Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Gary walked over to the couch and sat. All the way up to the room, he’d mulled over Dan’s words.
I have to help you find Cory’s killer. That’s… that’s very important to me. Because he was important to you.
“So what couldn’t you tell—”
Dan picked up the menu and thrust it into his hand. “Choose what you’d like for dinner, and I’ll order it. You were right, I do need to eat something.”
Gary put the menu on the table. “Food can wait. We need to talk first.”
“I can recommend the lobster roll. It’s delicious. The ribeye and fries are pretty good too, and they do a mean Cajun shrimp and grits, if you’re into grits.”
What the fuck?
“Dan.” Gary got up from his seat, went over to Dan, and guided him to the couch.
“Stop babbling about the menu and tell me whatever it is you’re trying so hard not to say.
” When Dan still hadn’t sat, Gary sighed, placed his hands on Dan’s shoulders, and exerted pressure, forcing him onto the couch. Gary retook his seat and waited.
Dan swallowed. “I swear, I have never needed a drink as badly as I need one now.” He licked his lips, the pulse in his neck visible, his elbows pressed into his sides.
Gary’s breathing hitched. “What are you so afraid of?” He placed his hand on Dan’s knee. “You said earlier that I needed to trust you. Well… trust me. Whatever it is, you can tell me.” He withdrew his hand.
Another sharp swallow. “And what if… what if what I have to tell you changes everything?”
The thought crossed Gary’s mind that Dan knew about Brad, but he dismissed it. That wouldn’t account for the fear rolling off him. “Tell me and we’ll see,” he said, his voice as soothing as he could make it.
Dan laced his fingers, his gaze focused on them. “I know I only met you last week, but….” A breath shuddered out of him. “I’ve known you for much longer than that. Except I didn’t know it was you.” He raised his head. “Does that make sense?”
“No, but don’t stop, not now you’ve started.”
Dan sucked in a deep breath. “For many years now, I’ve had a recurring vision. It never deviated, not once—until the other night.”
“Was that the dream you were telling me about? The one that woke you?”
Dan nodded. “I need to tell you about the original vision. In it, I was….” He shivered. “I was on all fours on a bed, and someone was fucking me. I never saw their face because they were behind me, but I knew it was the same man every time.”
“How could you know that?”
Dan lowered his gaze. “There was a… scent that never changed. And the man had a tattoo on his inner left arm.”
Tumblers clicked into place. “Describe the tattoo.” Gary’s voice cracked.
It seemed as if time froze, awaiting Dan’s response. “It was only two words. Never Forget.”
Oh dear God in heaven.
Before he could manage to speak, Dan plowed ahead.
“Fucking makes it sound so… coarse, but it wasn’t like that.
You—he—was gentle too, holding me as if I were something precious and fragile.
That scent of patchouli and cedar permeated the vision.
And then that first day, in the case room, when I smelled it on you…
.” He swallowed. “I told myself it was a coincidence. I would’ve gone right on believing that but for two things. ”
“You saw my tattoo in the restaurant,” Gary murmured. “When I removed my coat. I remember. And I thought you were going to ask what it meant, so I covered it with my hand.”
Dan locked gazes with him. “Do you also recall what you asked me right after that moment? You asked if my visions always came true.” Gary opened his mouth to speak, but Dan wasn’t done. “Look… I know you’re not into guys, so please, don’t say a word. I don’t want you to feel under—”
“You said you’d have gone on believing it was a coincidence but for two things. You saw my tattoo. So what was the second thing?”
Dan didn’t break eye contact. “It was… the way you made me feel.”
“Explain.” Christ, his heart was pounding.
“I wanted it to be you, okay? Because you were perfect for me.” His words rang out in the quiet room.
Gary’s world stopped turning.
“But what I want doesn’t matter,” Dan protested. “Go back to your question about my visions. This one… this vision I’ve had for more years than you’d probably believe… this is a first, because it can’t come true.”
Years? Holy fuck.
Then it hit him. He accepted Dan’s vision. Had he even for a moment considered it preposterous that Dan should have such a vision?
No, not for a second. Because every sense he possessed was screaming at him that he wanted to be that man.
His future teetered on a precipice. Dan was right—this changed everything.
Gary took a deep breath. “And what if it could come true?”