Page 70 of Leave

Throughout the afternoon, Nolan had mostly been relaxed, though there’d been a few people who’d obviously made him uncomfortable. Either he didn’t know them well, and his introverted self wasn’t sure how to interact with them, or they were clearly two people who didn’t get along but were putting on smiles for those around them. Again, nothing too unusual at a family gathering.

But then a family friend named Gordon arrived.

Gordon, I was informed, lived two driveways down from Nolan’s parents, and he had since long before the family had moved in. He was a scruffy white dude who seemed like one of those guys who’d been old all his life; like if I saw photos of him from back when Nolan was a kid, Gordon would still be white-haired, weathered, and scraggly.

Everyone greeted him with handshakes and tolerant smiles, as if they’d long ago made peace with his presence even though they’d rather he were someplace else. And as he made the rounds, three things about him made me forget all about Leann as a “suspect.”

One, how touchy-feely he was with everyone despite how obvious it was that nobody welcomed it.

Two, how the parents suddenly decided all the kids should go down to the rec room and check out the video games Matt and Andrew had brought. The kids who stayed in amongst the adults—the babies, toddlers, and those uninterested in video games—were never within ten feet of Gordon. The parents were incredibly slick about it, but they always managed to keep themselves and a fair amount of space between their kids and the neighbor.

And the third tipoff?

The verynotsubtle andnotdiscreet way Nolan’s hackles went up when Gordon approached us.

“Nolan!” the old guy said with a grin. “Your daddy told me you were coming back to town! Where are you stationed now? Japan?”

“Okinawa,” Nolan said flatly. He nodded toward me. “We’re both stationed there.”

Gordon eyed me, and he seemed to be puzzling over who the fuck I was.

Nolan slid a hand over the small of my back. “This is Riley. My boyfriend.”

“Your—” Gordon’s bushy white eyebrows shot up on his lined forehead. “I didn’t think the services allowed that kind of thing.”

“They do.” I wrapped my arm around Nolan’s waist. “I think the Marines would be more upset that he’s dating a Sailor than a man.”

Nolan laughed.

Gordon… did not. He stood straighter than his weathered spine seemed to want to, and he squared his shoulders almost as if he were coming to attention. “So the military really has gone woke, eh?”

“Something like that,” Nolan gritted out.

The old man grunted. “Well, it’s good to see you home for once. I know your mom and dad are happy to have you here.”

Then he quickly bowed out and went looking for someone else to annoy.

As Nolan watched him go, eyes narrow, I genuinely expected to hear a low growl emerge from the back of his throat like a dog warning another to stay away.

I cautiously asked, “Not your favorite person?”

His laugh was caustic. “Not even a little.” Before I could think to ask any further, he gestured for me to follow him toward the stairs. “Come on. Let’s see if we can teach my brothers a thing or two about Call of Duty.”

I glanced at Gordon, who was irritating a couple of people whose names I didn’t remember. One had a toddler on her hip, and she kept her body turned just slightly to keep herself between Gordon and the kid.

Shaking my head, I followed Nolan down to the rec room.

Everyone can sense it. Everyone is uncomfortable.

Why the fuck is he here?

Chapter 20

Nolan

I was starting to regret bringing Riley with me. I was glad I’d been there for him in California, and the nights we’d spent together had been hot as hell. But having him here with me and my family—this wasn’t a good idea.

He was too smart to not pick up on things, and I was worried he’d put pieces together that no one else in my family or social circles ever had. I was terrified he was going to suss out the details of why I didn’t like coming home. Why I’d left in the first place.

---