“Oh really?” Nick raised his eyebrow. “Can’t handle cops?” His grip slid down to Brian’s wrist, and he rubbed his thumb over the back of Brian’s hand.
“You know what I mean. Not you. But I almost told her you used to be a cop, to make her think better of us.”
“You could’ve. She’ll probably hear it elsewhere, from Doc or Yasmin. Or me, if she asks.”
“So why didn’t you tell her now?”
“This way I can let Minneapolis know in advance she might call. Remind them it’s in all our best interest to be careful.”
“In case she asks them about your boyfriend, Brian. I’ve done a lousy job disappearing, huh?”
Nick’s grip tightened until Brian’s wrist ached. “Not your fault. Damon should’ve fucking known better than to use your real first name on your false papers. But yeah, another reason to keep playing it like just housemates for now. I don’t think she caught on.”
“Maybe Damon thought I couldn’t remember a new name.”
Nick hugged him. His sweaty embrace was a comfort, and Brian leaned his cheek against Nick’s damp hair.
“Maybe. A new identity does have to seem natural. Undercover cops have been tripped up that way.”
“I could’ve done it, though.”
“Of course you could. Fuckin’ Damon.” Nick held him uncomfortably close, rubbing his back like this was more than it seemed. “Fucking fires and disasters and Damon.”
“He’s around here, you know.” Brian hadn’t meant to tell Nick, with how Nick felt about Damon, but keeping secrets was too uncomfortable. “He dropped off some money for Lori.”
“And an insurance card. I know.”
“Oh.” Were you going to tell me, if I hadn’t heard? He shoved the thought away. “Anyhow, I could, somehow, maybe ask him for a different ID. One with, um, Jeff. Or Michael.”
“Too late now.” Nick stepped away. “I wonder if that wasn’t his plan. An inept name change, so once the baby’s born, you’d have to take a longer, better run with all new names, away from old friends…”
“I wouldn’t go!”
“If the wrong guys found you, you might have to.”
“We might? Right?” His chest felt tight.
“Huh? Oh, hell yeah. I’m not leaving you now. Which is part of the problem.” Nick went off into their bedroom. When he came out, he had his old phone in hand. He plugged the charger into the wall, waited for it to power up, then tapped the screen and set it on the table. Brian heard the other end ringing.
“Rugo.” Olson’s irritated voice was familiar. “What the hell are you calling me for? On a Sunday, yet?”
“I ran into a minor situation here. Some vandalism.” Nick sounded calm, but there was a hint of strain in his face. “Nothing to do with me, but the local sheriff would love for the perp to be a stranger in town. If the MPD gets a query about me, would it go to you?”
“Hell, no. You’re on the books as Petrosian’s headache. Are you worried he’ll tell the truth about you?”
“Hah. Just want to make sure Brian doesn’t get outed as collateral damage.”
“I doubt the inspector would protect you and Brian like he did, and then fuck it up.” She hesitated a moment. “Is Brian okay?”
Nick glanced at him. “As far as I know.”
“Well, if you’re worried, go ahead and tell that sheriff if he wants the lowdown on Nick Rugo, he can call me directly.”
“Not sure if that’s a promise or a threat, but thanks,” Nick said. “And she.”
“Huh?”
“Sheriff’s a woman. Tough. Sharp. She reminds me of you, actually.”
“Too late to kiss my ass, Rugo.” Olson clicked off the line.
“You liked working for her.” Among the regrets Brian had about how everything worked out, forcing Nick to choose him over Olson and his beloved job was high on the list.
“Yeah. But I love you.”
Nick didn’t say it out loud often. When he did, the words always melted something knotted up inside Brian. He sighed. Nick powered the phone off, took out the battery, and came over, bumping Brian’s shoulder.
“Hey, how about you and I—” He paused and sniffed audibly. “How about we take a shower and wash off the sawdust and the smoke and… sheep poop? How far have I sunk, that I can identify different animals’ shit by the smell?” He still slid an arm around Brian’s back.
“Only as far as me.”
“Best place to be. Low down with you.” Nick let Luger out of the spare room while Brian kicked off his boots, then he steered them toward the bathroom. “Let’s get clean so