Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,78
my ear. “FYI, he’s straight. Good luck with that. Believe me, there isn’t a gay boy in town who wouldn’t have hit that if he was … you know.”
I no longer wanted a coffee. I wanted to escape. It was like I was built of glass walls, and the whole world was looking upon something deeply personal I wished would stay hidden.
Outside the coffee shop, I stormed down the street, my head spinning, my pulse racing. I should have known escape wasn’t possible in Jasper. It was summer. People took advantage of the nice weather and flocked the streets, knowing in a few short months they’d be housebound.
Standing out in front of my car were more people who recognized me. There were a lot of Hi, Tomis and Hello, Tomis and You’re back in Jasper, Tomis. But it was the hushed tones when my back was turned that spiked my adrenaline.
I was convinced people knew everything. Logically, I also knew I was probably making it worse in my head, but I couldn’t help it. I’d spent years convincing myself Jasper was out to get me, and I couldn’t come back. Coming back meant admitting that my futile attempts to hide who I was years ago had failed.
In the safety of my hotel room, I texted Windsor.
Tomi: This isn’t working.
Chapter Seventeen
Windsor
“What was that about?”
“Nothing.” I strode faster, aiming for the station since we’d walked the few blocks for a coffee.
John jogged to keep up. “Did I hit a nerve or something? I mean, I thought you two were friends. Back in May when you were—”
“I barely know Tomi. Why would you think that? I didn’t go to school with him. We don’t know each other.” The bite in my tone was fierce, and I regretted it the minute I opened my mouth.
John tugged me to a stop, scanning my face. He saw too much. “What’s going on? You look spooked, and you’ve never snapped at me like that before.”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry. It got hot waiting in line, and it made me lightheaded, I guess. I haven’t been sleeping well. I’m tired, and it makes me cranky.”
Not a lie.
He wouldn’t release my arm, so I was subjected to his perusal for a minute more. “You’re out of sorts.”
“I’m not. I’m tired, I told you.” I pulled free and kept walking at a normal pace, knowing my instinct to flee was throwing up red flags I didn’t want John reading into.
He thankfully changed the subject. Unfortunately, to something else I’d have rather avoided. “So, how’s the lady friend? Is she the reason for your sleepless nights? It’s been, what? A month now? Are you going to ever tell me who she is?”
“Why? So you and the rest of my faithful officers can settle your bet?” I cringed at how indignant that comment came out.
At least John had the decency to look ashamed. “We’re curious, Windsor. How can you blame us? You’ve been a single guy for as long as we’ve known each other. Whoever it is, I’m happy for you. You don’t need to hide her. We’re all excited, that’s all.”
I didn’t respond. As I entered the front of the station, John added, “I think Belinda’s heard. Did you notice how she let Kelsey take our order?”
I had noticed. I’d also noticed the faint hurt behind her eyes when I’d caught her watching us. It was exactly what I hadn’t wanted. I’d told her I wasn’t looking for a relationship, and it was all a lie.
Matthew popped his head out of the storage room when we keyed through the secure door to the back offices. “Hey.” He eyed the drink tray John carried and bounced on his toes.
John tugged one free and handed it to him. “Calm down, tiger. Vanilla something-or-other latte with extra creamy drizzly crap whatever-you-call-it on top. Basically, sugar in a cup.”
Matthew’s smile grew as he inhaled the steam and closed his eyes. “Heaven in a cup is more like it.”
“I hate people who order fancy, long-named drinks like that. It makes us black coffee drinkers murderous.” John pulled up his stern, serious face, and Matthew’s eyes grew.
I chuckled. John had a way of keeping the new ones on their toes, but we all knew he was kidding around.
“Good thing you’re a cop, and I’m cute, right?” Then Matthew batted his lashes and made a pouty face I’d never seen him make before. The seductive look he gave John was unexpected.