The Contract

by D. C. Hall

  He just wished he knew how Williams felt. Williams expression had relaxed again. Nathan felt his heart thump a little harder for a moment. The words were falling out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

  “Do you like me?” he blurted out, cheeks turning red. He really hasn't meant to say anything. His chest started to feel hallowed out when he didn't get a response. He looked back down at the other man. Williams still had the peaceful look on his face, and his chest rose and fell normally. He didn't look like a man who was avoiding a question. “Eugene?” he asked, but still got no response. “Eugene?”

  “Hmm?” came the groggy response. He leaned his head up and looked around blearily like he wasn't sure where he was for a moment. He looked back to Nathan and gave a tired smile. He tried to say something, but it came out an unintelligible mess as he stretched out for a moment.

  “What?” Nathan asked with a chuckle. He was moderately relieved that Williams hadn't heard his question.

  “I think we should go to bed.” Williams said again.

  “I think you're right.”

  ***

  They were nearly to end of November now. Gertrude and Theodore had packed up and went to their daughters about a week beforehand when they heard that their granddaughter had been born. Nathan figured that meant that Williams might be more likely to join him with his family for Thanksgiving. Instead, Williams had made plans with an ex.

  “He’s just coming over to talk about business.” Williams stated. Nathan fought the jealous flare up he felt in his chest. He’d always thought of jealousy as an ugly thing. It made it worse since he and Williams weren’t a couple.

  “Business on Thanksgiving?” Nathan questioned as he tugged at the bottom of his sweater. He didn’t notice the way Williams looked at him. He looked so warm and cozy in the wool fabric. It made Williams want to cuddle up with him and take a nap. But, there was no time for that.

  “It’s possible.”

  “True, but it's a little weird.” Nathan said, crossing his arms. “Is it because he’s cuter than me?” It was mostly a joke. Williams laughed and wrapped his arms around his waist.

  “No one is cuter than you.” Williams responded and watched as one corner of Nathan's mouth tilted upward.

  “Just remember that when this guy starts to hit on you.” Nathan stated. Williams smiled at him before tugging at his collar to pull him down. Nathan leaned down to meet his lips. He was aware that his crush had gotten worse over the last month. All he could hope was that Williams hadn’t noticed. He straightened back up, chewing on the inside of his jaw. “It’ll be a few hours before we actually start with dinner. If you change your mind, just call me.”

  “Thank you, Nathan, but I’ll be fine here. I don’t want to interrupt your time with your family.”

  “You wouldn’t be interrupting, I promise. I’ll keep my volume up. So, just call me if you need anything.” He gave Williams another quick peck on the lips before he was finally ready to go.

  An hour later, Williams was biting back his anger. His ex, Martin had insisted on playing pool while they talked business because that’s what he used to do with Williams’s father. It was annoying him deeply because Martin had no trouble insulting his playing despite him having only ever played once. Williams went to take his shot, aware of the eyes roaming over his body.

  “You know, you look better chubby than I thought.” Martin said. Williams’s shot didn’t go anywhere near where he had intended as he grimaced at the comment. “Oh, wild shot.”

  “I didn’t let you come here to discuss my body. You said you had a business plan to discuss. And I’m not chubby.” Williams stated, his gaze was full of malice. Martin chuckled while he looked down his nose at him.

  “Oh come on. You look like a little Teddy bear.” He reached a hand out to try to squeeze the softness on Williams’s stomach but had his hand knocked away. Williams bit back the comment that Martin was one of the big reasons why he hated his body.

  “Either start talking business or get out.” He was deathly serious, and Martin knew it. His smug look was replaced by one of annoyance.

  “Fine. I wanted to see if I could buy the factory off of you.”

  “No,” Williams responded.

  “I'm trying to do you a favor here. I know that place has to be failing without your father.” Martin said. Williams crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the table. His anger was rising.

  “What makes you think it's failing?”

  “Look at the owner.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You've got no experience. You don't have any idea what you’re doing.”

