Chapter Thirty
The little blinkingcursor on the report file taunted Bryce. Filling in the blanks should be simple. After all, Bryce had completed numerous incident reports in the past. The events didn’t bother Bryce. He was certain they had done the best they could with the information they had at the time. But would the director see it that way? Bonnell had one of the best poker faces Bryce had ever encountered. Since they’d gotten back to headquarters, she’d been more aloof than usual.
Had Bryce ruined his career following his instincts and trusting Jesse? What was the director going to do about Jesse?
What washegoing to do about him?
Jesse was in Bonnell’s office, likely having a conversation about either his future or the case. Bryce was bound to get called in next. Having at least the beginning of a report would be useful before he had a conversation with her. He needed to have his thoughts in order.
Of course, he might have more luck starting his work if Alex wasn’t sprawled on his office couch. Other than a black eye and a few bruises, he was fine. Emotionally worn out, but physically all right. He wore a black T-shirt with theSpooky True Talespodcast logo, which he said was in solidarity for Celia, since she’d come into the office to work despite her injury. David was in recovery, and expected back to active duty between six and eight weeks.
“Don’t you have a report you should be working on?” Bryce asked.
Alex waved a hand, dismissing his concern. “I’m traumatized and recovering. I’d be at home, but Mom doesn’t want me to be alone. I can’t crash in her office while she’s having important meetings all day.”
And Bryce couldn’t kick him out of his office without feeling guilty. Alex wasn’t the reason he couldn’t write his report. His own anxiety over Jesse’s meeting was getting in his way.
The whole team had survived. The department had a new, though dead, specimen in its basement, and St. Louis wasn’t overrun with devourers. Though they had taken some hits, they had won the day. Writing the report shouldn’t be so damned hard. Bryce took a deep breath and put his hands on the keyboard.
“Are you and Jesse dating?” Alex asked. “I know you’re screwing, or you were screwing, and you’ve got feelings for each other, but are you going to date him or not?”
“You suddenly become a telepath?” Bryce groused.
“Don’t think so.” Alex rolled onto his side to face Bryce. “You going to answer me?”
“I don’t know if he’ll get to stay in St. Louis.”
“That’syour big concern? He’d make a perfect DWO agent. I’m going to be surprised if Mom isn’t offering him a job right now.”
Bryce rubbed the back of his neck. His shoulders were gruelingly tense. “Honestly I don’t know if I’ll get to stay. Bonnell didn’t seem that happy with our performance at the mansion.”
“Uh, yeah. Don’t assume that was about you.” Alex pointed at his black eye. “She might have been overreacting about me.”
Bryce grunted.
“Still, do you plan on dating Jesse or not? I need to know.”
“You do, huh? Why’s that?”
“The man stormed a room, shirtless, and rescued me.” Alex stretched, and rolled again so he was on his back. “I’m getting feelings, and I need to know if I should quash them because he’s my big bro’s man or not.”
“I was there, too, you know.”
“Yes, but you’re practically my brother so, no. Not thinking sexy thoughts about you.”
“I’m not sure you stand a chance with him,” Bryce replied. “He’s a decade older than you.”
“I can be seductive.” Alex struck what he likely thought was a sexy pose.
If Bryce didn’t know him so well, and he wasn’t so much older than him, it could’ve worked. Alex wasn’t a little boy in need of so much protection. The occasional rescue, sure, but everyone needed that.
Jesse had tried to tell him that through the whole crisis. Despite calling Alex “kid” all the time, he’d reminded Bryce they all made choices. Alex made choices. He wasn’t the scared child Bryce and Bonnell saved years ago. Somehow, Bryce had missed the moment he’d really grown up.
“I think Jesse and I have something special, and I don’t know where that’s going to lead yet,” Bryce said.
Alex sighed in exasperation and flopped back against the couch. “Fuck. That’s worse, I think. Though, hm, not sure I’ve had an unrequited crush before. At least, not one I’d have to see all the time. Hey, do you think it’s just the trauma? I’d really like to be not hung up on a guy I can’t have.”
The door opened and knocked into Alex’s feet. Alex turned it into a pivot and went from passively interested in his surroundings to alert as Jesse came through the door.
