of pleasure he seemed to have ignited in me. I would have to worry about whatever this feeling was- this infatuation--later. All that mattered that night was what we wanted with no hidden motives or personal gain, the first in a long time and I enjoyed every moment of it.

After the third time I was completely and utterly spent and had to push the zealous David off of me. I had played with him a bit and then the night finally came to an end. I had to take Keith's "I wanna kill you slowly" look on the way out but even that wasn't enough to kill the mood I had been in. I had dropped David off to Mannix's house and made my way home to Ren feeling pretty damn proud of myself. I had managed to keep the truth from David all night without slipping once. Being an accomplished liar shouldn't really be anything to be proud of, but we all need something, yeah? Hell, if Mannix didn't want to tell him the truth why the fuck should I?

When I got into the house I saw Ren silently waiting for me in the kitchen. He was sitting at the small marble top island slowly eating a plate of food in front of him.

"Have you eaten at all today?" He asked softly.

Remembering Mannix and his 'breakfast in bed' treatment I nodded.

"I ate a little something this morning," I replied.

Ren gestured towards a plate of food right across from him.

"Join me, then. You're probably hungry, aren't you?"

Now that the smell of food was wafting in my nose the answer was a hell yes. I sat down on the stool across from him started picking at the thin slices of what I assumed to be beef. It wasn't as warm as I would've hoped, but it was still very good.

"You look tired," he said.

I scoffed before I could stop myself.

"Having sex kinda does that, Ren," I muttered.

"You had a good time with David then?"

"Good time?" I said with a snicker. "You mean did I enjoying fucking around with him?"

Ren blinked, clearly not expecting that kind of answer. Fuck it, I say, I was tired of his tricky conversation, saying without saying. I wanted to wash off and slip into bed, preferably without him in it.

"Is that all you did?" Ren asked softly. "I'd figure you would've fucked his brains out." I nearly choked on my food and greedily drank the glass of water Ren slid over to me. He looked at me with a weird smile on his face yet said nothing.

"Why would you say that?" I asked, keeping my voice as light as I could.

Ren chuckled. "Just taking a wild guess. It's okay, sweets, I was just looking for pointers."

"W-what?" I stammered. Okay, I was now officially confused.

Ren laughed and stuffed the last bit of food in his mouth and got up.

"I'm just joking with you love," he purred. He went to stand behind me and I soon felt his warm breath along the back of my neck. My body shivered even though I didn't want it to and his teeth clamped down hard on my flesh. I jumped but willed myself not to react to it. I moaned and leaned towards his mouth, tilting my head forward. Shit Gavin, just lie on your back and fetch his fucking slippers!

"Besides," he whispered softly and moved his mouth to yank at my upper ear with his teeth, "you've got other things to think about."

My heart leapt and sunk at the same time. How did I know that this semi-conversation was going to end up with us in bed? I couldn't help by want it and yet I wanted him as far away from me as possible. But in my current situation what I wanted really didn't matter much.

"Oh yeah?" I asked playfully. "What would that be?"

"Tomorrow night."

I froze under his exploring hands. "What about tomorrow?"

"I have a treat for you," he replied and nibbled at my ear again.

"I like treats," I purred but I had to keep the strain of distrust out of my voice. He was about to drop the proverbial bomb and I knew I wasn't going to like it.

"I thought so," he muttered and his voice suddenly went low and cold, "especially since you and he had such a good time last night."

I frowned and turned my head to look at him.

"Mannix?"

"He had the nerve to call for you again today," Ren muttered and pulled away from me. "But I figured…why not?"

Huh? "Why not?" I repeated carefully. "But I thought you—"

"That's what I said, wasn't it?" Ren snapped. I shrunk instinctively from that tone and flinched when I felt his hand touch my head. He yanked at my hair playfully and walked off.

"Shower then bed, you hear me? Tomorrow is Mannix and Friday you have your set at the Lash, I need you rested."

Hold your tongue, Gavin. Hold your tongue.





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The night with Mannix went by like any other night, or at least to him it did. We ended up going to the Freaky Coffin and I was half expecting him to fuck me different. I had readied myself for his teasing, for his pushing; I had waited the whole night but it never came. He actually fucked me how he usually does; hard and fast with no regard to me personal bodily harm. Not that I was happy about it, but at least I could understand that. He didn't try and push me; he didn't mention David once or even The Gates for that matter. Funny, like it almost didn't happen for him. Was it that easy for him to go on about his business, to mind fuck me and then just fuck me like that? Or should I say let me fuck him like that? Either way it was –and I hate to say it – business as usual. What I think bothered me about the whole thing was that night meant more to me than it did to him. How fucked up was that?

