***
Dr. Murray looked at Shane quietly, trying to find the best words to tell the young man what he had to. How do you tell someone that the love of their life was more fucked up than it appeared? From his interactions with Chris, the good doctor had come to one conclusion…Chris was way more troubled over what had happened between him and Shane, than even Shane himself. In one of their sessions, Chris had shocked him by blurting out that if he could go back in time and change one thing, he would wish he’d never met Nicolas Lewis. Then he wouldn’t hurt him and ruin his life.
Then Chris had gotten him even more worried by telling him in another session that he’d decided to be a good person and let Shane go as he didn’t ever want to hurt him again. The doctor had pointed out to Chris that letting Shane go, would be devastating to Shane. But the young man had been adamant, insisting that he couldn’t get the image of a badly beaten Shane out of his mind. And that he was a very bad person, who mustn’t be allowed anywhere near Shane.
And listening to Chris, the elderly doctor knew it was time to do something drastic…time to bring out the big guns. All he had to do was wait for Shane to come to him. And now that he’d come, the good doctor wanted to choose his words carefully. Maybe he needed to retire, Dr. Murray thought, amused at himself. This was without a doubt, one damn challenging case.
“What do you know about Chris’ family’s country home in Florida? Is it still there or has it been sold?” Dr. Murray asked Shane.
Shane couldn’t wipe the confused look off his face. What did the Donovan vacation home have to do with anything? With a shrug, he tried to recall what Chris had told him about that house.
“It hasn’t been sold,” Shane said with a frown. “But he never goes there. In fact, he’s never gone there since…” He trailed off.
“I see.” Dr. Murray nodded. “I need the two of you to take a trip down there as soon as possible.” He said.
“What?” Shane bellowed. “I can’t do that. I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Shane squirmed in his seat, his heart pounding.
“Is it that you don’t think it’s a good idea or the idea of going back there scares the bejesus out of you?” The shrewd elderly doctor asked knowingly.
Shane got to his feet. He could feel himself shaking. “I’m sorry, we can’t do that.” And with that, Shane walked out of Dr. Murray’s office. He never ever wanted to think or hear of the doctor’s silly suggestion…ever.
And Shane was determined to stand by his resolution…Till Chris pulled a stunt that shocked the hell out of Shane and everyone close to him.
***
“You must be Shane.” The plump lady with a pixie haircut smiled at Shane.
“I am.” Shane smiled back. Chris’ housekeeper was as pleasant as he’d said she was. “And you are Kate, I suppose.”
She laughed. “The one and only. Come in.” Kate said, opening the door wider for Shane. “Chris has told me so much about you I feel like I know you already. I’ve been dying to meet you since he dropped the bombshell.” She giggled.
Shane laughed, understanding why Chris had said his housekeeper was excitingly open and refreshingly honest. “He’s told me a lot about you too. Welcome back. He missed you.” Shane said, looking around Chris’ foyer. “Is he here?” He asked.
“No.” Kate’s smile faltered. “I assumed he was with you. He told me…” But she trailed off.
“What did he tell you?” Shane asked quickly.
“Well, he said he virtually lives with you now.” She said with a slight smile.
“He does. But for the past three days…”
“He comes home to change in the mornings and then leaves for work, I know.” Kate completed Shane’s sentence…or she thought she had.
Shane froze. Yes, Chris virtually lived with him but Chris always went directly to work from his end…well, till three days ago that is. Chris had explained that he had some stuff to do at home so he’d started sleeping in his own home…or so he’d led Shane to believe. But from what Chris’ housekeeper was saying, it appeared Chris wasn’t sleeping at home after all.
“I wonder where he is this morning,” Kate muttered to herself. “I mean if he’s not here and not with you…” She looked up at Shane and gave a slight frown at the look on Shane’s face. Something wasn’t right. “Is everything alright?” She asked.
“Yeah, yes everything is fine.” Shane sighed, looking around but not really seeing anything.
“Listen, I really think…” Kate started but trailed off, making Shane turn to look at her. The look on the housekeeper’s face showed something was bothering her.
“What is it, Kate?” Shane asked softly.
She shrugged. “It’s just that Chris doesn’t seem like his usual self. He’s…” She trailed off again.
“He’s what?” Shane asked.
“Forget I said anything,” Kate said quickly. “I’m sure…”
“Listen Kate. Tell me whatever is on your mind.” Shane said softly. “I can only help him if people like you, who know him very well, can honestly tell me when you think there’s a problem. I only want what’s best for him, just as I’m sure you do.”
Kate nodded and took a deep breath. “For the past three days, he comes home in the mornings with alcohol on his breath. Of course, you already know that since he comes from your end.” She said with a look of disapproval. “I don’t think you guys should indulge that much. But the other thing that bothers me is that he doesn’t look like he’s eating much. I’m worried about him, Shane.”
Shane nodded slowly. “Truth is he hasn’t slept at my end in the past three nights. He said something about needing to work from here. Fuck.” Shane muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
“Oh, dear.” Kate groaned, twisting the cord on her slacks nervously. “I assumed he sleeps at yours since he said…” Her eyes widened suddenly. “Well, he has a permanent suite at the Four Seasons Hotel,” Kate said. “Maybe he’s there.”
“Yes, he told me about that. I think I’ll pass through the hotel on my way home.” Shane extended a hand towards Kate. “Thank you very much, Kate. It was nice meeting you.”
“Likewise. Oh and tell him I said he had better not come home drunk.” She said sternly, drawing a chuckle from Shane.
“I will.”
And with that, Shane left Chris’ house with a heavy heart. The feeling in his stomach was so queasy, he thought he was going to be sick but he took in deep breaths and hopped into his car. What the fuck was going on, he thought worriedly. He decided to go directly to the hotel. It was a Saturday so he had all the time. And God help Chris if he wasn’t at the hotel, Shane thought darkly.