Page 15
Story: Hide and Seek
“Right. Thank you for dinner. I appreciate it very much.”
“It’s the least I can do.” She studied him for a moment, studied the bruises on his face. “If you need anything, you know where I am.”
“Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Dubonnet.”
He watched her cautiously trundle back down the narrow wooden staircase, returning her final brief wave when she safely reached the ground, before he ducked back inside the apartment.
By then he was so tired, he felt too wired to sleep. The best remedy for that was physical exertion, so he decided he might as well deal with the crime-scene mess.
Once he was downstairs, staring at the dried pool of his uncle’s blood, he was less certain about that decision. But as disturbing as the sight of bloodshed was, it wasn’t really extreme enough to justify the expense of calling a crime-scene cleanup team.
He rounded up a bucket, a couple of stiff brushes, a soap container, and set about scrubbing out the ink blot of brownish red stain. At first, he was simply focused on getting things back in order for Uncle C.’s safe return, but as he worked from the flaking brown edges inward, he discovered the blood was not completely dry. The soapy water in the bucket began to turnpink, and the scent of soap, chemicals, and blood made his stomach churn.
He closed his eyes, tried to swallow that rise of sickness…
Nope. Not going to happen.
Andy hopped up and rushed to the front door. His hands shook a little as he turned the geriatric locks and threw the door open. He reeled outside, leaning against the doorframe, gulping in fresh, cold air.
Cumulative effect. He was not particularly squeamish. This was just the culmination of everything. Hell, just the thought of Marcus was enough to make him want to throw up. No wonder—
“You okay?” The voice interrupting his thoughts was deep, concerned, and yes, familiar.
Andy opened his eyes in horror.
Quinn Rafferty gazed back at him.
Chapter Five
Presumably, Quinn was gazing at him. Who knew what was going on behind those protective shades?
Andy laughed. Laughed, looked skyward, and said, “Seriously?”
But really. Honest to God. What the hellnext?
Quinn, in his aviators and leather jacket, looked both tough and together in a way his juvenile delinquent self could have only dreamed of. He drawled, “Yeah, awkward, I know.”
Echoing Andy’s exact earlier thought.
Physically and emotionally exhausted, Andy just didn’t have his normal diplomatic dexterity. He replied, “Nah. You know what was awkward? Me, sixteen years ago, accusing your grandfather of murder. They’re still laughing about that down at the police station.”
He was surprised when Quinn flushed. Once upon a time Andy had found that revealing wash of color endearing. A blushing bad boy? Quinn pulled off his shades, and his bright green gaze seemed to lock onto Andy’s.
“I heard. And I’m sorry. I had no idea. It never occurred to me—” He sounded sincere, even contrite. Granted, Quinn had always been a skilled liar.
“Oh hey. No problem. What are friends for?” Andy folded his arms, leaned back against the doorframe he had previously been clutching for support. “So. How’ve you been?”
Quinn frowned. “Andy, I reallyamsorry. About…all of it. I didn’t realize.”
Clearly. Which actually didn’t help. If anything, it was more painful to belatedly understand that what had meant so much to his teenaged self had been instantly forgettable to Quinn. Not worth a goodbye kiss. Or even a goodbye.
But Andy had also learned to hide his feelings—he could thank Marcus for that life lesson. He smiled. “Ancient history. In all honesty, I hadn’t thought of you in years. It’s just being back here again.” He shrugged likeain’t no big deal.
But of course it had been a very big deal.
Quinn didn’t move, but something about him seemed to withdraw. He straightened his shoulders, offered a hint of his old cocky smile. “That’s okay, then. No harm done.” Yet his gaze, uncharacteristically dark, even somber, was at odds with the smirk.
“Apparently not. Whatdidhappen to you? Why’d you take off like that?”
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117