  “I've been over the company for nearly a year. Sales have gone up.”

  “Just because you decided to overpay your workers. You know it doesn't matter if sales are up if you're losing money.”

  “I’m not losing m-“ he was aware of his phone buzzing in his pocket.

  “Look, I'm willing to pay you one billion.” He could see the anger flare up in the other man's eyes.

  “You know what. Just get out.”

  “Don't be like that, Williams. I'm just trying to help you get off a sinking ship.”

  “No! You came here to insult me.” He finally yanked the phone out of his pocket when the buzzing didn't stop. It was Nathan. “WHAT?” he yelled, anger getting the better of him. All he could hear was distant talking and laughing. “Nathan?” he asked but still got no answer. It had to have been an accidental call. He hung up and chucked the phone down on the middle of the pool table.

  “Whose Nathan? Is that your boyfriend now?” Martin asked with a smirk.

  “It's none of your fucking business. You were leaving anyhow.”

  “I wonder if it's the same one I dated. Does he wear those dorky round glasses?” Martin questioned. Williams suddenly felt unsettled. How did he know Nathan? His jaw clenched and Martin took that as a confirmation. “You better keep him on the first floor. That bastard nearly killed himself by jumping out my window.” Martin was chuckling like this was a fond memory.

  “You’re Antoine?” Williams asked.

  “That is my middle name. I'm a little hurt you never remembered that.”

  “Get the fuck out of my house.” Williams ordered. He clenched his fists at his side, face turning red.

  “Why?”

  “Because you're a rapist.”

  “I did not rape him.”

  “You tried to.” Martin just rolled his eyes. “I said get out, motherfucker.”

  “What are you gonna do about it?” Martin asked, shoving him backwards. Williams shoved him back. Martin looked serious now, the smugness he'd had completely gone. “Push me again and I'm going to knock the shit out of you.” Williams didn't hesitate. He shoved him which just got him a punch to the face. Williams recoiled with his hands over his nose when he felt it break. “This is what happens when you don't listen to people.”

  Williams let go of his nose and closed his fists again. He swung, getting the other man's cheek. Martin snarled at him, lashing out again. He hit him right below the eye, but Williams didn't feel it over his anger. Another swing got Martin in his mouth. It didn't knock any teeth out, but he'd need a trip to the dentist.

  Martin wrapped his fist in the front of Williams’s shirt and shoved him back against the table before hammering into his ribs. Williams swore loudly at the pain and punched him again. It knocked him away long enough that he could jump on him. He was straddled over Martin’s chest as he started slamming his fists into his face one after the other. Martin couldn't get him off. Williams kept going, his anger fueling him. His mind was playing all of the times Martin had hurt him. Then, it switched to picturing Nathan and how scared he must have been that day. He sneered, hitting him harder.

  How dare he hurt Nathan? He tried to assault his friend. Nathan didn't deserve that. The fire in Williams’s chest was still burning when he had to stop. His arms felt like jello. He looked down at Martin and saw how bad
ly he'd beaten him. The man was crying with blood covering his face. Williams was slightly proud of the sight as he got off of him, huffing. He watched as Martin got to his feet, backing away from Williams before running away.

  Williams sighed and laid flat on his back. The pain he felt was starting to register on him. He knew his nose was broken along with his right hand. His whole face hurt along with his ribs. He needed to go to the hospital, but with one eye swelling shut already, he knew he couldn't drive himself.

  ***

  Nathan was in the kitchen with his brother. He had an apron on to keep flour from sticking to his sweater. Brad watched as he kneaded the dough. Every year, Nathan made pasta while Brad made a sauce for it. It wasn’t much, but their parents had always appreciated the help.

  “You really couldn’t get your boyfriend to come?” Brad asked.

  “He’s not my boyfriend, and I already told you, he had a business meeting.”

  “It’s Thanksgiving. Who does business on a holiday?”

