STORM FRONT

By SFwriter

5 Paths - Taming A Devil
Interludes
Timeline: Post Season 4

 

* * * * * * *

Running had never been one of Marty Lee’s specialties, be it in athletics or in life.  He was a fighter;  Someone who stood firm.  Someone who did not run.  And yet, leaving Merlow almost felt like running.  He ran for many reasons.  He ran out of fear, and out of shame.

These two concepts were unfamiliar to him.  He’d become so adept at shielding himself from both.  He didn’t allow people to get close enough to affect him.  He didn’t allow them to get close enough to break his resolve or matter enough to hurt them with their disapproval.  At least that is what he led himself to believe.

If that statement had been true, he would have stayed in Merlow.  He would’ve tried to reason with the two people he ran from -  Daniel ‘Storm’ Marcus, and Lucas Sheridan - for a crime he had long hidden and only just had the fortitude to confess.  Unfortunately, only to Lucas.

Now he found himself in Henderson, of all places, the place his sister, Ashley, had called home since breaking away from their parent’s controlling grasp of her life.  He had come here to get away from Merlow, to try and reconnect with the life he had before he was the ‘bad boy’.

Ashley had cut herself off from her parent’s “support”.  Marty Lee used that term lightly, for their support was to throw money around and expect that to fix everything.  For some reason, even though he rarely spoke to them, he remained in their good graces.  He doubted whether they even knew that he’d been living with Lucas, rather than the homestay parents he’d been assigned to upon moving to Merlow.  He didn’t care.  As long as he didn’t bother them, they supplied him with money.  And as long as he kept up his grades and stayed out of major trouble, they wouldn’t care, either.

Ashley had done quite well for herself.  She didn’t have the weekly inflow of cash that Marty Lee received from his parents, but she had gotten herself enough money to move into her own apartment since the last time he’d visited.  It wasn’t in the best part of Henderson, and the apartment complex wasn’t the best he’d seen.  His high class upbringing made him turn his nose at the place.  It was almost unseemly to think Ashley could live here.  If their parents knew, they’d die of shame all over again.  That small thought made him smile.  For as much as he despised his sister living in such a squalid neighborhood, he relished the fact that she was getting by without their parents’ influence or help.

Now he stood on her doorstep, hoping she’d be pleased to see him.  Actually, he didn’t hope she’d be happy to see him.  He didn’t care.

He simply waited after knocking for some time.  He thought perhaps he’d gotten the address wrong or she wasn’t home.  After hearing the lock turn in the door, he realized she was.

“Marty Lee?”  Ashley said in surprise, “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I need some place to stay tonight.  So here I am.”

And that was it.  No hug.  No kiss hello.  He walked past her with his bags in hand and stood in her compact living room.  His raised eyebrow did little to hide his disapproval at the tidy, clean, but small and unassuming apartment.  The kitchen and lounge area were open, with only a bathroom and one bedroom coming off the main area.  It was sparse, without the touch of a home, and bore few furnishings.  He frowned in displeasure, and drew the ire of his sister immediately.

“You can’t just turn up like this.  What does this look like?  A halfway house?”  Ashley fumed.

“If that’s what you’re calling it.”  Marty Lee said holding up his bags, “Where am I sleeping?”

“Did you drive up here?”  Ashley snapped as she took his bags, “You must have, because you stink like you haven’t had a shower for days.”

“So give me a towel and I’ll have a shower.”

Ashley threw Marty Lee’s bags into her bedroom, before grabbing him a towel.  He could tell she wasn’t pleased to see him.  Though he imagined it was because she didn’t want him seeing her apartment.  And though he found it completely unworthy of her, he had no desire to belittle her independence.

“It’s nice.”  He said with a subtle nod, “It’s … cozy.”

“Oh, go to hell.  You’re sleeping on the sofa.  If it’s uncomfortable, go find yourself a damned five star hotel.  I’m sure Mother and Father would hate to see you staying in such squalid accommodation.”

“You’re not wrong there.”  Marty Lee smirked as he headed for the bathroom, “But just for the record … aren’t you glad you did it without them?”

Finally, she drew a smile.  And so he found himself pleased.  It was almost a familial moment of unity.  They weren’t huggy or touchy like other families.  But though he found himself displeased with her actions of late, she was still his sister and he was still loyal, and protective of her.  In his own way, he hoped that was enough.

 

* * * * * * *

 

“So, what are you doing here?”

Marty Lee had ignored the question for the most of the day.  He lay back on the sofa, his legs stretched out and his feet resting on the end.  It was far too small for him, but he’d manage.

“You’re taller than I remember.”  Ashley said with a sigh.

“It hasn’t been that long, Ash.”

“I know, but it’s been a while since … I looked after you like this.  Since you’ve been with me.  You look taller.  You look older.”

“That’s great.”  Marty Lee said, shrugging off her attempt at reflection, “Goodnight.”

He covered his eyes with the book he was reading and ran his fingers down his bare chest.  He hoped Ashley would take it as a sign he wasn’t in the mood for talking.  He wanted her to go away so he could sleep and figure out what he was going to do with his life now.

Even when he felt Ashley covering him with a sheet and stroking his hair affectionately, he didn’t move or respond.  Only when she turned the light off and retired to her own room did he remove the book from his eyes.

The sofa was all too uncomfortable.  His legs were cramped and his neck was sore.  And though he was grateful to be with the only family he felt inclined to call family, he found himself longing for his bed in Merlow.  He found himself feeling guilty for leaving Lucas on his own.  He had no doubt that Storm would not take Lucas back, and he feared what that would do to Lucas.

He was certain Lucas was furious with him.  He was certain Lucas wanted nothing to do with him, now that he knew the truth.  He should’ve told Lucas to his face.  A letter was a coward’s way.  It wasn’t right or fair, especially after everything Lucas had done for him. 

He could only hope that sleep would bring the reprieve he sought from his guilt.  As if driving away to Henderson wasn’t enough of an attempt.  Hopefully when he woke in the morning, he would have figured out just what he planned to do now.  Until then at least, he could simply sleep and forget his sins.

 

* * * * * * *

 

“Why’d you do it?”

