Shooting Star

by Carol Lynne

  Before Brac could say more, Jessup turned and left the building. He didn’t slow until he reached the safety of his truck. “Fuck,” he yelled, slamming his fist against the steering wheel.

  * * * *

  By the time Brac joined Kit and Hawk in the Grizzly Bar, he was in a sour mood. Even Kit’s bright smile couldn’t chase away the hurt of Jessup’s dismissal.

  “Oh, baby, what’s wrong?” Kit asked, reaching for Brac’s arm and pulling him down to the chair beside her. “Where’s Jessup?”

  Brac shrugged. “He decided not to join us.” He didn’t tell Kit it was supposed to be their first date. When Jessup had told him he didn’t know how to date, he hadn’t been kidding.

  Hawk cleared his throat and pointed towards a group just entering the restaurant. Brac recognised the two men and boy from the pictures Kit had shown him.

  “I’ll go over and cuddle Joey while the two of you talk.” He stood and kissed Kit. “Order me a medium-rare fillet with fries.”

  “Love you,” Kit whispered against Hawk’s mouth after he kissed her again.

  “Love you,” Hawk returned.

  Kit watched Hawk cross the restaurant with a smile on her face. The simple gesture made Brac feel even worse. Maybe he wanted love so badly he was willing to settle for a man like Jessup who carried around a shitload of problems like a goddamn shield.

  “Have you slept with him?” Kit asked.

  “Hawk? Hell no!”

  Kit slapped Brac’s arm. “I wasn’t talking about Hawk.” She turned her gaze towards the man who was blowing raspberries on the small boy’s stomach. Stabbing a finger in Hawk’s direction, Kit shook her head. “Hawk would never cheat. Since he’s found Joey, he’s turned into a real family man.”

  Brac grinned. “Don’t sell yourself short. I think you have more to do with Hawk’s change in lifestyle than anyone. After all, even with a son, Hawk could still be fucking anyone who caught his eye.”

  A waiter stepped up to the table. “What can I get ya?” he asked.

  Brac hadn’t even opened the menu. He ordered a simple steak salad with dressing on the side much to Kit’s chagrin. “And bring me a Michelob with a Jack chaser.”

  While Kit gave the man her and Hawk’s order, Brac watched Hawk. He’d known the man for several years, but the Hawk of today was nothing like the playboy who used to have men and women going in and out of his house at all hours of the day and night. Hawk was proof that love could change a person if they were open to it. That wasn’t to say Brac was in love with Jessup, but dammit, he felt more for the deputy than he’d felt for anyone else.

  “So what’s going on with you and Jessup?” Kit asked.

  Brac looked away from the scene across the room. “I like him, but he’s really screwed up.”

  Kit chuckled as she settled the napkin in her lap. “Aren’t we all at some point in our lives?”

  “Not like Jessup.” He’d already told Kit about Jessup’s time in prison, but not in detail. “I’ve sucked his cock, but haven’t been allowed to hold him.” Brac picked up the salt shaker and sprinkled his cardboard coaster with a few grains as the waiter came back to the table with their drinks. It took him about two seconds to tilt his head back and pour the Jack Daniels down his throat. He handed the shot glass back to the waiter. “Thanks.”

  “Another?” the waiter asked.

  “Nope. One’s my limit.” Brac followed the whisky down with a gulp of his beer before settling the mug onto the coaster. He returned his attention to Kit. She was staring at him with a confused expression. “What?”

  “Why haven’t you held him?” she asked.

  “Because he freaks out. Something to do with the torture he endured.” Brac shrugged. “I thought if I took things slow I’d gain his trust, but he told me on the way over not to expect anything from him.” A bark of laughter erupted from his throat. “Less than an hour after having his cock in my mouth, he told me not to make more of it than what it was.”

  “I think you more than like this guy.”

  Brac took another drink of his beer. “Why would you say that? I’ve given my fair share of blowjobs to guys without expecting anything in return.”

  “Exactly. The fact that you’re hurt over Jessup’s rebuff tells me he’s different than the others.” Kit reached over and threaded her fingers through Brac’s. “Jessup didn’t want me to tell you this, but I think you need to hear it.”

