Life After Love ~ Chapter 23 continued
Title: Life After Love Chapter 23 - continued
Part One ~ http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/56223.html#cutid1
:::: ♥♥ ::::
Adam arrived at Indigo with Lane and PR in tow. Peter had gotten hold of him just before the car arrived at 19E and his tone worried the young man. He didn’t know if he’d have free time between his meeting and the interview and he told Peter he’d call him back. Peter didn’t elaborate, just pressed that they had to talk TODAY. Before the meeting started, Adam asked. Lane wasn’t happy about his attention being diverted; in the end she relented, as long as she and the PR guy come with him. The interview was being done at Indigo and they’d do whatever until the TV crew arrived or Adam was finished. Though this whole interview deal was about his life prior to being signed, Adam knew even though they supported his decision, the company was worried it could adversely affect their investment in him.
He tried not to think about it.
Peter was the first person he spotted at Indigo, giving him a hug.
“I’m glad you could make it …,”Peter started, stopping when Adam looked away.
Ken and Christine were standing nearby. Relief washed over Adam that Ken was okay and he threw his arms around the older man, hugging him tightly. Usually Ken reciprocated the hug but this time he was stiff, arms at his sides.
Adam let go, smiling at him and receiving a halting smile back.
“Adam.”
He turned to Christine. Her smile was warmer and she hugged him; it didn’t feel right either.
“How are you?” he asked.
She looked at Ken and took his fiancé’s hand.
“We’re doing okay.”
Peter approached the trio.
“Kris said we can use his office. Shall we?”
The group headed upstairs, Peter leading the way, Ken and Christine behind, and Adam and Kris bringing up the rear. Adam took Kris’ hand, creating some space between them and the other couple.
“Do you have any idea what this is about?” Adam asked softly. “Peter wouldn’t say and you could cut the tension with a knife.”
“Peter didn’t tell me much either, just ….”
“Just what?”
“That is wasn’t good news.”
When they got upstairs, Ken and Christine were sitting on the couch and Peter had moved in two more chairs. Peter sat close to the Ken and Adam and Kris sat behind the desk. With the door closed, it was kind of tight but apparently, they needed the privacy.
“So what’s this about?” Adam asked, cutting to the chase.
Peter and Ken looked at each other and Peter spoke.
“Adam … Kris … we think … no, we know, that someone has been following you two.”
“I don’t understand … what do you mean ‘following’?”
“Like stalking?” Kris asked, his hand biting into Adam’s thigh.
“I don’t know if stalking is the word to use … I suppose … it’s just, we think you both could be in danger.”
“Hold on … why do you think we’re in danger?”
This time Ken answered.
“Earlier this week, a DVD was delivered to our home. I wouldn’t have opened it except your return address was on it and there was a note inside that I thought was your handwriting.”
“I didn’t send you any DVD.”
“I know that now. At the time, I thought you had so I played it.”
“And?”
“It was a video of you two … in bed … making love.”
“It appears it was taken through your bedroom window,” Peter elaborated, “that someone was standing outside taping you.”
“Why? Why would someone do that?” Kris exclaimed. His grip tightened on Adam’s leg and Adam covered it with his own.
“To get to me … I don’t know why ….”
The room fell silent and Adam looked at his friends. Christine’s face was pinched, Ken was about to break out in tears, Peter was exhausted and Kris was trembling.
“None of this makes sense … there has to be more to it.”
Ken wiped his eyes and said softly, “I’d like to talk to Adam in private.”
Christine and Peter nodded, getting up. Kris, however, was having none of it. He refused to go, only relenting when Peter said he’d fill him in outside.
The door closed once more, Adam took a seat by Ken, not on the couch with him, but in the chair Peter vacated. Ken wouldn’t look at him and Adam let him be, as long as he found out what the fuck was going on.
“Talk to me Ken. We’ve been friends for a long time; you can tell me anything.”
“Yes, we have been friends … that what makes this so much worse.” He wiped his hands on his pants and started. “You know about Heather.”
“Yes, and I wish I’d gotten to know her. She sounded like a wonderful woman.”
