by Anne Barwell
“Yeah, I’ve been told that.”
“YOU’VE GOT a really awesome movie collection.” Mikey ran his hand over the DVD covers as though it was the first time he’d seen them.
“It hasn’t changed since the last time you saw it.” Donovan hadn’t bought anything new in months. Money was tight, and he and Heidi had agreed to watch their spending until they had enough behind them to cover at least three months’ mortgage payments.
“Yeah, but it’s still awesome.”
“The trouble with having a collection of awesome stuff,” Doug said, coming up behind them, “is that it makes choosing really difficult. Any idea about what you want to watch tonight, Mikey?”
“Hey, Doug.” Donovan had heard him at the front door with Heidi earlier. “How’s it going?”
“Evening, Donovan.” Doug was dressed casually in jeans and a sweater, but Donovan would have still picked him for a copper if he hadn’t known. Some occupations weren’t as easy to switch off, even when off duty. “I’m looking forward to some downtime. It’s been very busy at work.”
“Have you caught the bank robbers yet?” Mikey asked. “I haven’t seen anything suspicious, but there are a few new people in the village.”
“I assure you I’m no bank robber,” Ethan said from the doorway. “I wouldn’t keep working as a teacher if I was.”
Mikey frowned. “You told me you liked teaching.”
“I do, but I’ve just spent an afternoon preparing lesson plans. It’s a lot of work.”
“Every job has something you don’t like about it,” Donovan said. “Being an adult sucks sometimes, Mikey. All that responsibility and stuff.”
“Only Peter Pan doesn’t grow up.” Mikey rolled his eyes. “Dad tells me that all the time.”
“It’s important for kids to take responsibility too,” Doug said. “I’ve seen adults in trouble because they’ve never been taught about consequences. Parents think they’re protecting their kids, but they’re really not.” He walked over to join Mikey in looking through the DVDs. “And no, we haven’t caught the bank robbers yet. Soon, though, I hope.”
“Anyone got any requests for tonight?” Donovan asked.
“World peace and a simple life,” Ethan said, deadpan.
“I wasn’t looking for an early retirement just yet.” Doug pulled a DVD off the shelf. “How about an Indiana Jones movie? I haven’t seen this one in a while.”
“I love Indy,” Mikey said. He took it from Doug. “This is the first one, right?”
“Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Donovan confirmed. “Yeah, it is. Ethan, does that work for you?” Heidi had a thing for Harrison Ford, so she’d be happy with the choice.
“Umm.” Ethan looked embarrassed. He glanced at the floor. “I’ve never seen any of those.”
“You haven’t?” Although Mikey voiced the question, Donovan and Doug turned to stare at Ethan in mock horror too. “But… it’s like never having seen Star Wars.”
“I haven’t seen those either,” Ethan mumbled.
“Right, then.” Donovan laced his fingers together and cracked his joints. “I see a movie marathon in your future. We’ve got to do something about this disturbance in the force.”
“Don’t mind them, Ethan.” Heidi brushed past Ethan, carrying a large bowl of popcorn. “They’re a bunch of geeks, the lot of them.”
Doug looked hurt. “I thought you liked that,” he said. “And I know you like this movie. It’s one of the reasons I chose it.”
“Aww, how sweet.” Donovan couldn’t help teasing them. Doug was good for Heidi, and he’d do anything for her. It had taken a bit of persuading to get her to go out to dinner with him that first time he’d asked, but once they’d gotten to know each other, Doug had come out of his shell too.
“Don’t make fun of the law.” Doug grinned. It was a long-running joke between them.
“You’re off duty,” Donovan reminded him, “so it doesn’t count.” Ethan still stood in the doorway. He glanced from one to the other, a bemused look on his face. “Come choose a seat, and we’ll get started,” Donovan told him. “You’re okay with the choice, right?”
“Yes, it’s fine.” Ethan shrugged, finally stepped out of the doorway, and sat down on the couch closest to him. “It’s probably about time I expanded my world view, anyway.”
