Concealed Hearts (Hometown Jasper #4) - Nicky James Page 0,89

Basic furniture, a few disorderly bookshelves, no pictures, a dying plant in the corner that desperately needed a drink, magazines on random surfaces, and a thin layer of dust on everything. My eye twitched, and I stifled a laugh. His house represented one of the few things we didn’t have in common.

Windsor found two beers and took my hand, guiding me into the living room. “Stop looking at the clutter and dust. I know I’m not the cleanest person.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re transparent.”

We both chuckled.

On the couch, we leaned against one another, sharing the moment.

“I’m not sure my heart has stopped racing since my phone rang earlier.” Windsor clutched his chest.

I pressed my hand over his, feeling the proof. “Scary moment.”

“Terrifying. All of it. And now that it’s over, my head won’t stop spinning. Tomorrow will be an interesting day. Time to face the music.”

“You’re a hero, Windsor. There isn’t a person in Jasper who will see you as anything less.”

“I’m not who they thought I was.”

“No, you’re better.”

We didn’t make it to bed until almost morning. In the quiet of the pre-dawn light, we made love.

Windsor was up by nine, and I heard him and Felix in the kitchen, talking quietly. I stayed in bed so I wouldn’t bother them. I wasn’t sure what the plan was today, but I knew Windsor had to crawl into work at some point, to write reports if nothing else.

Closer to ten, the bedroom door creaked open. A moment later, the bed dipped when Windsor sat on the edge. I’d drifted off again and stirred awake, cracking my eyes open. He was dressed in his uniform and smelled like a fresh shower.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yeah. For a little bit. I have to go over reports and such from last night, make sure everything’s in order. I should be back in a couple of hours. Felix is going to hang out while I’m gone. He seems comfortable with that decision. We’re going to his parents’ place after. He wants to collect some of his belongings, but he doesn’t anticipate our talk will go over well with his dad.”

“Does he know I’m here?”

“Yes. I told him.” Windsor smiled. “It’s funny, but I think he saw it as proof I wasn’t lying last night. Part of him thought I was saying all those things so he wouldn’t jump, now he’s fascinated my boyfriend is here.”

I took Windsor’s hand. “Is he stable right now? Should I worry? I was going to go to my parents’ house.”

“He’s fine. He’s much calmer, and I think last night scared him. Maybe you can tell him what Grant said. Encourage him to call him and let him know he’s okay.”

“I’ll do that.”

Windsor kissed me once and pulled back. “Will you be back here later?”

“If you’ll have me. I don’t think I need or want a hotel anymore.”

“I’ll always have you, Tomi.” He winked and was gone.

I gave Felix some space and took my time in a long hot shower. After, I spent twenty minutes tidying Windsor’s bedroom, bathroom, and linen closet. I was itching to let loose in the living room too.

As though he somehow knew what I was up to, Windsor texted.

Windsor: Is it too late to tell you to stop cleaning my house?

Tomi: Far too late.

Windsor: You have problems.

Tomi: Compulsions. Not the same.

Windsor: I love you anyway.

I smiled at my phone. Those three words came easy, and I felt them through my whole body.

Tomi: I love you too.

Felix was lying on the couch watching TV when I emerged from down the hall. The hood of his hoodie was drawn up, and he was curled on his side in the fetal position. He glanced in my direction, and a wash of uncertainty showed in his eyes. The poor kid was so fragile right now, a soft breeze would blow him apart.

“You’re okay. I’m going to skip out for a bit. Let you have some time to yourself.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

“I do. I have to go see my family. Big reveal last night and all. Probably should talk to them.”

“Did they know before?”

I glanced down at my hands, picking at a nail. “They did, but I’d spent a lot of years denying it and arguing against it. I caused a lot of fights and problems between us.” I peered up at the young kid curled on the couch and thought he deserved to know he wasn’t alone. “We aren’t too different, you and I. When I was your age, I didn’t like the