Page 11 of I've Got You

“You’re the vet, right?”

I glanced up, startled, my gaze landing on the guy’s face. He was older than me by about ten years or so if I had to guess. He had deep brown eyes that were friendly. As I registered his words, I latched on to there being no accusation in his question. In a small town like this, it was always a possibility the rumor mill had started and venom could have spread.

“That’s right.” I nodded.

He smiled, and I mimicked the gesture. “Ted.” He stuck out his hand. I took it with the barest of hesitation.

“Scott,” I answered. “This your place?”

“Yeah, for better or worse.” Ted rolled his eyes, though his small smile remained.

I glanced around the space. It was nicely decorated. It looked high-end and contemporary, with an edge of country charm. I’d heard the place had been purchased recently by out of towners, but since I was no longer in the position to be privy to gossip, I was out of the loop. “It’s a nice place. You just moved here, right?”

He bobbed his head. “Yes, is it that obvious?” He laughed. He narrowed his eyes at me. “But saying that, you don’t quite have the twang of the locals either.” Ted picked up a cloth and wiped the side, eyes still on me.

“You got me.” I took a small drink. “I haven’t been in town for that long either, and I’m not sure I’m staying.” I slammed my mouth closed. With no idea why I’d shared so much, I took another mouthful. I didn’t want to give any locals anything to talk about at all when it came to me. “What about you?” I changed the subject. “Better or worse?”

He studied me for a beat but laughed. It was deeper than I expected. He was only five-ten, maybe, and had a slim frame and features. I expected something lighter, but still, his laugh was kind and put me at ease. “This place came as part of the package with the old ball and chain.” He grinned. “Apparently, this is our ‘great big adventure’ of packing up, starting fresh in a small community, immersing ourselves in all that this great country has to offer, or something like that.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “So this is your wif—”

“Husband’s,” he corrected.

My breath hitched before I regained my footing and continued. “Your husband’s big plan?” Heat rose in my cheeks, and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. I hated being embarrassed, being taken unaware. Karma was laughing her damn ass off as she continued to throw shit at me, or into situations, just to make it clear that my punishment wasn’t over.

“Indeed. But what are you going to do when he’s such a fine specimen of a man.” He nudged his head to his right, and my eyes landed on a guy with a good six inches or so on Ted. He was fit and about my age. And yeah, he was a fine specimen. I almost got whiplash when I swung my head back to Ted quickly. I didn’t want him to think I was checking his husband out, even though he’d drawn attention to him. And shit, why would he even do that? Did he know somehow that I was gay? Know I’d appreciate how hot his husband was? Heck, when I came out and finally admitted I was gay, did I start kicking off a new pheromone or some shit?

I stared at him wide-eyed, and I was sure with terror written all over my face.

“Hey there.” Ted’s amusement fled, and his voice softened with concern. His hand landed on my forearm, and I jolted. “You okay?”

I nodded abruptly, two sharp up-and-down movements.

“Okay.” He patted my arm gently. “Don’t move.”

I watched dumbstruck as he turned away, reached for a bottle from the top shelf, and returned to stand before me. He then bent and placed two shot glasses in front of us. Once he poured in the brown liquid, he nudged one over to me. “Pick it up.” I did so. My body buzzed, adrenaline pulsing through every nerve ending. I really needed to get my shit together. “Now”—he raised his glass—“here’s to good liquor, kind words, and to good head.”

I snorted. There was a small fracture in the irrational fear that had taken hold of me.

With a wink, he clinked his glass with mine and threw the shot back. I smiled then. It was real, still filled with nerves, but the tension loosened its steel grip. I lifted my own shot back and swallowed, wincing at the burn.

“I think one more’s in order.” He laughed and then looked hastily in the direction of his husband. “Quick, before Harry comes over and stops us.”

His humor was infectious, and I smiled wider. “Better get to it then. But if I throw up, it’s your fault.”

“Ha! Sounds like a challenge to me.” Warmth hit my back as I picked up the glass once more. I paused, my gaze landing on a wide-eyed Ted. His eyes scanned whoever was behind me before he glanced at me, a new twinkle of something in them.

“What are we celebrating?” His voice was low, though held humor. And I recognized it immediately.

Davis.

I didn’t look behind me, too unsure how to react. How exactly did a guy react after he’d kissed a stranger and then run out without even a backward glance, let alone a goodbye? I paused at that, thinking how I’d react if it had been a woman I’d run out on. Truth be told, I wouldn’t have given much of a shit, as the kiss would have been forced and gone against every natural instinct inside me. I wished I didn’t know that from experience.

Aware of not only the silence but of the bartender looking at the figure behind me, then back at me with a smirk, I held back the grimace that tried to break free.

“What’ll it be?” Ted asked.

Davis moved to my side, and I swallowed hard before gathering the nerve to look his way. His eyes were firmly on me, his mouth fixed in a careful smile. How I even knew it was careful was beyond me, but I was able to deduce enough to recognize caution when I saw it.

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