“She was my first love … and your first love always has a special place in your heart.”
Adam couldn’t agree more; that’s how it was with Kris.
“When I lost her, I lost myself. I shut down. The only thing that made me feel alive again was you … your singing.”
Adam nodded. It was music that brought them together, a vine that their friendship grew on. Whenever Ken has visited the Cavanaugh Club, it was pretty much all they talked about. Ken hadn’t ‘requested’ anything else of him and Adam didn’t talk about in private life.
“But there was something else about you that eased my loss.” Ken took out his wallet, removed a small picture, and handed it to Adam.
Adam had never seen a picture of Heather before. She was a stunning woman with rich black hair, intense blue eyes, pale skin and a dusting of freckles. A feeling of déjà vu came over him and then it clicked, as absurd as it sounded.
“We … I mean she and I, we ….”
“You look very much alike, like twins. But the similarities didn’t end there. Your personalities were nearly identical ~ kind, warm, friendly, funny, gentle, loving, strong, musical. The more I got to know you, the more my memories of Heather were intermingled with my new memories of you. I kept my growing attraction to you suppressed yet sometimes … sometimes it nearly surfaced.” Ken paused and when he continued, his tone was insistent, pleading, “I was confused, I’d never had feelings for a man before … I just seem drawn to you. I would never act on them … I would never force myself on you … you have to believe me … please say you believe me! I couldn’t bear losing you too.”
The walls felt like they were closing in at this revelation. Adam had never suspected anything.
“Christine knows about this?”
“I told her last night. That’s why I left … I couldn’t face her anymore.”
“And Peter. He knows.”
Ken nodded. “I confided in him when you were in the hospital, after Malcolm attacked you. He encouraged me to seek grief counseling and I did. I thought I’d resolved these issues until recently.”
Adam couldn’t help feeling betrayed a little, that Peter had known all this time but hadn’t told him. He guessed it made sense … it wasn’t Peter’s secret to share.
“The DVD brought it back.”
“Yes, but it wasn’t the trigger.”
Ken told him about the photo and then some more about the DVD, how Adam’s voice had been altered. Shards of glass connected and a reflection surfaced, the reflection of some faceless ass that was using them all in some sick game. The motorcycle that nearly killed Kris … the arson at Indigo … the photo … the story leaked to the tabloids … the DVD. Adam had no proof but he was convinced they were all connected. He scowled, cursing and clenching his firsts, wanting desperately to smash something.
One name came to mind yet it was impossible. That is, it should be impossible but he was such a schemer, Adam wouldn’t put it past him to somehow pull the strings from prison.
Adam didn’t notice Ken again until a leg brushed his as the older man passed by.
“I’m sorry Adam, I never meant for this to happen. I’ll go now.”
Ken’s hand grabbed the doorknob and Adam reached out, palm against the door to stop him. They were close and Adam felt his friend’s breathing quicken. His instincts were to reach out and hug him yet he couldn’t bring himself to; it felt like rubbing salt into a wound. He did, however, want Ken to understand one thing:
“I’m not mad at you Ken … I think I understand … just give me some time.”
“Okay.”
“Somehow, we’re going to work this out.”
“Thank you Adam … you don’t know how much it means to hear that.”
“Yeah … I think I do.” He removed his hand from the door. “Let’s talk to the others.”
The minute Adam opened the door, Kris was pressed against his chest. He held his man, kissing the top of his head. Kris looked at Ken … Ken looked at Kris … and Kris offered his hand. It was a restrained gesture but it let everyone know that Kris wasn’t mad at Ken either.
“We’re taking the DVD to the police and Ken’s going to tell them about the photo as well.”
“I don’t think there’s any need for them to know the more personal details, do you?” Adam asked.
Ken agreed.
“I imagine the police will want to talk to you two,” Peter continued.
“We’ll be there after the interview is done … probably with an entourage.”
Adam dreaded telling Lane and PR about this. He wasn’t going to say anything until the reporters were gone; he didn’t need them smelling a scoop.
