“Shit. I can’t believe I forgot to do that.” Furious with himself, he banged his fist on the tabletop.
“Harper, it’s okay. Tell me what happened.”
As he relayed the story, Luis’s face grew dark with anger. “I swear some people shouldn’t have kids. I don’t blame the little boy. He learns from the parents.”
“David got so upset, and it was such a good day until that point. But how long should he sit there and listen to cruel jabs and people talking about him like he doesn’t exist? I can’t blame him for getting upset. Anyone would. I should’ve gotten him out of there sooner.”
“He’ll be okay,” Luis soothed. “It happens. Sometimes you get children who are kind and loving, their parents good, decent people. Like the two little kids we met in the park a while ago. They talked to David naturally. They lookedathim, not right through him.” A sly grin crossed his face. “Their father is friends with your victim.”
“Which one?” Harper asked distractedly. “I have a lot of satisfied customers.”
“I told you—Colson Delacourt.”
Harper was proud of himself for not moving a muscle. “Oh, him.”
Luis rolled his eyes. “Yeah, him. The tattooed hottie.”
“Listen, I’m going to take a shower and go for a walk. I’m still too upset to sit around. Can you watch him for an hour or so?”
Luis took him by the shoulders. “Take as long as you need—I’ll keep the monitor on just in case. I have no plans for tonight. All I’m gonna do is watch the game on television. And your screen is bigger than mine.” He winked. “Stay out as late as you want.”
“Yeah, sure, whatever.” He stood, then bent to give Luis a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for the talk.”
Upstairs, he took a cool shower, which washed away some of his anger but not all. Still edgy and restless, he put on shorts and a T-shirt.
“Going out. Be back soon.”
“Take your time.”
He stopped by David’s chair. “Hey, big guy. How’re you feeling?”
David smiled and made kissing noises, and Harper was relieved to see he’d returned to his usual calm frame of mind. When their mother died, David had withdrawn for a month, refusing to let Harper lift him from the bed, barely eating. Afraid he was going to waste away, Harper had broken down and cried, begging him not to leave him as well. They’d clung together, and Harper had promised never to leave David alone. Together forever. He’d always have a home with Harper.
“You want me to stay home with you? We can order pizza.”
Luis waved him out. “Me ’n David are watching the game. You go ahead. I’ve already ordered a pizza, and there’s chocolate pudding. It’s going to be a party.” He held Harper’s eyes. “We’re going to be fine.”
Harper kissed David’s cheek. “I love you. I’ll see you when I get home.”
Shoulders hunched, he walked out into the steamy night. He took a detour through the park, walked up Squibb Hill to the promenade, passing the tourists hanging by the railing, pointing at the famous skyline of the city and the span of Brooklyn Bridge.
None of it moved him.
Eventually, he found himself at the base of the stairs to Colson’s town house. He should be home. David needed him. He should—
“Harper?” He looked up to see Colson standing at the open door. “Are you okay?” Colson descended the steps. Worried blue eyes met his. “What’s wrong? You’re sweating like crazy.”
He stood still, and Colson held a hand out. “Come on.”
He took Colson’s cool hand in his overheated one, and they walked inside the air-conditioned house. They remained in the foyer, and Colson continued to hold his hand.
“I was sorry you left before I woke up.”
“I had to get home.”
“Why?”
Harper curved his hand around Colson’s nape and pulled him close. “So much talking when we could be doing this.”