Despite everything else I still knew what to expect from Mannix, what to do to please him. I knew at least that wouldn't change. This kind of shit I could deal with it and simply maneuver my way around or just suffer through. It wasn't hard to do, either. I remembered that spot I had touched that night and I had him coming with my name on his lips. Despite the situation I still couldn't help but be pleased with myself. We didn't stay in the bed long after that and Mannix was ready to leave saying he had other business that he needed to take care of. The ride back was thankfully quiet but just before I stepped out of his car he grabbed me by the arm and yanked me back inside.

"What? No good bye kiss?"

"Anything for you," I said as smoothly as I could, tugging slightly to get my arm from his grasp. Once he let go of me I leaned back in the car over the passenger seat as he moved towards me. Our lips met and our kisses turned into a full fledge eating. He tore at my mouth with his teeth and gripped the back of my head so I couldn't pull away. I moaned in protest but realized the sooner I gave up to it the sooner it would be over. I survived the kiss and he let me go with a soft chuckle.

"See how better things are when you don't fight it, Gavey?"

"Sure," I mumbled and sped off quickly into the house, eager to be away from him.

That was last night, just a spot in my memory and tonight I wasn't even thinking about it at all. Tonight I was on stage at the Lash, dancing until I couldn't remember my name and making the crowd so hot and bothered they'd forget theirs too. I had just stepped off the stage, still high from the shouts and moans and dozens of eyes watching me and wanting me. Tonight would definitely be a fuck night for me. I'd get home and jump Ren like an animal in heat. Yes, I was that horny. I can blame that for my unnatural good mood so when I saw David approach me from the crowd I didn't see the frown of the stiff way he walked. Well, maybe I did notice, I just felt too good to care. Was that wrong?

"What are you doing here?" I said as soon as he got close to me. "Came to see me work?" I teased.

"I have to talk to you," he snapped.

Jeez, who fucked him up the ass without lube? "I'm at work now, man," I said, my high from the stage keeping my voice almost jovial. Whatever good feeling I had faded went up in smoke the second David reached out and grabbed me by the arm, squeezing hard enough to make me gasp.

"I need to talk to you NOW," he said through clenched teeth.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" I said in shock more than anything else.

"You're a goddamn liar, Gavin," he hissed, "THAT'S what's wrong with me!"

Okay. Who the fuck was this? Someone wake me up because this was so not happening. I snatched my arm away from him and brought my voice down to a cold whisper since a few heads were starting to turn our way.

"I think you need to get out with whatever funk you're carrying, shake it off and then come back in," I said, "don't come in here acting like you've lost your mind! I don't know what's wrong with you!"

"Don't you pretend that you don't know," he said as his voice slowly rose in volume. "Don't you dare act like you don't know!"

"Mr. Schafer?"

I turned to my left and there's dear ole Rick, top-flight bouncer of the world. He must of seen David grab me and headed straight over. Mind you his crush on me had nothing to do with his speedy response, he was simply doing his job to the best of his abilities. Riiiight, and pigeons shit gold.

I forced the best smile I could manage and gave Rick my playful charming face.

"What ya need, Rick?"

Rick couldn't help but give me a small smile in return but his face went cold when he looked at David. "Actually I was going to ask you that Mr. Schafer…is this man bothering you?"

I gave a quick look at the brooding David and was tempted to say 'yes', but couldn't bring myself to.

"Nah," I said softly, staring into David's eyes, "he's just a friend going through a patch. I just need to talk to him for awhile." I grabbed David loosely by the upper arm and started to pull him away. Rick seemed unconvinced and was obviously not too keen on the idea of what kind of "talking" we might be doing. His fucking problem, not mine.

When I unlocked my room door and pushed it open David snatched his arm from my grasp and pushed past me into the room. Now I had just about enough of this shit! I slammed the door behind me and walked up to him so I was in his face.

"You mind telling me what your damage is?!"

"You lied to me!" He shouted.

"About what? I lie to a lot of people David," I hissed, "you'll have to be a bit more specific than that."

He blinked a few times at me as if he wasn't expecting that answer. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Calmly, Gavin, calmly.

"Talk to me," I said softly.

"Where were you last night?" He whispered.

Okay. Wasn't expecting that at all. There were voices in my head silently screaming what this might be about but I couldn't play into it so soon. I'd ride David's anger, let him cool down and figure out ways to maneuver around it and see how I use it against him. I'd like to think I wasn't this devious until Ren, thank you very much.

