Page 46 of Still Bruised
“Did you break a rule? Did you hurt him?” Anton asked.
Jason appeared at his side, frowning. He offered Foster a towel with ice in it.
“No!”Foster barked. “I asked permission. He tossed me down and rode me, in complete control the whole time. I thanked him after and even got him some water before I walked away.”
“So what made him punch you?” Jason asked.
“I have no idea,” Foster said, placing the ice against his cheek.“None.”
“I don’t like that kind of behavior at one of my gatherings, Cary,” Jason said before scowling at Foster.
“I have no idea what that guy’s problem was.” Cary frowned. He focused on Foster. “Although, he knew both our names. Firstandlast for you—so it’s someone we know.”
“Old beef?” Jason asked.
“I doubt it,” Cary answered before turning back to Foster. “Someone from home?”
Foster shrugged. “If it was, I have no idea who it could be.”
“I can’t imagine anyone else would know the both of us unless they’re from Eastfield,” Cary said. “Maybe it’s someone here on the DL who freaked out they’d been with someone they knew.”
Foster released a slow breath. He eyed Jason. “I’m sorry this happened, but I didn’t doanythingto that guy that wasn’t completely consensual.”
Jason sighed. “Well, what’s done is done.” He glanced at Cary. “Maybe it’s time to call it a night?”
Cary stiffened beside Foster. “Are you kicking us out?”
“No,” Jason said. “But I think there’s been enough drama tonight. It would be better if you just go.For the night.”
“Fine,” Cary snapped. “We’ll go.”
Foster followed Cary toward the front door. They stopped in the small room off the hallway with the cubbies and redressed. Foster felt sick. Not only did he have no idea who had sucker punched him, but he’d fucked things up for Cary.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You did nothing wrong,” Cary said, sliding one arm into his dress shirt. “The fact he knew who we were speaks to it being something else. Who would know us both and be gunning for a fight?”
Silence fell for a few seconds as they continued to get dressed. No one came to Foster’s mind. Not anyone he’d seen since he’d been back, anyway. There were a lot of people he hadn’t seen in years, though. Time changed people.
Cary spun to face him, pulling his pants up. “I’m trying to think of someone from home that fits that bill. He didn’t look familiar to me.”
“I honestly have no idea.”
“You don’t think…” Cary murmured.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Cary said, sliding a shoe on. “We’ll have to keep a close eye out when we get home, in case there’s another fight coming. He knew who we were. We need to find out who he is.”
Foster sighed. “Great.”
Cary chuckled. “Well, you can’t say tonight wasn’t entertaining.”
Foster chuckled, but winced, lifting a hand to his cheek. Once he drew his shoes on, he and Cary exited.
“I hope I haven’t ruined your fun for the future,” Foster said as they waited for the elevator.
“I doubt it,” Cary said. “But if so, it’s not that big a thing. There are plenty more places in this city to have fun. This city and others.”
