Page 67 of Quinton's Quest

Quinton winced. “It’s stupid. You’re going to think I’m stupid.”

Everett placed the hand not holding Rayne’s to Quinton’s forearm. “We don’t use that word. Even when it might be true.”

“I resemble that comment.” Rayne grinned.

In that instant, I was carried back to the panicked man who’d needed my assurances that his boyfriend was going to survive the chest injuries from the car crash he’d been in. While Everett had been in recovery, I’d tried to allay both his family’s and—more importantly—Rayne’s fears. The man was…intense.

Everett rolled his eyes.

“Food’s up.” Sarabeth set the chicken dinner before me and Quinton’s Montreal smoked sandwich before him. “You’re next.” She nodded to Everett and Rayne. Then she was gone again.

“You don’t have to share whatever’s bothering you.” Everett gestured to Quinton’s food—likely suggesting he start eating.“But you know we’re always open to hearing what you have to say.”

“After all, you’re the reason we met.” Rayne squeezed Everett’s hand.

“So glad my home office was available for your…interlude.”

I blinked.

Rayne grinned. “Everett totally fu—” He cleared his throat. “Made love to me.”

“In my house.” Quinton snagged his sandwich. He appeared very calm about the entire discussion.

“Oh. Well—” I eyed the men. “If you ever come over to my house, I’ll thank you not to…get up to such things in my abode.”

Rayne burst out laughing. “Oh God, you’re a hoot. Don’t you have a husband and kids or something?”

I stilled.

He glanced at my left hand. “Oh shit.”

I sighed. I’d continued to wear my wedding ring at my old job because of that particularly flirty nurse who would’ve been all over me if he’d known Gideon and I were divorced. Plus, since I hadn’t really moved on, I sort of felt like I was still married. Reconciliation had been impossible. But so had the thought of being with someone else.

Until Quinton burst into my life and propositioned me in a gay bar.

I cleared my throat. “I was divorced, but still wore my ring.”

“Leo’s ex-husband is Gideon. You met him at my Valentine’s Party.”

Rayne scrunched his nose. “I was a little nervous that night.”

“Afraid I might sayno?” Everett smiled indulgently. “Like I could ever deny you anything.” He pivoted his attention back to me. “I didn’t realize you were connected to Gideon and, by extension, I assume Archer.”

“Ex-husband and soon to be—” I scrunched my nose. “There’s a term for it…right?”

“New lover of your ex-husband?” Rayne scrunched his nose. “No clue.” He turned back to Quinton. “Why would we think you’re stupid? A word I truly despise.”

Quinton’s brow knitted.

Rayne shrugged. “My grandparents used to call me that. Andloserandgood-for-nothingand other stuff I can’t say in mixed company.”

Jesus. If that’s what hecouldrepeat, what the hell was he unable to? His eyes shone brightly with a hurt I could only begin to imagine.

Quinton cleared his throat. “I overheard something at work that has me worried.” He jutted his chin at me. “He thinks I’m overreacting.”

I winced. “I didn’t say you were stupid. Just that—” I tried to reorient my thoughts. “Things are chaotic in the ER. We both know that. What you thought you heard might not have been what you actually heard.”

“Food’s up.” Sarabeth offered a wide smile as she put steaming food before Everett and Rayne.