“I know how alone you’ve been.” Gage’s sad eyes held his.
The door opened, and Tash recognized Ash Davis as he walked into the room. He could only imagine how the man, with his dark good looks and commanding presence, held a courtroom captivated, but as usual, Ash had eyes only for his lover, Drew Klein. Ash’s eyes glittered, and his mouth curved in a smile as he advanced on Drew, grabbed him around the waist, and planted a kiss on Drew’s lips, oblivious to whatever else was happening in the room.
“Hey, baby.”
Drew slipped his arm around Ash’s waist and hugged him close. “Hi. How was work?”
The two men had a unique connection. There was true friendship along with mutual respect, but it was something more. Tash noticed how tightly Ash laced his fingers with Drew’s. It was as if he wasn’t comfortable unless Drew was touching him, Tash mused.
Knowing something of the horrors of both Ash’s and Luke’s childhoods, Tash wasn’t surprised Ash had found love and a home with the Klein family. They were the most accepting group of people he’d been fortunate enough to come across. It almost made up for their constant attempts to set him up all the time. He knew they wanted him to be as happy as they all were.
“Best thing I can say is that the day is done, and it’s one step closer to the weekend.” Ash tossed his coat on an empty chair and headed over to the coffee. “Did the meeting end already?”
“Rather abruptly, I’m afraid. And much sooner than we thought.” Gage joined Ash at the coffeepot. “I thought one of my colleagues was interested, but before we had a chance to start, something freaked him out, and he ran out of here like a bat out of hell.”
Ash stirred sugar into his coffee. “Must have been the guy who almost ran me over as I was coming in. What could you all have said that set him off like that?”
Tash thought back to the conversation. “Everything was fine until Drew mentioned we’d have to go to the police and the schools if we found abuse.”
The smile vanished from Ash’s face, and his eyes dimmed. “Yeah, well, that’s a definite. We all regret not doing that with Steve. Keith died, and Drew and Jordan’s friendship almost blew apart because of it.”
From treating Jordan’s Xanax addiction, Tash knew Jordan’s anxiety issues stemmed partially from the fact that he’d held back from telling Drew he blamed him somewhat for Keith’s death. It took nine months of festering hurt before Jordan’s anger and anguish had reached a boiling point and the two had a heart-to-heart discussion. Fortunately their thirty-year friendship had survived, but Tash knew they still worked on the aftermath of their shared pain.
“Agreed.” Tash directed his attention to Gage. “What do you know of his background? You said Randy is a relatively new teacher at the school, right?” He chose to ignore Gage’s earlier remark about Randy being good for him. Aside from Tash not wanting any relationship, the man was too young for him. He looked to be no more than in his midtwenties.
“He is,” admitted Gage. “And he’s young enough to have that natural connection with the students. He came from the Department of Education’s Alternative Collaboration program, which I know for a fact means he didn’t go the traditional route to his teaching career.”
“You think he has a past, and that’s why he’s so tuned into the kids, right?” Ash gazed at Gage with shrewd eyes. That was the lawyer in him, Tash could tell. He knew from talk how quick Ash was in the courtroom. The man never met a challenge he didn’t relish taking on headfirst.
“Yeah, no question in my mind.”
Having seen Randy’s reaction and the absolute fear in his eyes, Tash thought it was more than a past involving personal abuse. He believed Randy was hiding something.
“You won’t be able to force him, you know.” Tash spoke to not only Ash and Gage, but everyone in the room. “If he’s this skittish, it might do him more harm and send him running not only from this program but from his job as well.”
“No way will he abandon those kids.” Gage’s tone was adamant. “He told me the other day about two of the ninth graders he’s been tutoring on the side, separately from his own students. How proud he’s been of them for standing up to the other kids who tease them for liking school and doing their work.” Gage’s jaw set in a hard line. “He cares too much, and even if there is something in his past, I don’t give a shit. That man is a born teacher.”
“Take it easy, Gage.” Tash soothed his friend. “I’m trying to figure out how to reel Randy back in, not find out his past. Believe me, we’ve all made mistakes we’d like to change if we had a second chance.”
“Some of us need to stop beating ourselves up over things that were beyond our control. People need to want help, you know?”
And suddenly Tash knew they weren’t talking about Randy. They were talking about Daniel. He was always there between him and Gage. Danny might have been Tash’s lover, but he was also Gage’s brother, and Gage had been devastated when he died.
What started out as a night to help kids with problems had now turned into a project to help the teacher. Hard as Tash fought against it, Randy piqued his interest. Those deep green eyes, so wary and defensive, sent out a message ofdon’t touch, hands off. In Tash’s professional opinion, it wasn’t a natural fear of the unknown. Randy looked scared to death. The way he’d bolted from the room at the mention of the authorities only reinforced Tash’s belief of Randy’s past legal problems.
The man projected an air of loneliness, highlighting his vulnerability and sweetness. It wasn’t only Randy’s beautiful eyes and aura of pain that drew Tash in; from the first Tash had had a physical reaction to him, an awareness of Randy’s presence. Tash had always been a sucker for the wounded, and he itched to help the young man.
“Maybe I should talk to him, alone, away from this environment. He might have socialization issues we aren’t aware of and can handle one-on-one better.”
“Good idea.” Ash gazed at him with frank approval. “I know I speak not only for myself but for Luke as well when I say it’s intimidating for people with personal problems to be confronted by a group of strangers, even friendly, well-meaning ones.” He slid his arm around Drew’s shoulders. “I’m lucky to have Drew, who stuck by me and wouldn’t let me hide.” Those glittering gray eyes held Tash’s gaze. “It only takes one person, the right person, to break down the walls you surround yourself with, to force you to see the truth.”
“And in your case, the truth set you free?” Tash couldn’t help but smile.
Ash’s return smile transformed his face. “My truth is Drew. He’s the one who freed me.”
Drew kissed Ash’s cheek. “I love you.” Still within the circle of Ash’s arms, Drew directed his attention to Tash. “Help Randy, Tash. I know what you did for Jordan. You forced him to face the truth of his addiction, freeing him to love Luke.”
“I’ll try, but he has to want it. That’s the key.” This was what he’d been missing lately. For the first time in months, Tash’s blood ran fast, and he itched with the desire to work. Jordan had needed Tash for the medical treatment, it was true, but it was Luke who’d helped him emotionally, and in return, Jordan helped Luke find his way back to life and Ash.
