Everything I Ever Needed - Chapter Three
Title: Everything I Ever Needed
Author/Artist: cindyls1969
Rating: Nc-17
Disclaimer: If I owned Luke and Noah things would have turned out much different, but I don't
Characters/Pairings: Luke/Noah, Ethan, Lily/Holden, Emma, Reid Oliver
Word Count: 22,520
Warnings: Violence, explicit sex,
Summary: please see the original prompt...pretty much the summary
Author’s Notes: Thank you so much to Dani for all the love and encouragement and Sally for betaing and reducing the amount of mistakes. Any that are left are mine. I hope the prompter is happy with what I came up with. It was a wonderful idea.
Original Prompt: PROMPT #18
The next two weeks went by the same way as that first day, minus all the arrival excitement. Noah pitched in with the chores around the farm but more often than not, he found himself in the company of at least one of the Snyder sons and sometimes both.
The weather had warmed up enough that they could spend some time outside, building snowmen and having snowball fights. On a least one occasion, the whole family had gotten involved and by the end of it, they dragged themselves wet and half frozen back into Emma’s kitchen for cups of coffee and hot chocolate to warm up.
Noah and Luke had met a few more times in the kitchen in the middle of the night, although they found easier things to talk about than their pasts. Luke talked about how he was taking some writing courses on-line and he helped Noah look over the course catalogue for Oakdale University. The more he thought about it, the more Noah could see himself becoming a part of the small community that the Snyders called home.
At the end of Noah’s second week on the farm, and with just a week to go until Christmas, he found himself agreeing to stay for the holidays and in sudden need of a shopping trip for a few more clothes and some personal items.
He talked Luke and Ethan into taking him, thinking that having his younger brother with him might make Luke feel more at ease away from home and amongst people.
Luke and Noah worked well together, each one distracting Ethan while the other bought him present and the whole day was a success except for one small moment.
He’d been walking along looking in store windows while Luke looked around the local bookstore when he felt someone pulling on his arm. Looking down he saw Ethan looking into the crowd with unease and when Noah looked in the same direction he could see that the boy was staring at a man walking down the other side of the street.
He had dark reddish-blond hair that curled around his ears and cold blue eyes. He ignored the people around him, striding down the sidewalk like he owned it and arrogance seemed to bleed from him.
Looking back down at Ethan, he could see that the boy was shaking and Noah wasn’t sure if it was from fear or anger, but it didn’t take long for Noah to realize that the man must be Luke’s ex.
“Noah, what if Luke comes out of the store while he’s here?” Ethan’s voice was soft and worried and Noah didn’t like that just seeing Reid could do that to the normally boisterous boy.
Noah squatted down so he and Ethan were face to face. “That’s Luke’s ex? The one who pushed him down the stairs?”
Ethan nodded and Noah could see tears welling at the corner of his eyes. Noah smiled at him and gave him a hug before pushing him gently toward the door of the bookshop. “Why don’t you go in and get Luke to help you find something for your Grandma for Christmas. I bet there are lots of books she’d like to have and Luke will know which ones.”
Ethan smiled but then glanced across the street again where Reid had stopped to look at something in a window.
“Don’t worry, bud. I’m just going to wait out here until he’s gone on his way, okay? I won’t let him come over here and bother Luke, I promise.” Ethan looked into his eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath of relief and opening the door. Once he was safely inside, Noah turned to find Reid had been watching him with Ethan.
The man looked at Noah with unconcealed hostility, pursing his lips in anger before turning away and stalking down the street, the look on his face apparently enough to send other shoppers scurrying out of his way.
Once he was out of sight, Noah went into the shop in search of Ethan and Luke. The incident was pushed to the back of his mind but not forgotten. Reid the doctor was going to be trouble, Noah could feel it.
~~**~~
A few nights later, the whole family had been invited to a Christmas get-together in town. They’d decided to go, but Luke, who had been suffering from a bit of a headache, declined the invitation. He told his family to go and have fun but he just wasn’t up to being around that many people at once yet.
Noah opted to stay with him, reluctant to leave Luke alone and not yet ready for meeting the rest of the town, all of whom could be expected to attend the party at some point.
The two men were hugged and patted to distraction as the family left and when they finally found themselves alone, they couldn’t help but laugh in relief.
“Man, Luke. I love your family-I really do!-but they can be a little too much sometimes.” He looked over at Luke, who was sprawled over the couch in front of the fireplace in Emma’s cozy living room. Noah was worried that Luke would be offended but he just chuckled along with Noah.
“Yeah, I know. I love them and everything, but sometimes they’re just too much.” Luke sat quietly for a minute and then turned to look at Noah. “I need to go out and feed the horses. Wanna watch a movie when I come back in?”
