Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,57

when I was in school.”

“Oh. Cool. Why’s he here?”

The million-dollar question.

The hairs on my neck rose as Easton met my haunted eyes, his expression curious and knowing. “I think he’s visiting the chief. Maybe they’re old friends too. Why don’t you get back in the truck while I talk to Tomi for a minute.”

“But, I have to pee.”

Easton let out a long-suffering sigh. “Right now?”

Percy crossed his legs and whined. “Yeah, right now. It’s an emergency.”

Easton looked like he didn’t believe him, but he turned to me with an apologetic grimace. “Do you mind if he uses the toilet?”

I managed to shake my head and step aside as Percy buzzed past me, racing into the cabin. I couldn’t peg an age on the kid, but he seemed pretty young. Seven or eight if I had to guess. Of course, it wouldn’t take a genius to see Windsor and I were only using one bedroom. Would the kid figure it out?

Once Percy was gone, Easton lowered his voice. “It ain’t none of my business, and I’m terribly sorry this happened. Windsor won’t be too happy with me. For all that we’re friends, I didn’t know this about him, and I’m sure he didn’t want me to.”

I couldn’t filter my fear from my anger. Both emotions dumped into my system, warring for attention. Gritting my teeth, I asked, “Why did you come up here?”

Easton clutched a folded paper. He handed it to me. “We had an early mornin’ fisherman spot a mama grizzly and two cubs in the area not too far from here. They don’t normally come this far down the mountain, but it happens from time to time. I would hate for anyone to come across them unexpectedly if they were out hiking or whatnot, so I felt it was my duty to inform my cabin’s occupants. If you get between a mama and her babies, there could be trouble. I tried gettin’ ahold of Windsor to let him know, but he wasn’t answerin’ my calls or texts, so I figured I’d come out and deliver the message first hand. Not somthin’ I wanted to wait on. Tomi—”

“It’s not what you think.” The words were weak and out before I could stop them. They were reflexive, and I could tell by the look on Easton’s face, he wasn’t buying my bullshit. It was exactly what it looked like, and he knew it. I may have been able to fool people when I was in high school, but there was no way I’d be able to deceive another gay man who likely knew a closeted man when he saw one.

I scrubbed my face and cursed, wishing I could disappear or run back to BC and pretend none of this had happened.

“I’m not about to divulge your secrets. Windsor is a solid friend. I would never do that.”

“And how good’s your kid at keeping secrets?” I snapped. I didn’t mean to lash out, but fear made me unstable and irrational.

The burst of laughter that erupted from Easton was unexpected, and I frowned. Nothing about this was funny.

“Why are you laughing? You think I’m kidding? I’m dead serious.”

“I’m sorry.” He took a second to fix his face, but it still held a note of humor. “I know you’re serious. It’s just, well, I’ll be honest. Percy is really fuckin’ terrible at keepin’ secrets. Shit.” But he was still laughing like this whole situation wasn’t a big deal. “Look, I don’t think he’s pieced it together if that helps. His little mind don’t think like that.”

“This is a nightmare.” I needed to sit down. My world was spinning out of control, and I didn’t know what to do.

Percy flew out of the cabin as Easton’s phone rang. He swung around on Easton’s leg as Easton checked the display and sighed, holding up the device and waving it at me. “Now Windsor calls me back. How pissed off do you think he’ll be that I’m here?”

I didn’t know how to answer that, so I shrugged.

“Hey, Chief.” Easton stopped Percy’s frantic spinning and pointed at the truck, silently telling him to get in.

“Chief,” Percy yelled, aiming to be heard on the phone. “We can’t find your girlfriend to tell her about the bears, so we’re gonna tell Tomi instead.”

“Get in the truck. I’m gonna start sewing your mouth shut.”

“Why? It’s true. Aren’t we gonna tell that guy about the bears?”

“I already did.”

“Oh.” Easton gave him a pointed look, and Percy made a slow retreat to the