by K. C. Burn
Hoping to get this over with as quickly as possible and without any extended explanations, Cliff pulled out his phone and sent a text to Drew asking him to come to the kitchen alone. Seconds later, his gorgeous boyfriend raced into the kitchen.
“Hey. You’re wearing my old pajamas.”
When Drew rolled his eyes, Cliff realized that was perhaps the least pertinent thing he could have said.
“Yeah, I figured your mom wasn’t into Harry Potter. Actually, I’m a little surprised you were.” Drew’s ankles stuck out below the hem of the pajamas, but he was slim enough that pajamas from when Cliff was fifteen mostly fit him, even if they weren’t nearly long enough.
Cliff smiled. “I never had a problem with the fictional stuff, and besides, Harry Potter wasn’t quite the same as the whole Sandy Bottom Bay thing.”
Drew stepped close enough that Cliff could smell the scent of his mother’s shampoo in Drew’s hair and the hint of lavender from her soap on his skin. Cliff certainly didn’t begrudge Drew a shower—he’d showered and changed uniforms at the station—but he couldn’t deny it messed with his head a bit. Didn’t stop him from pulling Drew into his arms and kissing the pale lips he’d grown addicted to.
After a few minutes, he broke the kiss but kept his arms wrapped around Drew’s solid, lanky form.
“North,” Drew whispered.
“Drew,” Cliff whispered back, his mood instantly lightened by Drew’s presence and his nickname.
They stood there in silence, Cliff simply soaking up comfort in Drew’s embrace. If they’d been alone, and maybe not in his mother’s house, Cliff would have deepened the kiss and stripped Drew naked, but that would have to wait for later. After paperwork and several hours of sleep.
“So it went okay? The arrest.”
Cliff chuckled. “We took him completely by surprise. But I need to talk to my mom and get back to the station. Do you know where she is?”
“Sitting out in the gazebo with a pitcher of iced tea, I think.”
“Right. Well, I’d better get out there.”
“Want me to come with you?”
Normally he would have said no, this was a family matter, but not only was he beginning to view Drew as part of his family, he’d seen with his own eyes that his mom really liked Drew. Perhaps his presence would be a comfort to her, especially since Cliff would be dropping a bomb and then running.
Then again, Cliff found it totally understandable that most people would like Drew more than him, assuming they could get over the whole him-being-a-Drummond thing. From what he’d seen, Drew had gotten all the charisma in the family.
“Yes, please. I think she likes you more than me, so I’m hoping you can make her feel better when I have to leave.”
“She doesn’t like me more than you. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“But she is very fond of you. I can tell.”
Drew shrugged. “I know. She’s been good to me, especially since my grandma died. I used to think it was sympathy for my grief, but I don’t know what I did to deserve it.”
“Probably just you being you.” Cliff couldn’t hold back the supersappy sentiment, and when a pleased flushed heated Drew’s cheeks, he was glad he hadn’t. He grabbed Drew’s hand and led him to the back door.
“What about your job?” Drew asked just as they walked through the door.
“Well, I still have one. I was surprised, but the chief said he was only planning to reprimand me, even before I handed him such a high-profile criminal.” It had been a real weight off his mind.
“Oh. That’s good.” Oddly, Drew didn’t sound like he was wholly convinced that it was good, but the gazebo was in sight, and Cliff could only worry about one disaster at a time.
His mom looked up as they hit the wooden steps, and she gave him a quick once-over as though checking to see if he was injured. With his eyes still dazzled from the bright sunlight, the lines on her face were erased, and Cliff was reminded of better times when he was much younger. Which made what he had to do that much more difficult.
“Well, hello there.” She glanced at Drew’s pajama bottoms and looked as though she was biting back laughter.
“I have to talk to you.”
This time his mother looked pointedly at their entwined hands, and this time there was no suppressing her smile. “I’m so pleased for you both. Although if you were trying to keep it secret, you didn’t do a very good job.”
Cliff wouldn’t have thought having his mother’s approval of his boyfriend would matter at all, and yet her words set alight a warmth in his belly.
