Page 79 of You Can Make Me

“Oh, Dane. You lost so much.”

He gave a small smile and flipped more pancakes, his hand visibly shaking. “I gained a lot, too. I’ll never know why thecarnival was there at the exact place and time, whether Mr. Ame somehow knew what went down, or if it was coincidence. Kal… Well, I’ll let him tell you his story. I don’t wanna speak if he’s not ready.”

“Ready for what?”

A seductive character with “bad boy” written all over him came sashaying into the kitchen, and he picked up Dane, kissing him on the cheek as Dane squealed. Bad Boy looked me over, and his eyes widened.

“Holy shit. You’re Cooper Harris.”

I started to smile—then I caught the thunderous expression from the tall man he’d come in with. Big, beefy, with blond hair lighter than mine or Dane’s, and a scowl that cut so deep into his forehead, I wondered if even at his young age he had permanent lines. I’d seen him at the house with Dane. With the board. He was familiar. And different. Somewhere in the wheelhouse of different like Dane.

“Hi.”

“The gang’s all here, huh?”

I turned to find Denny in the doorway to the room, rubbing at his scruffy hair. He was only wearing boxers. Thin, skimpy boxers.

“Well, if it isn’t Detective Dennis Hamilton.”

Bad Boy strolled over to Denny, and I nearly fell on my face trying to get off the stool to…what? Step in front of him and lay claim to my man?

Denny hugged him like he did Walter or Gene, pounding on his back. Not like he did with me. I relaxed a bit. I caught Denny’s smirk, and felt my cheeks get hot. Oh, he knew exactly what was going on in my head.

“Ryan, Kal. May I introduce you to myboyfriend, Cooper Harris?”

Bad Boy Ryan turned around and gawked at me.

“No shit!” He turned back to Denny with wide eyes. “Not only do you come over to the fabulous dark side, but you snag yourself a bona fide gorgeous celebrity. Hot damn, Detective. Mad respect.”

“It ain’t Detective no more. I’m Joe Citizen now.” Denny walked him over to my side.

Ryan’s gaze flick to my cane and back to my face with interest.

I stuck out my hand, cringing inwardly when I saw him notice the scar on my forearm.God, what must they think about my face?I puffed up my chest and gave off confidence I didn’t feel. “Nice to meet you, Ryan…”

“Wells,” he said, and pointed to my chest. “Nice to meetyou. You did a phenomenal series about addiction a while back. Watched that shit after I got out of prison. You’re good.”

Wells. Ryan. I knew that name. I looked down at my shirt, opened my mouth, and he laughed.

“Used to be the singer of Backdrop Silhouette. My fall from grace was quite public. You’re sporting merch from my new project there.”

“Right, I remember.” It dawned on me. The band. Dane was going to be playing with Ryan and?—

“Kallos. Alexandrou. Wells. His husband.” The big guy with the soft voice loomed over Ryan and had the same look I probably did when Ryan hugged Denny.

I stuck out my hand.Kal.Dane said he had a story to tell, too.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“Where’s Walt?” Ryan asked, looking around. He spotted the food, and his hand went to his stomach.

“Had to work. He said to tell you two to get comfortable in the main house. This place is on lockdown now that you’re here. I’m in charge,” Denny said.

Ryan cracked up and helped himself to coffee and a piece of bacon. “Summer Camp with Counselor Denny. Right on.”

I couldn’t help it, I pictured Denny in khaki shorts and a short-sleeved button-up with a funky hat, and I had to cover my mouth.

Den frowned as he pulled me in close. “You couldn’t handle it, Wells. Besides, those camp counselor guys are usually pedophiles. No thanks. I’ll go drill instructor on you, though, if you don’t behave.” He held the back of my head and kissed me gently, his gaze traveling over my face. “You okay, baby?” he whispered.