Page 81 of Primary Seduction
Trent
“Okay, talk to me. You’ve been out of sorts all evening, even if you put on a good face for the girls.” Trent wanted to know what had got his boyfriend twisted up. It was ever since that phone call.
Max sighed. “Can we get in bed first?”
Trent nodded, and they began to disrobe separately, then they climbed naked under the covers, and Max laid his head on Trent’s chest.
“You’re worrying me, Max.”
“Sorry. I just don’t know how to explain what I need to.” He blew out a breath. “All right. The phone call was telling me that the person who beat me up has been caught.”
“That’s brilliant news! Why wouldn’t you want to tell me that? Is there going to be a court date or anything or haven’t they told you yet?”
“That’s what my issue is. It’s not the police that have dealt with him. It’s AN.”
“What do you mean AN? Why are they dealing with it and not the police?” Trent was confused.
Max sat up facing Trent. “Remember how I said I can’t tell you much because of confidentiality and everything?” Trent nodded. “Well, this is the same thing. If a member doesn’t adhere to the rules and guidelines, there are consequences.”
Trent’s stomach dropped, he really didn’t like the sound of AN. “What kind of consequences?” he asked.
Max shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. Only thing I do know is that membership is permanently revoked for violence.”
“Why can’t you tell me more?”
“I’ve told you before that is part of the rules. Only members are allowed to know more information.”
“What about boyfriends of members? Surely they have a right to know where their partners are?”
“I don’t know, Trent. Possibly most couples join together. I really don’t know.”
“Can you ask them?” Trent wanted more information.
“I can try.” Max reached for his phone.
“You’re going to call them now?” Trent looked at the clock, it was ten o’clock.
“The phones are answered twenty-four hours a day.”
He watched Max dial and hold the phone to his ear. “Hi, I’d like to ask a question…Yes, it is…four, one, seven, two, nine…All right, am I able to tell my boyfriend more about AN? He’s concerned about some things…Yes…Of course…Thank you.”
He saw Max close his eyes at the same time as he turned his phone off, and he knew the answer would be no.
“They won’t allow any information to be divulged to a non-member. I’ve already given you more than I should have. I’m sorry, Trent.”
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault. I’m not happy about it, but it’s fine.”
Trent laid back on the bed, one arm behind his head, looking at the ceiling. Max laid down next to him but not touching. Trent drew him closer, so Max was back in his previous position on his chest.
“I’m really sorry.”
“Honestly, don’t worry about it. Can I ask you to do one thing for me though?”
“What’s that?” Trent could hear the trepidation in his voice.
“If you visit a club, write the name in a sealed envelope and put it somewhere I’ll know to look in case something happens. Then I’ll be able to find you.” It had been a worry of Trent’s ever since Max’s beating. If no one knew where he was, how could they know where to look if something went wrong? “I won’t look unless I have to.” And he wouldn’t, as much as it killed him, he wouldn’t.
Max lifted onto his elbows, looking at Trent strangely.“Why would I need to go to a club again?”