“Thanks, Mom. We appreciate that, but I’m afraid that’s not it.”
“Very well.” She waved a hand, inviting them to sit down.
Drew sat in one of the oversize wicker chairs and crossed his legs, clearly knowing that Cliff wasn’t going to be able to sit while he spit this out.
“Mom, I’m so sorry. We had to arrest the mayor.”
His mom blinked, lips parting slightly as she processed Cliff’s words. It had been a long time since Cliff had seen his mother genuinely shocked, but he was seeing it now.
“Arrested? For what?”
“Attempted murder.” There was no need to mention they were opening a murder investigation as well, especially since Cliff wasn’t sure they’d find enough to make a charge stick.
“Attempted murder?” she parroted. Then she glanced back at the house, and comprehension sank in quickly because his mother wasn’t stupid, not by a long shot. “He tried to kill those young men? That doesn’t make any sense.”
Her face was as serene as ever, but the whitened skin on her knuckles as she gripped the armrests gave away her upset. Only someone who knew her well would be able to tell how thoroughly she’d been rattled.
Since he didn’t know how to comfort her, he continued to pace in the small space of the gazebo.
“I’m so sorry, Mom. But it’s true.”
Cliff gave an abbreviated version of the discovery of the hoax and Brett’s intention to sink Phantoms regardless of whether he took down Sandy Bottom Bay along with it.
His mom sighed. “I’ve known William a long time, and he never did react well to being cornered. When you factor in his investments, I have to say I’m not terribly surprised he resorted to something illegal, but attempted murder is quite shocking.”
Cliff blinked. Drew appeared as taken aback as he was. “Investments?” He should have known his mother was aware of Morales’s investments.
“Of course. I make it a point of trying to support all the businesses in town. William had a bit of tunnel vision and invested his late wife’s money heavily in the businesses related to the Haunt Fest or the properties they rest on. A failed Haunt Fest would be disastrous for him.”
“You’re taking this better than I thought. You were dating, weren’t you?” Had Cliff misread the situation?
She lifted one shoulder ever so slightly. “Northcliff, don’t you think after all these years, I can recognize when someone is more interested in my bank balance than my personality? His attention was flattering—my status can be intimidating for a lot of men. I’ve known for a long time it wasn’t going to be a serious relationship. But I appreciate your concern.”
Those few words told him more about his mother’s loneliness than he’d ever truly understood before, and he vowed in the future to be a better son.
“Nonsense, Helen. I’m certain he was interested in more than your bank balance.”
His mom smiled warmly at his boyfriend, and Drew leaned over and patted her hand before pausing, a glaze veiling his eyes exactly as it had before he’d sent them into the swamp on a rescue mission. It only lasted a fraction of a second, though, not long enough to become alarmed.
“There’s someone else for you anyway. Someone better.”
“Dear boy. If it were anyone else but you telling me, I’d say they were full of horsefeathers.” Her acceptance of Drew’s prophecy made Cliff just a bit uncomfortable. After all,
she’d never had tangible proof of his abilities, not like Cliff had. “I’m assuming this arrest was the reason for all the secrecy, so I guess you’d better get those men into the hospital.”
Nothing about today was going as expected. Not at all. He just hoped it would all make more sense once he’d gotten a few hours of sleep.
“Thank you for putting us all up.” Drew smiled, and it made Cliff happy just seeing it.
“Well, you’re family, dear.” His mother ruffled Drew’s hair, and Cliff wondered when he’d stepped into an alternate reality. “You and your brothers.”
“Uh, Mom.” Was she overcompensating or something? Including the evil twins was taking things too far. “I’m glad you like Drew and all, but aren’t you rushing things a bit?” Not that Cliff didn’t want to rush, but it surprised him that his mother would. The last thing he wanted was to freak Drew out from overbearing parental pressure to settle down. Drew gave him a funny look that Cliff couldn’t interpret.
“Thanks, er…Helen,” Drew sounded hesitant. “Most people in town wouldn’t want to claim a Drummond as family. Not any of us.”
