Tanner (Robinson’s Lost Boys #3)

Chapter One

T he sky was a pale blue with a few clouds scattered around. TJ backed through the front door with a box against his hip and Miles checked the stopper.

“You’ve got too much stuff for a guy who lived in a one-bedroom apartment, “TJ Redding grunted. “What is in this?”

Miles Owens shut the door with his heel. “Things for the kitchen.”

TJ snorted. “When do you cook? All I see is you eating cereal and protein bars.”

“I still need things for the kitchen.”

TJ put the box down and so did Miles. Miles looked around the house and nodded.

It was small, but it was his. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, a narrow living room that opened into a kitchen that needed better lighting.

The second bedroom door stood open, showing stacked boxes and a folded-up bedframe leaning against the wall.

Miles walked past him and grabbed the nearest box. He hooked his fingers under the tape and ripped it off in one long pull.

TJ winced. “Jesus. Use a knife or something.”

Miles didn’t look up. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine. You’ll damage the boxes.”

Miles folded the flaps back. “TJ. I’m not keeping the boxes. I only needed them for the move.”

TJ grunted then turned and looked at the empty wall. “You going to put anything up?”

Miles rolled his eyes. “I’ve literally just moved in.”

“You’ve already got a chair.” TJ pointed to the corner where Miles’ old leather chair had been placed. The two-seater sofa would be moved the next day.

“That’s where the lamp goes.”

TJ walked over, looked down at the chair, then looked up at Miles. “You don’t own a lamp.”

Miles stood. “I will.”

TJ leaned into the doorway toward the second bedroom. “And this is… the guest room?”

“It’s a room for when family or friends stay over.”

TJ folded his arms. “Who’s staying over, Miles?” TJ rubbed a hand over his lips, but it didn’t stop Miles from noticing his smile.

Sighing, Miles looked at TJ. “You done?”

TJ blinked his eyes. “Look, Miles—”

“Not everyone can have what you and Cody have.” Miles interrupted. This was why TJ was behaving this way, even if he was doing it teasingly. He wanted Miles to find someone of his own. To have what he and Cody had. He was thirty-two. He had time to find someone.

Licking his lips, TJ nodded. “You’ve been on your own for a while now.”

“I know.” Miles sighed then looked around.

There was no mess, not really. Boxes lined the wall and a couple had been opened.

A stack of plates sat on the counter beside the sink.

He’d unpacked the basics first. Uniforms hung in the closet and his toiletries were in the bathroom.

More importantly, the coffee maker had been plugged in.

TJ pointed at the box by the door. “Where does this one go?”

“Kitchen stuff in the lower cabinet.”

TJ grunted as he carried the box. “What have you got in here?”

“Bowls and stuff.” Miles walked into the kitchen and crouched down next to the box, ripping it open.

TJ hovered behind him. “You know,” he said, “for a guy who acts like he doesn’t care, you care a lot.”

Miles pulled bubble wrap off a stack of bowls. “About what?”

“Everything being in the right place.” TJ pursed his lips. “This is a big move for you,” he murmured.

Miles didn’t answer right away. He put the bowls on the counter and slid them toward the cabinet that made the most sense to store them in. “It’s just a house.”

“It’s a house you chose,” TJ said. “I know you saw several and this was the one you decided on. I was the same, so I know how important it is to find the right place.” TJ suddenly grinned. “And it just happens to be close to the station.”

Miles stood, put the bowls in the cabinet and shut it. “That isn’t why I bought it.”

“Come on. Cody’s waiting.” TJ stared at Miles. “He’s cooked, too, and we both know how good his cooking is.”

Miles licked his lips. “Mama made sure he knew how to look after himself.” Mama was Cody’s mom, or the person he considered his mom. The woman who had saved Cody one rain-soaked night.

Miles locked the door behind them and followed TJ to Miles’ truck. The air had that warmth that reminded him summer was on the way and Miles couldn’t wait. Winter had been long and cold.

TJ’s place was around ten minutes away. As they drove, he thought about his life here. He knew Robinson and the people who lived there. He’d lived there for over ten years and had no plans to leave. This place was home and where he’d put down roots.

TJ’s house looked warm from the outside with the porch light on and the curtains closed. A window was cracked just enough that he could smell food as he walked up the steps toward the back door TJ and Cody preferred to use.

Cody opened the door before they knocked. “You’re late,” he told them, then he grinned. “How did it go?”

