Clashing Hearts - Nicky James Page 0,52

those are some sexy as fuck abs you’re sporting. They’re homegrown, aren’t they? Somehow, I don’t see you as a gym guy.”

So much for avoiding the flirting. Sometimes, I had to use my strengths.

“Ah, forget this shit.”

Easton stormed off to the other side of the barn, mumbling curses the whole way.

“He’s had a rough morning. Excuse his behavior. Friends, huh?”

“You know how it is.” I winked, and the chief’s brows hit his hairline.

“Say no more. Come on. I’m sure he doesn’t want you to go. He’s just upset.” The chief waved for me to follow.

We rounded the barn after Easton, and I came to a grinding halt when I saw the reason for the police presence at Easton’s stables. My jaw fell as I took in the vulgarity marking up the entire lower half of the barn.

“Holy shit. Who the hell did that?”

“Teenagers,” Easton and the chief said simultaneously.

After further inspection of the barn, Easton’s agitation was understandable, and it had less to do with my showing up at the stables and more to do with the direct assault to his person.

I’d been gay and out for more than twenty years, and I’d experienced my fair share of homophobia, but this was personal. It wasn’t my barn, but the message stabbed at me just as deeply. It was cruel and pointed.

I took in Easton from the corner of my eye. He looked worn out.

A flash of movement to my left made me turn my head. I stumbled back a step when I noticed Easton’s huge dog lumbering over with a little kid beside him, clutching a soiled shirt. The kid eyed me suspiciously as he moved beside Easton and took his hand.

Easton startled from his deep thoughts and glanced down at the kid.

“Where do you want your shirt?”

“It’s garbage now. We’ll take it back to the house.” Easton bent down and scooped the kid onto his hip.

A rush of unease hit me. Did Easton have a kid? Was he married? Divorced?

“All right, East,” the chief said, interrupting my inner panic. “I’m gonna head back to town and check in with my crew. How about I take Percy home? You don’t need the extra responsibility right now.”

“I don’t wanna go home,” the kid said, tucking his face in Easton’s neck. “I wanna stay with East.”

Easton patted the boy’s back and whispered in his ear. The kid sulked as Easton set him on his feet again. He took the kid’s chin and tilted it up. “Tomorrow, okay? I promise.”

“Okay.”

“Smile now.”

“I don’t want to.”

Easton chuckled, and a lightness filled his eyes that wasn’t there a second ago. “Stubborn kid.”

“He gets that from you, East,” Windsor told him

Easton ruffled the boy’s hair. “Go on now, and don’t give Windsor a hard time.”

“You promise tomorrow?”

“Pinky swear.” Easton held out his baby finger, and the kid broke out into a wide smile as he hooked his finger on Easton’s, giving them an exaggerated shake.

The chief took the kid to the cruiser and helped him get in and buckled. “I’ll give you a call later today,” he said before rounding to the driver’s side.

“Thanks for comin’ out.”

Silence filled in the gap left behind by the cop and kid’s departure. Easton stared into the distance, eyes glazed over, one hand on his dog’s head, scratching absentmindedly. That was when I noticed the black smear along the dog’s fur.

A rush of anger hit me square in the chest. There was paint on his dog. Whoever had defiled his barn had sprayed his dog as well.

Who the hell did shit like that?

“Why’re you back, Lachlan?” Easton asked, drawing my attention away from the mutt.

I got the sense bringing up business wouldn’t go over well at that moment. I shifted on my feet, stuck my hands into my pockets then took them out again, unsure where to put myself. This whole rapport-building was more of a Christian thing, not me, but I’d swore to myself I would try.

“Who’s the kid?” I asked instead.

Easton blinked away from his funk and eyed me, wariness wiping away the remainder of his anger. He worked his jaw but seemed resistant to answer.

“He seems to like you. I thought he was yours at first. Threw me for a loop.”

“Why?”

I shrugged. “I would hate to think I hit on some guy who was married with kids.”

And his anger returned. He crossed his arms over his bare chest and scowled. “You think I’m the sort who would step out on a relationship to mess around with someone else

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