  “Apparently, his ex.” Nathan muttered before he thought better of it. Brad raised his eyebrows at the comment. “Forget I said that.”

  “He’s with his ex?”

  “I said forget it, Brad.” Nathan shot him a glare. He knew where this was headed, but Brad didn’t take the warning.

  “And you’re okay with that? Aren’t you a little jealous?”

  “Of course, I'm not jealous. We aren’t a couple.”

  “But you wish you were.”

  “Don’t twist this on me.”

  “Nathan, you’re blushing. You can’t tell me I’m wrong.”

  “Shhh. Shut up.” Nathan looked around to see if anyone was around. “I don’t need anybody hearing you.”

  “What are you going to do if he gets back with this guy?”

  “It’s just a business meeting.” Nathan hissed. Brad wasn’t done just yet.

  “I'm serious. What if he does. Are you still going to be his little accountant? You’d have to see him make out with this guy. Wouldn’t that make you mad?” Brad asked. Nathan stared down at the dough in hopes to avoid looking at his brother. It would hurt him if that happened. Brad could see it on his face.

  “I believe him that it’s a business meeting.” Nathan said. Maybe, Brad had pushed a little too far. He didn’t have time to think about it when Nathan’s phone rang. “Can you get that out of my pocket?”

  “Sure.” Brad grabbed the phone and saw that it was Williams. He clicked answer and pressed it to his ear. Nathan gave him an irritated look. He had meant for himself to answer, not his brother. “Hey, my brothers busy playing with his noodle right now. What can I do for you?”

  “It’s dough, asshole.”

  “Just keep playing with it. You’ll get there eventually.”

  “You’re such an ass.”

  “I really didn’t want to interrupt, but I need help.” Williams said. Brad could hear some of the pain in his voice.

  “You alright?” Brad asked, drawing his brother’s attention. Nathan went over to the sink and started washing his hands.

  “I… Well, the meeting I had today didn’t go as planned. Martin and I ended up fighting. I was hoping that Nathan could bring me to the ER.” Williams said. He was starting to feel stupid for calling. Why didn’t he just call a driver or an ambulance? He ignored the voice in the back of his head that said he just wanted Nathan to be there.

  “Martin who?” Brad asked keeping his voice even. Nathan was by his side trying to get his phone back. If Williams was hurt, he wanted to know what he could do. Brad shrugged him off, getting a glare.

  “Gregor.” Brad grimaced. He knew the name.

  “What the hell is going on?” Nathan questioned.

  “What if I took you?”

  “… I guess that would be fine.” He didn’t understand why Brad would volunteer to drive him to the hospital.

  “Alright, I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He said before hanging up and handing Nathan’s phone back to him.

  “What’s going on? Where are you taking him?” Nathan asked. He was more than a little frustrated.

  “He got into a fight. I’m going take him to the hospital. You just stay here and help mom set up. You can make the sauce this year, right?”

  “Why are you taking him and not me?”

  “Calm down. I have a good reason.” He said as he was headed to the door.

  “Which is?”

  “I never said it was a reason I was going to tell you. Just trust me on this one, kiddo.”

  “I’m twenty five. Don’t call me kiddo.” Nathan snipped. Brad closed the door behind him. Nathan groaned before pulling his phone back out. He dialed for Williams.

  “Hello,” Williams said.

  “Brad’s on his way. How bad are you hurt?” Nathan asked. He could hear that it was difficult for him to breathe.

  “I know my nose is broken and one of my hands. Maybe, a couple ribs. They may just be bruised.”

  “Sounds like you got your ass beat.” Nathan said, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. He grimaced. That probably wasn’t the best thing to say to him right now.

  “That's what I feel like. Look, Nathan. I really am sorry about this. I should have just called for a driver instead of bothering you.”

  “Don't apologize. It's okay.” He was vaguely aware of the sound of his mother coming into the room. She was in a wheelchair. So, he’d learned to recognize the sound of the wheels on hardwood. “Just get to the doctor, and let me know when you get out.”

