Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Nerves licked up my spine as we parked the truck alongside Griff’s. After turning the key, I reached over and put my hand on Kellan’s leg. “You sure this is a good idea?”
“Absolutely not.” He grinned. “But I’ve been impulsive all my life. I don’t plan on stopping now, and at least this time, you’re by my side.”
“You and me,” I replied. We got out, and I reached for his hand, threading our fingers together.
We walked in, and half the eyes in the bar turned our way and stared…then the other half. Some shrugged and went about their business, other people watched us, a few whispered and laughed.
Kellan’s hand tightened on mine. “It’s fine. Don’t do anything. Don’t say anything. Don’t let them know it bothers us.”
It was the hardest fucking thing I’d ever done, but I did it for him. Because he asked. Because he had never needed anyone’s approval to be himself, even if people looked at him and didn’t understand him, so I could do the same.
There was the sound of wood scraping against the floor, like someone pushed a stool back. I automatically went on alert, expecting someone to say something to us or, hell, to take a swing, but it was Lawson who’d stood.
“Is there a problem?” he asked, looking around the room at everyone.
Then Josh was on his feet beside him…then Knox…and Natalie, followed by Becca, who gave me a supportive, shy smile.
Then…then Griffin walked around the counter and stood with them…our friends…our family. No matter how upset Griff was, he would be there. It’s how he was built. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone—that we weren’t alone. Before Griff, I’d spent my childhood feeling that way. Then I had the Caines…and now I had these people in front of us too.
“Would any of you be brave enough to walk in here if someone had violated your intimate moment like that?” Law added.
The whispers stopped. The laughter. A few people got up and left, but I didn’t give a shit about them. There were a few mumbled noes to Law’s question.
The attention turned away from us, everyone going back to their drinks and their conversations. When I glanced over at Kellan, his eyes were watery. Damned if mine didn’t feel that way too. “Come on, baby boy. Let’s go sit with our friends.”
A few people looked our way and nodded, or offered small smiles of support as we joined our group.
“Thanks, man,” I said to Law.
“Not a problem. I’m sorry all this happened. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“Will do,” I answered.
“We got your back, brother,” Knox added.
Kellan let go of my hand and hugged Josh.
“Hey, babe. You holding up?” Josh asked him, and the endearment didn’t bother me. They were best friends, and I knew Kellan loved me.
“Yeah, we’re doing okay.” Kellan pulled away to hug Natalie next. Josh reached over and squeezed my shoulder in support.
Then Kellan hugged Griffin, who looked over Kell’s shoulder at me and gave me a simple nod before finding his way around the counter again to get back to work.
“Margaritas for the three musketeers?” Griff asked.
“Obviously,” Kellan replied playfully.
Griff nodded and handed me a bottle of beer before making their drinks. Kellan lost himself in conversation with Natalie and Josh, laughing and talking. When a new song played overhead, he said, “Ooh. This is Remington. I love this song!” He was so much better at dealing with shit like this than me, though I had other things on my mind as well.
“I hate this song,” Law grumbled.
“How you doing, Chase?” Becca asked, standing beside me.
“I’ll survive. Just hate that this happened to him.” My gaze found Kellan as he told some story to Josh, his arms moving around and his voice animated. A smile stretched across my face. No matter how shitty I felt, he could always make me do that. He was so incredibly alive that it was impossible not to feed off his energy.
“You love him. I can see it in your eyes,” Becca said.
“Yeah, I do.”
“I didn’t know you, um, swung that way.” Her cheeks flushed pink, and I chuckled.
“I like women and men equally. Like him more than anyone, though.”
“Good for you. I’m happy for you, Chase Hawthorne. And I respect you even more for coming home. Havenwood could use a little shaking up. Most people are too stuck in backward thinking and stereotypes. It’ll be good for them to see you and Kellan together.”
“Thanks, Bec. That means a lot to me.”
She winked, then grinned playfully. “All the good ones go for other boys.”
We chatted for a few minutes more before Becca went to talk with some other people. Griff was pretty busy, but I could also tell he was avoiding us on purpose, or at least avoiding me. I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if my fears came true…if my father had anything to do with the Caines’ murder or even if he knew who it was. I didn’t see how Griff and I could be the same after that.