“It seemed apparent, at least to me from the way they were dancing, that Zach and Marcus were a couple.” The way Marcus had ground his hips against Zach still rankled Sam, yet he logically understood it was Marcus and therefore acceptable behavior to Zach. “I couldn’t understand why I was told to come. Zach tried to explain, but I didn’t like how Marcus grabbed Zach; I thought maybe he was physically abusing him. Then when I found out you guys had bet him to sleep with someone when he went to Atlantic City, I’d had enough and left.”
It was the truth, but there were some things Sam hoped the others would let lie. Things he and Zach should talk about in private. Like why Sam knew—without Zach having to say a word—that Zach had been abused at some point in his life. He wouldn’t pry, knowing when Zach felt comfortable enough, he’d tell Sam everything.
“Thinking Zach was abused and by me, that’s fucking crazy.” The disbelief in Marcus’s voice was genuine. “It must be that police officer mind that always thinks something bad is going down.”
Interesting. Why wouldn’t Zach tell his closest friends? It made no sense to Sam, but when he looked into his own personal life, he had no desire to talk about Andy and the shit that went down with him, forcing him into retirement. Keeping his mouth shut, Sam leaned back in his seat, resting his arm along the back of Zach’s chair, and continued his story.
“Yeah, but I didn’t know that so I left. Zach turned bulldog and came after me the next day, following me to my neighborhood pastry shop.”
“Zach? Followed you?” An obviously shocked Julian shook his head in disbelief as he stared at Zach. “Seriously? You followed him?”
“It’s not as bad as it sounds.” Zach laughed weakly. “Sam had mentioned the name of his favorite pastry shop to me, and I knew where it was.” He shifted in his seat. “I went there to see if he’d show up and even ended up speaking to the owner, Mrs. Caruso.” He nudged Sam. “She loves you, by the way. Sang your praises to the heavens.”
Warmth settled in his chest. “She’s a lovely lady.”
“Sounds like you and Zach are perfect together. All the old ladies love him too,” Marcus interjected.
Zach flushed and once again, Sam experienced that protective rush toward him.
“There’s nothing wrong with being kind to people without expecting anything in return.”
“It’s been my experience that everyone expects something eventually. There are very few saints in this world, and the ones who profess to be one are boring.” Marcus gave them all a grin full of charm and deviltry. “I prefer the sinners. They know how to have all the fun.”
“Back to Zach and Sam, please.” Julian arched his brow. “We already know you’re a debauched sinner.”
“You’re no fun any longer, Juli. Maybe I need to tell Nick some stories of the good old days, huh, so you can remember you aren’t any better than me because you found true looove.” Marcus’s voice teased, but Sam sensed the tension between the two friends.
Nick snickered and patted Julian on his shoulder. “We get it, babe. Neither one of you were innocent when you were younger. We’re lucky we found each other again, and it seems maybe from what I’m hearing Zach and Sam are more than friends?”
Zach stiffened next to him, and Sam draped his arm around Zach’s shoulders, signaling to everyone, Zach included, where he belonged.
Sam’s gaze found Zach’s startled one. “I’d say that’s a safe assumption, wouldn’t you?”
Chapter Fifteen
“I wasglad to finally meet everyone. I thought it went really well, didn’t you?”
The early afternoon sun beat down on them as he and Sam trekked back from the city to Carroll Gardens. By mutual agreement they’d decided to go back to Sam’s house, even though Zach knew his mother would wonder where he was. Under normal circumstances he’d go home, and she’d pour him a coffee while he filled her in on everyone’s gossip. A vague, uneasy guilt rose within him, knowing that she was waiting for him, and he’d chosen to be with Sam.
“Um, yeah.” He pushed the sweaty strands of hair off his forehead and adjusted his glasses. “I knew they’d like you.” A surreptitious glance at his watch showed the time at a little after two.
“You seem distracted, what’s wrong?”
They’d come to a corner and had to wait for the light to change. Traffic whizzed by with so many people going places and doing things. Zach wished he could persuade his mother to do more than volunteer at the senior center a few times a week. True, she kept herself busy with that, but everything else rested on his shoulders. Again, the guilt pricked him, and much as he wanted to be with Sam, he knew he needed to go home.
Waiting until they crossed the street, Zach motioned to the children’s park, set back from the street. The heat had kept many people away this afternoon, and there were empty benches in the shade of the trees that flanked the outskirts of the park.
“Can we sit for a minute?” He pointed to the park, and placed his hand on the latch of the iron fence.
“Sure, what’s wrong?”
Zach remained silent and entered the park, Sam trailing behind him. He picked a bench far enough away from the other people to give them privacy and sat, staring at the children running through the glittering, watery spray of the sprinkler. What he wouldn’t give to be a little child again, able to have a fresh new life ahead of him.
“We’ve already had the discussion about me living with my mother, and you didn’t understand why that should be an issue.”
“Is that what this is about? Of course it’s fine,” Sam said, with a comforting smile.
Zach remained grave, and Sam’s smile faded from his lips. “Zach, what’s wrong?”