There had been no prelude to his question.  No build up to this sudden turn of questioning.  He simply threw it out there as he ate breakfast with his sister.  It was a preemptive strike to her asking him what exactly he was doing in Henderson.  She knew exactly what he meant, and immediately went on the defensive.  Her eyes narrowed and she let out an angry sigh.

“Because I wanted to.”  She said flatly, “Do I need your permission?”

“I never knew you were a slut.”

And though he’d always been blunt and never shy to say what he felt, he regretted saying those words the instant they popped out.  She didn’t reward his biting remark with tears, but it was obvious her eyes stung at them.  And yet being Marty Lee he did not make any attempt to retract his statement or make amends for it.  On the contrary, he ran with it.

“It’s one thing to let yourself live like this.  But to give people an excuse to trash your name.  As if that hasn’t happened enough already.  Why couldn’t you just leave it alone?  You’re stupid.”

“Go to hell.”

“One day, I’m sure.”  Marty Lee said shoveling cereal into his mouth, “You might be joining me at the rate you’re going.”

“I guess being a screw up runs in the family.”

“You ruined everything.  You hurt him, you know that?”

“Since when did you care?”

“Oh … I don’t know, since maybe he took me in and gave me a home.  A home you ruined.”

“So this is all about you then.  You’re upset because I screwed up things for him and Storm because it affects you?”

“It affects more than me, Ash.  You don’t know him anymore.  You think you do.  You’ve ruined him.  You disgust me.”

“You wanna sleep outside tonight?  Why don’t you tell me what the hell you’re doing here?  Is it just to tell me off for being with Lucas?”

“You have to apologize.  You have to make things right.”

“I want him back, Marty.”

He was suitably disgusted with his sister and made no effort to hide it.  They spent the rest of breakfast glaring at one another until she had a shower to ready herself for work, while he tidied up.  When she came out wearing a store uniform from the local supermarket, he almost turned his nose up.  She, in turn, almost punched him but decided to glare instead, before snapping at him;

“Unlike Lucas, I did not get to skip a year.  And unlike Lucas, I have to pay my rent and for college.  And unlike you, I have to work for my money.  So that’s where I’m going.”

“Tricks pay well?”

He should have known it would come.  The slap was hard and stinging.  It even drew a wince from him.  And yet he just smirked in response, before looking up at Ashley standing next to him.  He sometimes forgot that she was as determined as he was in the arts.  And though they’d never fought, he knew she would give him a few bruises before she went down.

“When I get home, you better have an attitude adjustment.  I am not a slut.  And if I am, then so is Lucas.”  Ashley spat before she slapped Marty Lee again, hard enough to draw blood from his nose, “Don’t ever speak to me like that again, Marty.”

Oddly enough, he found himself respecting her forthrightness.  That had always been a family trait.  He figured it came from obnoxious upbringings.  And as she left for the day, he began to wonder whether he’d pushed her too far.  And yet it was difficult for him not to be … difficult.  It was part of who he was.  Particularly when he felt threatened or defensive.  Surely, he hadn’t come all this way to make his sister’s life difficult, though.

He decided it was time to make an effort to unruffle her feathers.  When she arrived home that afternoon, he had tidied up the house and was ready to head out.  She still didn’t seem happy to see him, but he paid her no heed.

“Let’s go.”  He stated, rather than asked.

And though she still wore her store uniform, he didn’t let her get changed.  He grabbed her arm and marched her straight outside, closing the door behind them.  At first he was going to ask whether she wanted to take her car, but when he saw it, he knew he wouldn’t be seen dead in it.  It was a rust bucket.  A death trap.  It was old, for crying out loud.  That simply wouldn’t do for him.  So instead he dragged her along to his car, which was much more fitting for both himself and his sister, he thought.  A souped up boy racer that was the envy of all in Merlow.  It wasn’t showy in name, at least not one would expect from a Miller.  It sure was showy in power though, after all the modifications he made.  And yet they were subtle enough visually to say he didn’t need to show what he had, he just had it.  With an almost proud smirk, he opened the passenger side for Ashley and hopped in himself.  Before she had a chance to speak up, he sped out of the apartment car park and tore down the street.

“Where are we going?”

“Out.”

“Like this?”  Ashley asked in horror, “I’m still in my work uniform.”

“Shut up.”

And that was that.  Good old friendly family bonding.  Although to make her feel better, he thought he should point out that he had dressed down for the occasion.  After all, he was only wearing sandals, khaki shorts and a sleeveless tee. 

“I didn’t dress up either.”

“You’re a cock.”  Ashley simmered, “You’re such a snob.”

“Why, thank you.  Here we are.”

And so his offering of peace was revealed.  They’d arrived at the local furniture super store, and Ashley immediately knew what he was doing. 

“I don’t want your charity.”  Ashley protested as he dragged her by the hand, “And let me go, people will think you’re my boyfriend.”

“The way you’re living, it’d be an improvement.”

He paid no attention to her protestations.  He dragged her into the store until they were at the lounge suites.  He could see that she was actually excited to be here, but she kept her staunch demeanor up.  Just knowing she actually did enjoy being treated to was enough to curl the edges of his lips into a smile.

“Choose one.”  He snapped rather sharply, “And make sure it’s long enough to fit me.”

“Oh so this is all about you then?”

“Of course.  But you have the benefit of keeping it once I’m gone.”

“And when will that be?”

“When I’m ready.”

“Asshole.”  Ashley sighed, before she turned to the suites.

He watched her carefully.  She had changed a lot.  She’d once been as privileged as him until she’d become pregnant and effectively had herself banished from their parent’s lives.  Now she was more calculating and cautious.  Even now she seemed to double check the prices of suites before she paid them further attention.  Being the keen observer that he was, he made sure to note which suite she actually liked, and not the suites she said she liked.  Usually the suites she said she liked were cheaper.  Yet he noted her eyes always fell to a particular black suite that he found not too pleasing, but could see how she’d like it from a practical perspective and because it was nice, simple, and unassuming.  Still it was out of her price range, and she acted accordingly, even though he was paying for it. 