  “What?”

  “The reporters have been gone for days. When I called to see when you were coming back to town, Jessup told me the country air seemed to be good for you. He asked me to just let you be for a few more days.” Kit squeezed Brac’s hand. “Ryan told me Jessup took a few days off so he could continue to stay with you even though the threat had passed. That doesn’t sound like someone who isn’t interested in getting to know you.”

  Brac brought Kit’s hand to his mouth and kissed it. “You always see the good in people.”

  “I didn’t used to.” Her gaze went to Hawk. “He was the first man I ever trusted enough to open up to. It wasn’t until I spelled out my fears and my past that the two of us were able to start building something.” She smiled before breaking eye contact with the handsome man across the room. “Have you done that with Jessup?”

  “Not really. I mean, we talked a little after Hal called to tell me I wouldn’t be going back to Pirates’ Cove, but not in any real detail. He’d probably freak if he knew how much I want to get close to him.”

  The waiter came with their food and Kit released Brac’s hand. “Sounds to me like the two of you need to sit down and talk.”

  Brac remembered Jessup’s offer to talk on the way home from the restaurant. “Yeah, guess I should’ve talked to you before I went and pissed him off.”

  * * * *

  From his position in front of the Sheriff’s building, Jessup watched the tail end of the parade that officially kicked off Cattle Valley Days. He’d spotted Brac earlier weaving his way through the crowd with Kit and Hawk right behind him.

  Despite the navy blue baseball cap and dark sunglasses, Jessup had picked Brac out of the crowd immediately. He’d fought the urge to go after the man he couldn’t seem to shake from his dreams.

  “Nice parade,” a familiar voice said from behind him.

  Jessup spun around and came face to face with the man he couldn’t get off his mind. “Yeah.” He stuck his hands in his front pockets. “How’ve you been?”

  “You want the truth or what I figure you want to hear?” Brac asked.

  “Truth’ll do.”

  “I’ve missed you, but I’m pissed that you haven’t returned any of my calls.”

  Jessup wasn’t sure what to say. He’d listened to Brac’s messages over and over again just to hear his voice, but he hadn’t been willing to risk more of his heart than he already had.

  Brac took off his sunglasses and took a step towards Jessup. “If you want nothing more to do with me, tell me, and I’ll go back to LA and lick my wounds. But if you feel the least bit like I do, give this thing a chance.”

  Jessup glanced around to make sure they weren’t drawing attention. “I’ll be off duty at seven, in time for the street dance. If you want to talk, meet me back here. If not, I’ll go on home.”

  “I’ll be here at six-fifty-five just in case you decide to get off early.” Brac tilted his chin up and stepped even closer, putting them within kissing distance. “Kiss me and give me something to look forward to.”

  Brac’s lips looked so inviting Jessup couldn’t help himself. He gave in to his body’s desire and kissed him, ending the brief press of his lips with a subtle swipe of his tongue. Before he could pull back, Brac kissed him again, thrusting his tongue deep into Jessup’s mouth. Fuck, the man tasted good. Brac had obviously sampled the pastries at Brynn’s Bakery earlier. He brushed Brac’s tongue with his own as he pressed his body against Brac’s solid frame.

  When he felt Brac’s erection grind against him, Jessup b
roke the kiss. “Eyes,” he reminded Brac.

  Brac nodded, sucking his bottom lip into his mouth. “That was nice.”

  The wail of the Sheriff’s SUV siren sounded as Ryan drove past them, signalling the end of the parade. “I’d better get back to work.” Jessup ran the back of his fingers down Brac’s cheek. “You’re starting to get a little red. Maybe you should go by the pharmacy and get some sun block if you’re going to be out all day.”

  Brac smiled, his perfect white teeth almost blinding in the late morning sunlight. “I will.”

  * * * *

  After a day sweating in the July heat, Brac took a quick shower. He took the time to thoroughly clean himself, hoping to get some action if his talk with Jessup went well. His persistent erection reminded him of how long it had been since he’d come and how much he was looking forward to seeing the deputy.

  A knock at the door drew his attention. Brac grabbed his towel and secured it around his waist. “Come in.”

