“We’re not friends.” I couldn’t think of anything worse.
“It takes two to tango.”
Whatever the fuck that means in this scenario. I throw down my pen and glare, wishing I could eviscerate him with my eyes. Quinn isn’t in the room. Why would he leave me alone with this guy? I thoughtwewere friends. “You can’t wait for him in silence for two fucking seconds?”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Committing murder right in the station will at least save Quinn some paperwork. Or add more? Which is worse? I don’treally care. If it means Sebastian ends up bleeding out on the floor, I’ll take it. “Is he coming back soon?” He better just be going to piss or something and then coming right back. He can’t be this cruel.
“Did you talk to Lake about his ex?” Sebastian asks, sidestepping my question like the sneaky-ass lawyer that he is. I’ve seen him in court; I know how he operates. And I don’t want a bar of it.
Saying anything to Sebastian was a colossal mistake. That error in judgement’s going to haunt me. “You and I are not talking about this.”
“I’ll take that as a no. You know, for a detective, you’re not a very good communicator.”
I drop my head on the desk with a painfulthud. If I ignore him, will he go away?Please, universe, just do me this one solid.
“If you don’t tell him how you’re feeling, he’s not going to know,” Sebastian points out.
“Are you still here?” I mumble. I’m not an idiot, I know how communication works. Except it’s not something we need to talk about; Lake isn’t doing anything wrong, and the issue isn’t overstepping boundaries or any bullshit like that. I don’t want to control him. The problem is my own insecurities; they just need to fuck off.
When my phone vibrates to indicate an incoming message, I snatch it up embarrassingly quickly, flicking it open. My entire body deflates when the name at the top is Lake’s mum, not Lake. Whatever it is, it can wait. No doubt more wedding details that I don’t have the capacity to deal with today.
“He’s with her right now, isn’t he?” Sebastian deduces.
“Do you not haveanywhereelse to be? Like a lion pen at the zoo?” Am I his new pet project or something? Why does he keep talking to me?
“Nope.”
“Yes, he’s with her,” I bite out. “Feel better now? Got your daily dose of gossip to keep you all warm at night?”
“I have a giant bed with four other men in it to keep me warm. Gossip is like dessert.”
How long could Quinn possibly be upset with me if I actually kill his boyfriend? Couple of months, tops. We’ll weather it.
“For what it’s worth,” Sebastian continues, completely unaware of my homicidal thoughts. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“I’m not worried,” I reply irritably.Worriedis such a mild emotion compared to the dread squeezing my chest, making it hard to breathe. The thoughts are irrational, and the fear is coming from a place that has nothing to do with Lake. Knowing that and alleviating the pain are two different things. I wasn’t good enough before; why would I be good enough now? Lake is a hundred times better than I could ever hope to be. How can I ever be the kind of man that’s worthy of standing next to him?
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s in it for the long haul, Grady.”
At least he doesn’t add the excuse of Lake agreeing to marry me. I’ve been down that road before, and it doesn’t guarantee anything.
I’ve really hit rock bottom ifSebastian Devlinis trying to comfort me. Hell has frozen over. Cows are jumping over the moon, and pigs are flying somewhere in the world.
Quinn finally does his job as my partner and shows up to save me from the conversation. He slides a finger under the collar of his jacket and pulls it from the back of his chair. “Sure you don’t want to come with us?” he asks, more out of politeness than him actually thinking that I’m going to change my mind. He knows me better than that. If I’d wanted to go, I would have said yes the first time.
“I have some stuff to—” I cut off as a familiar voice calls my name.
Lake strides towards us, a plastic bag hanging off his wrist. He’s dishevelled, his hair out of place and his clothes askew, a bright flush in his cheeks that says whatever he’s been doing has invigorated him. He looks like he’s just been thoroughly fucked.
He beams at me and holds the bag up as he stops beside me. “I was hoping you might be free to eat some lunch with me? I got some of that Thai stuff you like. I’mstarving.” He turns that smile to Quinn and Sebastian. “I got plenty if you want some?”
Sebastian slides an arm around Quinn, watching me way too closely. I pointedly look away because I’m fucking fine, and the last thing I need is his sympathy or pity.
“We’re heading out for a lunch date already,” Quinn says apologetically, actually looking remorseful, like he would have liked to stay. I bet he’ll be over an hour late getting back because the three of them will find somewhere to fuck. “Enjoy yourselves. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Considering I’ve walked in on him and one of his guysmore than oncein this very building, that pretty much gives me permission to do whatever I want. Fair game for all my sexual fantasies and more. I can admit that I’m tempted to see what the fuss is about and find a quiet room to get Lake naked.