Noah nodded. “Yeah, that would be awesome. You want some help?”
“No, I got it.” Luke got to his feet and headed for the back porch. “It won’t take me long. You should pop some popcorn and pick a movie.” He looked back over his shoulder and smiled and the relaxed happiness Noah saw in his face just made him more beautiful.
“Okay, got it. You feed the horses and I’ll get ready to feed us.” He made himself stop staring and headed for the kitchen.
“Don’t burn it this time!” Luke teased as he went out the back door.
Noah snorted and grumbled to himself. “Geez, one time and you never get forgiven.” Of course, Luke had no idea that Noah had burned the popcorn because he’d been too busy watching Luke snuggle with Ethan on the couch as they giggled together over a Disney movie.
Wandering over to the pantry, he pulled out the box of popcorn and turned toward the microwave. Once the popcorn was started, he dug around in the fridge for a beer for himself and a soda for Luke. He put them on a tray he found in the cupboard and grabbed a few of Emma’s cookies and put those on the tray as well.
Once everything was ready, he walked over to look out the window and what he saw had him heading toward the door and stuffing his feet into his boots. Distantly thankful that he’d never gotten out of the habit of having them ready to slip into, he ran out into the yard yelling Luke’s name.
When he’d looked out the window he’d seen Luke’s ex-boyfriend backhand him across the face, knocking him down in the snow. By the time he’d made it out the door, Reid had picked Luke up and was shaking him as he screamed at him. “Who said you could have another man? You’re mine, you pathetic little fuck!”
Luke looked terrified but Noah was happy to see him trying to kick his captor in the shins. Reid had just pulled hand back for another blow when Noah reached them.
He didn’t stop to think, just hauled off and hit Reid in the face. The pain made him let go of the grip he had on Luke and stagger backward. Noah turned to check on Luke but had barely opened his mouth to ask how he was when he was hit from behind.
Noah went down hard and Reid was on him in a flash, sitting on his back and grabbing him by the hair. He got Noah’s arms under his knees and twisted his head viciously before pounding it into the ground over and over. “I don’t know who the fuck you are, but I’m gonna make you sorry you interfered. Luke’s mine and I’ve been waiting a long time to get to him without his fucking watchdogs around.”
As Noah struggled to get free, he spotted Luke still lying on the ground with his eyes closed. He was unconscious and all Noah could think was that he must have hit his head as he fell when Reid dropped him.
The sight of blood trickling from the corner of Luke’s mouth had Noah seeing red. Getting his knees under him, he lifted up as hard as he could, finally dislodging his attacker.
Reid got up and immediately charged at Noah again but this time Noah was ready for him. He grabbed Reid by the front of the jacket he was wearing and used his foot to sweep the other man’s legs out from under him. Reid managed to get a grip on Noah’s shoulder and both men went down, rolling in the snow as they struggled to come out on top.
Reid got a couple of shots in with his elbow, one to Noah’s jaw. It made his head spin a little and Noah realized that he had to get the situation under control now, before Reid got the upper hand again. With Noah out of commission, there would be no one to protect Luke.
Finally getting a grip on Reid, he used it as leverage to roll them so the Noah was on top. Reid cursed and started spewing more venom. “Shoulda pushed the little fuck harder so he broke his neck instead of his leg.”
The tenuous grasp Noah had on his emotions snapped as he imagined Luke lying dead at the bottom of a stairwell. Pulling his arm back he punched Reid in the face. The sound of his nose breaking and the hot blood spurting over his hand only spurred him on, his desire to make Reid pay for his abuse of Luke over-riding his usually calm demeanor.
His rage took over, and he couldn’t pull himself out of it until someone grabbed his arm and he rounded on them, ready to defend himself from another attack.
When he looked up it was to see Luke staring at him, horror and terror in his eyes as he backed away and cringed.
It only took a second for guilt and shame to roll over him. Reid moaned under him and Noah scrambled off and got to his feet. “Luke, go in the house and call an ambulance.” He took a deep breath and looked at his bloody hands and then Reid’s ruined face. “And the police.”
Luke stood there shivering, obviously in shock. “Don’t hit him again, please.”
Noah’s heart was breaking at the fear in Luke’s voice; fear of him. “I won’t, I promise. Just go make those calls. And call your folks too.”
Luke nodded and edge backwards toward the house. Once he’d gone inside, Noah turned back to Reid and bent over to turn him on his side so he wouldn’t choke on his own blood.
When Luke came back out to join him, Noah was surprised. He was carrying a jacket for Noah and a blanket to cover Reid with. It wasn’t until he slipped the jacket on that Noah realized how cold he’d been. Once he had it zipped up he turned to Luke.
