Page 12 of Fiendish Ways

Chapter Seven

The day of Nebraska’s twentieth birthday, he woke up alone. For a moment, he blinked in confusion, wondering if he had slept through Cree telling him goodbye. The empty spot beside him hurt for some reason he couldn’t pinpoint. Maybe because this day had never been special for him and today looked to be no different. In fact, Nebraska always suffered the absolute worst luck and hardships on his birthday. In a small secret way, he had hoped this first one with Cree would be different.

After a shower and eating alone, Nebraska headed outside. The wind had a bite to it, signaling the rapidly approaching winter. He walked the well-worn path to the huge pond nearby. It was a beautiful spot and one of the few places he felt free to roam. He headed toward the nearest bench to the water where he always sat. King was already there, staring at nothing. Nebraska didn’t think he even heard his approach.

Since all the guys had itchy trigger fingers, he announced his presence before he startled King. “Hey. I didn’t expect to find you here.”

King blinked and looked his way. “Oh. Hey.” He scooted over, making room for Nebraska. “Why aren’t you wearing a coat?”

“I don’t have one.”

“You don’t have one?”

Nebraska shrugged. He didn’t want to talk about how he had fled his home state with nothing but a backpack of clothes. Everything he owned now was at the mercy of others.

King stood and peeled off his coat. “Take mine.”

Nebraska geared up to protest, but King cut him off before he started. “I’m wearing long sleeves and have over a hundred pounds on you. Trust me, I get overheated easily.”

With a nod, Nebraska accepted the coat. It was nice and toasty as he slipped his arms inside. It also swallowed him whole.

King reclaimed his seat. “What drove you out here with no jacket?”

Nebraska shrugged again. He didn’t want to admit it was his birthday, and he was sad. “Bored, I guess. Why are you sitting out here alone?”

“I’m always alone.”

King said the words to the water, so Nebraska didn’t get a look at his face. He understood King meant he was always emotionally alone. They spent too much time together for King to mean the words literally. “What would cheer you up?”

A smile flashed his way. “Do you ever worry about yourself, or do you only care about other people?”

Nebraska shoved his hands between his knees so he wouldn’t fidget and give away how much that question bothered him. He wasn’t selfless. Nebraska wanted things. He had just given up. Life had beaten him. He didn’t have the energy to fight for anything. So, he chose another path. “I care about you.”

King looked away again. “You probably shouldn’t. I don’t think Cree likes that we’re friends. He’s been kind of an asshole to me lately.”

That might have been true, but Nebraska had decided not to let that deter him. He had given up everything, even a fucking coat, to be with Cree. Cree could allow him one friend, and King needed him. “He hasn’t told me we can’t be friends.”

A wry smile passed over King’s lips. “Give it time.”

Nebraska refused to be sad anymore. “Well, that day isn’t today, so what should we do?”

“Archer almost caught me leaving last night. Now I don’t feel like I can dress how I want. It was too close of a call.”

“Get a hotel room and dress there before you go out. Problem solved.”

King’s gaze swung his way. For the first time, Nebraska saw how unhappy he was. “I don’t want to be this way.”

Nebraska took his hand. “Why? You’re beautiful just the way you are.” He kissed King’s hand. “How about this? What if I go with you?”

King snorted. “I’m not taking you to my club. That’s not a place for you.”

Nebraska curled his nose. “I don’t mean there. Cree would die. I meant, grab your stuff and I’ll go to the hotel with you. We could grab some food and we could even find me an outfit and I’ll dress up with you. It’s not the club, but if you start feeling better, you can head over for a couple of hours, and I’ll hang out at the hotel. I can watch a movie and eat snacks. That’s all I do here, and Cree is gone. I don’t know where or when he’s coming back. That’s pretty typical.”

“You sounded a little bitter right then.”

A sardonic smile pulled at Nebraska’s lips. He still didn’t want to admit it was his birthday. “Let’s focus on a problem we can solve.”

King didn’t look mollified, but—thankfully—he let it go. “Okay. Let’s grab my stuff and head out. If nothing else, we can make your birthday fun.”

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