Page 21 of Hartley

“Don’t fucking lie to me, Sheldon,” I growled. “I saw it in your eyes. You want to handle this yourself for whatever reason, but in my building, I will take care of anything and everything if I want to. Understood?” My tone brokered no argument.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now tell me why Forest looking like shit affected you.” The elevator reached the lobby, but as soon as the doors opened, I pulled Sheldon out and off to the side. “Speak.”

He sighed and leaned heavily against the wall. With hisvoice kept low so the others didn’t hear him, he said, “I can’t explain it. When I see him and he’s not his usual self, it works me up. What’s he doing outside dressed in sweats with his hair a mess?”

“Maybe he just woke up and wanted to talk to someone here.”

“Seriously? When was the last time he came here when it wasn’t to see Hartley or Vail?”

“Fair point. But that doesn’t explain why you care.” I had a feeling why but wanted him to say it.

“He’s straight.”

“I’ve heard.” I’d also heard Vail and Hartley speculating about whether Forest had an interest in Sheldon. That was all it was though. Speculation.

“What do you want from me? I like him, okay?”

I smirked. “Of course you do.”

“God, you’re fucking insufferable sometimes.” I cocked an eyebrow at him, causing him to roll his eyes. “I think we’re far enough into our relationship where you don’t need to chastise me for speaking about you that way. If not, then maybe you should join me when I sit down with the doctor.”

“It’s funny if you think that will happen.”

“Right. Anyway, can I talk to Forest now? You can ask me questions later. Or not, because I really don’t know what the hell to say.”

“You can, but I’m coming with you.”

“Of course you are,” he muttered.

If this was anyone but Sheldon, I’d be angry at the way he was talking to me, but itwasSheldon. He had a lot of respect for me, and I did for him. He was one of a select handful I trusted above the other guards. Plus, he was going through some shit. I would give him grace for that.

Forest stepped past us, not noticing us in the little area beside the elevator.

“Hey, are you okay?” Sheldon asked.

Forest jumped. “Fuck’s sake. I didn’t know you were there. I was okay, but now my heart feels like it’s going to pound out of my chest. Why are you two lurking?”

A growl worked its way up my throat. “Remember where you are.”

“I got like an hour of sleep. Surely that counts for some leniency.”

“You’d be surprised.”

“Forest,” Sheldon reminded him.

“Right. So, I was looking for a piece of paper and can’t find it. I tore through my apartment. I thought maybe I left it here from when I stayed before.”

“Why did you only remember it now?”

The elevator had come and gone at this point. He wasn’t getting into it without explaining what he was doing.

“You’re going to think it’s stupid,” Forest said and dropped his gaze to the floor.

“Doubtful,” Sheldon replied.

Without looking up, he said, “When I was little, my mom used to sing a lullaby to Hart and me. Well, when she was sober, she did, before everything went to hell. One day I asked her to write it down so I could learn it. On the nights when she was absent, when we stayed with Pop, Hart asked me to sing it to him. I woke up last night after a nightmare and thought if I could read the paper, maybe it would help calm me down. I memorized the words, but there’s something about seeing her handwriting again.”

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