“I’m so sorry…”
Luke held up his hand, cutting Noah off. “Don’t.” He took a step back from Noah. “I can’t-I can’t do this right now.” With one last glance at Reid, Luke turned a hurried back to the house.
Noah sighed and stood there waiting for the authorities and the rest of the Snyder family to arrive.
The next couple of hours were chaotic. After taking one look at Reid, the cops put Noah in cuffs and pushed him into the back of their car. When the Snyders pulled into the drive, he turned his head so that he couldn’t see their faces as he walked past the car into the house.
After the ambulance left, Noah sat there as Luke came out of the house to talk to the police. Noah couldn’t look at him. Luke was afraid of him now and he didn’t know how to fix it. He was more miserable than he’d been when his father told him that he was no longer his son.
Noah was glad to see that Holden stood by Luke’s side, giving him the support he needed. Noah knew as he sat there in that police car that his days at the Snyder farm were over. It had been a nice fantasy to think that he could have a home here, but he should have known better.
He was startled out of his thoughts when the car door opened. “Mr. Mayer, could you step out here please.”
Noah looked up and nodded before carefully getting out of the car. The officer steadied him and when he was standing, unlocked the cuffs. “I just have a couple of questions for you sir. Will you answer them for me?”
Noah rubbed his sore wrists before looking up and nodding. “Sure.”
“Luke said that Reid came to the farm uninvited and in violation of his restraining order. Is that true?” He looked at Noah, a question in his gaze Noah couldn’t quite figure out.
“Yes. Luke had gone out to feed the horses and I was in the kitchen getting things ready to watch a movie. I looked out the window and saw Reid hit Luke across the face and by the time he started to fall, I was already out the door.” He heard a gasp behind him and turned to see Emma walking toward him. “I’m so sorry Emma.”
She walked up to him and gave him a hug. “You stop that right now, Noah. Finish telling my nephew your story.”
Noah looked at the cop in shock and the other man chuckled. “Jack Snyder, at your service.” He offered Noah his hand and Noah shook it, shaking his head at how unreal it all seemed. “Can you tell me what happened next please?”
Noah took a deep breath and then continued. “By the time I got outside, he had picked Luke up and was shaking him and screaming at him. I punched him once and he let go so I turned to check on Luke. The next thing I know, I get tackled from behind. I’m down and he’s on top of me trying to twist my head off, all the while rambling about how Luke was his and nothing could change that.”
Noah could feel himself start to shake. He knew it was just shock but it was still as scary as the first time it had happened on his first tour. When he felt Emma’s arm wrap around his waist, he let himself take the little bit of comfort she offered.
“About then I looked over a Luke and he was lying unconscious on the ground, his face all bruised and the blood running down from his mouth staining the snow.” Noah looked up into Jack’s eyes, silently pleading with him to understand. “That’s when I lost it. I managed to push him off me and he charged me again. I got him on the ground and we wrestled for a bit. Then he said…” Noah swallowed, looking over at Emma apologetically before continuing. “He said that he should have broken Luke’s neck instead of his leg and I knew that if he beat me, he’d kill Luke this time. So I made sure he didn’t beat me.”
Jack nodded and finished his notes before stuffing the notebook in his jacket pocket and once again holding his hand out to Noah. “As Jack Snyder the cop I’m not allowed to say that I approve of how badly you beat him, but as Luke’s cousin I can have no problem telling you thank you for saving him. I’ve wanted to beat the shit out of Reid Oliver for a long time.”
Noah shook his hand but didn’t know what to say.
Emma cleared her throat beside him before speaking. “What happens now, Jack?
Jack smiled at her. “Now, Noah's free to go. I need to ask you to not leave town for a few days in case we have any more questions. I’m also expecting you to testify at the trial. Luke’s not getting away with not pressing full charges this time.”
Noah had been expecting this. “Yes sir. I’ll be here.”
Jack patted him on the shoulder. “Good man.” Leaning down, he kissed Emma on the cheek. “Bye Emma. I’ll see you for Christmas dinner.”
Emma quickly gave him a quick hug and watched as Jack walked back to his car and drove away. Pulling away from Noah a little, she grabbed his arm and started pulling him toward the house. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s get you warmed up.”
Noah followed her reluctantly. He didn’t want Luke to have to deal with his presence, but he knew that soon or later he’d have to go in to pack his stuff. When they entered the house, the kitchen was deserted and for that Noah was grateful.
“Sit down and have a cup of coffee while I find the first aid kit so I can clean up your hands.” She pushed him toward a chair, making sure he sat, before pouring him and cup of coffee and handing it to him. When he took a sip, he was surprised to find it heavily laced with whiskey. He looked up at her and cocked his eyebrow.