“We’ll take that one.”  Marty Lee told the sales clerk, pointing to the black suite, “And we’ll pay extra to have it delivered this afternoon.”

“Marty Lee!”  Ashley protested, “It’s too expensive.”

“For you, maybe.”

And even now he still couldn’t help being a prick.  It was of course to offset his act of generosity.  He wouldn’t want Ashley to think he was simply trying to be nice.  She studied him for a while, as if trying to gauge his thoughts.  Finally, she formed a small smile and raised her eyebrow at him.

“Love you.”  She said with a knowing smile.

“Bitch.”  Marty Lee smirked, “Now carry on.  You need more than a lounge suite to save that hole you live in.”

“Asshole!”  Ashley yelled, loud enough to draw attention from other customers.

He flashed a crooked smirk at her, as if he’d gotten the response he wanted.  He clapped his hands together mockingly as he motioned to her that there were people staring.  She immediately realized what he was doing and looked like she had to hold herself back from slapping him right there.

“I don’t need your charity.”

“Actually, you do.”  Marty Lee whispered, “And think of it this way.  It’s their money we’re spending.  Can you imagine how angry they’d be if they knew what I was doing with it?”

“Oh, Marty.  I love you.”  Ashley smiled as she jumped on him and smothered him with kisses, “Thank you!”

And quite out of character, he found himself laughing as he spun her around.  He hated to admit it, but he’d become quite fond of the feeling he received when he was nice to people.  He did his best to mask it in a sea of snide remarks and detached insults, but sometimes, it was impossible to keep up.  Especially when his sister was on the receiving end.

“Yeah, yeah, get off me before people really do think we’re boyfriend and girlfriend.  What is this, West Virginia?”  Marty Lee said with a rare smile, “I’d have to do something horrific like tell everyone I’m a flaming homosexual just to shake off the stigma.”

As if to get revenge for all his mean statements, and just to make him squirm, Ashley tilted her head and kissed Marty Lee square on the lips.  It wasn’t your average family kiss, but thankfully for Marty Lee’s mental wellbeing, she stopped short of shoving her tongue down his throat.  There he stood, in the middle of a crowded department store, holding his sister with her legs wrapped around his waist and her lips smashing against his own.  He wanted to die.  Slowly.

When she finally let him go and jumped off, his face was white and horrified.  He rubbed his lips with the back of his palms and shook his head.  It was completely un-Marty Lee like.  When he realized people were staring at him, he threw his hands up and screamed.

“I’m a homosexual!”

He screamed it out as if somehow that was more acceptable to him than people knowing that his sister had almost made out with him in public.  Now he knew for a fact he came from demented genes.  And he thought he was the evil one.

“That’ll teach you, you bastard.”  Ashley sniggered, grabbing Marty Lee by the hand, “Now come on, you have things to buy me, Loverboy.”

“You know I will never be able to kiss another girl again.  You’ve scarred me for life.”

“So you are gay then?  I thought you were bi.”

“I was until a few minutes ago.  Being gay seems preferable.  Either that or just keep being asexual.  You’re demented, do you know that?  You’re twisted and evil and …”

“Everything you are?”  Ashley laughed, “Now that you’ve finally stopped being a proper asshole, are you going to tell me why you’re here?”

“I ran away from home.”  Marty Lee sighed, still blushing, “Or I’m running away from home.  Lucas hates me.”

“No he doesn’t.  He’s a soft touch for you.  What happened?”

“I told him.  I told about White Swan.  About Storm’s jeep.  Everything.  I told him everything.  No more secrets.”

 

* * * * * * *

 

Over a week had slipped by and still Marty Lee had little idea what he was going to do with his life now.  He’d settled into a little routine with Ashley.  He would make her breakfast before she went to college, and he would have dinner waiting when she arrived home from work.  He’d buy things for the apartment when she wasn’t around, so she couldn’t protest.  It was fortunate that he was still on a break, because he knew he’d have to deal with his school future soon.  Could he really just up and leave Merlow altogether?

He didn’t think he could.  He didn’t want to.  He enjoyed spending time with Ashley, but he found himself longing for the crisp air, and green trees of Merlow.  He longed for Lake Herren and the mountains in the distance.  He found the concrete jungle of Henderson too fast for the small town lifestyle he’d become used to in Merlow.

And yet how could he go back?  He had tried to call Lucas and learned that he’d left to visit his parents in San Diego.  He’d also learned from mutual friends that Storm had indeed left Merlow permanently.  Yet no one knew where.  It seemed as though Merlow was imploding and he couldn’t help feeling that he and his sister played a huge part to play in that.  Perhaps Ashley more than himself, but still, he couldn’t help the guilt that rose within him.  And yet he only felt guilty because he’d truly come to care for the two people he’d hurt, unintentional though it might have been, at least in Storm’s case.  How could he go back and look them in the eye?

“I’m not a coward.”  Marty Lee said to himself, half believing it.

He sat on the sofa, his feet scrunching the carpet beneath him.  He leaned his head on his knees and wondered what he would do now.  Had he truly become such an emotional sap that he could care about other people’s feelings besides himself?  Of course he had.  He simply did a great job at hiding it.

Unexpectedly, his cell phone began to ring.  He flipped it open and held it to his ear.  He waited for someone to speak first, and when they did, he rolled his eyes.  With an anxious and frustrated sigh, he fell back into the sofa.

“Hello, Mother.”  Marty Lee said with a proper drone in his voice.

“Son?  Where are you?”

“You mean you care?”

“Marty Lee … that is no way to …”

“What is it, Mother?”  Marty Lee said little patience.

“You’re on break right now.  Your father and I would like you to fly home.  We’ve already arranged a ticket to fly you from Merlow to here.”

“I’m not in Merlow.”  Marty Lee said closing his eyes, “I’m in Henderson.  I’m staying at Ashley’s.”

At that moment, Marty Lee wanted to think of a hundred different ways to spite his mother.  Sure, she was proper and restrained, but he found her as sincere as his prick of a father.  He had never considered himself close to either of them.  It was always money, appearances and reputation for them.  He’d always been closer to Ashley, and even Lucas.  He couldn’t wait till he was old enough to break free of them, though he had to admit, the financial security that being ‘in’ with them offered, was something he did enjoy. 

