Page 63 of Tempting Frey
“That went well,” Oliver chirped as the truck made its way down the steep gravel road.
“Really?” I wasn’t sure I agreed with that assessment.
Oliver shrugged. “As good as expected, I mean.”
“I feel responsible for what happened up there. Your dad wouldn’t have been so rash if he weren’t mad at me.”
“You are not responsible for my father’s deregulated emotions. That’s his problem. Hopefully, those guys won’t make a big deal out of it. Because it won’t be the first time Dad has faced disciplinary action.”
“But the last time, I was on his side.” Some years ago, Chickie and I chased a couple of developers out of town after they’d been sniffing around, trying to buy land. They had filed a misconduct complaint against our sheriff, and it had taken a while to get it dismissed.
“It could have been handled without harassing people in bear form,” Oliver said without any bite in his tone. “Just saying.”
“I’m surprised you remember. You were just a kid then.”
“I was sixteen. I had enough brains to understand what went down. Pa was mad at both of you.”
He turned the truck up the winding road to his parents’ cottage. I watched his profile, the determined curve of his mouth, and wondered if Chickie and I would get to do the admittedly wild stuff we used to do together ever again. Withboth Phil and Oliver breathing down our necks like an oversight committee, we might have to resort to more conventional methods of problem-solving.If Chickie ever speaks to me again.
But Oliver was right. Barging into that clearing in bear form today could have had nasty consequences.
While he turned the truck around and parked with the tail toward the closed garage, next to the cruiser, I shot a quick message to Monty telling him the conflict had been resolved and I’d explain on Monday. Then I climbed out and followed Oliver into the house.
Time to face the music.
We found them in the kitchen. Phil stood leaning against the counter, wearing a pinched expression. Chickie sat with his arms folded on the table and his shoulders bunched up.
“Do you want coffee, Frey?” Phil asked.
“Yeah, thank you so much.”
“I’ll have a cup too,” Oliver said. He moved to pull mugs out of the cabinet above the sink.
A few seconds passed with only the noises of clanking dishes and water running.
Then Chickie lifted his head, his dark-brown eyes clouded with anger. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was about to,” I began. “But you reached for the gun.”
He scoffed. “I wouldn’t have pulled a gun on you!”
I raised one eyebrow. “You just threatened to shoot my balls off.”
Phil turned on Chickie, waving a milk carton around. “Are you insane?”
“But he was… our Ollie…” Chickie spluttered, gesturing at me with both hands.
“He’s my fated mate,” Oliver cried. “I love him, and he loves me. And even if we were just fucking around…” Chickie jerked as if he’d been slapped, but Oliver didn’t let him interrupt. “Evenif we were just having sex for the fun of it, it would have been my choice and mine only. An adult, remember?” He waved at himself. “You praised me for my independence only days ago, but suddenly, you need to protect my virtue? And why didn’t you pick up when I called you?”
“Frey betrayed my trust,” Chickie stated.
Phil rolled his eyes. He was facing away from Chickie, but it was as if his husband felt the eye roll. “Don’t make faces, Phil. What was I supposed to think, huh?”
“You could have asked them or talked to Oliver when he tried to reach you.”
At that, my friend looked guilty. “I would have. Once I calmed down. But then Morris called about the commotion behind the church, and…”
“Why are you still angry at Teddy?” Oliver demanded.
