“I do. And I understand. But I’m gonna vouch for him. He’s changed. He ain’t who you think he is, anyway. He didn’t grow up a street kid, fighting for his place.”
“No?” Interest lit up Race’s eyes. “Tell me more.”
“Not my story to tell. And I only know a tiny bit anyway. But I’m sure Harlan will talk to you if he gets the chance.”
Frowning, Race studied the coffee cup in his hand, and I grew increasingly nervous he might say no.
“I’m tempted to say no. But that would make me as bad as someone who blames the victim for the crime committed against them, wouldn’t it? You say Harlan had his reasons, and I trust you. So I’ll give him a test run here. Three months. If things work out, he can stay. If he shows up drunk or high or if I find out he’s been stealing, he’s out.”
“That’s more than fair.”
“And I’m counting on you to keep it real. No matter what you two have going on between you, I need you to be objective.”
“Ain’t nothin’ but friendship,” I said, my lips tight, eyes straightforward.
“You keep telling yourself that, and maybe someone’s gonna believe you.”
Later that nightat Man Up, I sat with Austin, Frankie, and Aaron during my break and told them what Race said.
Austin propped his chin in his hands. “Tell me this. Harlan is coming out of rehab, and you’ve gotten him a job. Because of you, James trusted him enough to put him in rehab in the first place. He’s basically living with you, and youstillwon’t admit how you feel about the guy?”
“Man, you’re worse than Austin was when he wouldn’t admit how crazy he was for Rhoades. Girlfriend was all deny, deny, but I knew.” Frankie couldn’t seem to help his grin despite the disgusted look Austin shot him.
“You did?” Rhoades slid into the empty seat next to Austin with a smile. “Tell me more. I’m all ears.”
“Hey. You’re here early.” Austin kissed him, and I watched their dynamic, happy to see my friend so in love and at peace. “I’m glad.”
“I couldn’t sit through another boring minute of a discussion on recapitalization of debt.” Rhoades’s hand rested on the nape of Austin’s neck, his fingertips making light circles. “I’d rather be here, with you. Tell me, Frankie, how did you know Austin had feelings for me?”
All smiles, Frankie leaned into Aaron’s arms. “It was easy. He’d get all red in the face whenever I mentioned you, and he couldn’t look me straight in the eye. He told me to shut up more in those few months than he ever did since we became friends.”
I snorted with laughter, then finished my beer. “I recall that.”
“So,” Frankie said, turning his attention to me now, “that’s how I know Austin is right. ’Cause every time we bring up Harlan, you don’t wanna talk about him and you get all cute and red-faced like Austin did.”
“Don’t know what you’re talkin’ ’bout, but I gotta get back to work, or James’ll have my ass in a sling.” I plunked my empty beer bottle on the table, gathered my lasso, and got up.
“James will most certainly not, and you know it. Hold up one moment, Cort.” James waited behind me. I swear that man was like a ghost, always appearing without me seeing him. “Tell me about Harlan. His thirty days are up next week, if I’m counting right.”
“Yeah. I was tellin’ the guys that I got him a job at the bookstore. Race, the owner, has to have back surgery and asked if I can fill in and work there. It won’t interfere with my nights here, so I said yes. And Harlan will work there with me.”
An approving gleam lit James’s eyes. “Good thinking. I’m sorry about your friend, but it is the perfect solution. He’s doing well, isn’t he?”
“Really great and I think Harlan’s gonna make it. He’s working through his issues, and he never mentions wanting to have a drink.”
“Trust me, it ain’t that easy.” Aaron spoke up from his seat at the table. “I haven’t had a drink in over a year, but I crave one every single day. It don’t go away.”
Frankie wrapped his arms around Aaron, and I saw why they worked so well. Each gave the other what was needed without question.
“Which is why keeping him away from here is the best solution. Not everyone has your strength, Aaron.” James nodded at him, then focused back on me. “Whatever it takes, Cort. You know him best. He’s been through hell with his family, and he’s going to need you.”
I gaped at James. “He hasn’t told me anything about them. Or what happened that he had to leave.”
Giving me one of his trademark stares, James didn’t say anything further.
I didn’t want to think about Harlan trusting James more than me, That hurt.
“I gotta get back.”
