Page 8 of Promised Secret
“Let’s go get lunch!”
Chapter Two
CLAY
We ended up at the local deli a couple of blocks away from the clinic for lunch today—Frederick’s pick. The entire walk there, my mind was jumbled with thoughts about Frederick.
Why was he coming to lunch with us? And why the hell was Dan hugging him for so long earlier?
It was no secret that Dan dated around. He had a different person on his arm each week, but the one thing they all had in common was that they never stuck around. That was probably the reason I endured sharing him, because I knew these people would be out of our lives eventually.
But if Dan started dating Frederick…
They worked at the same place and saw each other practically every day. I knew Dan wasn’t the type of person to mess around at the clinic, so if he startedsomething up with one of his employees, it meant he really liked them.
Which meant…I was going to have to share Dan with someone else.
I didn’t like sharing.
I met Frederick the day he started working with Dan. He was a huge dude, so large that anyone at the local police department would want to recruit him.
Dan couldn’t stop gushing about him his entire first week on the job, saying how great Frederick was with kids, and how diligent Frederick was on the job, and did I know Frederick had two pet bunnies?
I immediately disliked the man. I knew it was childish of me, but it felt like the newcomer was taking my place as Dan’s partner in crime. Dan used to always say we were a team. I’d go out and kick asses, and he’d be there to treat my injuries.
But now, with them working side by side at the clinic, it was hard not to feel like I was being replaced.
After grabbing our food and watching Dan slide into the booth beside Frederick when he’d usually sit beside me, I disliked the man even more.
Why the hell was he eating lunch with us, anyway? This wasourthing—me and Dan. It didn’t include anyone else, unless…oh god. If they really started dating, was this going to be the new routine? The three of us going to lunch every day?
Am I the third wheel?
I sat directly across from Dan but sent a glareFrederick’s way. The man ignored me and focused on devouring his food. His eyes curved in enjoyment with each of his bites, and even I had to admit that he was a good-looking dude. I wasn’t into men, but I could see why Dan might be attracted to him.
I glared at him even harder until metaphorical daggers were shooting his way.
Someone kicked my ankle. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt, but I knew he was trying to get my attention. I ignored him and continued my very serious task of glaring at the person who was takingmyDan away.
There was another, harder kick to my ankle, and this time, I paused my very important task to look at the culprit.
Dan was squinting his eyes and waggling his eyebrows, as if trying to communicate silently to me. Even without him saying it out loud, I knew he was telling me to stop glaring and play nice with his employee.
Dan defending him made me want to glare at the man even more.
Eventually, Dan stopped trying to make expressive faces at me and took a bite of his sub. Frederick continued eating his food, lost in his own world and paying no mind to either of us.
I started eating, too, but I continued to observe Frederick to figure out what the deal between the two of them was. I wished he wasn’t here so I could ask Dan directly.
Knowing me well, Dan probably knew what I was up to and just shook his head at me. He turned toward Frederick and asked, “Are you volunteering for the hugging booth at the summer fair next weekend? I saw Carol talking to you the other day when she came in to ask me to volunteer.”
Carol was the head of the PTA at the local elementary school. She’d swung by the police department last week as well to recruit people for their fundraiser. I’d politely declined since hugging wasn’t really my thing.
Frederick chewed his food slowly and only replied after swallowing. “The kids want me to, but I’m not a huge fan of crowds.”
“Oh, c’mon, you should do it. It’s for a good cause. The elementary school is trying to raise money for a new playground for the kids. I’m sure all the children will be lining up to get a hug from you. They love you,” Dan gushed, eyes sparkling up at Frederick.
I frowned and took another angry bite of my sub. I knew I was being overly possessive by not wanting Dan to be so starry-eyed over someone else, but I didn’t like sharing him.
