Page 46 of Chasing You

“No, no. It’s my little sister’s kid. I’m just in charge a lot because she’s finishing up her degree.”

“Careful,” Kash said quickly. “He collects caregivers like trophies.”

Fenton’s eyes widened. “Um.”

“You’re making me sound like a serial killer. Jesus Christ.” He smashed a hand over his face and dragged it down with a groan. “I run a single dad group. Well, it was a single dad group, but all those assholes went and fell in love. We’re a rare breed now. But I won’t make you hang out with a bunch of old folks like us.”

Fenton laughed softly. “Sounds nice, though I’m not single. But my older brother raised me and my siblings, and he never dates. He probably could use something like that, even though we’re all grown up now.”

Kash leaned back in the chair and looked up at Fenton before glancing at Adele. “Get the guy’s number after you get me to the boat. Oh, and maybe don’t forget our stuff? I still want my shells.”

Adele sighed. “Yes, your majesty. I’ll get your shells right away.” He leaned down and kissed the side of Kash’s head. “You’ll be okay with your other hero while I get our stuff?”

Kash nodded. “As long as you come back to me.”

“Always,” Adele murmured. He lingered in close for a second, then straightened, and he could see the knowinglook in Fenton’s eyes. If only Kash understood the same way. “Don’t leave without me, yeah?”

“Wouldn’t dare,” Fenton said. “I’ll leave your name with the guard, and he’ll let you on. We’ll be in the medbay.”

“LikeStar Trek,” Kash said.

Fenton rolled his eyes. “You sound like my youngest brother. He’s a total nerd.”

Adele burst into laughter before taking a step back. “See you in a few.” He stood still for a moment as Fenton turned Kash in his chair, and then he gathered himself and grabbed what was left on their table, tossing it into the bin. He didn’t bother talking to the snack shack. Instead, he walked to the beach to pack up their stuff.

It felt like both a total win and a total failure. Kash was still his in every way except the way he wanted, but something in his gut told him that he was thawing. That if he tried a little longer, pushed a little harder, he could have this for keeps.

He just needed to make sure he never gave up.

twelve

KASH

There neededto be a new emotion for the range of mortification, gratitude, relief, and horror that Kash felt as the captain of the ferry wheeled him to the boat. In the bathroom, when his legs had spasmed so hard they’d given up trying to hold his body weight, he’d hit the ground and swore for a moment he left his body.

Then, he was being dragged out of the disgusting puddle at the base of the urinal and propped up against the wall. He heard himself ask for Adele. He didn’t really register the man crouching in front of him, only that he was asking for a description, and then suddenly, Adele was there.

Like the hero he always was.

Kash wanted to cry, and he also kind of wanted to laugh becauseGod, why was everything he did such a disaster? Was it going to be like this forever?

He felt a little better now that he was sure he wasn’t actually concussed, but he also knew he hadn’t hit his head hard. He’d smacked his temple on a broken piece of tile as he went down, and it gashed him right open.

Once upon a time, he was the man tending to people like him. Once upon a time, he was the hero. Now, he was a sorry, sad sack of shit in an uncomfortable wheelchair being carted up to some first aid room, cutting their trip short.

“Still with me?”

Kash blinked, then glanced up and behind him. Fenton had his gaze on the ramp as he pushed Kash onto the boat. “Yeah. Sorry. I have no idea what to say right now.”

“It’s your first time, right?”

Kash frowned. “Uh?”

“Falling in public?” Fenton looked down at him, the tips of his ears pink. “Sorry, that was super rude. My niece has a disorder. She falls a lot.”

That had to be why Fenton had been so damn calm. “It’s not my first time, but I’m still getting used to it. This is new for me.”

“It must be hard.”

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