Chapter 3-3
538 Words
After dinner, they put their dishes in the sink for Andy to deal with later—when he felt like it—and moved back into the living room.
Andy wasn’t ready for Sean to leave, so he’d suggested brewing a pot of coffee, and he was glad when his friend and partner agreed. Maybe Sean didn’t want to leave yet either.
“Hey, did I see you talking with Edgar Lopez?”
Andy nodded and rested his feet on his coffee table. “Sure did. Sorry, should have mentioned it to you. Was just asking about his and Scott’s case.”
“The guy who killed the homeless in the park was caught and convicted. Can’t be the same perp.”
Andy rolled his eyes. “Duh. I know that. I just wanted his opinion on whether he thought we might have something similar.”
“Okay. And?”
“He thinks so.”
Sean remained quiet for a moment. Then he blurted out, “You got a thing for Lopez?”
“What?” Andy laughed.
“I mean, I didn’t think he was your type, but maybe—”
“My type,” he repeated blankly. “Wait. You think I have the hots for him? Him?”
Sean shrugged and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Lots of guys do. Scott does.”
“Scott’s his boyfriend.”
“He got that way because he was into him. Lopez was known to be a player before.”
Andy stared at him, incredulous. “Even if I was into him—which I’m not—you think I’d do that to Scott?”
“No. No. That’s not what I mean.”
“Then what do you mean, Sean?”
The man turned quiet again, then rose from the couch, pacing the room. His face flushed dark red, and he shoved his hands into his pockets. When Sean’s gaze strayed toward the front door, Andy was sure he was going to bail. But since Sean started this, Andy needed to finish it. Whatever “it” was.
“I’m jealous,” Sean said, whisper-soft.
Andy’s brows furrowed. “You want Lopez?”
Sean stopped pacing and stared at Andy, mouth hanging open. “Are you really that clueless?”
“What?”
“I’m jealous because I want you, you cretin.”
He must have stared at Sean for too long, because the man’s face crumbled, and he again glanced at the door, but this time, he also walked toward it. “I’m going to get out of here.”‘
Move.
Andy unstuck himself and made it to the door just as Sean’s hand began to turn the knob. He covered Sean’s hand with his.
“No. Wait.”
“Look, Andy—”
“Me, too.”
“What?”
Andy wrapped his hand around the back of Sean’s neck and held him against the door. “I want you.”
He crushed his mouth against Sean’s, tasting beer and spaghetti sauce, and maybe whatever made Sean who he was, Andy didn’t know. He just knew the whole thing was thrilling and intoxicating and he wanted more. He wanted everything.
Sean moaned into Andy’s mouth, gasping and opening up for his tongue. He laced his arms around Andy’s neck.
The cell phone in Andy’s front pocket buzzed.
He jumped a foot. “Shit.”
Sean panted, but then gave him a look. “It’s mine, not yours.” He pushed Andy away, but not roughly, and fished his own cell out of his pants. “Yeah?”
Andy watched his partner’s face and knew that whatever it was, it wasn’t good.
“Sure. Be right there.” Sean ended the call and looked mournfully at Andy.
“Another one?”
“No. Nothing like that. Thankfully. My sister. Her husband has appendicitis and is having the operation right now. She wants me to come to the hospital and take her kids home, watch them for the night.” His smile was both apologetic and regretful. “I’m sorry. It’s really rotten timing.”
“Yeah, but I’ll bet it is for your sister, too.” Andy squeezed his shoulder. “It’s okay. We have time. At least, I hope so.”
Sean kissed him. “Yeah, we have time.”
- Writer
