Chapter Four
Jet
Five days later, Harte and I had fallen into a routine.
I cooked and he cleaned. I went on tour at midnight; he made me a sandwich and a thermos of coffee to take with me.
After I got back, we’d hang out a little, and then I’d hit the sack for about six hours, which was all I needed to recharge.
In the afternoon we’d watch television or go out for a drive.
With his body healing and him feeling more like himself every day, Harte wanted to become familiar with the area, and I was more than thrilled to think of him living here permanently.
I hadn’t realized how damn lonely I’d been until now.
I finally had someone with me to share the little moments with.
Harte always had my coffee waiting when I woke up.
We liked the same movies and television shows, and he’d turned me on to The Huddle, the podcast of his former teammates, Dev Summers and Brody Martin.
He was interested in learning all about the photographs I took and the wildlife that lived around Appleton Falls and surrounding towns.
He’d hold on to me so he wouldn’t slip, and we’d walk along the lake.
I loved seeing his face light up at the sight of deer and other animals.
I took pictures, and once I had them printed, he picked out some he thought would look good framed for the walls.
I liked thinking he’d become part of this house in some way.
The sixth night I stood in the great room, pocketing my keys, phone, and wallet.
Harte was busy with something in the kitchen.
The bruising on his face and body had begun to fade from the colorful palette of green, purple, and yellow, and the swelling had gone down.
The tenderness at his side had also diminished from deep pain to a dull but manageable ache.
Soon he’d have no reason to stay with me, as he could take care of himself.
What next? Was he ready to take that next step?
“I got some of those lemon bars you like from Dolly’s Bakery. I put them in with your sandwich,” Harte said, handing me the bag.
“Love, not like. How did you know?” I asked, my mouth watering.
“I couldn’t stand being cooped up while you were sleeping, so I took a cab to get some muffins, and Dolly and I started talking.
Her husband’s a big football fan, and she asked me for an autograph.
I told her I was staying with you because of the accident, and she told me to wait because she had your favorite lemon bars in the oven. ”
“Thanks.” Without thinking, I leaned in and gave him a kiss.
Our physical interactions had been limited to kisses and brief touches—I didn’t want to push him.
He’d never been with a man before, so he was the one who had to take that first step.
Yet having Harte near made it impossible not to think of being close.
Holding him. The years fell away, and it was as if I were in college again and crushing on him.
Only this time, it wasn’t only my dream, but a reality for both of us.
So when I kissed him now and his tongue slipped inside my mouth, I sucked it, hungry to keep his taste for the long hours ahead on my tour. I liked how he clutched my uniform, the soft sounds of his desire growing loud.
“I like knowing you’re here when I come home.” I nipped at his full lower lip, catching his groan of pleasure in another kiss. “It’s been great.”
His hands slid up to my shoulders, and he met my gaze with frankness. “It has. But I want more.”
My nerves jumped with excitement. “More?” I was being careful. I didn’t want to presume anything.
“Yeah. I haven’t been able to think of anything but the two of us. My whole life’s been upended these past few years, and right now, you’re the only thing grounding me.”
“I can’t imagine how hard it must’ve been. But you’ll find something and figure it out.”
“I think I have.” He cupped my cheek and kissed me, fierce and strong. “At least with you and me.”
“I-I want it too.” And as much as I wished I could say fuck my job and stay home to explore what we had growing between us, I had to leave. “When I come home, we’ll talk, okay?”
Harte pressed a soft kiss to my brow. “Yeah. I’ll be here.”
I left and drove the ten minutes to the Appleton Falls sheriff’s station, where Emerson was already waiting. We checked in with Bradford and Starr from the evening shift.
“Nothing much to report.” Bradford yawned. “Coupla kids drinking off Lookout Point, a few speeders through town. The usual.”
“Thanks. Hopefully it’ll stay that way,” I said with a grin. “It’s been like that for almost a month.”
“Aw, man, now you jinxed it,” Emerson complained. “We’re gonna get slammed.”
Starr snickered. “You can handle it, Emmy. I hear Amber’s been keeping you pretty busy during the day.” He quirked a brow.
“Yeah? You know her, how?” Emerson’s eyes narrowed.
Starr shrugged. He was a big, muscular dude, with wavy black hair, and icy blue eyes reminiscent of a Siberian husky. He knew he was good-looking and loved to talk about his dating life.