"With a client," I replied slowly. Did Mannix not tell David about another night he spent with me? Not a good sign.

"It was Mannix, right?"

"You knew," I snapped, "so why ask me? I don't have patience for games, David."

He smiled, well more of a sneer than a smile. "I think you'll like this one, Gavin, it gets pretty good. The night before that, Wednesday, where were you?"

I sighed. If he wanted to play Mr. 13 questions fine. "With you, don't you remember?"

"I remember. But what about Tuesday? Where were you then?"

Shit. Not good, not good, not good. A cold shiver ran down my spine yet I still felt a rush of anger. It's like he knows but he's trying to con me into a confession, fishing for something. I wasn't going to take any chances. Why did I want to spare David that pain? Why did I care? Why did I?

"Where were you?" He repeated.

"I don't have to tell you where I go," I snapped back before I could stop myself, "you're not my caretaker. Do I keep track of who you fuck?"

"Go ahead and lie to my face. I know you were with Mannix that night." He said.

"So what if I was? I fuck him on a regular basis if you hadn't noticed," I replied. "It's the same as any other night and you know it. He pays, I kneel over, he has his fun and then he goes home.' A half truth but he doesn't need to know the rest, does he?

"That night was different and you know it. Why else would you not tell me?" David's voice slowly started to get louder. "Why would you lie? You fucked him on my own bed and then fooled around with me the next night!" Now he was officially yelling. I can't take it when people yell and a part of me wants to slap him to shut him up.

"You don't know shit about that night, David. Yes, I was there with him and yes I didn't tell you. Take one look at yourself and you have the nerve to ask me why? Besides if Mannix didn't tell you, why should I?" I said.

David shook his head and stalked closer to me, the look in his eyes are unnerving as hell. "Because it bothers me that you felt it was something you had to keep from me. It wasn't just a regular fuck to you was it?"

For a second I couldn't say anything. God, I did feel guilty. That was the thing that forced my silence. My anger subsided and as it washed over me I still met his eyes unflinching.

"I came out of the deal, came hard, but it still was just a fuck, David. Not like you and me." I added that last part to try and bring him down from his anger and to find something to hide behind as I realized I had just lied to him again.

"Of course not like you and me," he seemed to sneer. "We haven't even fucked. Mannix is a hard act to follow, I couldn't fuck you like he does."

"I wouldn't want you to," I said softly.

"You ever get tired of lying, Gavin?" He hissed.

"Well the truth isn't getting me anywhere!" I shouted back.

"That's because it isn't the truth!"

Shit, he wouldn't let up would he? "Enough, David, enough. I can't change what happened and I didn't want to hu--upset you. I would have rather you found out from--" I blinked slowly. "How did you find out?"

He smiled at me and it wasn't pleasant. Fuck, it was downright scary. I never knew David could smile like that, never knew he could be like this. Period. Was I scared of him? No way. If it came down to a fight I'd be the one walking way of that I'm certain. He was trying to be menacing, trying to bully me and all it was doing was making me uncomfortable. If he kept up I was just going to end up pissed.

"I had a visit last night," he started slowly. "While you were out fucking my Mannix I was at the house. Alone. He was at the door and I didn't want to let him in at first, but he said he knew where Mannix was."

What was this cold feeling going down the back of my spine? David smiled again, my face probably an open book from that last shocker.

"I thought I knew where Mannix was since he had mentioned some business he had to take care of. Funny that that 'business' ended up being you."

David wasn't saying a name but I already knew who it was. I mean, who else could it be? I'm sure David's familiar with enough guys but not any that he'd let in Mannix's house like that. And he'd only tell me if he thought it would bother me and that's the only way he could've known about that night. I didn't tell him, Mannix didn't tell him so who else knew? No one but good ole Ren.

"He told me how you liked it, how you stood up for Mannix, how it's more than business for you two. He doesn't doubt you've been sneaking on him." David said through clenched teeth.

Now that was re-goddamn-diculous! Not only was Ren snitching, but he was slipping in more lies too? "It wasn't like that," I started slowly. "I slept with Mannix because I was forced to, you fucked Ren just for the hell of it. Which one of us is worse here?"

"You, because even now you lie."

Mother Mary, still with that shit? Ren is the king of lies, why can't he see that?

"Lie about what?" I almost screamed. "Newsflash, David, Ren is not the one to be listening to. He put us in this little bind we're in now. Ren will lie to get you to believe what he wants you to believe don't you see that?"

