“Promise me or I’ll run away, and you’ll never see me again.”
Ash’s hand fell on Drew’s shoulder and squeezed it. Hard. “We promise, Stevie. But that doesn’t mean we won’t watch out for you and keep our eyes out for any trouble. Right?”
”It’ll be okay, right, Dr. Drew?” Stevie’s worried eyes held his.
Like quicksilver, a smile came and went on Drew’s lips. “Of course.”
Ash dipped his head in acknowledgment as if to concede that Drew won this round.
They left the office and decided on Chinese takeout, then headed to Drew’s apartment. Not five minutes after they’d arrived, Jordan and Keith showed up. Stevie was already stretched out on the couch, Domino curled up in his lap.
Drew dished up Keith’s chicken with broccoli, and Domino jumped off Stevie’s lap and stalked over to Keith, tail held high, yellow eyes wide and bright.
“Not on your life, big boy. You’re too fat.” Keith stared the cat down.
“Meow.” The cat’s tail swished back and forth on the floor.
“Don’t be rude, Keith. He’s a growing boy.” Drew held out a piece of steamed chicken to the cat, who took it in his mouth and left the room, tail once again held high like a triumphant banner.
The blond, blue-eyed police officer snorted, and Jordan poked him in the ribs. “Don’t insult Drew’s baby.”
Keith finished chewing, then put his plate on the coffee table and turned his attention to Stevie. “So from what I’ve been told, the boys you’re in foster care with are abusing you and have been for a while, right?”
Stevie nodded. “Um, kind of.” His voice, little more than a whisper, still crackled in the silent room.
What Drew loved about Keith was his ability to make people feel at ease. He treated them as if whatever they had to say was the most important thing in his world. And in this case, it was, for Keith always said he had a special place in hell reserved for people who molested kids.
Drew watched the muscle in Keith’s jaw jump. “These boys are assaulting you, Stevie. You can’t let them get away with it.” He left his seat and sat on the floor next to Stevie. “I have to report this to child services, son. But I give you my word, you’ll be safe.”
Stevie winced as he sat up on the couch, a cushion propped behind his back. “Dr. Drew promised that you wouldn’t tell on my parents. ’Cause if you do, I won’t stay around.”
Before Keith had a chance to answer, Ash spoke. “You can come live with me. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
Drew held his breath. Was Ash getting in too deep? It was never a good thing to become so personally involved with your cases, but by the determined set of his jaw, Drew knew no one would be able to talk Ash out of it. Besides, weren’t they all in a little deeper than they should be?
Keith shook his head. “That won’t work, Ash, but thanks for offering. I have some friends at child services. I’ll talk to the social workers first.” He patted Stevie on his knee. “Don’t worry, buddy. We’re going to do this right so you’ll end up safe, and your parents won’t get in trouble.”
He returned to sit next to Jordan, who put an arm around him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, babe.”
Drew watched their interaction, not without a twinge of envy. They were so perfect together. As corny as it might sound, Drew had known from the moment he introduced Jordan to Keith that they would fall in love. They complemented each other, no matter that they were so different in temperament. Jordan’s type A, perfectionist behavior had been calmed somewhat by the easygoing, good-natured detective. Keith never raised his voice, never got mad. Jordan’s occasional lapses into rudeness or snide comments were met with a raised brow and a, “really, babe that was uncalled for,” which always had Jordan issuing an apology.
They gathered up their plates and dumped them in the garbage. Jordan and Keith left after Stevie promised to think hard about Keith’s suggestions. He was left with Ash and Stevie, standing by the door.
“Keith will make sure it’ll work out, and Ash will keep you safe.” Drew ruffled the young boy’s hair. “He’s a great guy, huh?”
With a face full of hero worship, Stevie turned to Ash. “You’re the best. I only wish it would all happen like Keith says.”
Drew held Ash’s gaze. “When Keith makes a promise, he keeps it. Don’t worry, Stevie; it’ll all be over soon.” They left, Ash not saying another word, his hand remaining on Stevie’s shoulder in a protective clasp.
Drew cleaned up and remembered he had sent out invitations to the women from the dating website and when he checked his e-mail, he found that three of the seven had already accepted. That thought brought him no joy or excitement as it once might have.
Somehow the clinic had become his reality. As he e-mailed back the women to confirm the dates and times, he knew if he didn’t find some human comfort soon, he’d go mad. So whether or not he was excited about meeting these women, he’d do what he must to start to feel alive again.
Chapter Fifteen
“Where the heck do you put it, kiddo?” Ash couldn’t help but laugh as Stevie came back with a second burrito, a bag of chips, and guacamole.
Instead of apologizing as he might have a month ago, Stevie grinned and peeled back the foil wrapping. “Hey, I’m a growing boy, like Dr. Drew’s cat.” He took a big messy bite and chewed away as he rummaged around in the bag for a handful of chips.
