Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,54

his sexuality. In May, I’d also discovered Josiah had a serious side to him as well. He would fight tooth and nail for someone he cared about. That someone was Shay—Tomi’s brother.

Josiah met my hard stare dead on. “I was a gay teen once, Chief. I know what it’s like when… Let’s just say, people can be cruel.” He faced the counter, and his expression turned to stone.

I wondered if he was remembering the shit that had gone down between him and Tomi. I still hadn’t learned all the details, but I could piece it together well enough.

“Do you know this Grant kid?”

“Not personally. I’ve seen him around town though. He’s hard to miss.”

“So I’ve heard. What’s that mean?”

Josiah met my eyes again and studied my face. “Some of us can hide it. Some of us can’t. Grant is… well, you know. He can’t. Not his fault. He’s just … you know.”

My heart skipped and stuttered. Josiah’s comment felt too pointed for my liking. I had to remind myself multiple times he didn’t know anything about me and was talking about gay men in general.

Thankfully, Belinda appeared at the counter with my coffee and a paper bag with my treat. “Here you are, sweetie. One strong coffee, exactly how you like it, and an apple fritter made with love.” She winked, and I was too off-balance to respond with anything but a smile. “On the house.”

Josiah smirked when I regarded him again. “Take care, Chief.”

“Will do. Stay out of trouble.”

“Never.”

Back in my Jeep, I contemplated heading to the station to get my cruiser but dashed the idea immediately. Most teens could spot a police car from a mile away and would avoid it. It was better to scan the streets in my personal vehicle.

I enjoyed a few sips of coffee before setting out. Once I was on the road, my phone chirped with another incoming text message. Tomi would have to wait. My old CJ didn’t have the bells and whistles to accommodate speakerphone either, so I couldn’t call him back.

I followed a regular patrol route along the back streets of Jasper, keeping my eyes peeled for Felix and the boy, Grant. My fritter was long gone, and my coffee cup nearly empty when I caught sight of Felix, shoulders hunched as he hightailed it through a park in the direction of his house.

He was alone.

I pulled to the side of the road and parked. When I got out, I whistled, drawing Felix’s attention.

When he saw me, he slowed and came to a stop. His body language showed defeat. The last thing a teenager wanted was a cop on his ass.

I crossed the park toward him as my phone rang. Tugging it from my pocket, I caught Easton’s name as it flashed across the screen.

I’d have to call him back when I was done handling this. I silenced my phone and stuffed it back into my pocket.

“What’s up, Chief.” Felix’s gaze skittered all around before it dropped to the ground. He scuffed a shoe along the grass, kicking a pinecone.

“I was at your house looking for you this morning.”

“Had to run out.”

“Your parents don’t seem too pleased about that.”

“Never are.”

“Did you tell them where you were heading?”

Felix sneered, his annoyance ripe. “None of their business. If they knew, they’d make it into a thing.”

I studied his tense form, hands balled and shoulders high. He couldn’t stop fidgeting. “Do you know Grant O’Hara?”

Felix stilled, gaze locked on a distant place on the road. His jaw ticked once before he said “no” between clench teeth.

“He goes to your school. Same age. Are you sure?”

Felix’s cheek twitched. He refused to meet my eyes. “I know of him. We aren’t friends if that’s what you think.”

“Is there something wrong with Grant that would make you not want to be friends with him?”

Felix must have decided defending that statement was more important than hiding his friendship. His stormy gray eyes shot to mine, and the tempest within stirred. “There is nothing wrong with him. People need to stop saying that.”

I held my hands up in peace. “I never said there was. You seemed adamant that you couldn’t possibly be his friend. I was only curious why.”

For a brief moment, Felix looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He covered it fast but went back to staring at the grass underfoot. “What did you need, Chief?”

My phone vibrated once again in my pocket. I took a second to check who was calling and dismissed it