Page 54 of Something Unavoidable

As time dragged on, Keegan’s fretting turned to other things. It was cold, and the temperature was dropping as the afternoon stretched on. Izzy’s leg would start to ache if he was out there for too long, and he would never say anything to Xavier. Was he in pain? Why didn’t Keegan suggest they talk in the car where it was warm and they’d be in eyesight.

“Man,” Ash said, the laughter in his tone catching Keegan’s attention. “Here.” He held out his cell phone to Keegan, who took it, despite his confusion. On the screen was a map with just one road on it and a steady blue dot. “I’m tracking the boss’s phone,” Ash explained. “They’re on their way back.”

Keegan grunted in acknowledgment, then cleared his throat and handed the phone back. “Thanks,” he said, a little embarrassed at being caught. “He’s had a rough few weeks. I’m sure I’m overreacting.”

“Is that why he didn’t come with us to New York? Micah said he was dealing with personal stuff.”

Keegan shot him a surprised look. “Xavier didn’t explain?”

Finn shook his head. “He said you asked for his advice and it was up to Izzy to explain more than that.” He shrugged and glanced at the door as well. “I don’t like to pry.”

Damn, he was sweet. Xavier had lucked out with that one. Not that Keegan hadn’t. Izzy, for all his prickliness and mood swings, was much more Keegan’s type.

“I don’t know what Izzy is comfortable with people knowing,” he told Finn kindly.

Finn nodded. “He’s been really anxious the last few times I’ve seen him. It seems like Riley helps with that.”

“She does,” Keegan said.

“That’s great,” Finn replied, looking relieved. “I wish I had something like that.” He tilted his head thoughtfully. “Though, I have Xavi. He’s good at helping me stay calm.”

Asher let out a bark of laughter. “Did you just compare your billionaire boyfriend to a service dog?”

Finn froze, flushed red, and hid his face in his hands. “Oh mygod, Ash,” he whined.

Ash didn’t seem inclined to let the comment go. “We should get him a vest. Day-Glo orange with ‘Finn’s Emotional Support Daddy’ embroidered on the back.”

Finn was saved from more embarrassment by heavy boots on the front porch. Xavier and Izzy entered in a swirl of flurries.

Keegan was halfway to Izzy before he realized he’d stood, and by then, it was too late to stop. He continued into Izzy’s space instead, cupping his cold cheeks and searching his expression. “You okay?” he asked softly, his words obscured by Finn exclaiming about the unexpected snow.

Izzy looked tired and sad, but he wasn’t on the verge of a panic attack like Keegan had feared. Riley was getting so many treats, they would have to roll her down the mountain. “I’m okay,” Izzy replied. “Xavier says he’s gonna take care of everything. A few more days and any links between Josh and me will be buried.”Izzy didn’t sound as enthused about that as Keegan would have expected. It was probably just too much to process. Keegan wished for nothing more than to kick everyone out of his cabin and bundle Izzy back into bed.

“I’m sure Josie can cover for me for a few more days—” Keegan started, but Izzy was shaking his head.

“No,” he said. “It’s fine. I need to go home anyway. I figured I’d catch a ride with Xavier.”

Keegan went still, the heaviness that had been sitting in his stomach all afternoon forming into a solid rock. “I—” He stopped. He didn’t know what to say. “Oh. Of course.”

Izzy stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Keegan’s neck, tucking his face into the curve of his throat, keeping his voice low as he spoke close to Keegan’s ear. “I just need a couple of days, okay? I feel like we’ve been in a fantasy bubble that just burst, and I’m not sure which way is up.”

Keegan hugged him back, just as tightly. He understood. He felt the same way to an extent. “On one condition,” he told Izzy.

Izzy heaved a put-upon sigh. “Seriously? You have conditions?”

“Yep,” Keegan said. “I’m still your kidnapper, after all.”

He felt Izzy’s smile against his throat. “All right, lay it on me.”

“Take Riley with you.”

Izzy stiffened. “I can’t—”

“She’ll be devastated if you don’t,” Keegan insisted. “I have enough food and water for her here to last you a week. Which, by the way, is all you’re getting.”

Izzy lifted his head, expression incredulous. “Oh, really?”

“Really,” Keegan said, daring him to argue. “You agreed to be mine, Isaac. I’m not letting you back out so easily. Deal?”

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