"Who else should I believe? You?" He walked closer to me and I didn't back up. "He told me he had last night planned. How he wanted to get me alone and by myself. He said he knew what I was going through being alone while the person you love is with someone else. The first touch was wonderful."

Without realizing it my hand curled into a fist, but he still continued. "I took him in the bed that I share with Mannix," he took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, "the things he did to me."

"SHUT UP!" I hissed.

"Why?" he snapped. "You hearing something you don't want? Just like I had to lay there under him when he told me where you really were that night? He held me down and whispered things about you I wish I didn't know. Now it's your turn, Gavin, you lay down and take this!"

It took every ounce of will power I had not to hit him. I didn't want it to go there. I couldn't let it. Slowly I unclenched my fist, working my fingers loose and did my best to shake the tension out of my arm.

"What is all this supposed to accomplish?" I said as I forced myself to calm down. "You find out yet you attack me for something I had no control over. Blame Mannix, blame Ren, but why blame me?"

David inched closer and I could almost feel the anger pouring off him. "Don't try and weasel out of it."

I was going to need an aspirin the size of a football to get rid of the headache he was giving me. "I'm not weaseling out of anything, David. The more I try and convince you of that the more you make me out as the liar."

David shrugged. "It's okay, really. You fucked what's mine; I fucked what's yours. I can't make you out to be anything more than what you already are."

Now that was fucking it! "Why blame me for it?!" I shout, finally letting my temper explode. "Did I make Mannix pay to fuck me? I can't help it Mannix would rather fuck someone else's whore than fuck his own!" The moment that came out of my mouth I regretted it.

David froze and I watched as his face slowly closed down and when he moved suddenly all the instincts in my brain screamed that he was going to jump me. You can't live with Ren and not jump at every sudden movement; every part of your body has to be ready for what might be next. I almost stood still, almost decided to take what he gave me, give in to his anger but decided not to. One, he had no grounds to be pissed at me. Two, if he was too fucking dense to not see Ren's lies for what they were he didn't deserve to be spared shit. And third, I take hits from Ren; I would NOT take them from the likes of HIM. My body reacted and my fist was on a one-way course to his face. I felt the pain as my knuckles came in contact with his jaw, striking out without thinking.

He staggered back, looking at me as if I had grown three heads. I was about to step forward, ready to launch at him again if he decided to act stupid, but I held myself back. I started sorting through the strange feeling running rampant in my head. I wanted to hit him. Wanted to make him hurt as much as I was. I looked down at my closed fist and hated myself. But if it was in defense that made it okay, right? Right? I went to reach out to him but he snatched away.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I—"

"You just reacted," he mumbled, still holding his jaw.

"Yeah, but I still - -." Wait a fucking second. Why the hell was I apologizing? If he hadn't started this shit the situation wouldn't have came this far. And now I was going to be the wave smoother and try to, yet again, be the one in all this that has some damn sense. He's clearly not fitting the bill.

"David, I don't want Mannix," I said slowly. "I sleep with him because Ren tells me to, not because I want to. I'm with Ren like that; I lo—he's my partner the way Mannix is yours. You can believe me or not. Call me a liar or whatever the hell makes you feel better and like the victim. I don't care at this point. Caring seems to be what got me into this mess in the first place."

David looked down at the carpet nodding slowly like he was digesting what I was saying or maybe thinking of some witty retort to throw back in my face. When he lifted his head up his face had totally shut down, guarded tight with an amused, almost complacent expression.

"You—"

"Look," I interrupted, "I'm not going to carry this on with you. I refuse to. I didn't mean for it be this way, but I'm not sorry about it." I met his eyes, saying so much in that one sentence.

He grinned, catching on probably and nodded.

"Then that makes us pretty much even, doesn't it?"

We stood there staring at each other down until a loud knock broke the unsettling silence.

"Mr. Schafer? I heard raised voices, are you alright?"

David shook his head with a small smile and I rolled my eyes as I went to the door and opened it. Rick was standing there ready to spring.

"It's okay, Rick. David's leaving." I didn't turn back to look at him. This conversation, argument, whatever the fuck just happened was over. David walked past me without a single word and disappeared down the hallway. I gave Rick a weak smile and quickly closed the door in his face before he could say anything else. I leaned on the closed door, too fucked up at this point to do anything else. My great mood was officially gone and the thought of Ren waiting for me to come home turned my stomach. Why did him being with Ren bother me? Why should it? Why does it matter?

"Because it just does," I said and let out a bitter chuckle and push myself from the door to go wash up. What a shitty way to end the week.