He sat there listening to his mother ask generic questions that showed just how little she knew about his life.  It was only when conversation came to Ashley that he spoke up and interjected in the conversation.

“That’s enough, Mother.  She’s doing just fine without either of you.  You want to see me?  Fine.  I’ll fly out from here in the morning.  Goodbye, Mother.”

He rolled his eyes as he snapped his phone shut.  That was the last thing he wanted.  He loathed spending any time with his parents.  In fact, it had been so long since he’d seen them that he wondered whether they’d recognize him anymore.  He did as he said and arranged for his ticket to be transferred to Henderson for the next morning.  He didn’t bother packing anything, for he knew he’d be coming back here.  When Ashley came home, he didn’t bring it up.  He wanted them to enjoy their dinner together.  It wasn’t till much later that he figured he should tell her why he wouldn’t be there when she woke up.

“I’m flying out to see Mother dear and Father dear.”  Marty Lee sighed as he leaned against the bathroom door, “They want to grace me with their attention.  Lucky me?”

“What?”  Ashley mouthed back, a toothbrush in her mouth as she brushed her teeth, “What are you on about?  Did they call?”

“Today, while you were out.”

“And you’re telling me now?”

“What, are you going to miss me?”  Marty Lee snickered, “I should tell them you tried to get me in the sack, because I’m impossibly fit and you’re just such a hussy that you couldn’t help yourself.  That’ll really add to your stock value back home.”

“Anything to make them happy.”  Ashley grinned mischievously, “Give them my worst, won’t you?”

“I’ll miss you.”

“Don’t go all soft on me now.  You’re so good at being an asshole.”

“I know.  But … going home it just … seems wrong without you.  Why do I have to go through the fire and you don’t?”

“Because I’m lucky and you’re fucked.”

“I will miss you though.”  Marty Lee said with a rare sincere smile, “It won’t be the same without you.  And I am proud … that you’ve done so well on your own.  I’ll be sure to rub that in when I see them.”

“You coming back, little brother?”

“I plan to, if that’s ok.  And my keys are there if you need to use my car, you know, to actually get people to look at you and everything.  Maybe get yourself a boyfriend so you can stop embarrassing me in public.”

“Oh shut up.  You’ll be gone before I wake up?”

“I will.”

“Ok.”  Ashley sighed, putting her hand on Marty Lee’s shoulder, “Safe trip, yeah?”

“I will.”  Marty Lee said with slightest hint of emotion, before he leaned in and gave Ashley a small hug, “Love you.”

“Do mine ears deceive me?”

“I guess it’s just going home again after so long.  It seems wrong without you.  You’re still one of us.”

“I’m not one of ‘us’.  I’m one of you.”  Ashley said patting Marty Lee’s back, “Ok?  You’re the only one I care about.  I don’t care about the rest.”

For a while they stood there and hugged, saying more with their actions than their words.  This was a rare occasion for the Miller siblings, as they spent little time together now and even then, they weren’t as affectionate as most families.  But right now, for both of them, this was more than they expected, and perhaps just what they needed.

 

* * * * * * *

 

The return to his hometown of Eljay was strange and uncomfortable.  Marty Lee found that nothing quite looked the same anymore.  Perhaps he’d changed, or perhaps Eljay had changed.  It now seemed altogether pompous and insincere.  A far cry from Merlow.  The long flight had left him cranky and unsociable, which for someone like him, made him almost impossible to get a word out of without being glared at.

“Hello, Mother.”  Marty Lee said with a nod, “Father.”

Marty Lee stood before his parents after having been picked up from the airport by ‘the help’.  Both looked as upper class, formal, and unwelcoming as ever.  He quickly realized how different a life he led since living in Merlow.  How different a life Ashley now lived.  They did not have the advantages that living in Eljay offered.  The advantages that living with his parents offered.  Yet Marty Lee realized that the things he used to care so much for, held little value now.

After greetings that were perfectly formal, which pleased Marty Lee to no end, he excused himself to shower and change.  Anything less than formal with his parents made his back tense with awkward discomfort.  It wasn’t that he despised his parents or didn’t want their affection, or perhaps he did despise them, even he wasn’t quite sure.  He was smart enough to know that his parents were not going to change.  He didn’t want them to.  He didn’t want them to become some June Marcus wannabes who actually listened and cared for their children.  They were what they were, and he saw no reason to change it.

Dinner was a suitably cold affair, with little said.  Marty Lee’s average grades were discussed, as his father couldn’t understand why he had a b grade for two of his classes.  Though Marty Lee wanted to retort back with some snide remark about perhaps just not being adept at them, he simply ate his dinner without response.  Ashley’s name was never mentioned, which grated on Marty Lee’s nerves.  Obviously she was still a sore point for his parents, because of her young pregnancy causing no amount of embarrassment for them.  No doubt it was also because she had cut herself from their influence, even if it meant she had no financial support either - something that Marty Lee still found quite impressive on his sister’s part.

The next few days were more of the same formality.  He found himself being paraded before his parent’s friends and associates, while being constantly hounded about which university he would seek application to.  His future plans were scrutinized and his parents were quick to assure their peers and associates that Marty Lee would be sure to succeed and do them proud, unlike their wayward daughter.  Of course they constantly stated that they had done all they could to mend Ashley’s troubled mind, but in their own veiled language, classed her as a lost cause.

The entire trip Marty Lee had barely spoken.  He simply stood and nodded at the right times while flashing a raised eyebrow of disdain and the occasional forced smile.  Even then, it bordered on a scowl.  He had no idea how pretentious and artificial his life had been.  Times like this he envied Marcel, who seemed to handle his wealthy background with the grace of a lion.  At first Marty Lee put it down to the fact that in comparison, he was far wealthier than Marcel and came from a different background.  Yet now he realized that he probably was as much of a prick as everyone thought he was, and Marcel was simply classier than him.

This was made even more obvious when Marty Lee made contact with some of his old inner circle,  some of the offspring of Eljay’s wealthiest who Marty Lee considered friends.  At one of the many gatherings he attended at his parent’s request, he came across someone who he once considered more than a friend.

