Chapter 27: Please, don't give up on me

Tim couldn't look Willy in the eye because he was most afraid of his reaction. He was used to everyone thinking he was a murderer, but hearing this from Willy would be the most painful thing for him.

Someone grabbed Tim's hand, it was Willy. He was taking him somewhere, Tim didn't say anything, he just followed him without a word. What was he supposed to say? I'm not a murderer, believe me? He was most tired of saying that.

Al: "Where are you going? We'll go too."

Logan: "You can't figure anything out. They have something to talk about, leave them alone."

They were still shocked by what had happened at the bar. 

Seb: "It was completely crazy, I felt like I was in a TV series."

Al: "Do you think Connor told the truth?"

Ethan: "Are you serious?"

There was anger in Ethan's voice.

Al: "Tim has a lot of money and we don't know where it came from. You didn't see how he behaved and how many armed people he had. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a member or leader of the mafia."

Ethan slammed his hand on the table.

Ethan: "Don't you dare say something like that about Tim again! Especially in his presence. You don't know anything about him. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here. So don't you dare say anything."

They had never seen Ethan so angry. Logan took Ethan outside to calm him down.

Ethan: "How can they say something like that? I know they care about Willy and want to protect him, but even before all this happened, they didn't trust Tim. I know it's because he doesn't like to talk much and seems cold to everyone, but that's not the case."

Logan: "I know, I also tell them to try to get to know him well and they will understand everything. I haven't known Tim for long either, but I know he is a good person. He always takes care of Willy and us."

Ethan calmed down a little.

Logan: "You said you've known him since childhood."

Ethan: "They lived next door to me until all this happened and they moved to another country. I was with him all the time and we played together because his brother and cousins ​​were much older than him. He had really cool toys and he would always give them to me. He would buy me ice cream, candy, anything I wanted. It's still like that, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have been able to study at university. You know the Grant Scholarship? It's his. When Connor mentioned Theo and Damian, that's when I realized Tim's last name was Grant. He helps so many people besides me. Without him, we probably would never have been able to fulfill our dreams."

Logan: "I'm not surprised. I've seen how he takes care of everyone. He doesn't have to take care of us, but he does it anyway. It's hard for them to notice all this because Will is the most important thing to them. To tell you the truth, when I'm with them, I sometimes feel left out. They've known each other since childhood, and I'm sure that if something were to happen between Miles and me, no one would support me."

Ethan put his hand on his shoulder.

Ethan: "Don't worry, because now Tim and I are your best friends."

Logan: "Thank you, I'm glad you're by my side. Shall we go back to the bar?"

They returned to Seb and Al. There was almost no one left in the bar. 

Al: "Miles will come and take us."

Logan and Ethan looked at each other. They knew that these two had already told Miles everything. Miles arrived shortly after to pick them up, which meant that when Logan and Ethan went outside, Al called Miles.

Miles: "Where is Willy?"

Seb: "He went somewhere with Tim."

Miles: "Are you crazy?! Why did you let me go alone?"

He was angry.

Logan: "Calm down. Tim won't hurt him."

Miles: "My brother went with that maniac and how could I calm down?"

Ethan: "Who is a maniac? Think carefully before you say anything! Would you like it if I said the same thing about Willy?"

The situation in the bar has become tense again.

Al: "Are you still protecting him? Didn't you see what happened?"

Logan: "Enough of this nonsense! We're talking about Tim, the man who cares about us and I'm sure he loves Willy more than you do."

Miles: "He didn't spare his brother, uncle, or cousin, so what are you talking about?"

Ethan: "There's no point in talking to you. Leave Tim alone. This is his and Willy's business, and don't you dare interfere. Logan, let's go. I don't want to talk to them."

Ethan and Logan left together, leaving the others at the bar.

Miles: "I can't be so inactive. Let's go to Willy's house and check on him."

They left the bar and went to Willy's house. When they got out of the car, the lights were off in the house. Miles opened the door, but no one was there. Seb tried to call him, but he didn't answer.

Al: "What should we do?"

Miles: "Let's check every place they could be."

They set off in search of Willy. They checked every place they could be, but still couldn't find them.

Willy and Tim got into the car after leaving the bar. Willy started the car and they headed somewhere. No one spoke the entire way. Tim had no idea where they were going, but it wasn't the way home. 

I should have told you everything from the beginning, but I was afraid of losing you. I wish I had told you from the beginning, now it will be even more painful to part with you. I can't imagine being without you. Please, don't give up on me.

Willy was so close beside him, but he didn't dare even look at him.

After a few hours of driving, the car stopped in front of the house. Tim and Willy got out of the car. Tim looked around to see where he was. The sound of the waves and the salty smell in the air meant that the sea was nearby.

Our home? Tim Thought.

Willy opened the door of the house and they went inside. The house was full of dust. It looked like no one had been here for a long time. Willy found the switch and turned on the light in the living room. He sat down on the couch and motioned for Tim to sit next to him. He obeyed him without a word.

Willy: "I should have known this house would be so dusty."

Tim still wasn't looking at him.

Willy: "Tim, don't ever do that again. Do you know how worried I was about you? I know there were so many people there to protect us, but have you ever thought about how I felt when I saw someone I loved being pointed a gun at?"

Tim: "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. I'll try, but I can't promise you, because this is my life. I don't want you to be a part of it, but I can't imagine life without you, because you are my light."

He sat with his head bowed. 

Willy: "Look at me. I trust you, I know you're not a murderer. Please tell me what happened. I want to know. I know this won't be easy for you. I can't imagine what you've been through, but I'm here for you now and it's time for you to learn to share your problems with others."

Tim's eyes were filled with tears and slowly the tears rolled down his cheeks. He had been waiting to hear those words for years.

Tim: "What did you say?"

Willy: "I trust you...."

Tim immediately hugged Willy. He hugged him so tightly that Willy had trouble breathing.

At the bar, when Connor was talking about Tim, Willy remembered what Elena had said: "No matter what anyone tells you, always be by Tim's side, listen to him and trust him. We couldn't do it, and because of that, our family fell apart. Now you are his family, and he has no one else but you. That's all I ask of you, nothing else." 

That's when he remembered this house and decided to go there. He knew they wouldn't be able to talk peacefully anywhere else, and after a day like this, it would be nice to sit on the beach. The beach is their favorite place and he knew they would have a great time here.

He didn't remember that the house would need to be cleaned, because no one else would be allowed in there except them.

It was quiet, Tim didn't want to let Willy go, and they sat hugging each other. For the first time in so many years, he has someone by his side who trusts and supports him. He is happy about that.