Chapter 10
Tiernan
Ipush my bike to the limit, gripping the handlebars tightly.
My jaw clenches hard as I take a corner with a lean lower than usual, my jeans almost skimming the pavement.
Less than a mile to go. It’s a straight shot to the gym now.
The streetlights are brighter and more evenly spaced now that I’m out of the residential area.
I lean forward, forearms locked, and open it up.
The gym entrance comes into view. I can’t see much yet, but someone’s at the front entrance. Damn it! I’m not close enough to pick out any details.
I glance down for a moment, and when I look up, they’re gone. Probably heard the bike. Doesn’t matter.
I’m parked and off my bike the second I’m close to the door. The lock’s a mess and the handle’s bent, but I’m able to fit the key in and open the door. I yank it shut behind me, throwing the deadbolt.
“Arlo!” I’m scanning for movement with every step. I saw the intruder leave, but I don’t trust it. What if they had an accomplice? I check the office, but it’s empty. My heart beats wildly as I move toward the main gym. My head’s on a swivel, checking every corner, every shadow.
“Tier?” his voice is shaky and small.
I see him. Thank God! He’s sitting on a treadmill in the back corner of the gym. He stands the minute he sees me. I rush to get to him.
“Tier!” His legs wobble and he grabs the machine for balance. I reach for him, holding him steady even as I struggle to get my own breathing under control.
“Are you okay, ‘Lo? I’m sorry I didn’t get here in time.
” I grab his arms, my grip firm, looking him over—head to toe.
No blood. No physical damage. His face is ashen, eyes still wide, pupils blown.
Wrapping my arms around him, I pull him in tight.
We’re both a sweaty mess, but I don’t care. I just need to hold him.
“But you did, Tier. You did.” He murmurs, burying his head in my chest, even as his body continues to shake. His arms come around me, squeezing with only slightly less pressure.
“I’ve got you. You’re safe.” I say over and over as I hold him tight, stroking his back lightly until the shaking stops.
He needs to know he can trust me, that I’ll keep him safe because I’m not sure I’ll be able to let him go.
We stay like that until Arlo’s breathing normalizes and I’m able to unclench my jaw. It takes a while for both of us, or maybe neither of us wants to let go.
Arlo pulls away first. Slowly and with effort.
“Did you see who it was?” he asks, voice back to its normal cadence.
“Nah. They ran away before I could get a good look at them. Harley tipped ’em off.”
“So it could have been … someone I … we know, then.”
“Someone like Derek?” I ask, studying his face intently. He hasn’t told me much about his ex, but those bruises he was wearing when he walked in told me enough.
“Yeah. Maybe.” His voice is a whisper, and it looks like he’s folding in on himself. I fucking hate it.
“Then we deal with it. Together.” I use my fighter voice so he knows I mean it.
“Together?”
“Yeah, together.” I say, my eyes full of all the things he’s not ready to hear.
I get a ghost of a smile before he buries his face in my chest again.
“Grab your stuff while I do a loop around the gym.” I say calmly, even though the rage I’m feeling at how he’s been treated makes me wanna go a few rounds with the heavy bag.
“My stuff. Why?” His voice is high, tight with panic. Damn it, he thinks I’m kicking him out.
“I’m taking you home with me. You’re not spending another second here alone.” I tell him firmly, my tone leaving no room for discussion. I should have done it the first night.
“What? That’s not… I’m fine.” He stammers, gaping at me with indignation.
I don’t answer him. He’s not fine, and he’s coming home with me.
“Go get your stuff.” I tell him in a kindly but firm tone. I hold his gaze, steady so he knows I’m not about to leave him here. Staring him down until he heads toward the office, shaking his head and muttering under his breath.
I walk the perimeter, double-checking the back door. It’s still secure. No sign of tampering. Everything seems in order except for the front door. That gets handled tomorrow.
When I stop at the office, Arlo’s sitting on the couch—backpack in one hand, other hand in his hair, staring down at his feet. He’s dressed, but the backpack is empty. His face is still pale, and the hollow look hasn’t left his eyes. That’s not good.
Immediately, I kneel in front of him, catching his attention to assess his condition.
I shouldn’t have left him alone.
“Hey Arlo. It’s me. I need you to do something for me, okay?” I rub the palms of my hands along his arms, and he shivers before finally looking up, but he’s confused and can’t focus.
