Hennessey's Handler (Protect and Serve #4) - Pandora Pine Page 0,23

life.” Nate had another point though. I’d grown up a lonely, little, motherless boy. There was enough baggage there to fill a 747.

“No, your past involves you being your father’s whipping boy for your entire life, being the one he blamed for any and everything that went wrong in his life.” Nate’s words were cutting but held no malice. He knew the story of how I’d grown up unloved and seen as a liability.

I winced. Nate was right, but hearing those words aloud stung more than I expected.

“Let a man who doesn’t sin throw a rock first.” Nate laughed. “Or something like that.”

I knew what Nate was saying. I wasn’t exactly coming into this friendship/relationship intact either. Everything I had was because of my father. On the other hand, he was the reason I’d grown up without a mother and with no self-confidence. “Everyone has baggage,” I grudgingly admitted.

“True.” Nate poured himself another beer. He seemed to be weighing his words carefully. “Leaving both of your pasts out of this, it’s a huge step that you’re considering dating this man. You didn’t ask for my opinion, but here it is anyway. Go out with him and see what happens.”

I’d been thinking the same thing myself before Stan “The Man” had shown up. “Do you think I should look the story up online?”

“It’s always a good idea to look people up before you go out with them. You’d want to know if he was a suspected serial killer, right? I bet he’s doing the same thing with you.”

“Yeah, but Kennedy knows me.” I rolled my eyes. I had someone to vouch for me. Hennessey only had his brothers and my own observations of him, which I supposed was the same thing.

“Kennedy isn’t your keeper. He doesn’t know that you jack off in the car or that you pick your nose and sling it on the wall.”

“Jesus, Nate. I don’t do either of those things.” I did do gross things, like leaving smelly socks on the bedroom floor in a heap, but doesn’t everyone?

“We both know that but Hennessey doesn’t. He’s taking as big a risk as you are. Give him a chance and have a good time.”

“If you were in my shoes, you would go?” I’d already decided to go. I knew I’d regret it if I canceled, and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt Hennessey. He’d been through a lot in the last few days.

Nate nodded. “He’s a handsome guy who owns a business. He’s surrounded by family, and you said those two little girls think he hung the moon. Kids are smart about people. I’d take their testimony of him as gospel.”

“I’d been thinking the same thing.” After we all had Lola’s birthday cake, the three-year-old was glued to Hennessey, even when the presents came out.

“Who knows, if this date goes well for you, I might even consider toning down my horndog ways.” Before I had a chance to respond, Nate was out of his seat and sashaying toward a handsome young blond at the bar.

“I’ll believe that when I see it.” I laughed at my friend and reached for the pitcher of beer. After I poured myself a glass, I turned my attention to the Sox/Yanks game. There would be plenty of time later to check out Hennessey’s past.

9

Hennessey

After Stan showed up at Bait, I decided to work until closing, just in case. Seth was happy to have the night off. He deserved it, and all I would have done was sit at home and mope about my day. At least he would enjoy going home at a reasonable hour.

The bar had been quiet. It usually was on a Wednesday night. We’d had a bunch of orders for takeout, which made life easier. There were no tables to bus or dishes to wash. Unfortunately, it also meant there weren’t a lot of people to talk to. Hearing someone else’s problems always made my own seem further away.

It was ten minutes to midnight, and I was making sure the kitchen was clean before I flipped the closed sign when one last customer walked in. “Sorry, pal, we’re about to close. I can grab you a drink if you make it quick.”

“It’s going to take as long as it’s going to take,” a quiet voice said before locking the door behind him.

I froze. Was Stan back? When I walked back into the bar, I relaxed completely. It wasn’t Stan. It was my brother, Quentin. “Are you okay?