  Kit came into the room, dressed in a pale pink sundress and high heels. “It’s six-thirty.”

  “I’ll be ready in a minute. Trying to decide what to wear.”

  With a grin on her face, Kit strode to the closet and removed a thin white T-shirt with a deep V-neck that barely rode to Brac’s belly button and a pair of super low-rise jeans. “Leave off the underwear. Give the man a glimpse of what he can have if he plays his cards right.”

  Staring at the chosen outfit, Brac shook his head. “You trying to make me look like a wanton slut?”

  “Yeah, pretty much.” Kit handed Brac the clothes before walking over to the dresser, putting her back to Brac. “How does Jessup do his job if he can’t stand to be touched? I mean, he’s a cop. Surely he does a fair amount of touching people.”

  “Touching someone and being touched are two different things to him it seems, but I think it’s being restrained in any way that really freaks him out. I guess as long as he’s on the right side of a pair of handcuffs he’s okay.” Brac dropped his towel and started to dress. “Hey, go through my stuff and get me a bracelet.”

  Kit started going through the small box that held Brac’s jewellery as he quickly pulled on the jeans and T-shirt. He studied himself in the full-length mirror and shook his head. There was at least a three-inch gap between the bottom of his shirt and top of his jeans. “I don’t think this is going to work,” he mumbled.

  Kit returned to his side and handed him two leather bracelets. She studied him for several moments, her gaze roaming up and down his body. If he didn’t know her so well, he would be offended by the attention she seemed to pay his groin. “If you can’t get Jessup to jump your bones wearing that, you can pack it up and go back to California knowing the man just isn’t right in the head.”

  “It feels too much like I’m throwing myself at him,” Brac tried to argue. He ran his hand over the prominent veins leading towards his cock which rested just beyond the waistband.

  “Some men are thick-headed. You have to put what you have right there in their faces to make them forget about everything but getting in your pants.”

  “Fine, but if I end up looking like a fool, I’m blaming you.”

  “Okay by me. Of course if you don’t come home tonight, I get all the credit.”

  “If I don’t come home tonight, I’ll give you anything you want.” Brac kissed Kit’s temple. “Now let’s go before I’m late.”

  * * * *

  Before going out to meet Brac, Jessup went through the process of getting Priest on the phone.

  “Damn, you’re needy lately,” Priest said when he answered the call.

  Jessup rolled his eyes. Running off at the mouth wasn’t anything new when it came to his best friend, and even though Priest complained, Jessup knew the man enjoyed keeping in touch. “Have a question for you.”

  “Shoot,” Priest answered with a chuckle.

  “Do you think it’s possible for someone like me to fall in love?”

  “Sure I do. I told you that last week.”

  “No,” Jessup said, remembering the conversation. “You said I might get lucky enough to find someone to love me, but that doesn’t mean I can return that love.”

  “When did you turn into such a goddamn pussy? If you love the guy, let him fucking know and stop whining. Just because your momma never loved you doesn’t mean you’re not lovable, asshole.”

  The mention of the mother who’d dumped him in a cardboard box in an alley moments after his birth sliced through Jessup like a hot knife through butter. Without a second thought, Jessup ended the call. It was just like Priest to open a wound that would never heal. For years Priest had tried to convince Jessup he had nothing to do with the actions of the woman who’d given birth to him. The problem was Priest didn’t know the word subtle.

  The phone in his hand began to vibrate. Jessup glanced at the display. He had a mind to leave his best friend hanging, but one thing he’d learned after spending time with Priest was not to leave things unsaid. “Look,” he began. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m done talking to you for now.”

  “You’re loveable,” Priest whispered in the softest voice Jessup had ever heard him use. “And you wouldn’t be loveable unless you had the capacity to love within you.”

  A lump began to form in Jessup’s throat. “Let’s hope the guy standing outside waiting for me thinks so.”

  “I’m sure he does.”

  “Be safe,” Jessup said before hanging up. He shoved the phone into his pocket and headed out of the locker room.