Mikey helped himself to the single chair by the fire, and Doug sat down on the two-seater couch, leaving room for Heidi. Donovan busied himself organizing the DVD.
The only space left for him was on the couch with Ethan. Or the floor, and he didn’t want it to seem he was avoiding Ethan.
Wonderful.
DESPITE HIS reservations, Ethan found himself drawn into the movie and on the edge of his seat as the bad guys found the Ark of the Covenant. He felt something warm brush against his leg. Donovan had moved closer but seemed oblivious to the fact he had.
Should he edge away?
That would be kind of rude, wouldn’t it? And it did feel nice, having Donovan close like this. Ethan glanced away from the screen. Donovan had a handful of popcorn and was munching, his posture relaxed and a contented look on his face. Although he’d shaved that morning, he was already showing signs of stubble, the color of his beard a couple of shades darker than his hair.
Ethan licked his lips, then stopped himself, mortified.
What the hell was he doing?
Donovan was no Duncan. Their personalities were completely different, for starters. In hindsight Duncan had been a self-centered arsehole, always going on about making sacrifices for his art.
Ethan snorted. He still couldn’t believe he’d fallen for Duncan’s bullshit or stayed with him for so long. Had Duncan ever truly loved him? Despite everything that had happened, Ethan wanted to believe they’d had something good. But every time he tried to find the good memories, all he saw was Duncan in their bed with another man. According to Duncan, that had been Ethan’s fault. After all, if Ethan couldn’t provide for Duncan’s needs, he couldn’t be blamed for finding someone else.
“Run!” Mikey yelled at the screen. “No, not that way.”
“Ssh, no spoilers,” Donovan reminded him. “Ethan doesn’t know what happens next.”
“Oops, sorry.” Mikey didn’t take his eyes off the screen. “You’ll like this next bit. It’s great.”
“Time for a break?” Heidi asked. Everyone glared at her, and she grinned. “Didn’t think so.” Doug pulled her close and put his arm around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder.
They made a cute couple. Donovan watched them for a moment. He wore a small smile, but it had an edge of sadness to it. His eyes clouded over as though he was remembering something or someone. Donovan brushed one hand through his hair, a gesture Ethan had seen him use before when he was deep in thought. His hair flopped forward in the front, but most of the time he didn’t seem to notice it. He had thick hair, and the color was in stark contrast to Duncan’s blond hair.
Ethan had been very taken with Duncan, especially as Duncan had done all the talking. It was one of the reasons he’d felt safe in the relationship. He never asked much about Ethan, so Ethan didn’t have to find the words to explain how he was feeling. Duncan just seemed to know or he was good at reading people and gave them what he thought they wanted so he’d get what he wanted in return. Duncan had just presumed whatever decision he made was the right one for both of them.
Fuck, Ethan had been such an idiot. In the two years they’d been together, Ethan had believed Duncan loved him and they had a future together.
“You okay?” Donovan whispered.
“I… I’m fine.” Although Ethan suspected Donovan would listen to his sob story, he didn’t want to tell it. Having Donovan find out about what had happened with Duncan wasn’t somewhere he wanted to go. They’d spent time together researching and shared a few meals. That didn’t make them close friends.
Donovan wasn’t just different from Duncan in looks. He seemed to genuinely care about others and
did what he could to help. Ethan had watched him with Sally’s children that morning. He’d spoken to them on their level, yet hadn’t talked down to them. Chester, their dog, had greeted Donovan like an old friend too. Animals and children were good judges of character.
Duncan hadn’t been a fan of either. Too demanding and time-consuming, he’d told Ethan more than once. He’d never understood why Ethan enjoyed teaching, and he’d behaved like a spoiled child when Ethan spent a lot of his free time lesson planning instead of focusing on their relationship.
Naturally that had been another reason it was Ethan’s fault Duncan had been forced to find someone else to satisfy his needs.
“If you want to talk anytime, I don’t mind listening.” Donovan glanced at the screen, then back to Ethan. Everyone else in the room was focused on the movie, and he’d kept his voice low so they wouldn’t be overheard. “Not now of course, but later.”
