He called Linc’s phone, but it went to voicemail, like his texts that evening and the next morning went unanswered.
* * *
And that was how you ended a romantic relationship before it even started and blew up a perfectly decent friendship in the process.
Linc didn’t call Avery. Didn’t look for him online. He worked any shift the chief would give him.
The ache in his chest consumed him, and he’d never felt so alone.
He and Brian and Vasquez were finishing breakfast in the staff lounge, which was basically a giant living room. Brian was on his laptop, clicking through screens. “Do you know how much a double stroller costs?”
Vasquez snorted. “Why would I? I’m not having kids. I like spending my money on rent and student loans instead.”
Brian frowned. “You went to college?”
“A year of firefighting foundations and two years of paramedicine.” She beamed. “How did you get a job here?”
“Back in my day, you answered the ‘help wanted’ ad.”
“Shut up.” She threw a paper napkin at him. “You’re not ancient. You’re not even a daddy yet.”
“My wife calls me daddy.”
“Oh my God, too much information. Scott, are you listening to this? Brian is oversharing again.”
They both grinned at him, but at his scowl, their smiles faded.
“Oh,” Vasquez said.
“Excuse me.” Brian collected his plate and went to the dishwasher. “I need to go call Jess and see how her night was.”
When Brian was gone, Vasquez shifted until they were hunched around one corner of the table. “Trouble in paradise?”
Linc sighed. “It’s not like that.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re not gay, he’s not your boyfriend—”
“Would you keep your voice down?” He glanced at the doorway, but the station was quiet.
Vasquez rolled her eyes. “Sorry. Is it something else? You know I’m kidding about Sweet Potato, right?”
Linc chewed on his lip. The thing in his chest grated against his ribs. “I’m not out.”
She nodded. “Kinda figured that.”
“But I had a boyfriend once.”
“It happens.”
“My dad found us at a bar one night and beat the shit out of him.”
She hissed. “And that’s a good reason to set up shop in the closet.”
He didn’t need her validation. He’d held on to his fear for seven years. But now— “I kissed Avery. And then I ghosted him.”
“Oh. Yeah, that’s pretty bad too. Pretty stupid, actually.”
He dropped his face in his hands. “I know.” Avery had been hurt so much in his life, and Linc had been selfish enough to hurt him again.
