Page 50 of Finders Keepers
The door exploded open. The boom from Bennett’s kick and the door’s bounce off the wall behind it sent another thwomp of agony through Wesley’s head. He couldn’t care less—help had arrived.Thank God.
“Shit. Wesley, hang tight,” Bennett hollered as he thundered past, his steps like mortar fire in Wesley’s skull. “I’m calling for backup. A squad car and an ambulance should be here soon.”
Then there was blessed silence, except for the thudding of his heart. Each gasping breath sent a wave of torture through him, which elicited another gasp and another surge. He did his best to slow his breathing, ease the torment. He didn’t dare move anything for fear of added pain.
Bennett’s distant shouting faded behind the throb in his head. Relief overwhelmed him and he melted into the floor. For the moment, he was alone and safe, and help was close at hand. He panted until his heart slowed. Sobbing in relief, he hissed in pain at the contraction of his stomach. With a shuddering breath, he let go.
Chapter Seventeen
A uniformed officer stepped in Nate’s way. Not Bennett’s partner from the last time, thank fuck. “I’m sorry, sir, this is a crime scene, you ca—”
“Is Officer Bennett here?” Nate stopped even though he wanted to charge ahead, find Wesley.
The guy nodded.
“I’m the one who called him. Can you find him please?”
The officer eyed him, gauging his sincerity, maybe recognizing him, but finally nodded. “I’ll get him.”
Nate inched up the driveway, as close as he dared. He’d said crime scene. Had something else happened? Was Wesley in there? A cold vice squeezed his heart. Did Officer Bennett not get here in time? Was Nate too late?
The officer exited the trailer followed by Officer Bennett, who stopped on the decking and waved him over.
“Mr. Hennessey, come on.”
Nate didn’t need another invitation and surged forward. He stopped on the threshold to allow his eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness inside. He scanned the room and spotted Wesley.
Nate’s body seized up for half a moment and then he skidded across the floor on his knees. “Wesley, oh my God. Wesley.”
He was curled up, not full-fetal, but close, an arm over his head. His shirt was torn. His forearms were starting to purple—probably from protecting himself from the blows.
“Wesley, I’m here. What did you do?” Nate stroked the back of his head.
Wesley took a shuddering breath and slowly uncovered his face. Nate gasped at the bruising and the blood. One eye was swollen shut completely, the other barely opened.
“Oh, God, Wesley.”
“What are you doing here?” he croaked. “Go away before you’re recognized.”
“I don’t care about that. I came for you, you brave idiot. Wade called me and told me what you said. I just knew you were in trouble. I got here as soon as I could, but you...”
This could ruin his career—his team’s support notwithstanding. But so what? If he walked away from Wesley, what was he even protecting anymore?
Nate leaned over and kissed his hair right next to his temple. In the few weeks that Wesley had been in his life, Nate had felt cherished and nurtured and truly cared for. Something he hadn’t felt since he could remember. Mom had always been an alcoholic and Dad had always been a workaholic as a result. Sometimes his friends’ moms were generous with their affection when he visited, but it had never been enough.
Wesley, on the other hand, had some way, somehow filled every nook and cranny Nate had, and he wasn’t letting him go. Hockey be damned. If this was his undoing, well, he’d won the fucking Cup, and he was willing to go out in a blaze of glory. He hoped the Locomotives’ backing would be enough.
“I figured out how I know you.”
Dammit.He didn’t need this right now. Nate was having a moment. He swallowed, looked up into the face of Officer Savard. And how was he even here right now? “Oh?”
“You’re the new goalie.”
Nate nodded.
“And you’re apparently queer.”
The barely-there sneer galled Nate like skate blades on concrete.