The group headed downstairs and Peter, Ken and Christine left.
“So, are we ready to get back to business?”
The TV crew was there and almost set up.
“Give me a minute Lane then I’m all yours.”
Kris took them over the bar.
“Did Peter tell you everything?”
“Uh-huh … I’m not sure what I feel right now but I don’t hate Ken; I could never hate Ken, he’s been so good to us.”
“Same here. I didn’t say anything in front of the others but I think the police need to know about the motorcycle, the arson and that tabloid story. I bet they’re connected and I have a good idea who’s behind it.”
Kris nodded. “Malcolm.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
The interview went on for about an hour, even though the final segment aired would only be around twenty moments. The director said the interview itself would be about fifteen and the introductory segment, consisting of a voice over and information on the trial would take up five.
Kris sat at a table with Lane and PR, well behind the cameras. He could just see Adam’s face over the interviewer’s shoulder. Lane had given him a list of questions so he knew what was coming up next. Every so often, Kris saw Lane and PR press their heads together, pointing at PR’s laptop screen. Leaning back, Kris took a peak.
“Is Adam reciting rehearsed answers?” he asked, not believing Adam would follow a script.
“Not exactly. This morning, we went over the questions and recorded what Adam planned on saying then made a transcript. We just wanted to make sure he didn’t say anything that might lead to other questions he doesn’t want asked.”
“Aren’t they sticking to the pre selected questions?”
“They’re supposed to but you never know.”
Kris listened intently, so proud of how forthright Adam was being, sharing his good and bad days, but always having the answer come around to the message that you can make it through and live your life. Finally, they reached the last question.
“Adam. Reflecting on all you’ve been through, are there any regrets? Is there something you wish had been done differently?”
Adam didn’t reply right away, like he had for the other questions. Lane and PR started shattering. Apparently his lover was going off script and they were getting nervous. Kris turned his attention back to Adam. He knew his man better than he knew himself; Adam was weighing in everything they’d just learned a few hours ago, that once again his past was coming back to bite him. Even from prison, Malcolm seemed to be controlling him.
“Adam?”
Blue eyes looked at the interviewer. “I’m sorry … that’s a loaded question,” he joked lightly, making the interviewer nod. “Would I have done anything different?” He chewed his bottom lip. “Yeah, I think I would.”
The chatting between Lane and PR doubled.
Yup, he’s definitely gone off ‘script’.
“Like what?” the interviewer prodded.
“What happened to me couldn’t have lasted so long if there weren’t others protecting Malcolm’s secret. Cavanaugh received his punishment but they didn’t.”
“What happened? Was it lack of evidence?”
“They simply disappeared and frankly, with the attack and my recovery and Malcolm’s trial on my mind, I guess making them pay too was the last thing on my mind.”
“So you’re saying then, if you had your way, they would be found, charged and put on trial as well.”
Adam straightened up and locked eyes with Kris.
“Yes, I would.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
The police cars drove away and the boys stood on their porch, arms tight around each other. Their little beach house had always been a sanctuary for them and now was the ‘scene of the crime’, searched from top to bottom, inside and out. After the interview, Kris and Adam went to the police and told them what they knew, what they suspected. The detective in charge of the case asked if they recognized the voice on the DVD and when they told her they hadn’t seen it, she played it for them. She was sympathetic, getting them water as the shock set in. Unfortunately, they had no clue who it was either.
One car remained outside their home. 19E had sent over private security. The two intimidators stayed in their car, watching the property, and once an hour would do a walkabout. Even though ‘Bert and Ernie’ were there to protect them, Adam and Kris were still uncomfortable with being watched.
Better the enemy you know they guessed.
Heading inside, they kept the porch and outdoor lights on ~ something they usually shut off when they went to bed ~ and locked the doors and windows, closing the blinds. The master bedroom felt tainted somehow and they used the guest room, quickly changing and climbing into bed. They spooned and held each other tight, finally feeling secure in each others arms.
Drifting into a fitful sleep, the lone bedside light shone low as a beacon, fighting back the darkness that had descended on them once more.