  “Okay. I'll text you.”

  “I'll talk to you later.” His mother was looking at him with a perplexed expression.

  “Where's your brother?”

  “Eugene needed a ride to the hospital. I'm not sure how long until he’ll be back.”

  “I'm shocked you didn't go. You could have been the knight in shining armor for your boyfriend.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend.” He said, getting aggravated. “Besides, Brad wouldn’t let me.” His mother moved over next to him.

  “You know it’s okay if you like him. Your father and I will still love you even if you do like rich men.” Nathan narrowed his eyes at him. She was where Brad had gotten his smart mouth from. Sometimes he felt like he couldn’t turn to anyone without them taking a jab at him. He still wouldn’t trade them for anything.

  “I feel like you’re repurposing the it's okay to be gay speech.”

  “You came out before we got to do the whole accepting parents bit.” She said and Nathan rolled his eyes.

  “He’s just a friend, mom.”

  “Whatever you say, dear.”

  ***

  Brad pulled up to find Williams standing outside. He could see the swollen eye from there. Williams walked to the car, rubbing a hand over his ribs briefly. He got in with a pained grunt.

  “You weren't kidding about the fight.” Brad commented. Williams gave a nod. He felt strange. This was only the second time he'd met Brad. It was the first without Nathan. Brad shifted in his seat to face the other man. “Before we go, I have to tell you I’m a little pissed off at you.”

  “I know. I shouldn't have bothered you.”

  “That's not what I'm talking about. You needed help. That's fine. No, I’m mad because of who you had over in the first place. Do you know what that bastard did to my brother?” Brad looked genuinely pissed. “I don't mean the bullshit story that he gave us about him cheating. I mean what actually happened.”

  “I do, but I didn't realize it was him.” Williams shifted in his seat, ribs starting to ache. “It's part of what the fight was about.” Brad looked at him like he was trying to see if he was lying. After a moment, he seemed content. “I don't think Nathan knows that you know the real story.”

  “You’re right. I know that he doesn't know that I know. So, now that you know, that I know that he doesn't know that I know, we have to make sure that Nathan doesn't find out that I know what he doesn't know I know. You know?”
Brad asked. He was fucking with him, but he kept a straight face. Williams stared at him with a furrowed brow and frown.

  “W-was that as confusing as it sounded, or do I have a concussion?”

  “Just don't tell him, okay?”

  “Okay. I can do that.” He said, sighing in relief. He got buckled and held the seat belt away from his injured side while Brad started driving. “Is that why you came instead of him?”

  “I mean that is a good reason, but no. You don’t want him to be driving you when he’s stressed out. The boy drives like a maniac sometimes “ Brad responded. Williams just nodded. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw a text from Martin.

  “He’s trying to blackmail me!” Williams blurted out.

  “Who?”

  “Martin. He sent me a message saying that if I don’t sell my company to him that he’ll report me for assault.” He groaned. Why had he never realized how awful Martin was? They pulled into the parking lot of the hospital, a few minutes later.

  “Screenshot that and send it to me.” Brad said. Williams did as he was told. Brad had to tell him the number, but it was done in a moment. “Will you be alright in there by yourself?”

  “Yeah. Where are you going?” Williams asked with a look of concern.

  “I'm not going anywhere. And if Nathan asks, I was with you the whole time.” He answered. He looked deathly serious. Williams nodded and got out of the car. As he walked past the front to go in, Brad rolled down his window. “Just to be clear, I'm doing you a favor, and I will be collecting soon. Got it?”

  “O-okay.” And with that, Brad was gone

  ***

  Brad walked up to the ornate house, moving quickly. He stopped at the front and knocked on the door. He knew Martin didn’t have servants to come to the door. The man had always been paranoid about help stealing from him. That just made it easier for Brad. After a long moment the door swung open.

  “Shit. Your face looks like ground beef, man.” Brad commented with a chuckle. Martin narrowed his eyes at him.