“I figured you could use it…purely for medicinal purposes.” She reached under the kitchen sink and pulled out a large first-aid kit. “With all the kids going through this house, a well-stocked kit is a must.”
Neither of them said anything as she cleaned Noah’s hands and then covered the scrapes with anti-bacterial cream. By the time she was finished, Noah was exhausted. Emma reached up and cupped Noah’s cheek in her hand. “Go and get some sleep, Noah. We can all talk in the morning.”
Standing up, he carried his cup to the sink and then headed for his room. He stopped and turned around when Emma softly called his name. “Thank you Noah.”
Noah closed his eyes for a moment, his emotions threatening to spill over. When he opened them, he tried to smile at her, but knew he was failing. “You’re welcome.”
She nodded and turned back to the kitchen and Noah made his way down the hall. He spent a few minutes getting cleaned up in the bathroom and then padded down the hall and into the bedroom.
Looking around the room, he sighed and then went to grab his duffle. He gathered up all his belongings, only leaving out what he would need to get ready in the morning. When he was done, he sat down in the over-stuffed chair that sat beside the window and looked out to see snow falling.
As he sat there he kept going through the day’s events in his mind. He wished that for Luke’s sake he’d handled it differently, but he couldn’t deny how good it had felt to hurt that man that had damaged Luke so badly.
“Noah?” A soft voice called to him from the doorway and he looked over to see Ethan standing there.
“Hey buddy, what are you doing up this late?” Noah didn’t know what to do. He was pretty sure that Holden and Lily wouldn’t want Ethan around him anymore, but he didn’t have it in him to send the kid away.
“I just needed to make sure that you were okay.” Ethan took a few more steps into the room. “And I’m a little worried about Luke and no one will talk to me.” Tears glittered in his eyes…eyes so like Luke’s and Noah couldn’t resist.
“Come here Ethan.” He held out his arms and with a sob, Ethan ran across the room and threw himself into them. Noah pulled him into his lap, holding him tight and rocking him as he cried. “Shhhh, it’s okay, bud. I’m fine and Luke’s fine, I promise.”
“But he’s crying again. Mom and dad have been in there with him since they came in the house but they won’t let me in to hug him.” Ethan’s little chest heaved as he sobbed.
Noah rubbed up and down Ethan’s back, trying to get him to calm down. “He’s just sad and upset. He needs a little time to think about stuff and then you’ll be able to see him.”
Ethan tucked his head into Noah’s shoulder. “But it’s not fair. He’s my brother and I love him. I should be able to help him too.”
Noah sighed and knew he had to do something. Heaving himself off the chair with Ethan still in his arms he walked toward the door. “Let’s get you to Luke, okay?”
Ethan wrapped both arms around Noah’s neck and hung on. “You sure you’re okay Noah? You have some bruises too.”
“Yeah, I’m okay.” Noah didn’t know what else to say. He left the bedroom and walked down the hall until they stood outside Luke’s door. Cradling Ethan with one arm, he used his free hand to knock on the door. When it was opened, Holden stood on the other side.
“Ethan needs to see Luke. It doesn’t matter if he’s sad or scared or mad, Ethan doesn’t need him to be strong for him all the time. He just needs to make sure that his big brother is physically fine.” He stood there waiting and he could see the wheels turning in Holden’s head.
“You’re right, Noah. Thank you.” Holden held out his arms and Noah passed Ethan to him before turning quickly and heading down the hall. He was almost at his door when Holden called out to him.
“Noah…thank you for helping him.” Noah could see that there was more he wanted to say but Noah just held up his hand and shook his head.
“Please don’t. I can’t hear this right now.” Noah felt like he could hardly breathe and he was grateful when Holden just nodded and went back into the room, closing the door behind him.
Noah crawled into bed, but knew that sleep wouldn’t be finding him anytime soon.
~~**~~
Five hours later he gave up. He got up, made the bed and got dressed. Digging a piece of paper and a pen out of his duffle, he wrote a note to the Snyders.
Thank you all so much for welcoming me into your home and showing me what family is supposed to be. You’re all amazing people and the love you have for each other is inspiring.
Ethan, your first letter gave me so much more than you know. I’m so glad that I wrote back. I’m lucky to have a friend like you.
Luke…I don’t know what to say but I’m sorry.
Take care of each other. I’ll be staying in town until the police tell me it’s okay to go. Then I think maybe I’ll head to Chicago or New York and see about going to school there.
You have my number and if you ever need me, please don’t hesitate to call.
Noah.
He left the note on the dresser and left the house as quietly as he could. When he was finally outside, he looked around one last time before climbing into his truck. There wasn’t much to see in the dark, but it didn’t matter. Snyder Farm was burned into his memory for a lifetime.