Part One ~ http://cunningdeb.livejournal.com/56223.html#cutid1
:::: ♥♥ ::::
Adam arrived at Indigo with Lane and PR in tow. Peter had gotten hold of him just before the car arrived at 19E and his tone worried the young man. He didn’t know if he’d have free time between his meeting and the interview and he told Peter he’d call him back. Peter didn’t elaborate, just pressed that they had to talk TODAY. Before the meeting started, Adam asked. Lane wasn’t happy about his attention being diverted; in the end she relented, as long as she and the PR guy come with him. The interview was being done at Indigo and they’d do whatever until the TV crew arrived or Adam was finished. Though this whole interview deal was about his life prior to being signed, Adam knew even though they supported his decision, the company was worried it could adversely affect their investment in him.
He tried not to think about it.
Peter was the first person he spotted at Indigo, giving him a hug.
“I’m glad you could make it …,”Peter started, stopping when Adam looked away.
Ken and Christine were standing nearby. Relief washed over Adam that Ken was okay and he threw his arms around the older man, hugging him tightly. Usually Ken reciprocated the hug but this time he was stiff, arms at his sides.
Adam let go, smiling at him and receiving a halting smile back.
“Adam.”
He turned to Christine. Her smile was warmer and she hugged him; it didn’t feel right either.
“How are you?” he asked.
She looked at Ken and took his fiancé’s hand.
“We’re doing okay.”
Peter approached the trio.
“Kris said we can use his office. Shall we?”
The group headed upstairs, Peter leading the way, Ken and Christine behind, and Adam and Kris bringing up the rear. Adam took Kris’ hand, creating some space between them and the other couple.
“Do you have any idea what this is about?” Adam asked softly. “Peter wouldn’t say and you could cut the tension with a knife.”
“Peter didn’t tell me much either, just ….”
“Just what?”
“That is wasn’t good news.”
When they got upstairs, Ken and Christine were sitting on the couch and Peter had moved in two more chairs. Peter sat close to the Ken and Adam and Kris sat behind the desk. With the door closed, it was kind of tight but apparently, they needed the privacy.
“So what’s this about?” Adam asked, cutting to the chase.
Peter and Ken looked at each other and Peter spoke.
“Adam … Kris … we think … no, we know, that someone has been following you two.”
“I don’t understand … what do you mean ‘following’?”
“Like stalking?” Kris asked, his hand biting into Adam’s thigh.
“I don’t know if stalking is the word to use … I suppose … it’s just, we think you both could be in danger.”
“Hold on … why do you think we’re in danger?”
This time Ken answered.
“Earlier this week, a DVD was delivered to our home. I wouldn’t have opened it except your return address was on it and there was a note inside that I thought was your handwriting.”
“I didn’t send you any DVD.”
“I know that now. At the time, I thought you had so I played it.”
“And?”
“It was a video of you two … in bed … making love.”
“It appears it was taken through your bedroom window,” Peter elaborated, “that someone was standing outside taping you.”
“Why? Why would someone do that?” Kris exclaimed. His grip tightened on Adam’s leg and Adam covered it with his own.
“To get to me … I don’t know why ….”
The room fell silent and Adam looked at his friends. Christine’s face was pinched, Ken was about to break out in tears, Peter was exhausted and Kris was trembling.
“None of this makes sense … there has to be more to it.”
Ken wiped his eyes and said softly, “I’d like to talk to Adam in private.”
Christine and Peter nodded, getting up. Kris, however, was having none of it. He refused to go, only relenting when Peter said he’d fill him in outside.
The door closed once more, Adam took a seat by Ken, not on the couch with him, but in the chair Peter vacated. Ken wouldn’t look at him and Adam let him be, as long as he found out what the fuck was going on.
“Talk to me Ken. We’ve been friends for a long time; you can tell me anything.”
“Yes, we have been friends … that what makes this so much worse.” He wiped his hands on his pants and started. “You know about Heather.”
“Yes, and I wish I’d gotten to know her. She sounded like a wonderful woman.”
