Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 114577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 573(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
“Brian. I think the flashback was triggered by the sound, but your mind didn’t take you directly to the violence this time, it took you to the small amount of peace, brotherhood, you had in there. Peace that Jenkins gave you with his touch.”
Brian’s chest constricted. If his loneliness was going to be a problem, he had no clue how to fix it. He’d been actively seeking out companionship, but between his dangerous job and hectic work hours, that was enough to scare any potential man away, then Brian had to go and add his mutism to the pot which all made a recipe for an unsuccessful dating life.
“I know that look.” Colton put his pad down and picked up his coffee. It had to be cold by now, but it didn’t stop Colt from taking a big gulp. “You’re thinking you’ve got too much baggage to be happy with someone.”
Brian stood, his actions telling Colton that he was right. He propped his hand up on the cool glass and watched the foot traffic below while his doctor talked. Colton dissected Brian’s flashback some more and the deeper meaning he saw behind it. They also talked about his work, his brother, and of course, his speech therapy and how that was going. After his session, Colton figuratively removed his professional pants and went into good friend mode.
“Have you tried to reach out to him again, Brian? The way you described your initial meeting and then the chance meeting with him at your brother’s house, I mean, it didn’t sound like he wasn’t interested. By the way, my wife still loves for me to recount that story.”
Brian spun around feigning anger. “A bit unethical, don’t you think, doc?”
“Hey. Until you’ve been in the dog house for a week, then you can condemn me for my by-any-means-necessary unethical methods to get back into my comfortable bed.”
Brian loved Colton’s wife and knew the wild woman did have an unhealthy obsession for gay men. Dinner conversations were never vanilla at Colton’s. “She thanks you… and so do I.”
Brian smiled broadly. It seemed an impossible feat after how he’d been feeling last night and all morning. He left Colton’s office with a firm order to keep his appointment next week and another invitation to meatloaf night at his house. If he wasn’t working, he’d be there. Brian loved Colt’s family, and he loved to eat.
“Thanks for meeting me, dude. I know it’s a little late but…”
Dana sat at the high-top round table after removing his jean jacket. “Uh-oh. You’re thanking me for coming like I’m here to see a show.”
“Shut up. I can never understand your work hours. Besides, I also know you don’t like to be pulled away from that old man of yours,” Sway said, messing with his best friend. “Did you give him his Ensure after dinner?”
Dana almost spit out some of his beer trying to stop his laughter.
“At his age, it’s critical for him to get all his nutrients and vitamins,” Sway said, dead serious.
Dana continued to laugh. “You’re a dick. Will you stop acting like Ford is that old?”
“Well, if the orthopedic shoe fits.” Sway couldn’t hold in his laugh any longer.
“I’ll be sure to tell him you said that when I get home.” Dana lifted the beer that Sway had already ordered for him and took a large gulp, wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his old Dallas hoodie. “So, what’s up swish-and-sway? Spit it out. Applebee’s ain’t open twenty-four hours.”
Sway rolled his eyes at the nickname and decided to get down to why he’d called his brother out at almost nine o’clock at night. “How well do you know Brian?”
Dana finished his beer and flagged the waitress for another before he turned back to him. “I’ve known him a few years, just as long as I’ve known Ford. They both came to work for Duke at the same time, bout three and half years ago. I’ve worked side by side with them ever since.”
Sway hoped he could get as many of his questions answered as he could before Dana started to act like Dana. “What was your first impression of him?”
“Damn that guy’s huge… and quiet.” Dana chuckled.
“Dana come on, be serious.” It sounded like a whine, but he could do that with Dana. He was tired, irritable and his feet hurt, he was allowed to groan.
“So, first impressions.” Dana looked away as if he was carefully considering his words. “Brian wowed me on the very first bust he and his brother assisted us on. Judge—you know Duke’s other business partner who runs the PI business—he brought them on to help temporarily after Duke was injured. They were only supposed to aid with one case. Needless to say, that was years ago and they’re still with us. The way Brian calculates and moves is freakin’ crazy.”