Chapter Four
Author/Artist: cindyls1969
Rating: Nc-17
Disclaimer: If I owned Luke and Noah things would have turned out much different, but I don't
Characters/Pairings: Luke/Noah, Ethan, Lily/Holden, Emma, Reid Oliver
Word Count: 22,520
Warnings: Violence, explicit sex,
Summary: please see the original prompt...pretty much the summary
Author’s Notes: Thank you so much to Dani for all the love and encouragement and Sally for betaing and reducing the amount of mistakes. Any that are left are mine. I hope the prompter is happy with what I came up with. It was a wonderful idea.
Original Prompt: PROMPT #18
The next two weeks went by the same way as that first day, minus all the arrival excitement. Noah pitched in with the chores around the farm but more often than not, he found himself in the company of at least one of the Snyder sons and sometimes both.
The weather had warmed up enough that they could spend some time outside, building snowmen and having snowball fights. On a least one occasion, the whole family had gotten involved and by the end of it, they dragged themselves wet and half frozen back into Emma’s kitchen for cups of coffee and hot chocolate to warm up.
Noah and Luke had met a few more times in the kitchen in the middle of the night, although they found easier things to talk about than their pasts. Luke talked about how he was taking some writing courses on-line and he helped Noah look over the course catalogue for Oakdale University. The more he thought about it, the more Noah could see himself becoming a part of the small community that the Snyders called home.
At the end of Noah’s second week on the farm, and with just a week to go until Christmas, he found himself agreeing to stay for the holidays and in sudden need of a shopping trip for a few more clothes and some personal items.
He talked Luke and Ethan into taking him, thinking that having his younger brother with him might make Luke feel more at ease away from home and amongst people.
Luke and Noah worked well together, each one distracting Ethan while the other bought him present and the whole day was a success except for one small moment.
He’d been walking along looking in store windows while Luke looked around the local bookstore when he felt someone pulling on his arm. Looking down he saw Ethan looking into the crowd with unease and when Noah looked in the same direction he could see that the boy was staring at a man walking down the other side of the street.
He had dark reddish-blond hair that curled around his ears and cold blue eyes. He ignored the people around him, striding down the sidewalk like he owned it and arrogance seemed to bleed from him.
Looking back down at Ethan, he could see that the boy was shaking and Noah wasn’t sure if it was from fear or anger, but it didn’t take long for Noah to realize that the man must be Luke’s ex.
“Noah, what if Luke comes out of the store while he’s here?” Ethan’s voice was soft and worried and Noah didn’t like that just seeing Reid could do that to the normally boisterous boy.
Noah squatted down so he and Ethan were face to face. “That’s Luke’s ex? The one who pushed him down the stairs?”
Ethan nodded and Noah could see tears welling at the corner of his eyes. Noah smiled at him and gave him a hug before pushing him gently toward the door of the bookshop. “Why don’t you go in and get Luke to help you find something for your Grandma for Christmas. I bet there are lots of books she’d like to have and Luke will know which ones.”
Ethan smiled but then glanced across the street again where Reid had stopped to look at something in a window.
“Don’t worry, bud. I’m just going to wait out here until he’s gone on his way, okay? I won’t let him come over here and bother Luke, I promise.” Ethan looked into his eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath of relief and opening the door. Once he was safely inside, Noah turned to find Reid had been watching him with Ethan.
The man looked at Noah with unconcealed hostility, pursing his lips in anger before turning away and stalking down the street, the look on his face apparently enough to send other shoppers scurrying out of his way.
Once he was out of sight, Noah went into the shop in search of Ethan and Luke. The incident was pushed to the back of his mind but not forgotten. Reid the doctor was going to be trouble, Noah could feel it.
~~**~~
A few nights later, the whole family had been invited to a Christmas get-together in town. They’d decided to go, but Luke, who had been suffering from a bit of a headache, declined the invitation. He told his family to go and have fun but he just wasn’t up to being around that many people at once yet.
Noah opted to stay with him, reluctant to leave Luke alone and not yet ready for meeting the rest of the town, all of whom could be expected to attend the party at some point.
The two men were hugged and patted to distraction as the family left and when they finally found themselves alone, they couldn’t help but laugh in relief.
“Man, Luke. I love your family-I really do!-but they can be a little too much sometimes.” He looked over at Luke, who was sprawled over the couch in front of the fireplace in Emma’s cozy living room. Noah was worried that Luke would be offended but he just chuckled along with Noah.
“Yeah, I know. I love them and everything, but sometimes they’re just too much.” Luke sat quietly for a minute and then turned to look at Noah. “I need to go out and feed the horses. Wanna watch a movie when I come back in?”
