Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,86

heart ached for this seventeen-year-old boy whose whole world had shattered.

John appeared on the rooftop but kept his distance, giving us privacy. Once I was able to calm Felix enough, he released me, and John stepped forward. “If you give Lucas and Harriet a few minutes, they’re clearing the area below. I thought you could both do without an audience.”

I nodded at my second in charge. His face was firm, his eyes soft, but I didn’t miss the flash of hurt when we made eye contact. If I was going to call anyone a best friend, it was John, and I’d been lying to him since the day we met.

It was another twenty minutes before we were able to leave. Felix was unstable on his feet but managed the ladder. He let me hold him up as I took him to my Jeep and helped him in the passenger side. I closed the door and faced John.

“You did a pretty awesome thing tonight, Chief.”

I didn’t know what to say. I felt exposed. “I’m sorry, John.”

“Hey, it’s not about me. I’ll give you shit another day. Right now, you take care of that kid.”

“Were his parents contacted?”

“They were, and you don’t want to know what his dad said. I’m worried about sending him home.”

“He’s not going home. I told him he could stay with me if his dad was going to be a problem.”

John nodded and peered behind me into the vehicle.

“Grant’s pretty upset. It was hard to convince him to leave.”

“Where’d he end up?”

John smiled. “Tomi offered him a ride home.”

“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

John slapped my shoulder and turned to his car.

“Hey, John,” I called before he got too far.

“Don’t worry, I’m heading to the station to help Lucas right now. I won’t let the poor kid drown.”

“Thanks. Tell him he did good.”

“I will.”

Chapter Nineteen

Tomi

The incident at the high school carried a dream-like quality to it. Long after Windsor and Felix stepped off the ledge, my heart still wouldn’t calm. Windsor’s constables were encouraging people to head home, but I couldn’t stop staring at the empty ledge above, replaying the events over and over again.

Someone touched my arm, jarring me from my stunned state. It was only then I realized how badly I was shaking with the residual adrenaline.

Shay. “Are you all right?”

I took a second to contemplate before nodding. “Yeah. Considering.” What I felt wasn’t panic or anger or fear. The fear had passed once the danger was gone. What I felt now was relief. Relief for Felix. Relief for Windsor and myself. “I’m okay.”

Shay tugged me into a hug, and I went willingly. It was strange. My brother wasn’t one for emotions or hugging. Before he released me, he whispered in my ear. “Now’s not the time, but when things calm down, we’re gonna have a long talk about how the fuck you of all people ended up with the hottest man in Jasper.”

“I can hear you,” Josiah said from somewhere behind us.

“Shut up. You’re jealous and shocked too. Don’t lie.”

“Truth. Windsor is all…” Josiah sighed dreamily.

Shay released me and studied my face. “Jasper’s best-kept secret apparently.”

“Keep your hands off my man.”

Shay burst out laughing, and I smiled. Never in my life had I felt comfortable making such a bold statement about my sexuality.

“You guys need to move out,” a young constable said. I thought his name was Lucas.

Shay and Josiah waved as they headed around the building. I glanced one last time at the rooftop, the horror of the night flashing through my mind. It could have ended in tragedy.

Before I walked away, I noticed the young boy who’d stepped forward earlier, the one who had encouraged Felix, telling him he was strong enough. The kid was lost in thought, staring at the rooftop as well. Black tear tracks covered his cheeks. Makeup, if I had to guess. He was shivering and hugging himself.

“Are you Grant?” I asked, stepping up beside him.

He blinked away from his fog and glanced in my direction. Sniffling, he nodded.

John walked past and looked like he was about to say something. I shook my head. “I’ve got this.”

He moved off to escort other people away, ones who weren’t listening.

I moved up beside Grant. “Is Felix your boyfriend?”

Grant wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Yes. He didn’t want to be gay. He said it would ruin his life if people found out. His parents especially wouldn’t understand. His dad is a raging homophobe. I don’t know what’s going to