“Me ’n her used to hook up. She wanted a ring, and I said no.” He flashed a bright-white smile. “Not into the whole commitment thing.”
“Well, we’re just having fun. It’s nothing serious.”
“Good luck,” he told Emerson, and then his gaze swept over me. “Heard you got Harte McKinney staying with you, Jet.”
“Yep,” I clipped out. The tension was palpable between him and Emerson, and my loyalty was to my partner and friend.
Starr had only joined the department about a year ago, and he always gave me the impression of being a cocky jerk.
Emerson had mentioned that they knew each other from New York City, but they weren’t friends.
“Guess he’s hiding away since no team wanted to sign him.”
I wished I were a violent person, because he deserved to be punched in the face for that dumbass remark.
“Remind me again how many Super Bowl rings you have, Starr? ’Cause I know he’s got a few.” Those blue eyes turned glacial, and I knew I’d scored a hit. “The guy’s forty years old and was in the NFL for twenty years. He deserves to live his life.”
“Whatever. I gotta go get some sleep.”
Shaking his head at his partner, Bradford rolled his eyes. “Later, guys. Have a quiet night.”
Emerson and I picked up the keys and entered our vehicle. We did the safety checks and filled out the paperwork to start our tour. Emerson liked to drive, and I had no problem with it. But instead of starting the engine and taking off, he sat holding the wheel, his jaw working hard.
“Stupid fucker,” he muttered and turned the key. The squad car roared to life, and we drove onto Main Street.
“What’s the deal with you two? Why the pissing contest?”
Emerson concentrated on the road, but I could see him seething. “He and I were in the same class in high school. Even back then he was always a jerk. And I was kinda puny.”
“He bullied you?” Shit like that you didn’t forget so easily.
Emerson turned onto Mountain View. It was the path we took to check out and make sure kids weren’t drinking and doing God knew what at Lookout Point.
“He barely knew I existed. I hated him because he was everything I wanted to be—varsity wrestler, always with the hottest girls. He lived in this golden circle where he was king and nothing else mattered but him and his wants and needs. His friends were jerks as well. He calls me Emmy, which he knows I hate, so he does it deliberately.”
“Yeah, I know the type. But you’re way past that now. You’re the coolest dude I know. And if he’s still hanging on to his high school glory years at his age, who’s really the loser?”
Emerson laughed. “I guess you’re right. And Amber and me are just having fun. I dunno, man. Sometimes…it’s just boring, ya know? Same shit with a different person.”
I understood exactly what he was talking about—the monotony of the dating scene when you weren’t excited about the people you were seeing.
The exact opposite of what I had with Harte.
Every day, the time I spent away from him was time I missed.
And after this tour? If I understood him correctly and he wanted to take the next step? Damn, I was so fucking ready.
“I think you haven’t met the right person yet. And when you do, you’ll know it because it’ll click. You’ll want to see them all the time, and you won’t think being together is boring. Even if you’re doing nothing.”
We slowed our roll as we passed by our destination, and I was happy to see no cars parked. No trouble.
“Is that how it is for you?” Emerson asked, and I froze before meeting his curious eyes.
“What’re you talking about?”
Emerson pulled into a parking space. “I wasn’t gonna say anything, but we’re partners. And you’re my best friend, right?”
Heart pounding, I nodded. “Yeah, of course. I feel the same.”
“I just…I dunno. When I met Harte…I got this vibe between you two. That it was more than you helping him.” Emerson unclipped his seat belt so he could shift to face me. “Are you like…into him?”
I had two choices: I could lie and break the trust between us, or I could tell him what was happening. But this concerned Harte too, and it wasn’t my place to out him.
“We’re not together. But…yeah, I’ve been keeping something from you because it’s become second nature to hide this part of myself. I’m bisexual.” I chewed my lip, hoping Emerson was the good, kind man I’d always thought him to be.
“Yeah? I can see that. I mean, it’s double the fun.”
I huffed. “Dude, that’s crass. Come on. It’s not an easy thing to say. And with me wearing a uniform, I can’t be sure how or if I’ll be accepted.”
“Sorry.” Emerson grew serious. “I’m behind you a hundred percent. My cousin’s gay, and if anyone said anything to him, they’d have to come through me first.”
I grew almost dizzy with relief at how easily Emerson accepted me. “Thanks, man. I appreciate your support and friendship more than you can know.”