  Pushing open the double glass doors, Jessup got his first look at Brac since their kiss earlier. “Damn,” he mumbled under his breath. Never had he seen anything as sexy as Brac Riesling in a pair of form-fitting jeans. Jessup licked his lips, his entire body on alert. “Hey.”

  With a spark of mischief in his eyes, Brac started towards Jessup. A small red dot appeared in the centre of Brac’s chest, on the bare skin revealed by the low-cut shirt. It only took a split second for Jessup to react. “Get down!” He launched himself towards Brac. Jessup felt the slam of the bullet before he heard the shot echoing through his ears.

  Unconcerned with his own safety, Jessup curled himself protectively around Brac. “Don’t move.”

  Within moments Jessup heard the sounds of running feet. He prayed it was help and not the gunman coming to finish the job. His eyes started to drift shut as he was pulled off of Brac.

  “No!” Jessup screamed, scrambling to hold onto Brac.

  “It’s okay,” Ryan’s voice penetrated Jessup’s confused mind. “Ambulance is on the way.”

  Jessup somehow managed to remain conscious while Brian Allenbrand tried to get Brac into the Sheriff’s station.

  “I’m not leaving him,” Brac argued with the deputy.

  Still on his stomach, Jessup attempted to lift his head. All he cared about was Brac’s safety and there was only one other man he trusted. “Give me my phone,” he panted. It was becoming increasingly harder to breathe.

  “You’re in no condition to call anyone,” Ryan said, applying pressure to Jessup’s back.

  “Give me my fucking phone,” he managed to get out. Jessup knew he’d be the only one to get hold of Priest.

  With a growl, Ryan dug into Jessup’s pocket and set the phone next to him on the sidewalk. “Stubborn sonofabitch,” he grumbled.

  Jessup called the number for Alice Weaver and waited for the recording. “It’s me,” he wheezed. “Shot. Need you here.” Ending the call was the last thing Jessup remembered before his world went dark.

  * * * *

  Brac was seething as he stared out the interrogation room window. He’d had to stand on a chair and even then he could only see out of a small corner of the wired glass. He hit the window with his fist when the paramedics started to strap Jessup to the gurney. “No!” he screamed, knowing what Jessup’s reaction would be if he woke in the ambulance.

  He heard the door open but didn’t take his eyes
off Jessup.

  “Come away from the window, honey,” Kit said, pulling on Brac’s shirt.

  “Go tell them they can’t strap him down.” Brac glanced down at Kit before turning his attention to Hawk. “Please, make them understand.”

  “You’re bleeding,” Kit said, trying to pull Brac down from the chair.

  Brac continued to hold Hawk’s gaze. “Please,” he mouthed again.

  “I’ll see what I can do, but they’re meeting the helicopter at the football field. I doubt there’s any way they’ll let him fly to Sheridan without them.”

  “Tell them what’ll happen if he wakes up like that.” Brac climbed down. He’d told Kit and Hawk about Jessup’s reaction to Brac’s legs around his waist, so Hawk was at least familiar with Jessup’s mental state when it came to feeling bound.

  As soon as Hawk left the room, Brac slapped Kit’s hands away from his shirt. “I’m fine. It’s Jessup’s blood, not mine.”

  For the first time since he’d met her, Kit grabbed Brac, displaying a great deal of strength. “It’s not all his blood. Now fucking stand still,” she ordered, lifting Brac’s shirt.

  Brac lifted his arm and looked down to see fresh blood oozing from his side. He blinked several times before realising what had happened. For some reason the proof that the bullet had passed through Jessup and grazed him filled his heart with hope. “I’m fine. Doesn’t even hurt.”

  “You need stitches.”

  “No, I need to get to Sheridan,” Brac argued.

  “Not possible,” Ryan said, coming into the room. “Whoever shot Jessup is still out there. Dr Brown’s outside. We can get him to stitch you up at the clinic and on a plane within the hour.”

  “No, I’m not leaving town. Not like this.” As far as Brac was concerned, he was finished with Hollywood. First his parents had suffered because of his celebrity status, then Kit and now Jessup.

  “Be reasonable.”

  “I can’t just run and hide, Ryan. It’s my fault he was shot. I need to go to him.” Brac ran his hands through his hair. Why didn’t anyone understand?