“I thought you had a house there.”
“I don’t want to go back there. I should have sold it when I left. I guess I thought this whole business would be temporary. But it’s not temporary.”
Instead of answering, DeShawn pulled away from him and stood. Patton rolled onto his back, watching DeShawn shuffle over to the sink and splash his face. He’d said something wrong. He could tell by the line of DeShawn’s shoulders, the rigid tension in his spine and jaw.
“I’m sorry. I thought…well, I guess I thought wrong.”
“Patton…”
“What?”
DeShawn turned around and walked with purpose back to the bed. Patton tensed slightly, but didn’t move, didn’t shy away when DeShawn knelt on the mattress and leaned in close enough Patton could smell faded shampoo and sour sleep. Water clung to his skin, rolling do
