Page 96 of Just Business

“There’s more.” He could only whisper. So much more. Seeing his sister. Explaining what had happened to his parents. That phone call home a couple months ago.

“There always is,” Eli said. “But there’s also time.”

There was now that they could talk again. Touch again. No traps here. “Now what?”

He felt Eli shrug. “There’s breakfast to eat.”

“Not exactly hungry.” Though the omelet smelled fantastic.

“Neither am I, but it would be a shame to waste it.”

Justin let go of Eli and sat. “We’ll need forks.”

A glimpse of Eli’s stunning smile warmed Justin’s heart. Yeah, maybe Justin’s past was fucked. But the present? The future? Those might work out if he didn’t screw up again. “I think I need to talk to someone.”

Eli pointed at the omelet. “Eat before it gets cold.” He took half and slid the other portion on Justin’s plate. “I’ll give you Dr. Brohmer’s number. She’ll likely refer you, but she’ll recommend someone Scene-friendly.”

So matter-of-fact. “I shouldn’t be like this. I mean, what happened to me was nothing compared to Mercy. Or to you.”

Eli laid his fork down. “Don’t. Trauma doesn’t work like that. There’s no better or worse.”

“But—”

“Justin.” Exasperation. Eli rubbed the bridge of his nose. “What happened to me, as horrible as it was... was an accident. Yes, your sister went off to war. But what happened to you... Justin, it was deliberately done.”

Air left his lungs. He hadn’t wanted to think about that, but there it was. “I’m really fucked, aren’t I?”

Eli’s voice was as soft as his smile. “No. No more than me. Or Sam or Michael. Or likely anyone in the office. We all have our demons.”

He poked at the omelet. “I’m tired of demons.”

“I know. It’s going to be okay, I promise.” He pointed at the plate. “Now, please...”

Still that edge of control in Eli, but Justin needed a bit of that. One bite, at least, he could do.

Despite everything, once the food hit Justin’s mouth, his hunger returned. The sausage and brie worked perfectly, and before he knew it, his plate was empty. So was Eli’s.

The world felt more solid. “I guess we should think about shoveling.” A foot of snow would take some time to clear out.

Eli slid off his stool and collected the dishes. “I’m waiting for the doorbell to ring.”

“Doorbell?”

“Next-door neighbor’s twins. Shoveling is rough on me.”

Right on cue, musical notes sounded in the living room. “Are those real chimes?”

“Old house.” Eli grinned and made his way toward the front door. “Where did my coat end up last night?

Justin followed. “On the bench by the door.” Bits and pieces of clothing and a smattering of buttons were still strewn by the stairs.

Eli extracted his wallet from his coat and opened the front door. Cold air chilled Justin’s bare chest and he found himself shying away, both from the cold and what it would look like to have him standing there, half naked.

He caught a glimpse of two teens, both bundled up in hats, gloves, and scarves. “Hey, Mr. Ovadia! Need your driveway done?”

“You two are the first to call, as always.” A huge smile from Eli, one that made Justin’s heart skip. He’d always assumed Eli was a loner, but there was a community here and Eli was a part of it. “Do the driveway, the walks, and clean off the car, and I’ll give you forty each?”

The kids whooped and ran to start. Eli closed the door.