“She was my first love … and your first love always has a special place in your heart.”
Adam couldn’t agree more; that’s how it was with Kris.
“When I lost her, I lost myself. I shut down. The only thing that made me feel alive again was you … your singing.”
Adam nodded. It was music that brought them together, a vine that their friendship grew on. Whenever Ken has visited the Cavanaugh Club, it was pretty much all they talked about. Ken hadn’t ‘requested’ anything else of him and Adam didn’t talk about in private life.
“But there was something else about you that eased my loss.” Ken took out his wallet, removed a small picture, and handed it to Adam.
Adam had never seen a picture of Heather before. She was a stunning woman with rich black hair, intense blue eyes, pale skin and a dusting of freckles. A feeling of déjà vu came over him and then it clicked, as absurd as it sounded.
“We … I mean she and I, we ….”
“You look very much alike, like twins. But the similarities didn’t end there. Your personalities were nearly identical ~ kind, warm, friendly, funny, gentle, loving, strong, musical. The more I got to know you, the more my memories of Heather were intermingled with my new memories of you. I kept my growing attraction to you suppressed yet sometimes … sometimes it nearly surfaced.” Ken paused and when he continued, his tone was insistent, pleading, “I was confused, I’d never had feelings for a man before … I just seem drawn to you. I would never act on them … I would never force myself on you … you have to believe me … please say you believe me! I couldn’t bear losing you too.”
The walls felt like they were closing in at this revelation. Adam had never suspected anything.
“Christine knows about this?”
“I told her last night. That’s why I left … I couldn’t face her anymore.”
“And Peter. He knows.”
Ken nodded. “I confided in him when you were in the hospital, after Malcolm attacked you. He encouraged me to seek grief counseling and I did. I thought I’d resolved these issues until recently.”
Adam couldn’t help feeling betrayed a little, that Peter had known all this time but hadn’t told him. He guessed it made sense … it wasn’t Peter’s secret to share.
“The DVD brought it back.”
“Yes, but it wasn’t the trigger.”
Ken told him about the photo and then some more about the DVD, how Adam’s voice had been altered. Shards of glass connected and a reflection surfaced, the reflection of some faceless ass that was using them all in some sick game. The motorcycle that nearly killed Kris … the arson at Indigo … the photo … the story leaked to the tabloids … the DVD. Adam had no proof but he was convinced they were all connected. He scowled, cursing and clenching his firsts, wanting desperately to smash something.
One name came to mind yet it was impossible. That is, it should be impossible but he was such a schemer, Adam wouldn’t put it past him to somehow pull the strings from prison.
Adam didn’t notice Ken again until a leg brushed his as the older man passed by.
“I’m sorry Adam, I never meant for this to happen. I’ll go now.”
Ken’s hand grabbed the doorknob and Adam reached out, palm against the door to stop him. They were close and Adam felt his friend’s breathing quicken. His instincts were to reach out and hug him yet he couldn’t bring himself to; it felt like rubbing salt into a wound. He did, however, want Ken to understand one thing:
“I’m not mad at you Ken … I think I understand … just give me some time.”
“Okay.”
“Somehow, we’re going to work this out.”
“Thank you Adam … you don’t know how much it means to hear that.”
“Yeah … I think I do.” He removed his hand from the door. “Let’s talk to the others.”
The minute Adam opened the door, Kris was pressed against his chest. He held his man, kissing the top of his head. Kris looked at Ken … Ken looked at Kris … and Kris offered his hand. It was a restrained gesture but it let everyone know that Kris wasn’t mad at Ken either.
“We’re taking the DVD to the police and Ken’s going to tell them about the photo as well.”
“I don’t think there’s any need for them to know the more personal details, do you?” Adam asked.
Ken agreed.
“I imagine the police will want to talk to you two,” Peter continued.
“We’ll be there after the interview is done … probably with an entourage.”
Adam dreaded telling Lane and PR about this. He wasn’t going to say anything until the reporters were gone; he didn’t need them smelling a scoop.
The group headed downstairs and Peter, Ken and Christine left.