Noah nodded. “Yeah, that would be awesome. You want some help?”
“No, I got it.” Luke got to his feet and headed for the back porch. “It won’t take me long. You should pop some popcorn and pick a movie.” He looked back over his shoulder and smiled and the relaxed happiness Noah saw in his face just made him more beautiful.
“Okay, got it. You feed the horses and I’ll get ready to feed us.” He made himself stop staring and headed for the kitchen.
“Don’t burn it this time!” Luke teased as he went out the back door.
Noah snorted and grumbled to himself. “Geez, one time and you never get forgiven.” Of course, Luke had no idea that Noah had burned the popcorn because he’d been too busy watching Luke snuggle with Ethan on the couch as they giggled together over a Disney movie.
Wandering over to the pantry, he pulled out the box of popcorn and turned toward the microwave. Once the popcorn was started, he dug around in the fridge for a beer for himself and a soda for Luke. He put them on a tray he found in the cupboard and grabbed a few of Emma’s cookies and put those on the tray as well.
Once everything was ready, he walked over to look out the window and what he saw had him heading toward the door and stuffing his feet into his boots. Distantly thankful that he’d never gotten out of the habit of having them ready to slip into, he ran out into the yard yelling Luke’s name.
When he’d looked out the window he’d seen Luke’s ex-boyfriend backhand him across the face, knocking him down in the snow. By the time he’d made it out the door, Reid had picked Luke up and was shaking him as he screamed at him. “Who said you could have another man? You’re mine, you pathetic little fuck!”
Luke looked terrified but Noah was happy to see him trying to kick his captor in the shins. Reid had just pulled hand back for another blow when Noah reached them.
He didn’t stop to think, just hauled off and hit Reid in the face. The pain made him let go of the grip he had on Luke and stagger backward. Noah turned to check on Luke but had barely opened his mouth to ask how he was when he was hit from behind.
Noah went down hard and Reid was on him in a flash, sitting on his back and grabbing him by the hair. He got Noah’s arms under his knees and twisted his head viciously before pounding it into the ground over and over. “I don’t know who the fuck you are, but I’m gonna make you sorry you interfered. Luke’s mine and I’ve been waiting a long time to get to him without his fucking watchdogs around.”
As Noah struggled to get free, he spotted Luke still lying on the ground with his eyes closed. He was unconscious and all Noah could think was that he must have hit his head as he fell when Reid dropped him.
The sight of blood trickling from the corner of Luke’s mouth had Noah seeing red. Getting his knees under him, he lifted up as hard as he could, finally dislodging his attacker.
Reid got up and immediately charged at Noah again but this time Noah was ready for him. He grabbed Reid by the front of the jacket he was wearing and used his foot to sweep the other man’s legs out from under him. Reid managed to get a grip on Noah’s shoulder and both men went down, rolling in the snow as they struggled to come out on top.
Reid got a couple of shots in with his elbow, one to Noah’s jaw. It made his head spin a little and Noah realized that he had to get the situation under control now, before Reid got the upper hand again. With Noah out of commission, there would be no one to protect Luke.
Finally getting a grip on Reid, he used it as leverage to roll them so the Noah was on top. Reid cursed and started spewing more venom. “Shoulda pushed the little fuck harder so he broke his neck instead of his leg.”
The tenuous grasp Noah had on his emotions snapped as he imagined Luke lying dead at the bottom of a stairwell. Pulling his arm back he punched Reid in the face. The sound of his nose breaking and the hot blood spurting over his hand only spurred him on, his desire to make Reid pay for his abuse of Luke over-riding his usually calm demeanor.
His rage took over, and he couldn’t pull himself out of it until someone grabbed his arm and he rounded on them, ready to defend himself from another attack.
When he looked up it was to see Luke staring at him, horror and terror in his eyes as he backed away and cringed.
It only took a second for guilt and shame to roll over him. Reid moaned under him and Noah scrambled off and got to his feet. “Luke, go in the house and call an ambulance.” He took a deep breath and looked at his bloody hands and then Reid’s ruined face. “And the police.”
Luke stood there shivering, obviously in shock. “Don’t hit him again, please.”
Noah’s heart was breaking at the fear in Luke’s voice; fear of him. “I won’t, I promise. Just go make those calls. And call your folks too.”
Luke nodded and edge backwards toward the house. Once he’d gone inside, Noah turned back to Reid and bent over to turn him on his side so he wouldn’t choke on his own blood.
When Luke came back out to join him, Noah was surprised. He was carrying a jacket for Noah and a blanket to cover Reid with. It wasn’t until he slipped the jacket on that Noah realized how cold he’d been. Once he had it zipped up he turned to Luke.
