Page 25 of The Bathhouse
Joseph spoke in a wistful voice.“Will you come inside with me?The least I can do is offer you an explanation and proper apology.”
Paralyzed by doubt, Reed sat in silence.“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” he said at last.
“Please.I know I have no right to ask, but I’m not sure I can manage those steps on my own.”
Joseph looked so pitiful, Reed couldn’t refuse.He parked as close as he could and offered a hand to help Joseph out of the car.Together, they made their way to the door, and then up the stairs.
At the door, Reed turned to leave, but Joseph grasped his hand.“I need to talk.Please.One drink,” he burst out desperately.
Reed’s mind told him to bolt, but his heart had a different opinion.At one time he would have shielded himself from hurt by fleeing and putting up a wall, but he couldn’t do it now.He’d formed a connection with Joseph, discovered something he’d been missing.At the very least, he needed to hear the truth from Joseph’s mouth.
“I think you’d better see to your leg first.Why don’t you bathe and I’ll get the drinks?”
Joseph took a step toward the bathroom, then stopped and turned his head.“You won’t leave, will you?”
Overcome with sudden emotion, Reed knew that despite everything, he still cared deeply for this man.And those feelings made him a better person.He couldn’t deny the importance of his emotions and uncoupling would kill him.Perhaps he could forgive and forget.“No.I won’t leave.”
Joseph nodded and disappeared into the bathroom.Reed found a bottle of whiskey and two glasses.He carried them into the bathroom and stood transfixed at the door.
Joseph was soaking in the heated water, eyes closed, hands exploring.One hand stroked his penis while the other cupped his balls.He moaned and his eyes opened, his gaze locked with Reed’s.His hands came out of the water.“I’m sorry, it’s been a while.”
Reed sat on the closed toilet seat.“Don’t be sorry.I was enjoying the show.”
Joseph grinned uncertainly.“I was thinking about you.”
The comment sent Reed’s pulse racing, but he didn’t respond.
“I feel so much better,” Joseph said at last.“I feel like I’m in heaven.”
Reed handed him a glass.“It’s understandable, you just got out of hell.”
Joseph lifted his tumbler.“Let’s drink to freedom.”
“I’ll drink to that.”Reed took a healthy swallow and then put his glass down.“Let’s see that leg.”
“It’s just a flesh wound.”Joseph lifted his leg and displayed a red, angry streak on the skin.“Now that it’s clean, it will heal faster.”
Reed shook his head.“I can’t believe the conditions in that place.It’s beyond horrifying.I hope Dave Torres spends the rest of his life in there.”
Joseph frowned.“I’m glad I never saw him in the jail.”
“That’s surprising.”
“Not really.There are so many men.”
“I have to ask.What made you go to his apartment?”
“It’s okay.You need to know, and I don’t mind talking about it.I thought I could get him to leave you alone.I wanted to get the pictures back, but he actually asked me to be his partner.He thought pulling a gun on me would persuade me to go along with him.When he accused me of pretending to be gay so I could get money from you, I lost it.We started fighting and the gun went off.One of his neighbors must have called the police.”
“How did he get the photos, Joseph?”
“I didn’t give them to him.”
“Go on.”
“My phone went missing the day you fired him.I found it later, but I didn’t think anything of it.Sometimes I’d leave it in the bathroom or break room.”His voice trailed off.“It’s still my fault.I never should have taken those pictures.”
“Why did you?”
