Damaged Souls (Broken Man)

chapter Sixteen


“Slow down for a second, Jack,” Mike didn’t seem to know where their conversation was going as they sat in his downtown office on a beautiful Monday morning. “That’s not quite how it works.”

“I just want to go in a little different direction with this,” Jack tried to explain his strategy as he took a sip of coffee. “I think it’s time we go on the offensive.”

“That’s going to be difficult,” Mike again tried to explain the legal system. “The sheriff is dragging his feet on the investigation and basically grinding it to a halt. And as you saw in my report, most of the kids at the party are connected to the football team and aren’t saying anything.”

“You still have a good relationship with the District Attorney, right.”

“Yeah, we went to law school together,” Mike replied. “But, this isn’t a matter for the D.A. yet.”

“And I’m not sure I want it to be, at least not yet,” Jack didn’t unveil his entire plan. “Do you think you could set up a informal meeting with him.”

“I can probably make that happen.”

“Okay, that’s the first step,” Jack followed the diagram in his head. “And, I also need you to set up a meeting with Jeff Gross for this afternoon.”

“Now, I really don’t like where this is going,” Mike took on an entirely different tone. “I’ve got to warn you Jack, you are treading on thin ice.”

“Not any thinner than the ice they are treading on,” Jack explained his logic. “If they want to drag their feet, it’s fine with me. No charges have been filed yet and it’s my understanding that we are free to talk with anyone we choose, at least until charges are filed. Don’t worry, Mike, we are just going to have a nice, friendly chat with Mr. Gross.”

“Sure we are,” Mike seemed to better understand their direction. “Is there anything else you need.”

“Not yet, my friend,” Jack stood up and shook hands with Mike as he plotted his next move. “But I will let you know when there is.”

* * *

“Good morning, Delaney,” Amanda greeted her as she looked up from her coffee.

“Good morning,” Delaney replied and sat down, unsure of the time. “Where is everyone.”

“Jack had a meeting with the attorney, and I think Greg and Logan are still sleeping. How did you sleep.”

“Not too well,” she answered honestly.

“I’m sorry, honey,” Amanda looked concerned. “Do you want to talk about it.”

“I think I’m just being ridiculous,” Delaney questioned her actions and her thoughts. “It’s just that things are different with Greg.”

“How do you mean.”

“I thought everything was going to change when we got home, that we would feel differently about one another,” Delaney tried to put her finger on what was bothering her. “But, nothing has really changed, he barely even kissed me yesterday.”

“Maybe he’s just not feeling well, Delaney, have you thought about that. He’s been through a lot.”

“That’s not it,” Delaney rejected Amanda’s theory. “You know Greg. To him, what happened the other night was simply part of doing his job and the concussion just the cost of doing business. He looks at it like a little headache, do you know what I mean.”

“I think I do,” Amanda replied with a reassuring smile. “He is just like Jack.”

“He is,” Delaney couldn’t help but smile. “Do you know what those two were talking about last night. They were up awfully late.”

“I have no idea. Jack wasn’t exactly attentive to my needs last night either.”

Delaney understood exactly what Amanda was saying as she thought about Greg and tried to figure out what he was thinking. “I don’t know, maybe it’s just some kind of man thing we don’t know about. They have this need to drive us crazy.”

“That’s probably part of it,” Amanda laughed. “But I think it’s more about their need to protect us, to make sure we are safe. Do you know what I’m saying.”

“I think I do,” Delaney remembered how she felt in his hospital room. “But sometimes, they choose the wrong way to show it.”

“They sure do. But don’t worry, Greg will come around. He just has a lot on his mind.”

“I know he will,” Delaney agreed with Amanda and felt better after their conversation. “I think I’m going to run a couple errands this morning. Can I borrow your car.”

“Of course you can, I don’t need it until noon. Logan and I have orientation day at his new school.”

“That sounds like fun,” Delaney replied as she pictured Logan running wild. “I’ll be back before then.”

* * *

Calm down, Jack, he thought to himself as he sat in a quiet corner of the restaurant and took a sip of water. You need to be at your best here, you need to be convincing. He’s right on time, Jack realized as his target entered his sight line and the clock indicated high noon.

What a fat piece of shit, he thought to himself as Mitch spotted him from across the room and Jack waved a white flag of surrender. Make him feel like he won, appeal to his ego, Jack remembered his strategy as he stood to greet him. “Mitch, thanks for meeting me on such short notice,” Jack spoke first as he shook his hand.

“No problem, Jack,” Mitch replied suspiciously as he sat down.

Don’t be too eager, Jack, he remained calm as he again resorted to talking to himself and taking a sip water to settle his nerves. Let him make the first move.

“So what can I do for you,” Mitch obliged him.

“I just wanted to talk about the other day, maybe straighten some things out,” Jack offered an olive branch as he tried to appear defeated.

“Sounds like you have come to your senses,” Mitch arrogantly expected an apology.

“I was a little out of line,” Jack bit his tongue as he responded to Mitch. “It had been a long night.”

“I understand, it was a long night for us as well,” Mitch replied as Jack sensed him loosen up a little. “So what is it that you want.”

“Look, Mitch, there was a misunderstanding between Mitch and Delaney,” Jack managed to be convincing through clenched teeth. “I really want this to to go away, especially with graduation coming up. I just don’t want everyone gossiping and talking about what happened.”