TJ held up both hands. “We’re not late.”

“It went well. We got most of it done.” Miles followed TJ inside and watched him kiss Cody. “Smells good.”

Cody smiled, his hand finding TJ’s. “Chili.”

TJ pointed. “I knew it.”

Miles took his shoes off by the door as TJ did the same. TJ moved to the stove and peered into a pan, rubbing his stomach.

“How’s the house?” Cody asked.

Miles shrugged. “It’s fine.”

Cody nodded. “You got your bed set up?”

“Yeah.” It was the first thing he’d done when he’d began moving his things.

“And you have heat?”

Miles blinked. “Yes.”

“Good. Those are the important things.” Cody’s face shifted, but the look quickly disappeared. “Go and sit at the table and I’ll bring bowls over.”

Miles moved to the table and pulled out a chair.

It wasn’t big, but it was solid wood and had a few scratches on it.

A stack of mail sat at one end and TJ’s keys were in a dish by the wall.

There was a small, framed photo of TJ and Cody on the sideboard, taken outside somewhere sunny.

Both of them looked happy and it reminded Miles how Cody had come back to Robinson for TJ. Not for friends or family, but for TJ.

TJ came over with two beers and a water and put one in front of Miles. “I think we’ve earned this.”

Miles picked up the beer. “Thanks.”

TJ sipped his and sighed. “Are you planning to move the rest of your things tomorrow?”

“I have a few more days on the lease for the apartment but I’d like to get the bulk of it done before I’m back at work. I can manage the few bits left before or after my shifts.”

Cody brought the chili out in a pot and put it down in the center of the table with a stack of bowls. “Cornbread’s in the oven,” Cody said. “It’s almost done.”

TJ reached for a bowl. “I love you.”

Grinning, Cody kissed him. “I know.”

TJ returned Cody’s grin. “Good.”

Cody ladled chili into TJ’s bowl and placed it in front of him. “Eat.”

They ate for a minute in a comfortable silence. The chili was thick, smoky, and as far as Miles was concerned, perfect. Miles hadn’t realized how hungry he was until the second bite.

Cody watched him over his bowl. “You eat today?”

Miles glanced up and blinked. “Yeah?”

TJ snorted. “He had a granola bar in his pocket.”

Miles shot him a look. “It’s still food.”

“In a pinch.”

Chuckling, Cody asked, “You need groceries?”

“I’ll go tomorrow.”

Cody nodded. “I can come with you.”

“Thanks, but no.”

TJ leaned back in his chair. “He doesn’t want you to see how he shops.”

Miles pointed his spoon at TJ. “I shop fine.”

“You shop like you have about five minutes and throw crap in your basket,” TJ said.

Cody’s laugh was quiet. “We can make a list, and I can send you home with some leftovers.”

Miles didn’t argue. Watching Cody reminded Miles about his past, not that Miles knew it all.

He knew Cody had been born and raised in Robinson then had run away after coming out as gay.

Four long years TJ and his family had searched, then one night Cody had returned and began his campaign to win TJ over.

It had been an open secret before Cody had left that he’d had a crush on TJ, one that TJ had been oblivious to. Now they’d been together for a couple of years and the gossip about them had died down. Gossip because TJ was twelve years older and his ex-wife was married to Cody’s uncle.

Cody hadn’t given a shit about what anyone had to say. He loved TJ and everyone who didn’t agree with their relationship could fuck off. Those who knew and loved them supported them and that was enough for Cody.

TJ wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked at Miles. “So… a two bedroom.”

Miles already knew where this was going and tried to avoid it as he’d done earlier. “It was a good deal.”

TJ’s eyes narrowed. “Miles.”

“It’s close to work,” Miles added. “Like you said.”

Cody put his spoon down and stared between the two of them. “Are you okay?”

Miles took a minute to answer. He looked down at his bowl then nodded. “Yeah.”

TJ grunted. “There it is again.”

Miles exhaled through his nose and rolled his eyes. “I’m okay.”

Cody sat and waited. Miles wasn’t good at this part. He could handle a scene, a call, or a body on the side of the road. He could handle a drunk who wanted to fight him. He could even handle the dreaded paperwork, but when it came to his life outside work…

“It’s quiet,” Miles admitted.

TJ rested his forearms on the table. “That’s the point, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Miles murmured. “I know.”

Cody’s gaze stayed on him. “Quiet can be good. It can also be… too much.”