“I’m so sorry…”
Luke held up his hand, cutting Noah off. “Don’t.” He took a step back from Noah. “I can’t-I can’t do this right now.” With one last glance at Reid, Luke turned a hurried back to the house.
Noah sighed and stood there waiting for the authorities and the rest of the Snyder family to arrive.
The next couple of hours were chaotic. After taking one look at Reid, the cops put Noah in cuffs and pushed him into the back of their car. When the Snyders pulled into the drive, he turned his head so that he couldn’t see their faces as he walked past the car into the house.
After the ambulance left, Noah sat there as Luke came out of the house to talk to the police. Noah couldn’t look at him. Luke was afraid of him now and he didn’t know how to fix it. He was more miserable than he’d been when his father told him that he was no longer his son.
Noah was glad to see that Holden stood by Luke’s side, giving him the support he needed. Noah knew as he sat there in that police car that his days at the Snyder farm were over. It had been a nice fantasy to think that he could have a home here, but he should have known better.
He was startled out of his thoughts when the car door opened. “Mr. Mayer, could you step out here please.”
Noah looked up and nodded before carefully getting out of the car. The officer steadied him and when he was standing, unlocked the cuffs. “I just have a couple of questions for you sir. Will you answer them for me?”
Noah rubbed his sore wrists before looking up and nodding. “Sure.”
“Luke said that Reid came to the farm uninvited and in violation of his restraining order. Is that true?” He looked at Noah, a question in his gaze Noah couldn’t quite figure out.
“Yes. Luke had gone out to feed the horses and I was in the kitchen getting things ready to watch a movie. I looked out the window and saw Reid hit Luke across the face and by the time he started to fall, I was already out the door.” He heard a gasp behind him and turned to see Emma walking toward him. “I’m so sorry Emma.”
She walked up to him and gave him a hug. “You stop that right now, Noah. Finish telling my nephew your story.”
Noah looked at the cop in shock and the other man chuckled. “Jack Snyder, at your service.” He offered Noah his hand and Noah shook it, shaking his head at how unreal it all seemed. “Can you tell me what happened next please?”
Noah took a deep breath and then continued. “By the time I got outside, he had picked Luke up and was shaking him and screaming at him. I punched him once and he let go so I turned to check on Luke. The next thing I know, I get tackled from behind. I’m down and he’s on top of me trying to twist my head off, all the while rambling about how Luke was his and nothing could change that.”
Noah could feel himself start to shake. He knew it was just shock but it was still as scary as the first time it had happened on his first tour. When he felt Emma’s arm wrap around his waist, he let himself take the little bit of comfort she offered.
“About then I looked over a Luke and he was lying unconscious on the ground, his face all bruised and the blood running down from his mouth staining the snow.” Noah looked up into Jack’s eyes, silently pleading with him to understand. “That’s when I lost it. I managed to push him off me and he charged me again. I got him on the ground and we wrestled for a bit. Then he said…” Noah swallowed, looking over at Emma apologetically before continuing. “He said that he should have broken Luke’s neck instead of his leg and I knew that if he beat me, he’d kill Luke this time. So I made sure he didn’t beat me.”
Jack nodded and finished his notes before stuffing the notebook in his jacket pocket and once again holding his hand out to Noah. “As Jack Snyder the cop I’m not allowed to say that I approve of how badly you beat him, but as Luke’s cousin I can have no problem telling you thank you for saving him. I’ve wanted to beat the shit out of Reid Oliver for a long time.”
Noah shook his hand but didn’t know what to say.
Emma cleared her throat beside him before speaking. “What happens now, Jack?
Jack smiled at her. “Now, Noah's free to go. I need to ask you to not leave town for a few days in case we have any more questions. I’m also expecting you to testify at the trial. Luke’s not getting away with not pressing full charges this time.”
Noah had been expecting this. “Yes sir. I’ll be here.”
Jack patted him on the shoulder. “Good man.” Leaning down, he kissed Emma on the cheek. “Bye Emma. I’ll see you for Christmas dinner.”
Emma quickly gave him a quick hug and watched as Jack walked back to his car and drove away. Pulling away from Noah a little, she grabbed his arm and started pulling him toward the house. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s get you warmed up.”
Noah followed her reluctantly. He didn’t want Luke to have to deal with his presence, but he knew that soon or later he’d have to go in to pack his stuff. When they entered the house, the kitchen was deserted and for that Noah was grateful.
“Sit down and have a cup of coffee while I find the first aid kit so I can clean up your hands.” She pushed him toward a chair, making sure he sat, before pouring him and cup of coffee and handing it to him. When he took a sip, he was surprised to find it heavily laced with whiskey. He looked up at her and cocked his eyebrow.
