Chapter Ten #2
She joined him at the front of the unit and followed the direction he pointed.
The crestfallen expression on her face made him want to kick himself.
She’d already told him how sad she’d been since Natalie’s remembrance celebration, and he pointed out a box of souvenirs most likely filled with memories of her best friend.
Any trophy Cyn had she’d earned alongside Nat because she’d given up all her beloved sports after that fateful summer day.
And Seth suggested she take that box of bittersweet memories into the home she viewed as a fresh start after a painful breakup. Way to go, idiot.
“I think I’ll tackle those ghosts another day,” Cynthia said.
Seth wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.” He’d only told his immediate family about the CBI’s cold case unit taking a look at Natalie’s case. He figured the news might make her feel a little better and shared it with her.
Cynthia’s eyes widened and welled with tears. Then, she ducked her head against Seth’s chest. “You’re the best, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.”
She would sing a different tune if she found out about his relationship with Rueben.
When, not if. There was no way in hell they’d keep this a secret.
For one thing, Oliver knew the truth, and their past relationship wouldn’t prevent him from going public with a story once he corroborated his suspicions.
Seth wasn’t foolish enough to believe Amos Martindale was going to disappear without a fight either.
The guy had plenty of money and time to disrupt Seth’s life, so being with Rueben should’ve been the last thing on his mind, yet Seth called him as soon as he was alone in his truck.
Pick up. Pick up. Pick up.
Rueben answered on the second ring. “Hello, sexy.”
Seth didn’t realize how wound up he’d become until the warm voice nearly melted him into a puddle of goo on the seat. “I miss you so fucking much.”
A soft chuckle stirred butterflies in Seth’s stomach. “I just talked to you a few hours ago. Did you forget?”
Rueben had coaxed him through an orgasm by describing the vivid dream he’d had about them fucking in the claw-foot tub at the cabin.
Seth would remember that long after he died.
The physical part of their conversations hadn’t changed; it was the emotional ties that had frayed over the past few days.
“Of course not,” Seth said. “I need more, baby. I want to hold you.” He wanted to look into those mesmerizing brown eyes when Rueben lied and said everything was okay.
Rueben sighed wistfully. “You know it’s not a good idea.”
“I don’t care. We’re destined to get discovered, so we might as well make the best of it.
” Seth swallowed hard. “There are things I need to say to you, and I don’t want to do it over the phone.
” But he would if it came down to it. If Rueben wanted to end things, Seth at least wanted him to know just how real his feelings were.
“Maybe waiting for the perfect moment is stupid. We both know how fleeting life can be. Baby, I lo—”
“Don’t you dare, Seth Jamison Burke.”
“Wow.” Seth couldn’t help but smile at the scolding. “Middle name and all.”
“You’ll look me in the eye and say it to my face, or you won’t say it at all.” Rueben inhaled deep and slow. “What time?”
“Hmmm?”
Rueben chuckled. “What time do we meet at our special place?”
“I’m free as soon as we unload the boxes and furniture at Cynthia’s house, but you have poker and—”
“You’re more important than a card game.” They both knew poker nights on the ranch were more significant than that. “I have some supplies to grab, and I’ll meet you there in a few hours.”
Seth’s spirit soared for the first time since Rueben left his cabin on Wednesday afternoon. “Supplies?”
“Food staples and some other things.” Rueben’s voice thickened on the last part and piqued Seth’s curiosity. “Don’t worry. I’ll be discreet.”
“Does that mean you plan to stay for a while?”
“If you’ll have me.”
“Oh, the ways I will have you.” Seth’s mind had definitely veered away from the task he’d agreed to, and he passed up Cynthia’s new place when the other vehicles pulled into the driveway or parked on the road in front of the house.
Luckily, he realized his mistake quick enough to recover without making a fool of himself.
He stopped, cranked the wheel, and backed into the driveway like he’d meant to do that all along.
“We arrived at Cynthia’s. I’ll see you soon, baby. ”
“Seth.” His name was a seductive, silky whisper on Rueben’s tongue. “I lo—” Then the little shit disconnected before he finished.
Laughter erupted from Seth in short bursts as he stared at his phone in disbelief.
Then he noticed a trio of curious faces watching him from Cynthia’s front yard.
Kerry pointed to the sky, then circled his hand in a hurry-up gesture.
Knowing he would see Rueben soon was the fuel Seth’s engine needed, and the swift mood change did not go unnoticed.
Kerry gave him one of his patented pirate smiles. “Do you suddenly have someplace to be?”
Of course he’d bring it up. Luckily, Kerry said it away from the ladies.
Seth didn’t want Cynthia to get caught up in his web of lies and deceit, and Shawna would push until Seth told her something to pacify her curiosity.
It was better to avoid the conversation altogether, so Seth gave the sofa they were hauling a little nudge.
Kerry, who was walking backward, took two quick steps to adjust to the pace.
He narrowed his eyes but shut his mouth, and Seth chalked that up as a win-win outcome.
A cell phone rang outside, and Cynthia answered the call. A few moments later, Seth heard footsteps approaching quickly. “Hey, Seth,” Cynthia said breathlessly. His phone rang before he could acknowledge her. “That’s going to be Tony calling you with an update. You definitely want to take it.”
Seth didn’t drop the sofa on Kerry when his phone rang, but it was pretty close. His heart pounded frantically, and he took a deep breath to settle his nerves as he reached for his phone. “Sheriff Burke.” His authoritative tone made Kerry snort and Cynthia waggle her brows.
“Seth, it’s Tony. I have great news.”
Heart beating triple time, Seth said, “I’m all ears.”
“I just got a call from Mick Carson’s attorney. His client wants to talk, and we’re going to meet at six. I texted Cynthia to put her on standby, and she told me you were helping her move. That’s mighty nice of you.”
Seth wanted to skip the pleasantries, but Tony’s news was a weighted blanket for his soul.
It sounded like the nightmare was going to be over much quicker than he’d feared.
He couldn’t go public with dating Rueben right away, but a plea bargain would take weeks or months to hammer out, not years.
“Cynthia is a dear family friend,” Seth replied.
“Not to be too impatient, Tony, but why do you have to wait so long to meet with Mick? It’s barely noon, and a lot can happen in six hours.
” Mick could change his mind dozens of times.
Striking while the iron was hot couldn’t be more apropos in their current situation.
“I hear ya,” Tony said. “Trust me. I’m just as eager as you are to wrap this up.” Not likely. “Mick’s attorney is attending a wedding and can’t get back here before six. We’ve come this far, so we just need to have faith that things are moving in our favor now.”