Love Him Free (On the Market #1) - E.M. Lindsey Page 0,87

remnants of what had been such a successful night. He had signed with strangers, and with some of Simon’s acquaintances. People were interested, and they were excited. He gave away cookies, and then hugs when he ran out of sweets. Simon had sold his booth empty.

And now he was gone, because maybe Eric was there—or Xander. Maybe they had showed up to fuck everything up all over again. Rocco pulled out his phone a second time, opened his contacts, then stared at Eric’s contact. He hadn’t bothered to communicate with him since Eric dumped him on social media, and he didn’t want to start now, but he was worried. He thumbed up a few letters, then down, and pressed on Lorenzo’s name.

Rocco: can u do me favor, see if Eric in Cherry Creek?

He shoved his phone into his pocket, abandoned the pizzas, then gathered up the bins and walked across the lawn toward the petting zoo where James had spent his day. Spencer was there, but Max was nowhere to be found, and in his stead was a very tall, broad man with greying brown hair and a thick beard. He had both arms around Spencer’s waist, and he was speaking into his ear, making the younger man smile.

God. Rocco’s heart ached. He wanted nothing more than to hold Simon like that—but he could only imagine what Simon had been told if the man really was Eric.

Spencer saw his approach and broke away from the older man, walking over to the little pen off to the side. James was there sleeping on a pillow, and he rose obediently, his little tail wagging as Rocco approached.

It was like being able to breathe, cuddling his dog close, and he rose, taking out his phone to tap on his notepad app. ‘Thanks 4 watch him. Need 2 find Simon. U take these bins? Belong 2 bakery.’

Spencer read the screen, then nodded and looked behind him at the older man who was watching the exchange. When he realized he had Rocco’s attention, he walked over and motioned for the phone.

‘I’m Collin, Simon’s friend. You must be Rocco. Everything okay?’

Before Rocco could type, he saw Spencer’s lips move presumably in explanation, and Collin’s frown deepened.

‘Let me call him,’ Collin offered, and Rocco nodded, feeling a rush of relief as the man pulled out his own phone and pressed it to his ear. It lasted only a second, though, and he tapped on the keyboard, ‘Straight to v-mail. He must have it off.’

Fuck. Fuck. There was no way to deny who had done this. If they were back home, Rocco would know who to get in touch with. He’d have an army of pissed off friends behind him to kick down Eric’s door and make him pay for fucking up the one good thing Rocco had managed to get out of that whole mess. But he had no idea where Eric could even be. He might not even be staying in Cherry Creek—though if he was, there was only one place.

His phone buzzed and he jolted before lighting up the screen and finding his brother’s name there.

Lorenzo: He went on a road trip, so yes, he’s probably on his way to you. Need help?

Rocco: Nope. Talk 2U LR.

Rocco signed his thanks to Collin and Spencer, then held James tight as he walked back across the grass toward the food trucks. He knew Levi was probably still there, and with any luck, James. He was single-minded and ready to fuck some shit up, and that’s when he almost tumbled head-first into Charlie who was walking Pumpkin on her leash.

Rocco righted himself, ready with an apology as he looked up at Charlie and his companion—a kid who couldn’t have been more than twenty, if that. He was attractive though, with sharp eyes and a set jaw, and he moved a step closer to Charlie like he was ready to take Rocco on.

It might have been funny, if Rocco wasn’t half out of his mind with anger and worry. ‘Sorry,’ he signed.

Then he realized Charlie was the exact man he needed. He held up one finger, and when Charlie nodded, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and thumbed through his photo album. It wasn’t hard to find a full-faced shot of Eric, and he felt his stomach clench at the sight of him.

With a breath, he showed Charlie his screen, then waited to get the other man’s attention again. He pointed to the screen, then spelled, ‘My