Miles didn’t answer immediately. He glanced at Cody and gave him a close-lipped smile as TJ reached over and gripped his arm.

“You’ll get used to it.”

Miles looked at TJ. “I don’t know if I want to.”

TJ smiled softly. “You do. You just don’t want to admit you do.”

Cody stood and went to the oven and pulled out the cornbread. He placed it on the counter and cut it as TJ got up to grab butter. Miles stayed seated, watching them move around each other.

TJ dropped back into his chair with a chunk of cornbread and started talking about something that had happened at work—one of the younger deputies forgetting to log evidence, the joke TJ had made that got him a glare from Taylor. Cody chimed in here and there, making small talk.

After dinner, Cody put leftovers into some containers and handed them to Miles. “You’re taking this.”

Miles started to refuse then stopped when Cody arched an eyebrow. Miles took the box. “Thanks.”

TJ leaned against the counter. “We should get him curtains.”

Miles exhaled. “Thanks, but no.”

TJ ignored him. “You’ve got those bare windows. Anyone can see you walking around.”

Miles blinked. “Why are you looking in my windows?”

“I’m not,” TJ said. “But anyone could.”

Cody shut the lid on another container and put it in the fridge. “I have spare curtains.”

Miles looked at him. “You have spare everything.”

“It’s called being prepared. Mama trained me well.”

TJ pointed at Miles. “See? That’s why I love him.”

Miles shifted his weight. “You’re both weird.”

“Says the man who owns a chair for a lamp he doesn’t have yet.”

“When did you turn into my dad?”

TJ laughed. “I have kids.”

“And their siblings who will all be here this weekend.”

“No Cassy this weekend?” Cassy was Cody’s younger sister and in her first year of college.

“Not this weekend. She’s enjoying college life.” Cody folded his arms over his chest. “I told her to be careful, and she rolled her eyes at me and said she had condoms.”

“She knows you love her.” Miles had seen Cody and Cassy together and it was clear they cared about each other.

“I do, but I don’t want her…” Cody stopped talking.

“She knows,” TJ murmured.

Nodding, Cody leaned against the counter. “I know she’ll be fine.”

“But you’re her brother.” Miles smiled. To TJ he asked, “All four kids?” Two, Arthur and Lincoln, were his with his ex-wife Toni and the other two were Macy and Christian who were Toni’s and her husband Carter’s.

Their relationship always amazed Miles. After TJ and Toni had divorced, he’d set her up on a blind date with Carter, who was a good friend of TJ’s, and they’d married. Now when TJ had his boys he took Macy and Christian too. They were one big happy family.

TJ nodded. “It gets a little busy here on the weekends now, but we manage.”

They talked for a few more minutes then Miles yawned. Cody handed him a loaf of cornbread wrapped in foil and told him to go home to bed.

TJ gripped his shoulder. “Text when you’re home.”

Miles nodded. “I will.”

Cody’s voice was quieter. “And if you need company you know where we are.”

Miles held Cody’s gaze for a second. “Yeah.”

When he went outside, Miles noticed the air was cooler than earlier. He carried the containers to his truck and carefully placed them on the passenger seat, started the engine and drove home.

Seeing his house, he turned into the driveway and switched the engine off, sitting there for a few seconds staring at the front door. With a heavy sigh, he got out and went inside. In the kitchen, he placed the containers on the counter and looked around.

“Home,” he murmured.

Miles exhaled, turned on the kitchen light, and put the chili in the fridge then pulled out his phone, and typed a quick text to TJ. Home now.

TJ was quick to respond. Let me know if you need any help tomorrow. I can come around after work.

I will and thanks for today. Miles walked into his bedroom and quickly stripped before having a shower. Once he’d finished, he crawled into bed, closed his eyes and ignored the growing loneliness inside.

He’d moved away from the city because he wanted to be somewhere he could make a difference, and he’d found it in Robinson. He still talked to his family and visited them when he could, but being there had given him the independence he’d needed, and he preferred the slower pace as well.

But the loneliness was there. He’d been single for almost a year after his last relationship had fizzled out.

Coming out as bisexual had allowed him to explore that part of himself but nothing worked.

Man or woman, he couldn’t find what TJ and Cody had, and he knew both of them tried to coax him into being closer to them, but being around them reminded him of what was missing in his life.

Sighing, he rolled onto his side. Tomorrow and the list of jobs he had to do would come soon enough.

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty