Page 32 of Rising Storm

“Yeah and it feels fucking great to be doing it. I meant it about you coming with me.”

“I don’t think I’d be very good at stealing.”

“You wouldn’t have to.”

“How is it that a cop is doing this?”

“It’s a long story, but there are more thieves and one of them hooked up with another cop who was investigating Hayrick. He’s Gareth’s best friend. Once Hayrick was out of the picture, we realized we had access to everything he owned, his house, his money, and all the collectibles he’d stolen and not sold. He kept them all in the Maine house. You know, none of us knew he had a kid living with him in Oklahoma. Not even the cops.”

“Well, I did move out at eighteen. I’ve been with Barnette since. I don’t think the cops were even investigating Hayrick when I lived there. That came after I moved out. You know, his antique shops have been shut down since he disappeared. Well, most were seized by the police. It’s been driving Barnette crazy wondering what happened. I thought Hayrick had just skipped town with all his money and started over somewhere. Still hard to believe he’s actually dead.” Sayer’s stomach grumbled loudly.

“He is. And good riddance.” Helix stood. “I’m going to run and get us a couple of burgers. Sound good?”

“Yeah, anything. I haven’t eaten since before all this happened.”

“Me neither. You wait here and don’t answer the door if anyone knocks.”

“Okay, Dad.”

Helix just grinned and grabbed his room key card. He planned to walk to the fast food joint right next door, so he wouldn’t need the car keys. The whole time he walked he thought about his brother growing up in that house. He hadn’t had any of the usual teenage experiences. But then, neither had Helix. He’d lived on the streets and stolen for Hayrick and the entire time, he’d been terrified for his brother.

He bought them burgers, fries and drinks and walked back to the motel, grimacing when he saw Gareth waiting for him outside. He really shouldn’t have given in to the crazy desire he had for the man, but a part of him didn’t regret it. No, it had been too damn hot. And well, the hug before had been nice and strangely welcome. God, Gareth made him feel things he didn’t understand at all.

“How’s he doing?” Gareth asked, leaning against the motel wall.

“Better.” He held up the bag of food, the drink carrier in his other hand. “He’s hungry.”

“Then I won’t keep you.”

“I should have asked if you were hungry before I went.”

Gareth’s mouth curled in a lazy smile. “I’m perfectly capable of walking over to get my own food. That’s what I’m about to do. You worry about your brother for now. But thanks for thinking of me.”

They stood silently then, the awkwardness like a rubber band stretched between them. Helix kept remembering Gareth’s mouth on him. Fuck, that had been so hot.

“I’m going over to Liam’s place soon,” Gareth said. “You need anything while I’m out?”

“Nah, but let me grab you the keys. I still have them from the hospital visit.”

Gareth nodded and waited as he went inside and grabbed the keys. He set the food and drinks down on the small table and smiled when Sayer immediately jumped up and started unloading the food. He took the keys out to Gareth, then stood awkwardly once more. They stared at each other and something passed between them that made Helix want to reach for him. But he didn’t. He just stood there, staring like an idiot.

“I’ll check in with you later,” Gareth finally said as he started moving toward the car.

Helix nodded and went back into the room and shut the door.

“You’re sleeping with him,” Sayer said, then took a careful bite of his burger.

“It’s obvious, huh?”

“Yeah. He’s hot, so I get it. Funny that we’re both gay.”

“I wondered if you really were or if Hayrick had forced the marriage onto you.”

“No, I am. Which is one of the reasons this is so hard. My marriage wasn’t always bad, you know. In the beginning, it was actually wonderful.” Sayer stared down at his food, then nibbled on a French fry. “But we’ve talked enough about my pitiful life. I want to hear about you and the cop.”

“There’s nothing to hear. Yeah, I slept with the guy. It’s just sex, so there’s no story there.”

“He doesn’t look at you like it’s just sex. I peeked through the window.”

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