“I can’t believe you had him pegged as your perp.” Luis’s laughter rang out, and David, who loved seeing people happy, smiled. “Right, David? Your brother’s a silly guy.”
Harper let them have their fun. “There was circumstantial evidence, so he was brought in for questioning. When it was apparent he wasn’t the perp, I let him know he was no longer a suspect.”
Luis side-eyed him. “He’s a good-looking dude too, right? I’ve seen his bio picture. Is he single?”
Harper sighed. Luis was another one who was forever pushing him to have a social life. “Yes.”
“Yes to what?” Luis persisted.
“To both. He’s good-looking and single. But a most definite no to whatever else is going on in your head.”
“Why? It’s been a long,longtime since you put yourself out there. It wouldn’t hurt to try.”
“Never.” His response was swift, sure, and deadly serious. “No way in hell. Once was enough to show me people’s true colors. Not that I didn’t already know. But I’m not interested in going through that mess again.”
“I know it’s hard. When I lost Maria, I gave up. Now I regret it.” Luis’s girlfriend, an EMT officer, had been killed on the job eleven years earlier. It was before he’d moved in with Harper and David full-time. Her parents were in the Dominican Republic, and Harper’s family would have her to the house for Thanksgiving and Christmas. David had adored her.
He could turn the tables on his friend. “You could start dating, you know. You’re a good-looking dude too.”
“I go out. There’s the difference between us. I at least try and have some fun.”
“I have fun,” Harper grumbled.
“Bullshit,” Luis shot back. “When was the last time you were with someone?”
He shifted in his seat. He didn’t like discussing his personal life in front of David. The doctors had told him that though his brain damage was irreparable, he still had some cognitive function. It was a murky area, as much about the brain was still unknown, and the doctors urged him to treat David as if he understood the world around him. Over the years, he’d witnessed David expressing emotions, and Harper’s focus was to make sure David never felt like a burden or that Harper was sacrificing himself for his care.
“I dunno. It’s not like I keep a calendar. I’m busy, you know? Crime doesn’t take a vacation.” To escape Luis’s eyes, he left the table to rinse his cup. “The bad guys don’t give me a chance to hang out at the club.”
“Make the time. You know I’m here if David needs me. You gotta fill the well sometimes, my man. Otherwise you’re gonna dry up and shrivel away. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you’ve changed.”
His hand tightened on the dishcloth. “No I haven’t,” he responded woodenly. “I’m the same miserable person I always was.” He forced a smile, but Luis, the canny bastard, wasn’t buying it.
“Not when you were with Ronnie. You were happy.”
The mention of his former lover—his first and only—sent both a chill and a hot burst of anger through him, and he tossed the dishcloth aside.
“Yeah. I was. The happiest. But he turned out to be a miserable fu—” He stopped before letting loose with a torrent of curse words. One thing he’d promised himself was to try and not get angry in front of David. Only calm, happy faces. “Person.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “I was completely wrong about him. Which means my judgment in that particular area sucks. So it’s better to keep it light. I have to get going, or I’ll be late.” Hekissed the top of David’s head. “Gotta go to work, buddy. See you tonight.” David made kissing noises, and Harper put his cheek to his lips. “Love you.”
David made a sound, his mouth moving, and Harper knew it was an attempt to say “I love you” back. “Have a great day, and don’t eat too much ice cream.” He left the house and locked the door behind him.
***
“That was a nice, clean collar.” Nolan clicked his mouse. “Just the way I like ’em. Last form filed.”
“Same,” Harper answered. “The old lady’s making a nice recovery too. The asshole is pleading guilty and crying for his momma. Hope they deep-six him.” He grimaced.
“I wonder if he’s behind all these home invasions in the Heights in the past week. Captain says he wants us to review the tapes and recanvass the neighborhood.”
“Somehow, I doubt it. I think it was a crime of opportunity. A rich old lady who lives alone.” He sipped his coffee.
“Speaking of said little old lady, how do you know about Millie Johnson’s recovery?” Nolan gave him the side-eye. “You pay her a visit? Maybe hoping to bump into Colson Delacourt?” A sly grin played on his lips.
Good thing he’d perfected a poker face over the years. It took a lot more than teasing to make him crack. “You’re delusional.”
“And you’re gay and unattached, and so is he.”
Harper crumpled the empty coffee cup and tossed it into the trash. “Well, that settles it. We’re two gay men in New York City,which means we must want to hook up.” He scowled. “Are you fucking serious?”