“Katey.”  Marty Lee said with a nod, “Hello.”

That was as warm of a greeting as Marty Lee was prepared to give.  An auburn haired beauty who had merely been the prize in a tug of war between Marty Lee and one of his old rivals.  Looking back on it now, Marty Lee thought it was completely immature.  It’s not as if he even loved her.  He just loved the fact that he had her, a fact he put on display in front of his rival at every opportunity.  He did have some genuine feelings for her that grew over time.  She was after all his first foray into sex with the female gender.  A fact that was quickly stilted when news of Ashley’s pregnancy spread and suddenly Katey didn’t want to ‘play’ with Marty Lee anymore.  Being the sensitive soul that he was, he dropped her like a bad smell.  Something he now felt perhaps was not the nicest thing to do.

“Marty Lee.”  said Katey with a tilt of her head and a smile, “What brings you back to Eljay?”

“Money.  I like having it sent to me every week, so I’m here to earn it by nodding and smiling at all the right times and making mother and father awfully proud.”  Marty Lee said with not the slightest hint that he was being at all sarcastic or joking.

“Still as blunt and honest as always.  So, when you’re not nodding and smiling, what else are you doing here?  Do you have plans tonight?”

“That depends on what you say next.”

“We’re getting together tonight.  Some of the old group.  You should come.  Nothing formal.  Just … fun.  What do you say?”

Two hours later, Marty Lee was sitting with Katey and a group of his old friends, poolside at the house of a former schoolmate.  It had been some time since he’d seen most of them.  They all looked a little older, but as he had found by talking to them for the last hour, most were still as plastic as ever.  The males would beat their chests and tell tales of how many girls wanted to suck them off in the nastiest places.  Almost all of them considered themselves god’s gift to the human race.  The females of the group were just as bad.  They would bitch and moan about other girls in their classes who were poor, ugly, and simply must have been white trash whores.

Whenever Marty Lee was asked a question, he would simply feign disinterest.  He wasn’t really feigning it, because his disinterest was real, but he simply tried not to appear brash or dismissive about it.  Instead he poured back his Heineken and let it’s effects work him over.  When more potent forms of ‘entertainment’ emerged, Marty Lee found himself rather challenged.  It’s not as if he hadn’t seen anything like this before, but when he was last living in Eljay, his group of friend’s biggest kick was getting drunk and smoking marijuana occasionally.  Marty Lee had tried the drug once, but found it’s effects too unsettling for his control freak nature.  He despised losing control, and he found even alcohol was a bit of a stretch for him. 

Tonight however, cocaine was the flavor of choice.  Marty Lee watched as everyone took their turns to shoot up a line of the drug.  He watched with a smarmy smile of amusement at how such ‘refined’ people were reduced to fools slathering over a fix.  Whether it was the alcohol or a culmination of having to put on a false front since arriving in Eljay, he couldn’t help himself from showing his amusement and disdain.

“What’s next?  Group orgy?”  Marty Lee snickered, sipping his beer while refusing an offer of a coke line.

“It’s good stuff, Marty.” said Mason, one of Marty Lee’s more tolerable former acquaintances.

Marty Lee cocked his eyebrow at the usage of ‘Marty’.  That was a word reserved for only those few he saw fit to offer it to.  For everyone else, it was ‘Marty Lee’.  Though he didn’t dislike Mason, he wasn’t exactly fond of him either.  Especially not after tonight.

“If you’re a weak bitch, maybe.”  Marty Lee said with a small, snarky laugh, “I’d rather not.  But feel free to give yourself a good fucking up.  By all means, have my line for me.”

Marty Lee’s thinly veiled contempt drew the attention of all in attendance.  Their collective looks of surprise and their stunned silence made him realize that obviously everyone was supposed to partake in the white powder.  He rolled his eyes with an ‘oh fuck off’ look on his face, before sipping on his beer again.  Right now, he had the strangest inclination that he wanted to go home.  Except he was home, or at least in his hometown.  Yet these people were all foreign to him now.  Where he really wanted to be was perhaps back with Ashley, and even more so, back in Merlow.  Yet he had run away from Merlow, because he knew Lucas would hate him after his revelation.  He wondered if perhaps there was some way he could make it up to Lucas so that he could return home.  As despised and unpopular as he was in Merlow, at least it was real.

“Merlow made you soft, Miller?”  taunted Damien Andrews, one of Marty Lee’s former dojo classmates here in Eljay.

Damien was one of the few who would give Marty Lee grief, and actually have the bones to back it up when necessary.  Marty Lee excelled past Damien, but their rivalry only escalated to include the war for Katey’s affection.  Damien was also one of Marty Lee’s first explorations into sex, or a fumbled and rough attempt at it, with another male.  At one point, long before their rivalry began and Marty Lee considered himself a fairly nice guy, they were even friends.

It seemed like so long ago now.  The memory of it caused Marty Lee to crack open another beer and start drinking it back.  A time when Ashley and Lucas still lived here in Eljay.  A time when Ashley was still his older sister and had not yet won the scorn of their parents.  A time when Lucas was still the doe eyed surfer wannabe who trailed after Ashley like a lovesick puppy, and when he would espouse words of advice to Marty like an older brother.  A time before he realized that sex was a power unto itself.

The first time Marty Lee met Damien was in the dojo when the latter first moved to Eljay.  They were paired up as sparring partners and for the first time in his life, Marty Lee found himself reacting to Damien’s proximity with the same interest he previously had in girls.  In the changing rooms he found himself stealing glances when he never had with any of the other students.  It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but for Marty Lee it was somewhat of an awakening.

Back then Marty Lee wasn’t as bitter or brash or jaded as he was now, so when Damien showed him attention, he reciprocated a little too eagerly.  The more they hung out, the more Marty Lee realized he couldn’t really breathe properly whenever he watched Damien getting changed, or whenever they’d sit too close and Damien would put his arm around Marty Lee’s shoulder.  Looking back, Marty Lee could see that he was perhaps a little obvious in showing how much he enjoyed Damien’s company.  He wasn’t in love with Damien, but he was definitely crushing.  And that crushing grew more with each moment they hung out or sparred.