“True. But you’re a special case, and I think with a bit of incentive, like a policeman brother-in-law, they’ve got it in them to do what you did—pull yourself up beyond the Drummond reputation.”
“Mother!” Now she had them all but married? Drew was going to take off like he was being chased by starving gators.
As though she hadn’t thrown a bunch of impossible expectations into the middle of Cliff’s already unusual relationship, she ignored his outburst entirely, keeping her gaze on Drew. “I’m so proud of you, and I know your grandmother would be too.”
Drew’s eyes reddened for a minute. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Then she smiled ruefully. “I spoke with your grandmother a few days before she died, you know. She wasn’t well enough to do any readings, but she asked to see me.”
“Really? What did she say?”
“She told me you and Northcliff would end up together. And I knew you well enough by then to know that meant my son would be moving back to Sandy Bottom Bay eventually.”
A shiver raced up Cliff’s spine, and Drew’s mouth hung open. Was this the reason she had looked out for Drew more than anyone else in town? Was this the reason she had been unsurprised by Cliff’s sudden reappearance? She’d been expecting him home for two years.
“Um.” Cliff didn’t know what to say in response to that bombshell. Then again, he wasn’t sure he cared why his mother accepted Drew or if Nostradamus himself had prophesied their relationship. What mattered was the end result—him and Drew together. “I have to get back to work now. Scott can only cover for me for so long.”
Drew stood. “Right. Yes, well, I have to get Rob’s head checked out. Thanks again, Helen.”
Together they walked in silence through the yard, into the house, and then to the front door.
“That was kinda weird, wasn’t it?” Drew ran his fingers through his rumpled hair. “I mean, until this week, I didn’t really believe my grandmother could see the future. I just thought she was superintuitive.”
Cliff was already a believer. Believing Drew’s ability was hereditary made as much sense as anything else. “Well, if this is how fate works, I think I like it.” Drew’s lips quirked up, and Cliff gave them a brief kiss. “I’ll meet you at your place later?”
Just like that, Drew’s odd, distracted mood returned, but Cliff’s phone was already vibrating. Probably Scott wondering when the hell he was getting back.
* * * *
Cliff pulled up to the curb and parked. The sight of Drew’s weathered door eased him, gave him a sense of comfort and belonging that he’d never thought he’d have. Home. The man on the other side of that door was home.
And after a few hours of sleep, he’d prove to Drew, in many naked ways, how grateful he was they’d found each other.
Life was, unexpectedly, good. Awesome, in fact. He was still employed, and his chief not only knew his name but had complimented him today on a job well done, despite the uproar arresting the mayor had caused. He had a new relationship with his mother and a rekindled friendship with Scott. He’d faced the evil twins and managed to find common ground. And his boyfriend was all he’d ever dreamed of.
There was no suppressing his smile as he walked up the footpath.
Until he got close enough to see through the screen door. Drew was in the kitchen, pacing the small room, running his hands through his hair in an agitated manner.
Cliff’s mood plummeted to his toes. He’d thought his stress and exhaustion had made him imagine Drew’s odd behavior, but he could no longer explain it away. Something was wrong, and he very much feared it had to do with their relationship. The drama of the past week had been intense. Now that it was over, Drew could have reconsidered getting involved with him. After all, Drew’s family couldn’t be too happy about it.
Cliff fingered the house key. When Kyle had given it to him on Drew’s behalf, he hadn’t realized how precious it would become. With trepidation weighting his shoulders, it took real effort to force the key into the lock and turn it.
The click of the lock was enough to disrupt whatever internal monologue Drew was engaged in, and he turned with a look akin to fear in his eyes. Maybe the same trepidation as Cliff’s, but clearly for a different reason.
“Hi.” Cliff’s voice cracked, and he swallowed heavily, trying to dislodge the sudden emotional blockage.
“Hi.” Drew bit his lower lip while Cliff waited for the axe to fall.
The silence stretched out, tight and painful.
