The Unknown

I can explain

At Neil's lakeside cottage

Mike's pov

"Neil, please, I can explain." It's time for some damage control.

"I thought the two of you would have learned your lesson after the girls were stopped by the police for driving erratically when they left that party, but here we stand yet again, only this time it's drugs instead of alcohol." Neil was fuming.

"Neil, I'm sorry, we should've..." I tried to apologize but he interrupted me.

"HOW MANY TIMES ARE WE GOING TO NEED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, MICHAEL? WHAT THE HELL IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THROUGH TO THE TWO OF YOU?" Neil stood rigidly with his hands on his hips as he admonished Shane and I as if we were petulant adolescents.

"I realize we should have told you, Neil." I tried to speak my piece but he wasn't ready to listen. "We just thought..."

"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME, OR WERE THE TWO OF YOU JUST WAITING FOR THE FIRST LAWSUIT TO BE FILED?" Neil slammed his hands down so hard on the kitchen table, the windows shook. "HOW DARE YOU TRY TO KEEP THIS FROM ME!"

"Don't blame Mike, Neil, I'm just as much at fault." Shane tried to take some of the heat off me.

"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT YOU ARE, DONOVAN! DON'T THINK FOR ONE MINUTE I DON'T HOLD YOU JUST AS RESPONSIBLE AS MICHAEL." Neil paced angrily. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, DISRESPECTING ME LIKE THAT?"

"Neil, we didn't..." I wish he would just listen to me.

"Don't, Michael. You have no idea how furious I am with you right now." Neil was so pissed he drove his fist right into the wall, leaving a sizable dent in the drywall. "THE TWO OF YOU NEED TO LEARN YOUR PLACE. IT'S TIME YOU EXPERIENCE A DISCIPLINARY TRAINING SESSION."

I do not like the sound of that.

"I'm going to ice my knuckles and take a few minutes to calm down so I don't do something I'll regret." Neil shook his hand out as it had to be smarting. "I want the two of you standing at attention in the living room when I get back. Am I clear, gentlemen?"

Swallowing hard, I answered, "Yes sir," as did Shane, both of us well aware of just how hot Neil's temper could flare.

One hour later

Mike's pov

Shane and I obediently stood at attention, awaiting Neil's return. We both knew he had every right to be upset with us for not informing him of what Stacey did. Not only stealing, but selling Julie's controlled medication was no minor offense.

When Neil returned, I was beyond nervous fearing what his retribution would entail. I tried to stand perfectly still like the Admiral but my lack of military background proved to be my failing.

Neil spoke with unmistakable authority, his words laced with an icy, yet noticeable undertone of distaste for our failure to be forthcoming.

"To say you've disappointed me does a grave injustice to my feelings." Neil slapped Shane and I across the face, his open hand leaving quite the sting.

I inhaled sharply and grimaced, unsuccessfully trying to rub the hurt from my cheek. The Admiral, however, never even flinched, making me wonder what he endured during his military service to be able to withstand that degree of pain with little to no noticeable reaction. Even though I consider him my best friend, there's still so many unknowns layered through his past that have undoubtedly helped to shape his personality. Fascinating, to say the least.

Standing in front of us, Neil spoke from the heart, "You betrayed me, gentlemen, by withholding crucial information. The two of you should know very well that a lie of omission is still a lie."