He could see now that Damien clearly understood he had a certain power over Marty Lee back then.  Marty Lee would jump whenever Damien called him so they could hang out.  He would make little gestures that Marty Lee construed as testing the waters or softening him up.  Things like leaning in to whisper in Marty Lee’s ear none too seductively, or parading around in front of him without a shirt.  Unlike Damien, Marty Lee was still a virgin who had been with neither guys nor girls.  Damien however, was well versed and seemed to play on Marty Lee’s naivety at the time.

It started with a kiss when Damien invited Marty Lee over to spend the night.  The evening started off innocently enough with Damien sneaking in a bottle of vodka for the pair to drink.  Marty Lee didn’t quite realize then that Damien had been desensitizing him for months in preparation of this night.  Their drunken banter turned to sex with Damien mentioning how much he wanted to fuck Katey, before asking Marty Lee if he wanted to do the same.  Marty Lee shrugged in agreement, but was too drunk to really care.  Talk then turned to Damien complimenting Marty Lee on his looks, which garnered a blush in response.

“It’s hot tonight, yeah.”  Damien said as he pulled his shirt off and tossed it aside, his eyes watching for Marty Lee’s reaction, “Aren’t you hot too?  You look pretty hot to me, Buddy.”

“Not really, no.”  shrugged Marty Lee, too drunk to realize what Damien was leading towards.

Before he knew what was happening, Damien helped Marty Lee up off the floor and led him to the bed by the hand.  Marty Lee obliged absentmindedly and lay down.  When Damien removed Marty Lee’s glass from his hands, Marty Lee finally thought something strange was going on.  When he felt Damien’s hand on his stomach, he knew something strange was going on.

“I know you want this.  I’ve seen you looking at me.  It’s OK, you know.  You can like me, I won’t tell anyone.”

Whether it was because he was drunk, or he really wanted it to happen.  Marty Lee let himself be kissed.  It was perhaps one of the most exhilarating experiences of his life up to that point.  It started with a kiss and that night it ended up with a lot of fumbling and Marty Lee being introduced to his first sexual experience.  Damien was definitely taking the lead, with Marty Lee following.  That one night, Damien as reassuring and gentle as Marty Lee could have ever hoped.  If he wanted to be kissed, Damien would kiss him.  If he wanted gentle hands across his face, that’s what he got.  If he wanted to be wooed and whispered sweet endearments to, even though that sort of thing should have been reserved for the fairer sex, he got them.

In return for these things, Marty Lee offered up whatever Damien wanted.  Awkward hands paved the way for uncomfortable jaws.  A weak attempt at Damien trying to mount Marty Lee failed as neither really knew how that was supposed to work.  Instead they settled on mouths that became a little more adept throughout the night. 

When he woke up in the morning, Marty Lee found himself being seduced into more of the same.  Only this time, a more determined was made and succeeded in deflowering him.  Even though it wasn’t very enjoyable, Marty Lee didn’t particularly mind.  He liked making Damien feel good and enjoyed the attention he received from him.  For the next few weeks, they continued to meet in secret, with stolen kisses and hidden glances.  As time wore on however, Damien did less to try and woo Marty Lee, and expected more and more in return.  To the point where there was barely an attempt by Damien to show any tenderness and it was obvious Marty Lee had simply become something to satiate Damien’s sexual wants. 

Still, Marty Lee continued to give his body up to Damien whenever he wanted it, just hoping for some small show of appreciation.   More and more however, Damien would simply shove Marty Lee into a stall and push him to his knees, without even a please and only a grunt for a thank you.  Only when Damien started dating Katey, did Marty Lee confront him.  He asked Damien point blank what was going on, to which he received a snicker and a cocky glance full of condemnation.

“What are you, Queer?”

“What?”  asked a surprised Marty Lee, “What do you mean?”

“What do you want to do, hold hands or something?  You want me to kiss you like some fucking fairy?  I thought you were smarter than that.  You’re just a fucking piece of ass.  You don’t seriously think we were anything more than that?  What a faggot.  Queer, get away from me.”

After that, Marty Lee promised himself he would never ever let himself be taken advantage of again.  More than that, he made a vow to get payback on Damien for humiliating him.  Becoming somewhat bitter and bent on revenge, Marty Lee set out to steal Katey from Damien, and he did so.  He dominated her the same way Damien dominated him, but he still tried in his own way to make her feel appreciated.  She became the pawn in what spawned their rivalry.  A rivalry that Marty Lee refused to let die, even to this day.

“Well, Miller?  Did it make you soft?”  snickered Damien, “Or just soft…er?”

As he sat next to Katey in the attic, staring back at a smug Damien, Marty Lee found the same bitter anger welling up in him.  He glared at Damien, tapping the top of his beer bottle with his finger.  He cocked up one eyebrow as if warning Damien that if he pushed it, he’d regret it.

“If snorting that shit up your nose makes you hard, then yeah, I’m definitely soft.”  Marty Lee taunted back, before he felt Katey’s hand on his arm.

“Don’t pay any attention to him.”  Katey whispered, “He hasn’t changed.  You wanna get out of here?”

Marty Lee decided to heed her advice and stood to his feet.  She led him away by the hand, when Marty Lee felt a hand on his shoulder.  He stopped in his tracks, turning to stare at the hand on his shoulder.    A hand that belonged to Damien.

“What’s the matter, Miller?  Too good to hang out with us now, huh?”

“Always.”  Marty Lee replied.

“I hear your ass got owned at your guy’s Regionals.  But then, your ass is used to being owned, isn’t it?  Is that why you’re such a bitter bitch now, huh?  Or is it because you’re still angry your slut sister got sent packing?”

Marty Lee found himself simmering with anger.  He had to force himself not to turn around and break Damien’s nose right then and there.  Ashley had always been a sore point with him.  It was one of the reasons he wanted to leave Eljay in the first place.  Damien may have been what triggered him into becoming a cynical, hard man, but it was Ashley’s exile that solidified his bitterness.

“Leave him alone, Damien.”  Katey said shaking her head, “You’re always such an asshole.”