“Let’s take some deep breaths together, okay? Five in.”
He tries, but his breathing is still too shallow.
“Try again, ‘Lo. Come on, breathe in.”
This time he does it, but lets it go too fast.
“That’s okay. Let’s try again. In for five.”
He breathes in and holds it for longer. Not five, but getting closer. I keep at it, encouraging him to breathe. In five, hold five, out five.
Eventually he gets there, the color gradually returning to his face. I grab the water bottle on his side table.
“Here. Take a big drink. It’ll help.”
I lean over to my desk, rummaging through the drawers. There were a couple of protein bars in here somewhere. I finally find one, unwrapping it quickly and holding it up to him.
“Can you take a couple of bites, Arlo?”
He shakes his head.
“Not hungry.”
“Do it anyway. Okay? Just a couple.”
He agrees and takes a reluctant bite. It must go down well because he eats the rest as if he’s starving. I give him the water bottle again, encouraging him to drink a bit more.
I can see it in his eyes when he comes back to me fully.
“Tier?”
“I got you.” Joining him on the couch, my hand rubs gentle circles on his back, then slowly moves up to the back of his neck—grounding him with my touch. He leans against me, and I move my arm around him, holding him close.
We sit together until he’s feeling stronger and ready to move. He’s still leaning on me as we head toward the entrance. Thank God it’s only a short ride home.
The cool night air has Arlo shivering as I help him over to my bike. He looks around timidly. My chest aches, and I pull him closer. I need to get him home, where he’ll be safe and I can take care of him.
I grab the extra helmet I brought and help him put it on. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s never ridden a bike before. I settle him in behind me, and despite his inexperience, he’s got a firm grip on me.
It’s low and slow all the way home, but I don’t care.
He needs to feel safe. Despite the circumstances, I love the heat of his body against mine.
I can almost feel his exhaustion from the way he’s slumped against me, barely holding himself up.
I’d worry, except for the death grip he’s got on my jacket.
I practically have to pry his hands off it when we finally reach my place.
I help him into the house—the tour can wait until tomorrow. Right now, he’s glassy-eyed and nodding off. Despite that, he still looks around the room with interest.
Seeing it through his eyes, my place isn’t much to look at.
I have done nothing with it since I bought it, except add some furniture.
I never really noticed until now, but there’s nothing personal about it.
A couch and a flat screen mounted on the wall.
One beat-up coffee table. No pictures, no knickknacks.
My chest throbs at the realization that my house isn’t a home. Not yet. Not like the gym.
With him tucked against my side for support, we make our way down the hallway to my bedroom. My house is ranch-style, so no stairs. I’m grateful because I can feel his exhaustion with each step.
We cross the threshold to my bedroom, which I’m relieved to see isn’t nearly as barren. My king-size four-poster bed takes up most of the space, but there’s a matching dresser, a couple of nightstands, and a bookshelf against the far wall. It looks downright cozy compared to the living room.
I grab an old t-shirt, soft from repeated washing, and help him change. He doesn’t resist when I maneuver him into bed, tucking the blankets around him for warmth.
“Smells like you, Tier.” He mumbles into the pillow. I love how he’s shortened my name. It’s always been Tiernan or T, but Tier feels as if it’s just for us. Something clicks inside me, like the last piece of a puzzle falling into place. He belongs here. With me.
“Go to sleep, ‘Lo.”
He sighs and instantly drifts off.
I stand by the door, reluctant to leave, but knowing I need to be patient.
He’s so peaceful in sleep. Face relaxed, body loose.
Long lashes dark against the pale beauty of his skin.
I want to stay and watch him sleep, but I need to go check the cameras and make a few calls.
I’m not taking any chances with his safety.
He’s not staying at the gym. He’s moving in with me. I have a spare room.
You want him in your bed, not the spare room. Admit it.
Fuck.
I do. More than anything. There are so many reasons not to, but none of them matter. Not the age gap, and not the fact that he’s my employee. None of it.
I want him… and not just in my bed. In my life.
Tonight showed me with devastating clarity that I can’t lose him. I’ve been fighting with myself all day since I watched him get himself off in the locker room. Hell, even before that. I can’t lie to myself anymore, because he’s worth the risk and it’s time someone showed him what safe looks like.