“You read my mind,” Mitch fell for it hook, line, and sinker. “It would be better for everyone if this issue just disappeared.”

“But, there is one thing,” Jack played his other card. “What Jeff did to Greg was unacceptable, and I think we both know that.”

“I agree one hundred percent.”

“A fight between boys is one thing, we’ve all been there,” Jack appealed to Mitch’s warped sense of sportsmanship. “But being the third man in and kicking a boy in the head is just not right.”

“No, it isn’t,” Mitch took pleasure in where the conversation was going. “So, what can I do for you.”

“Jeff needs to pay for what he did to Greg. Now, I don’t want anything to happen until after graduation for the sake of discretion, but I do want that animal arrested first thing Saturday morning.”

“I can make that happen,” Mitch negotiated a trade. “If we can agree that other matter is a non issue.”

“It’s a deal,” Jack lied convincingly as he offered his handshake. “I just need some documentation in the form of a sheriff’s report that implicates Mr. Gross, and then we can leave Mitch and Greg out of this.”

“I’ll have it emailed to your attorney this afternoon,” Mitch pulled legal strings far too easily. “And we will set up a meeting for tomorrow to put this entire matter behind us.”

“Sounds good,” Jack appealed to Mitch one more time. “And Mitch, this conversation remains between us. Do you understand.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Mitch agreed as he stood up from the table and Jack knew he had him as he turned to walk away. “I’ll see you later, Jack.”

* * *

We’re finally alone, Delaney thought to herself as she quietly entered Greg’s bedroom wearing nothing but her favorite silk nightie and slowly crawled under the covers.

He feels so warm, she cuddled up to him and kissed his neck as she felt him respond to her. That’s more like it Greg, Delaney thought as he turned to her and kissed her softly as his hand found her hip. Maybe there’s nothing wrong after all.

“What time is it,” he asked as he seemed to wake up.

“It’s a little after noon,” Delaney replied as she moved her body closer to his. “Everyone’s gone, we have the house to ourselves.”

“That’s nice,” he replied and kissed her again. “I was up late last night.”

“You were,” she said as her body again responded to him. “What did you and Jack talk about.”

“Nothing really,” he thankfully didn’t seem interested in conversation as his hand moved to her breast.

Delaney closed her eyes as his fingers aroused her senses and they slowly kissed. Thats a good start, she sensed his excitement as he carefully rolled her onto her back and his hand moved to her stomach, his body pressing against hers. Finally, Delaney thought to herself as she prepared for a new experience and felt his hand move to the inside of her thigh before gradually working it’s way higher.

And then, it stopped.

Not the kissing. No, that continued and it still felt nice. Not his excitement. No, Delaney could definitely still feel that. But, his hand, that wonderful hand. It was frozen in time.

What is going on, Delaney asked herself as she stopped kissing him and looked into his eyes. Oh yeah, that’s it, she remembered why she ran into town that morning. Her confusion behind her, Delaney kissed his neck and then whispered in his ear, “Greg, I bought some condoms. They’re on the dresser.”

“Really,” he seemed embarrassed as he didn’t give the response she had been expecting and his hand remained frozen on her leg.

This is odd, Delaney was again frustrated as she tried to figure out what was wrong. “Greg, what is it.”

She worried as his response seemed to take forever. Am I doing something wrong, Delaney questioned herself and needed to know the answer as she looked directly into his eyes and finally begged him to talk. “Greg, you can tell me.”

“Its just that,” his voice trailed off as he looked away. “Its just that I have never done this before.”

Is that all, Delaney was relieved on so many different levels as she softly touched his face and directed his gaze back at hers. “It’s okay, Greg. Neither have I.”

“I don’t think you understand what I’m saying,” he seemed relieved as he smiled shyly and softly kissed her forehead. “I’ve never done any of this before.”

Delaney was caught by surprise. It all makes sense now, she thought to herself and couldn’t believe her good fortune. “What about all the girls at work who are always flirting with you and teasing you.”

“I think they just do that because they know I’m a virgin,” he replied sheepishly. “I must have a sign on my forehead or something.”

“No you don’t,” Delaney tried not to smile as she reassured him and kissed his vacant signpost, happy to slow down the process. “Don’t worry, Greg, we can take our time. We don’t have to do it today.”

Delaney felt him relax as she kissed him again and reached down to take his hand. She slowly guided him up the length of her leg as she looked directly into his eyes and silently assured him he was doing it right. Finally, she felt him nearly jump as they reached their destination and she introduced him to her body.

That feels good, Delaney closed her eyes as she helped him move his fingers and she felt his mouth move to her neck. “That’s it, Greg,” she whispered in his ear as he found the perfect spot and she released his hand. He’s pretty good at this, Delaney realized as her body went crazy and she struggled to breathe before their progress was once again interrupted.

“Don’t stop,” Delaney pleaded as he paused once again and she opened her eyes to look at him.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to,” Greg replied as he pulled her slip over her head and then resumed his activity.

That feels really good, Delaney felt herself start to tense as his mouth found her breast and his fingers rediscovered the perfect location. Oh my God, she could no longer control herself as she kissed him again and he rolled over on top of her. “Greg, get a condom,” Delaney whispered into his ear as her hand finally grasped him and she knew they were ready.

And then it was over.