“So, are we ready to get back to business?”
The TV crew was there and almost set up.
“Give me a minute Lane then I’m all yours.”
Kris took them over the bar.
“Did Peter tell you everything?”
“Uh-huh … I’m not sure what I feel right now but I don’t hate Ken; I could never hate Ken, he’s been so good to us.”
“Same here. I didn’t say anything in front of the others but I think the police need to know about the motorcycle, the arson and that tabloid story. I bet they’re connected and I have a good idea who’s behind it.”
Kris nodded. “Malcolm.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
The interview went on for about an hour, even though the final segment aired would only be around twenty moments. The director said the interview itself would be about fifteen and the introductory segment, consisting of a voice over and information on the trial would take up five.
Kris sat at a table with Lane and PR, well behind the cameras. He could just see Adam’s face over the interviewer’s shoulder. Lane had given him a list of questions so he knew what was coming up next. Every so often, Kris saw Lane and PR press their heads together, pointing at PR’s laptop screen. Leaning back, Kris took a peak.
“Is Adam reciting rehearsed answers?” he asked, not believing Adam would follow a script.
“Not exactly. This morning, we went over the questions and recorded what Adam planned on saying then made a transcript. We just wanted to make sure he didn’t say anything that might lead to other questions he doesn’t want asked.”
“Aren’t they sticking to the pre selected questions?”
“They’re supposed to but you never know.”
Kris listened intently, so proud of how forthright Adam was being, sharing his good and bad days, but always having the answer come around to the message that you can make it through and live your life. Finally, they reached the last question.
“Adam. Reflecting on all you’ve been through, are there any regrets? Is there something you wish had been done differently?”
Adam didn’t reply right away, like he had for the other questions. Lane and PR started shattering. Apparently his lover was going off script and they were getting nervous. Kris turned his attention back to Adam. He knew his man better than he knew himself; Adam was weighing in everything they’d just learned a few hours ago, that once again his past was coming back to bite him. Even from prison, Malcolm seemed to be controlling him.
“Adam?”
Blue eyes looked at the interviewer. “I’m sorry … that’s a loaded question,” he joked lightly, making the interviewer nod. “Would I have done anything different?” He chewed his bottom lip. “Yeah, I think I would.”
The chatting between Lane and PR doubled.
Yup, he’s definitely gone off ‘script’.
“Like what?” the interviewer prodded.
“What happened to me couldn’t have lasted so long if there weren’t others protecting Malcolm’s secret. Cavanaugh received his punishment but they didn’t.”
“What happened? Was it lack of evidence?”
“They simply disappeared and frankly, with the attack and my recovery and Malcolm’s trial on my mind, I guess making them pay too was the last thing on my mind.”
“So you’re saying then, if you had your way, they would be found, charged and put on trial as well.”
Adam straightened up and locked eyes with Kris.
“Yes, I would.”
:::: ♥♥ ::::
The police cars drove away and the boys stood on their porch, arms tight around each other. Their little beach house had always been a sanctuary for them and now was the ‘scene of the crime’, searched from top to bottom, inside and out. After the interview, Kris and Adam went to the police and told them what they knew, what they suspected. The detective in charge of the case asked if they recognized the voice on the DVD and when they told her they hadn’t seen it, she played it for them. She was sympathetic, getting them water as the shock set in. Unfortunately, they had no clue who it was either.
One car remained outside their home. 19E had sent over private security. The two intimidators stayed in their car, watching the property, and once an hour would do a walkabout. Even though ‘Bert and Ernie’ were there to protect them, Adam and Kris were still uncomfortable with being watched.
Better the enemy you know they guessed.
Heading inside, they kept the porch and outdoor lights on ~ something they usually shut off when they went to bed ~ and locked the doors and windows, closing the blinds. The master bedroom felt tainted somehow and they used the guest room, quickly changing and climbing into bed. They spooned and held each other tight, finally feeling secure in each others arms.
Drifting into a fitful sleep, the lone bedside light shone low as a beacon, fighting back the darkness that had descended on them once more.