Page 56 of Sidelining the Safety

“Great…” Drew dragged the word out into eighteen syllables or so. “That totally backfired. Now I’m worried.”

“Spectacular,” Mac deadpanned, clunking a couple of plates into the washing tray. “Considering I’m in the dark regarding both of you, Lee better get here quick before I let my insecurities get the best of me.”

Drew scoffed. “Like that’ll ever happen.”

Mac’s grin was blinding. “True that.” His smile disappeared, though, almost as fast as it had appeared. “Go grab yourself something to eat or drink and keep Dad company in the office. I’ll join you once Lee gets here.”

Giving his beau a two-fingered salute, Drew wandered off. He spent a few minutes talking to Momma Connor, Katy, and Carey before he meandered into the office to bother Ken.

CHAPTER 39

LEE

Lee turned off the engine but didn’t get out of the car. He almost turned around several times between the training facility and the diner, especially after passing the turnoff to his apartment complex. They needed to have this talk; he just didn’t want to be the one talking.

He’d looked up Casey West after his meeting with Caitlin and agreed with her choice of using him if they chose that route. Football Fandom, Mr. West’s online news site, was devoted to reporting on LGBTQIA+ players in a respectful manner. They’d handled Garrett’s and Chester’s relationship tastefully and with encouragement, unlike the majority of the obvious left-leaning reporters and publications. He’d even watched a couple of interviews with student-athletes and seriously wished he’d known about the site years earlier when he’d been struggling with his ultimate decision to not hide his sexuality. In fact, it turned out that when he searched his name, there were a few old articles about his success at Rutgers. He also recognized Casey as one of the reporters at his post-game conference.

Hearing a bang coming from around the back got him moving. As he closed his door, the pounding of running steps drew his attention to someone booking it across the far side of the parking lot. When the acrid scent of burning plastic and garbage hit his nostrils next, he spun in place.

Lee hustled toward the alley behind the diner, already fearing the worst, and as soon as he saw the fire he raced around front, yanking open the door. “Call 911. Fire in the back.”

Carey, in full uniform, lurched to his feet, pushing past him at the same time he grabbed his radio and called it in. Ken and the chef on duty raced out of the kitchen with fire extinguishers. Lee was glad they thought to go out the front. He wasn’t too sure how close to the back door the fire had been.

“I turned the gas off,” Momma Connor said loudly, carrying a stack of takeout boxes. She handed Lee a bunch and pushed him toward one side. “Sorry folks, but we’ll need to evacuate. Quickly get your food in these and leave. Don’t worry about your bills.”

Lee went from table to table, offering boxes, but most people declined, throwing twenties on their tables to cover their checks and offering their sympathies and well wishes to Momma Connor on the way out. He scooped up the cash and stuffed it in her apron as they ushered the last straggler out the door.

Already they could hear the fire trucks’ sirens, a deafening blare that stopped traffic. They were standing in the exterior foyer when Carey popped back in.

“Chief wants everybody out just in case, but it looks like Ken got what was closest to the building under control. The firemen are dealing with the dumpster.” Once they were outside on the sidewalk, Carey turned to Lee. “Did you see who did this?”

Mac grabbed Lee’s arm. “Please tell me you did. I want this asshole brought in.”

“I saw somebody running away right before I smelled the smoke.”

Carey pulled out a little notebook and Lee had to grin, all of a sudden feeling like he was in some TV cop show. “Start at the beginning. What time did you get here?”

Lee rattled off what he could, including as much of a description of the guy—tall, skinny, wearing a gray hoodie—as he could and which way he ran. Carey nodded. “Video footage. I’ll canvas the neighboring businesses. I’m almost certain the vape shop and the jewelry store have them.” He gave Katy a quick kiss, whispered, “Troy,” and then left again.

“You think it was him?” Mac asked his sister.

“Probably.” She pushed into his arms, alongside their mother, and rested her cheek on his chest.

Lee was a little jealous of them taking his spot, but then Drew put an arm around him and let him lean. When Ken appeared, Momma and Katy left Mac and ran to him. Mac waved Lee and Drew over, and they made themselves a little huddle of three.

“Scary stuff, huh?” Drew whispered into Lee’s hair and kissed his temple. “Glad you’re okay and that you didn’t try to put out the fire by yourself.”

“Nope. I’m not a fan. I know when to call in the professionals. That’s literally their job.”

Drew hugged him tighter. “You’ve had to deal with fires before?”

“Yeah. Twice. I told Mom no more marshmallow roasts. Kids are stupid and drunk adults are even stupider.”

Drew chuckled. “I can attest to how stupid drunk adults can get, although the sober ones sometimes aren’t much better.” He offered Lee a wry grin.

Lee hummed thinking about that night at the brewery. He’d been drunk and stupid and had thought he knew best. Mac and Drew had been so brave to face him after that. They put their hearts on the line for him. Now it was his turn to be brave.

“I told Mac already, but I really need to talk to you both.”

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