“I’m fine,” Ethan repeated. He edged toward the other end of the sofa, away from Donovan. “Thanks, though,” he added quickly. He did appreciate the offer, but it wasn’t a good idea.
“Time for a break,” Heidi announced, grabbing the remote and hitting Pause. “Doug and Mikey, come help me make drinks and bring in supper.”
“I don’t—” Mikey started to stay.
Doug cut him off. “I don’t know about you, Mikey, but one of the first things I learned about Heidi is that she means she really needs help but doesn’t want to admit it.” He winked at Mikey. “I’m sure Indy wouldn’t leave a lady in need to fend for herself.”
“Well, if you put it that way, I suppose.” Mikey got to his feet and followed Heidi out of the room. “Heidi, do you think Dad would mind if I texted him to see how Granddad is?”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t,” Heidi replied. “I think it’s a great idea.”
“Nice psychology there, Doug,” Ethan said. He didn’t think for a moment that Heidi needed the help, considering how organized she was.
“About as subtle as Heidi,” Donovan murmured. “The two of you are a match made in heaven, I swear.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my hearing either,” Doug said, although he didn’t sound offended by Donovan’s comment. “I’m going to help out in the kitchen.” He collected the empty popcorn bowl. “We’ll be at least five minutes.”
“Yeah, real subtle,” Donovan said.
“Huh?” Ethan wasn’t sure what Donovan was on about. “I think it’s sweet that Doug likes helping Heidi in the kitchen. A lot of guys don’t, and one person in the relationship gets to do all the work.”
Another mark against Duncan.
Perhaps the long walk Ethan had taken that morning hadn’t been such a great idea. It had given him too much time to think, and reflection wasn’t something he did well, especially of late.
“Yeah, he looks after her. I’d be having words with him if he didn’t.” Donovan cleared his throat. “You seem real distracted this evening, Ethan. Did something happen?”
“I’m not distracted,” Ethan said. “I’m enjoying the movie.”
The last part of what he’d said was true, at least. It appeared there was something to the genre Tomas had spent years trying to get him to read and watch after all.
“Uh-huh.” Donovan put his hands behind his head and leaned back on the sofa, keeping his tone casual. “That’s what all the stuff about helping out in the kitchen was about. Doug and Heidi are both good at reading people. You’ve gotten more and more distracted and agitated over the past twenty minutes or so. I bet if I asked you what was happening in the movie before Heidi hit Pause, you wouldn’t be able to tell me.”
“I know exactly what’s going on,” Ethan said indignantly. “And weren’t you supposed to be watching the movie instead of me? Can you tell me what happened in the last five minutes?”
“I’ve seen it before. I can quote this movie in my sleep, so answering that question isn’t going to prove anything.”
“So you admit you were watching me?”
Donovan blushed bright red. For a moment, he seemed flustered as hell. “Umm… I mean…. You’re changing the focus of this conversation onto me.”
“So?” Ethan brushed imaginary crumbs from his jeans. He sighed. As much as he thought Donovan looked hot—
No, not going there.
“Look, I’m sorry,” Ethan tried again. “I appreciate your concern, but it’s not something I want to talk about. With anyone.” He attempted an olive branch, not because he wanted to, but because…. The last thing he wanted was to upset anyone, and especially not Donovan. “Don’t worry, it’s not about Tomas. If I’d heard something, I would have told you, okay? I know you’re concerned about him too.”
“Okay.” Donovan raised his arms in mock surrender. “I won’t ask about your crap if you don’t ask about mine.”
“I was only being concerned last night,” Ethan protested. Surely Donovan wasn’t going to bring that up now, after pretending it hadn’t existed all day?
“That’s all I’m doing now,” Donovan said softly. “Deal?”
“Oh.” Ethan ignored the way his cheeks flamed. Donovan had neatly turned Ethan’s indignation back on himself. “Point taken.” He took a deep breath, knowing he didn’t have any option but to agree. “Deal.”
Chapter 8
DESPITE THEIR conversation at movie night, Donovan didn’t have the chance to spend much time with Ethan the following day. He had wasted most of it trying to fix the dishwasher—again—and his temper was wearing thin with the stupid thing.
