Lyle was glad that Dante was able to talk about it rather than keep it locked into himself. Hit probably hurt to keep it all bottled up inside like that. He just wanted Dante to know he ever had to do that with him. Speaking of things people should know..<br/><br/>Lyle smiled sheepishly at Dante and squeezed his hand, hoping to gain a bit of strength that he had. "My relationship.. Was more recent. I met Ashton in that gay meet up spot that I told you about. We really hit if off, but about a good six months into the relationship he started getting really angry and over little things like me hanging up his coat he'd lose his mind about... But by then I loved him and I really wanted to make it work. I did everything to make him happy and he never hurt me so I thought we were okay. I really thought we could work it out..." Lyle sighed remembering how stupid he was. When he really thought about it there were plenty of warning signs before he fell in love, but he just didn't want to see them.<br/><br/>"Then about four months ago... He lost it. Its a special kind of fear and betrayal when the person you love hurts you. He beat me. Beat me really good, screamed at me the whole way through like it was my fault, then just tossed me in a heap outside of his apartment. Someone found me in the morning and took me to the hospital. Joe helped me heal up..." He paused a moment not really wanting to continue, but he would totally understand if Dante didn't want to be involved with him and this mess after he did. It was a sticky situation for sure.<br/><br/>"This month Ashton began popping up at some of my favorite places.. I started avoiding going to places I knew. I get calls all the time from him. Today.. There were a few letters from him in my mail without postage. I guess he wants me back and he's sorry or whatever, but I'm not doing that again. I don't want to, but I'm too fucking scared of him to face him.. So I've been sleeping at work. Using it as an excuse not to go home.." It felt dumb saying it out loud, like he was just being a coward and running away, but what was to stop Ashton from hurting him again after being rejected. He was a big guy. A big angry guy.