“So,” Drew sighed. “My head is doing better. The headaches are gone, and I’m…mostly back to normal.”
“Yup. That’s good.” Normal. Cliff didn’t want normal, not if it meant he and Drew weren’t together.
Drew turned his gaze away from Cliff, as though the clock on the wall held all the secrets of the universe. Cliff should just grab his stuff and escape the coming blow, not linger and force Drew to do this. But Cliff couldn’t leave. Not until Drew told him to go.
“I guess I don’t really need a babysitter. I mean, you stayed until I was on the mend. And I appreciate it. Really.”
Cliff clenched his hand so tightly around the key to Drew’s house that he fully expected blood to drip onto the floor. At least the physical discomfort kept him from falling to his knees and begging Drew not to do this, which would only be embarrassing and awkward for them both.
He breathed deeply and forced himself to open his hand. With shaking fingers, he pulled the key off his ring and placed it gently on the kitchen table.
“It’ll only take me a minute to grab my stuff.” There were some advantages to living out of a duffel bag. He’d be able to escape before he completely lost his shit.
Drew gasped, probably because he’d expected Cliff to make a scene.
Five minutes later, there wasn’t a sign in the bedroom or bathroom that Cliff had been there, living the happiest days of his life.
When he returned to the kitchen, he couldn’t resist one last look at Drew, who had his arms wrapped around his stomach and hair rumpled. His…ex-boyfriend. Just thinking the word threatened Cliff’s composure, and he coughed to hide the sob that nearly escaped. Drew spun around, eyes red and wet, nose shiny and swollen.
The ache in Cliff’s heart was no match for the urge to comfort Drew, and he dropped his bag to take Drew in his arms one last time.
Drew bent awkwardly to bury his damp face in Cliff’s neck. “I don’t want you to go.” The words vibrated against Cliff’s skin, and for a moment, he didn’t realize what he’d heard.
Then shock chased away the pain. “What?”
Drew stepped back and began to pace again. “I know this all happened so quick, but I like having you here. I don’t want you to go. The place is small, but surely we could work out a way for you to have your own space if you need it.”
Cliff ruthlessly quashed
his rising hope. He couldn’t risk hoping. Not until he’d clarified something. “I don’t want to go either.”
“Then why are you leaving?” Drew stared at the key on the table as though it were a viper poised to strike.
The hope wouldn’t stay buried. Not when it seemed that maybe Cliff had put the pieces together incorrectly. “I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“Of course I don’t want that.” Drew chewed on his lip again, and Cliff had to force his gaze away from the swollen, reddened flesh. “And I know it’s awful of me, but I was sort of hoping you were going to be unemployed. Then maybe you’d have to stay with me. Which is stupid, because you could just move back into your old room at your mom’s.”
“That’s why you were acting weird earlier? Because I didn’t get fired?”
“I’m sorry, North. I’m an awful person.”
Between Drew’s confession and calling him North without any hesitation, Cliff’s hope soared. He snatched up the key and jammed it back on his key ring. Then he snagged Drew’s arm and pulled him to his chest, the contact of Drew’s lanky body soothing the jangling pain in his heart.
“You don’t know how to be an awful person. But please know, I want to stay here with you because…this is home. You make this home. I’d want this if I was destitute or a millionaire. And not because of fate or because your grandmother foresaw something. Because of you. Because you and me together work.”
“Really?” Drew’s eyes shone with burgeoning happiness and relief. “And what if the visions don’t go away? Can you live with that?”
“I will take you any way I can get you, visions or no visions. And if you see something like you did with Andy, I will do my best to help you fix whatever’s wrong. I may not believe in any other haunt or specter or spirit in this entire town, but I believe in you. I know this happened fast, but living with you only compressed our initial courtship and convinced me we were meant to be together. Whether or not your grandmother knew it years before we did.”
Cliff stroked the back of his hand along Drew’s cheek. The faint unshaven roughness warmed his heart and stirred his cock to immediate wakefulness. He needed Drew, naked and wanting, now.