He’d been glad when Sally phoned after dinner and asked for his help with a tap that refused to turn off. It was a good excuse to give up a battle he suspected he’d never win.
While the tap was more cooperative than the dishwasher from hell, by the time he’d gotten home again, all Donovan wanted to do was have a hot shower and lose himself in a good book. Ethan had seemed tired too and disappeared off to bed early, but not before suggesting they meet for a drink at the pub the next day. He had something he wanted to talk about but was waiting for the final pieces of whatever it was to fall into place.
The following morning started off well, but the day was fast deteriorating into a repeat of the day before, and he’d spent much longer than he’d anticipated at the local hardware store. One o’clock and he was already half an hour late meeting Ethan at the Worthington. Donovan smiled when he saw Ethan sitting at a table near the fireplace, but his mood was quickly dashed when he noticed Ethan wasn’t alone.
Jane had pulled over another chair and was talking nineteen to the dozen, waving her hands to illustrate whatever point she was making.
She turned as soon as Donovan approached. “Oh hello, Mr. Campbell,” she said. “Please come join us.”
“Well, actually, the other chair is for Donovan,” Ethan said. “I was saving it for him.” He looked exhausted, or exasperated. Donovan couldn’t decide which, but whatever it was, Ethan definitely needed rescuing.
“Oh right, of course.” Jane gave him a huge smile. “I remember you saying that now. That’s why I grabbed this one, wasn’t it? Silly me.”
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Donovan said. To his surprise, a glass of beer stood waiting on the table.
“That’s for you,” Ethan said. “Don’t worry, it’s only been there a couple of minutes. I worked out how long it would take you to get here after you texted me.”
“Thanks.” Donovan reached into his pocket for his wallet, but Ethan shook his head.
“It’s on me.” Ethan glanced at Jane, but if it was a hint to get her to leave, he was wasting his time.
“Oh look, there’s Gary Smith over there,” Donovan said. He hadn’t seen Gary in the Worthington before. The guy tended to keep to himself, although he was polite enough.
“He works for the same bank I do.” Jane ran her finger around the top of her wineglass. “Not at the same branch, obviously, or I’d know him. He’s not very chatty, is he?”
“Sometimes
people take a holiday to get away,” Ethan said. “Perhaps he doesn’t want to make conversation?”
“Oh, he wasn’t rude,” Jane said. She looked thoughtful. “Perhaps I need to try again, find something in common? The poor man does look troubled, doesn’t he?” She picked up her drink and pushed back her chair. “Ouch,” she said, wincing. “I really need to do something about these shoes. I keep telling myself I get what I pay for, but I never learn.”
“Apparently not,” Ethan muttered, but if she heard him as she strode away, she didn’t acknowledge it.
“How long has she had you in her clutches?” Donovan asked before taking a sip of his beer.
“Long enough.” Ethan kept his voice low like Donovan, although it was doubtful Jane was wasting any time listening to them. Her focus had shifted completely to Gary now. The poor guy gave a good impression of a deer in headlights when she sat down opposite him. “I swear that woman can’t take a hint.”
“She probably means well.”
“You honestly mean that?” Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“No, but I’m trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. Heidi has this theory that if you think positively toward someone, some of it washes off on them.”
Ethan snorted. “Some people are beyond all help.” He glanced over at Jane. “I don’t suppose it works the other way?” He shrugged. “Who am I kidding? Of course it doesn’t. I swear some people are Teflon coated. Everything slides straight off them whatever they do.”
“That’s very fanciful for a guy who only believes in facts.” Donovan nodded at Ethan’s beer. “How many of those have you had, and do you want to talk about it?”
“This is my first, and no I don’t.” Ethan lifted his glass to take another drink, but put it back on the table untouched. His glass was still half-full. Obviously he wasn’t a drinking kind of guy either. “How’s Mikey’s grandfather?”
Not exactly a subtle change of subject, but Donovan wasn’t going to push it. He wouldn’t have, even without the agreement they’d made.