“What’s the matter, Miller?  Can’t stick up for yourself now?  You found any bitches to own in Merlow, huh?  You know what kind of bitches I mean.  Bitches like you.  You liked being a bitch, didn’t you?”

Marty Lee found himself thinking of the way he had treated Dade.   At a point when Dade was bound to him after his inaugural game with the first string football side, Marty Lee preyed on Dade the same way Damien had on him.  He took advantage of Dade in ways that not even Storm knew.  No one knew that the real reason Dade hated him so was because of the way he took advantage of him that week.  Standing in front of Damien now, he realized just how wrong it was of him to feed on Dade’s emotional distress at the time and take advantage of a stupid football tradition.  A tradition that forced Dade to do anything Marty Lee told him to do for a week.  A week where Marty Lee took full advantage of Dade for his own sexual and dominant gratification.  He tried to convince himself that it is what Dade wanted, but now he was a far different person.  At least he hoped he was.  He knew now that he was no better than Damien, for the way he treated Dade and the way he treated Katey before that.

“What’s the matter, Damien?”  Marty Lee asked with a cold stare, “Did you miss me?  Girls don’t turn you on, do they?  Did you just realize that?”

“Shut up, Faggot.”

Marty Lee didn’t even bother replying to Damien.  He simply turned and walked away, with Katey trailing behind him.  She drove him back to her parent’s house, during which time Marty Lee barely said a word.

“He’s still a jerk.”  Katey said with a sigh, “I’m glad you’re not into the drug scene.  Not all of us are.”

Marty Lee nodded in response, but still felt himself swelling with anger at Damien.  He wanted nothing less than to fight him and injure him.  Katey seemed to sense Marty Lee’s simmering anger and led him quietly up to her room.  It had changed quite a bit since he was last here.  Obviously she wasn’t the naïve girl who fawned after him.  A year older than Marty Lee, she was already in university. 

She offered him a drink, which he gladly accepted.  The liquor burnt his throat, but he drank it down with glee, hoping to wash away any lingering effects of Damien’s words.

“You’re not very good at keeping in touch, Marty.”  said Katey as they sat out on the deck adjoining her bedroom, “Still, I didn’t expect to hear from you.”

For a time she talked and he listened.  As time wore on, he grew more relaxed in her company and it was almost like old times.  He genuinely did have an affection for her, and not just because she would once give him sex whenever he wanted it. 

“I’m sorry.”  Marty Lee blurted out, without even intending to say so.

“What?”  asked a confused Katey, “Sorry for what?”

“The way I treated you.  I’m sorry.”

“Geez, how many years did that fucking take you?”  said Katey, obviously still hurt. “Doesn’t make a girl feel good to get dumped the moment she stops giving it up, you know? It’s been a long time though.  I’m well over it.  Thank you for saying that though.  It means a lot to me.”

Marty Lee nodded with a small smile, sincere and warm.  After that, their conversation became a great deal lighter and more relaxed.  Marty Lee listened intently as she told him of her escapades at university.  He felt the most at ease since he had arrived in Eljay.

“You want to know something?”  Marty Lee asked with a light laugh.

“What?”

“I really hate this town.”  Marty Lee said as if it were a weight off his shoulders, “I despise it.  I can’t stand it.  I can’t wait to leave.  I don’t know how I ever lived here.  It’s so fake.  I want to go home.  I want to go back to Merlow.”

“It isn’t all fake.”  said Katey with a somber smile.

Feeling somewhat liberated tonight, Marty Lee couldn’t help but smile at her.  What he did next was so unlike him, which is why he insisted on doing it.  He wanted to be something other than what he was, or what he had been.  He didn’t want to be a Damien or even a Marty Lee.  With that in mind, he leaned across and pressed his lips against Katey’s, before whispering;

“I really am sorry.”

Kate responded by slipping her arms around Marty Lee’s neck.  He kissed her again, this time standing up and lifting her into his arms.  They made out against the wall in a half drunken encounter, yet Marty Lee knew exactly what he was doing.  She genuinely cared for him, even now, and it was something he fed off and wanted to feel.  It was real, without being forced or masked.

As if slipping into an old groove, they found their way into her bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes behind them.  Hands gripped naked flesh as Marty Lee eased Katey down onto her bed.

“God, you’re as hot as ever.”  Katey gasped as Marty Lee hovered over her, “You’re different.  I don’t mean you look different.  You just … you’re different.”

“Good different?”

“I think so.”  smiled Katey, “I think so.”

With that, Marty Lee entered her and filled a void he had not for some time.  They filled with night with sounds of their love making.  She clung to him with an aura that made him want to protect her.  He was gentle in ways he didn’t think was possible.

Even when they were done, after more than one shattering orgasm, he didn’t pull away and leave her.  He didn’t pat her on the head or make her feel as though this was only for his gratification.  Instead, he held her and covered them both with a blanket.

When he woke up in the morning, she had not moved from his arms.  The effects of the alcohol had worn off, but he still didn’t have any regrets.  It wasn’t as if they were strangers and it wasn’t as if they hadn’t slept together before.

“You could stay.”  Katey said as she rubbed Marty Lee’s chest, “Maybe?”

“You want me to?”

“I do.  And not just because of last night.  You might’ve forgotten me, but I’ve thought a lot about you.  I knew you’d come back.  I just hoped you’d realize you were an asshole to me and that you might want me back.”

“I don’t deserve to have you back.”

“And yet you had me last night.  And you can have me this morning too.  I’m sorry I … you know … stopped … wanting to do this when you were here before.  I was just scared that you might get me pregnant.”

“Don’t you dare apologize for that.  I wasn’t a very nice person.  Not to you.  And you were probably one of the few who was genuine to me.”

“I’d like to be with you again.  Do you think you’d want to be with me again too?”

“I don’t know.  I’m not really sure what I’m doing yet.  I mean … you live here and I live …”

“Merlow?”

“Yeah.”  Marty Lee said with a realizing sigh, “I’m going back to Merlow.  I have some unfinished business to take care of.  And I just like it better there.  You could come.  When do you go back to school?”

“Not for a while.”

“If you want to, I’ll ask Lucas.”

“Lucas Sheridan?  That’s who you live with?  Ashley’s boyfriend?”

