Page 30 of The Guy Next Door

Even without his confession, since I spoke with Detective Roth, there’s been plenty of doubt in my mind. But now that he’s shared the truth with me, I can see why that’s not something he could’ve led with when trying to convince me I was in danger. Although, I have to keep in mind that, regardless of my doubt, someone did break into my parents’ house that night.

A coincidence? Possibly.

Or as Detective Roth suggested, someone Zane hired to cause a stir and persuade them to reopen the investigation? I’m not buying it.

Zane closes his eyes. “And now you don’t believe any of this shit, do you?”

“Would it be difficult for you to understand why I have doubts?”

“Yeah. I think there’d be something really wrong with you if you just took my word for it.”

It’s a relief to hear him say that—assures me he’s at least being reasonable. We’re quiet for a few moments as I process everything he shared.

Doing that a lot lately…

Finally, he asks, “What are you thinking?”

“A lot of things.”

“I’m on my meds now,” he tells me, as if to keep me from worrying. “I’m not going to let that happen again.”

I gaze into those steel-blue eyes. Is it strange to trust this guy? Even when I don’t really know him?

There’s something else there too. Ilikelooking at his eyes.

“It’s still on the table, though.” I’m not sure what he’s referring to until he goes on, “Say the word, and I’ll be gone.”

If this is all a delusion he’s suffering from, it’s because he’s grieving the loss of his brother. And if he wants the cops to take him seriously, it might be shitty to be using me, but I’d actually get that too.

The way he looks at me, I can tell he’s waiting for me to tell him to get lost.

Maybe that’s what I should say, but instead I say, “I don’t really know what to think, but I’d rather you stay for now, and we play it by ear.”

His expression relaxes and he takes a breath, like he’s been holding it until my response.

“Thank you, Leif. I know you’re in a real spot here.”

“It’s okay. I’m becoming increasingly intrigued by you.”

That seems to catch his attention, and I notice him glancing at my mouth in that way that reminds me of how he looked when he first came to chat with me.

When he called mevery attractive.

“Anything else you wanted to ask me about?”

I wonder if I should go there, but it might lighten the mood, so I just go for it. “You’ve made some comments in the short time we’ve known each other…about me being attractive, and then the way you look at me, you have this very determined expression on your face.”

“That’s not a question.”

“Do you need me to make it one to give me an explanation?”

He smirks, and for the first time in this whole fucked-up mess, his fair cheeks pinken.

God, he’s cute when he blushes.

Where the hell did that thought come from?

“I’m queer—gay,” he explains. “And you’re a very attractive guy, Leif…obviously, since that’s what I said.”

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