“Do you have to go?” Avery’s arms tightened around him. Linc twisted, grappling until Avery faced him, legs around his hips, hands on either side of his face.
“You were amazing last night.” Linc kissed him. They smelled the same now. Same soap, same morning breath. A warm, happy feeling hummed in Linc’s chest. He could do this.
“I’m sorry it wasn’t...um...easier.”
Linc ran a hand through the bright red hair, then sat on the edge of the bed, bringing Avery onto his lap.
“I don’t need it to be easy.” But he very much wanted it to be Avery. He was surprised how much, given they’d only had one night together. But they fit, and not just in the way Avery felt pressed up against his chest. “As soon as my shift is over, I’ll be back over here.”
“Promise?” Avery straddled him and nipped at his chin.
He laughed. “Tomorrow. I’ll go home and sleep for a few hours, and then I’ll be right back.”
“You can sleep here.”
Linc groaned, shifting Avery off his lap. Avery’s dick was swelling in his briefs, and Linc’s erection wasn’t very far behind. If he stayed here any longer, he’d never leave.
“Oh, no,” Avery said, as Linc slipped into his pants.
“What?”
“I’m having dinner at my aunt and uncle’s tomorrow.”
“Oh.” He scrambled for what to say next. Avery was slumped in defeat. If Linc touched him, they’d be back in bed. He wasn’t ready to start doing things like family dinners but— “I could—”
“It’s fine.” Avery waved him off. “Maybe when I’m done with work the day after?”
That was a long time from right now, but if he didn’t get to work soon, they’d have all kinds of time together while Linc found a new job.
He kissed Avery one more time. “I’ll see you soon.”
Good thing the town was small. Linc was at the station five minutes later, rushing across the parking lot. He slowed as he spotted Brian and Vasquez leaning against the front door. They clapped slowly as he approached.
“Sorry I’m late.” He rolled his eyes.
“It’s fine. I told Brian you got a bit—” Vasquez bit her lip, “—carried away after he left last night.”
He glanced at Brian, whose shit-eating grin was barely smaller than Vasquez’s. Linc’s heart kicked up. Vasquez wouldn’t out him, but she was making it hard.
No, that wasn’t fair. She was covering for him while his own paranoia read more into it. Let Brian think he was hungover.
They went to the equipment room. Vasquez handed them both long-handled shop brooms before she took a bottle of chrome polish and a rag from a cupboard.
“What’s that for?” Linc asked.
“We’re cleaning the truck bay this morning.”
He glanced between them, waiting for the punchline. “All of us?”
“Well, sure. We’re a team after all.” She smiled sweetly at him, and he met it with a glare. Whether this was an apology for the stunt with Quinn the night before or for the shit they’d been pulling for months, one morning’s worth of shared chores wasn’t going to cut it.
“Scott. You’re late,” the chief called as they entered the bay.
“Late night, Chief,” Vasquez said before he could reply.
The chief squinted at him. “Late night?”
“Vasquez’s birthday.” Linc stopped a half step behind her, like she might protect him. If she did, it would be worth a little more forgiveness.