“Ahh … well … it’s a long story.  I live with him, yeah.  He’s a good guy.”

“Would you like me to come?”  asked a sweet smiling Katey who clearly still had more affection for Marty Lee than he felt he deserved, “I don’t want to be in your way, but I … I want to see you again.”

“Why?”  said Marty Lee with a small laugh, “I’m not very popular in Merlow, and for good reason.  I’ve done some … pretty bad things.”

The frank admission gave Marty Lee pause.  He couldn’t really start anything with Katey or start anywhere else until he had closure on his past.  No matter what people thought of him, it just wasn’t in his nature to leave things unfinished.  As much as he wanted to justify Katey’s unwavering belief in him, he couldn’t do so until he had at least faced his demons.

With that in mind, he bid her a surprising farewell, but promised he would call her, which he would.  Today however, he planned to return to Ashley’s apartment in Henderson.  Whether his parents approved or not, he’d leave.  There was nothing here for him except the perhaps undeserved affection of one girl.  Besides that, there was little else.  It was time to try and right the wrongs of his past, to hopefully redeem his chance for a future that held far more sincerity than anything Eljay had offered, or could offer.

 

* * * * * * *

 

Feeling somewhat dejected by his return to Eljay, Marty Lee stood on the doorstep of Ashley’s apartment.  The flight here had been filled with a great deal of soul searching for Marty Lee.  He had to decide now what he was going to do with his life.  He didn’t want to go back to Eljay, and he couldn’t bring himself to return to Merlow until he knew Lucas would forgive him.  He had to return here to pick up his car, and from there, he would decide his future.

When he knocked on Ashley’s door, she opened it almost instantly.  She greeted him with a warm smile and an even warmer hug.  Something he found rather odd.  Sure, they were getting on better, but still, it was odd for him.  She seemed happy to see him, but she also looked as though she had been crying.  When he stepped inside, he realized why she might have been so unusual.  Standing inside her lounge was none other than Lucas Sheridan.

“Hey, Dude.”

Marty Lee dropped his bags in awkward surprise.  Contrary to what he expected, Lucas smiled warmly at him.  Lucas’s eyes were as red as Ashley’s.  He had the distinct impression he must have walked in on something between them.  An argument or falling out of some kind.  This was the first time Marty Lee had seen Lucas in the flesh since leaving Merlow.  The first time since leaving a note to confess one of his darkest sins.  Yet he saw no contempt in Lucas’s eyes, only sadness and understandably, a great deal of grief.  No doubt Storm’s departure from Merlow had left him rather shaken.

“Lucas …”  Marty Lee finally managed to say, “I …”

Marty Lee’s head hung in shame.  He could not bring himself to even look at Lucas.  Lucas had taken him in and given him a home.  His first real home.  Both Lucas and Storm had unduly influenced his life and turned him down this path that he hoped would lead to his redemption.  It was because of their influence that the wanted to confess his crime in the first place, by leaving a note for Lucas and confessing to Storm before he left the Regionals.  He knew if he was truly going to start earning the trust of those he respected most, he would have to do so by being transparent and honest.  By being someone worthy of their attention.  By being someone who wasn’t afraid to face up to their actions, and recognize the need to remedy them.  With that thought in mind, Marty Lee raised his head and felt as nervous now as in any fight he had ever fought on the mat.

“I’m sorry.”  Marty Lee said simply, but sincerely, “I’m sorry, Lucas.”

Saying sorry never came easy for Marty Lee.  Especially not when he meant it.  Saying sorry meant exposing your vulnerabilities and the fact you admitted guilt.  The fact that you cared enough to seek forgiveness.  Doing so made him feel exposed and not at all in control.  He let the words hang in the air, waiting for Lucas to accept or reject them.  Indeed, Marty Lee’s guilt caused his eyes to just barely water up, which spoke volumes for him, since he so rarely showed emotion.

“So …”  Lucas said with an appreciate smile and matching emotion in his eyes, “You wanna come home now?”

“But …”

“You wanna come home now?”  asked Lucas again, his eyes weak, and his face trying to hide the fact that he wanted this perhaps even more than Marty Lee.

If Marty Lee had ever felt so sorry and relieved, appreciated and perhaps even loved, he did so now.  If he ever had a brother, Lucas would be the closest he’d come to one.  Smiling back sincerely, with his eyes still watered up, Marty Lee nodded in agreement.  And as recent times were proving him capable of doing things he didn’t usually do, he stepped toward Lucas and wrapped him in one of the most sincere and fierce hugs he could remember.

“I’m sorry.”  Marty Lee insisted, “I’m sorry.”

“I know, Dude.  Shall we go home now?  I flew up here so you’re gonna have to drive us back.”

Marty Lee nodded gratefully, before Lucas picked up his bags and glanced at Ashley.  They shared a brief look of acknowledgment before he left the apartment.  He could tell Lucas perhaps needed him right now, more than he ever had in the past.  At that moment, Marty Lee took it upon himself to do whatever was in his power to be worthy of Lucas’s generosity and compassion.

“You know you can always come here, right?  It’s not the Hilton, but who likes that slut anyway?”  said Ashley as she rubbed Marty Lee’s shoulder, “I’m glad you’re going back though.  I can tell you really like that little town, don’t you?”

“Nah.”  Marty Lee smirked, that typical cockiness crossing his face, “But that town needs me.  I mean, who else can it love to hate?”

“Take care?”

Marty Lee responded by kissing Ashley sincerely as he hugged her.  His recent trip to Eljay made him realize just how much she’d both given up, and how much he respected her for letting it go.  Perhaps even more so, it made him realize that she and him actually did have something in common; a general disdain for anything Eljay had to offer.  What perhaps they both wanted more than a life of pampered luxury, was a life with substance.  It was a life that Marty Lee would now return to with Lucas.  A life of expectations and standards.  A life of trials and judgments.  A life that for him, lay in Merlow.

 

 

* * * * * * *

5 Paths: Complete

This is the last of the 5 Paths event.  I truly hope you enjoyed it.  This is also the point I knew Marty Lee would be coming back for the final season of Storm Front.