Page 21 of Pretty Puppy

Lee sighed. What was truer than anything out of the entire mess was that he still loved Ash, too. Ash was his boy, and he wasn’t about to let him disappear from his life again.

Right as Lee was about to discard his professionalism and interrupt after all, Micki finished up with the customer.

Her eyes went wide as soon as she spotted him approaching. “Uh, hi Mr. Petrovsky.” Micki’s smile came across more panicked than friendly. “What can I do for you?”

“Where’s Ash?” He’d never been one for beating around the bush.

Her smile became almost maniacal, stretching her lips in a comical fashion. “Have you tried the training room? From what I remember, he’s scheduled to be there today.”

Lee rubbed his forehead with thumb and forefinger. “Micki, I appreciate you trying to help your friend, but I don’t have time for this right now. Is he hiding out at your place?”

She shook her head vigorously. “No, sir. Not at my place.”

He arched his eyebrow. “So, youdoknow where he is?”

Her features fell. “I’m not sure he wants you to know.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Micki’s eyes rounded and Lee regretted his sharp tone. “I apologize. What I meant is that he ran out of my office before I had a chance to respond to something he said, and I need to speak with him about that.”

Micki’s expression softened. “Oh! In that case, I’msurehe wants you to know.”

He arched his eyebrows again. “Then where is he?”

She smacked her forehead. “Right. He’s at the bus station.” Micki leaned forward. “He’s so upset Mr. Petrovsky, he really cares about you.” She wrung her fingers. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, because I like my job, but he’s always asked about you over the years. I’d hear the disappointment in his voice when he found out you were with someone else, and when your last relationship ended, he started talking about wanting to try again, that he knew he’d made a mistake and that you’re the only man for him.”

Normally, he’d be irritated that an employee was sharing his private life that way, but her blabbing had brought Ash back to Tahoe, so he was willing to look past her faux pas.

“I’ll forgive your little indiscretion this time, but in the future? What I’m doing is not your business to share with anyone. Understand?”

Micki nodded. “Completely and totally.” She made a locking motion across her lips. “My mouth is shut from now on.”

He snorted. “Excellent. Did he tell you which station he’s at? Is it the Y or main Transit Center?”

“Ooh.” She scrunched up her nose. “He didn’t.”

He sighed. At least South Tahoe wasn’t that huge, and he doubted any busses were leaving at this time of the day.

“No worries. But if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a boy to retrieve.” He pointed a finger at her. “No calling him the second I walk away, either. This is between me and Ash.”

As Lee rushed out of the resort, Micki called after him, “Good luck!”

By the time he’d jumped into his truck and was on his way the short distance to the first station, his heart was thundering. At this stage, he was ready to chase the bus down the length of California to reach him, but with luck, that wouldn’t be necessary.

The main station was small, so when he entered the building and didn’t see Ash right away, his shoulders sagged. He must’ve missed him after all.Dammit. Lee couldn’t imagine why Ash would’ve traveled further down to the Y station, particularly since it was barely more than an outpost, with no building for him to wait inside.

However, he should check it anyway. Otherwise, it seemed as if he’d be taking a road trip after all.

“Lee? What are you doing here?”

Lee whipped around, greeted with the sight of Ash in the doorway staring at him with a slack jaw and wide eyes as if Lee were a ghost. He let out a relieved sigh and smiled at his boy.

“Taking you home.”

Chapter Ten

Ash dropped his bag and launched himself into Lee’s arms, all the fear and sadness pouring out of him in sobs. The familiar scent of Lee’s masculine aroma enveloped him, the hard planes of his muscular body giving Ash comfort in a way he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Since I was with him before.

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