“I figured you could use it…purely for medicinal purposes.” She reached under the kitchen sink and pulled out a large first-aid kit. “With all the kids going through this house, a well-stocked kit is a must.”
Neither of them said anything as she cleaned Noah’s hands and then covered the scrapes with anti-bacterial cream. By the time she was finished, Noah was exhausted. Emma reached up and cupped Noah’s cheek in her hand. “Go and get some sleep, Noah. We can all talk in the morning.”
Standing up, he carried his cup to the sink and then headed for his room. He stopped and turned around when Emma softly called his name. “Thank you Noah.”
Noah closed his eyes for a moment, his emotions threatening to spill over. When he opened them, he tried to smile at her, but knew he was failing. “You’re welcome.”
She nodded and turned back to the kitchen and Noah made his way down the hall. He spent a few minutes getting cleaned up in the bathroom and then padded down the hall and into the bedroom.
Looking around the room, he sighed and then went to grab his duffle. He gathered up all his belongings, only leaving out what he would need to get ready in the morning. When he was done, he sat down in the over-stuffed chair that sat beside the window and looked out to see snow falling.
As he sat there he kept going through the day’s events in his mind. He wished that for Luke’s sake he’d handled it differently, but he couldn’t deny how good it had felt to hurt that man that had damaged Luke so badly.
“Noah?” A soft voice called to him from the doorway and he looked over to see Ethan standing there.
“Hey buddy, what are you doing up this late?” Noah didn’t know what to do. He was pretty sure that Holden and Lily wouldn’t want Ethan around him anymore, but he didn’t have it in him to send the kid away.
“I just needed to make sure that you were okay.” Ethan took a few more steps into the room. “And I’m a little worried about Luke and no one will talk to me.” Tears glittered in his eyes…eyes so like Luke’s and Noah couldn’t resist.
“Come here Ethan.” He held out his arms and with a sob, Ethan ran across the room and threw himself into them. Noah pulled him into his lap, holding him tight and rocking him as he cried. “Shhhh, it’s okay, bud. I’m fine and Luke’s fine, I promise.”
“But he’s crying again. Mom and dad have been in there with him since they came in the house but they won’t let me in to hug him.” Ethan’s little chest heaved as he sobbed.
Noah rubbed up and down Ethan’s back, trying to get him to calm down. “He’s just sad and upset. He needs a little time to think about stuff and then you’ll be able to see him.”
Ethan tucked his head into Noah’s shoulder. “But it’s not fair. He’s my brother and I love him. I should be able to help him too.”
Noah sighed and knew he had to do something. Heaving himself off the chair with Ethan still in his arms he walked toward the door. “Let’s get you to Luke, okay?”
Ethan wrapped both arms around Noah’s neck and hung on. “You sure you’re okay Noah? You have some bruises too.”
“Yeah, I’m okay.” Noah didn’t know what else to say. He left the bedroom and walked down the hall until they stood outside Luke’s door. Cradling Ethan with one arm, he used his free hand to knock on the door. When it was opened, Holden stood on the other side.
“Ethan needs to see Luke. It doesn’t matter if he’s sad or scared or mad, Ethan doesn’t need him to be strong for him all the time. He just needs to make sure that his big brother is physically fine.” He stood there waiting and he could see the wheels turning in Holden’s head.
“You’re right, Noah. Thank you.” Holden held out his arms and Noah passed Ethan to him before turning quickly and heading down the hall. He was almost at his door when Holden called out to him.
“Noah…thank you for helping him.” Noah could see that there was more he wanted to say but Noah just held up his hand and shook his head.
“Please don’t. I can’t hear this right now.” Noah felt like he could hardly breathe and he was grateful when Holden just nodded and went back into the room, closing the door behind him.
Noah crawled into bed, but knew that sleep wouldn’t be finding him anytime soon.
~~**~~
Five hours later he gave up. He got up, made the bed and got dressed. Digging a piece of paper and a pen out of his duffle, he wrote a note to the Snyders.
Thank you all so much for welcoming me into your home and showing me what family is supposed to be. You’re all amazing people and the love you have for each other is inspiring.
Ethan, your first letter gave me so much more than you know. I’m so glad that I wrote back. I’m lucky to have a friend like you.
Luke…I don’t know what to say but I’m sorry.
Take care of each other. I’ll be staying in town until the police tell me it’s okay to go. Then I think maybe I’ll head to Chicago or New York and see about going to school there.
You have my number and if you ever need me, please don’t hesitate to call.
Noah.
He left the note on the dresser and left the house as quietly as he could. When he was finally outside, he looked around one last time before climbing into his truck. There wasn’t much to see in the dark, but it didn’t matter. Snyder Farm was burned into his memory for a lifetime.
Chapter Four