Page 18 of Awakening the Sheriff

Auden seemed to be at the center of it, and I wasn’t sure if he even realized his role. He was the peacekeeper but also the leader. When things got strained, they turned to him and followed his lead.

“Thank you so much for inviting me,” I said to Auden when we were getting up to leave. “I had a wonderful evening.”

Auden put a firm hand on my shoulder. “Happy to have you. You’re always welcome to join.”

A polite invitation, but I appreciated it anyway. “Thank you.”

We filed out the door, Marnin and I at the rear. “You’re barking up the wrong tree there,” he said softly as the others walked into the snow-covered parking lot.

I spun around, almost tripping over my own feet. “What do you mean?”

“Auden. He’s straight.”

Fudge. What had Marnin seen? “I’m aware, but I assure you there’s nothing—”

Marnin cut me off with a hand gesture. “Please, I recognize an Auden crush when I see one. Trust me, I’ve been there.”

“You’re…?”

“Bi. I’m bi. Or pan, whichever you prefer. I’m what’s colloquially referred to as a manwhore, since I fuck anyone I can get. And if Auden were even a one on the Kinsey scale, I would’ve jumped his bones back in high school.”

Cripes, what was I supposed to say to that? Maybe honesty was the best way to go. “I’m bi too. And yes, Auden is very attractive.”

Marnin grinned. “He’s hot as fuck, is what you’re saying. Can you imagine those thighs wrapped around you? Mmm, and being as generous as he is, I bet he’d blow your socks off in bed. Too bad he’s as straight as they come. I’ve shared a bed with him countless times, and the man never looked twice at me, not even when I was wearing very little.”

My mouth dropped open. Jeepers, was he for real? Had he really just said that?

He only laughed harder. “If you want to be friends with us, you’ll have to get used to my lack of filter. I call ‘em as I see ‘em, so if you’re easily offended, we may not be the best choice for you.”

I lifted my head. “I can take whatever you dish out.”

His smile faded as he studied me. I resisted the urge to squirm when those chestnut-brown eyes seemed to take in every detail. Then he slapped me on my shoulder, grinning again. “We’ll see about that, Keaton Perry. We’ll see about that.”

7

AUDEN

The warm light of the living room lamps cast a serene glow, and I snuggled deeper into my chair, taking advantage of the silence. The girls had left minutes before for their mother’s, and those first hours without them were both heaven and hell. I appreciated the peace and quiet, but I always missed them when they were not with me. Ennio was supposed to stop by to hang out, but he’d canceled because of a head cold. He’d sounded pretty congested, so I could only thank him for not spreading whatever was plaguing him.

My house wasn’t big, but with enough space for both my girls to have their own room, it fit us to a T. Tricia had recommended it to me when she heard Mrs. Ocean wanted to sell, and at first, I’d laughed. Surely, that house was way too small for me. But surprise, surprise, with all of Mrs. Ocean’s belongings—junk, if you asked me—were removed, it looked a hell of a lot bigger.

And with Tricia across the street, it had all worked out perfectly. Whenever I was called in for work, she either took the girls over to her house or stayed at my place until I was back. As much as I regretted our marriage failing and my role in it, I’d always be proud and grateful we were doing a stellar job as co-parents.

I’d opted for muted neutral colors that radiated calm, with light-gray walls and birch bookshelves lining them. My cherished collection of LEGO sets was partially displayed, only some smaller pieces. The bigger ones were all in the basement, where I had created a veritable man cave. Hell, I was a man, and I had a hobby, so sue me. My house, my rules. The girls rolled their eyes at me, but for the most part, they were fine with it, teasing me about my hobby.

A knock on the door interrupted my reverie.Please don’t let it be something work-related. I needed some time to myself. I opened it. Keaton stood there, smiling as he held up a large LEGO box with both hands. “Look what I found at the church rummage sale today.”

Oh my god, an old set of a fire station. I’d been eyeing it forever, but my hobby wasn’t cheap. “And it’s complete?”

“The woman had her son rebuild it to make sure. She sold it for ten bucks.”

“Ten bucks? Holy shit, that’s a steal.”

“That’s what I figured, so I got it for you.”

How sweet was that? My friends all knew about my weird little hobby, but none of them had ever gotten a set for me. “Thank you.” On impulse, I added, “Wanna help me build it?”

“Now?”

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