Pushing Connor (The Dungeon #4)(18)

At the end of the shift, he’d dropped a text to Wesley, informing him that he was going home. He’d debated finishing it with something sweet that might help him break the ice, but then he’d remember the stern way Wesley had treated him and decided against it. Maybe he could make some something special for Wesley as an apology instead. He checked the pantry and set about making his grandma’s special apple pie.

By the time the pie was out of the oven, it was well past midnight, and he fell asleep on the kitchen chair.

Connor woke with the clear feeling that something was wrong. For one, he’d woken in the kitchen, and secondly, he could tell he was alone in the house.

Shit!

He climbed to his feet, his joints creaking and protesting, and headed for the bedroom. His eyes fell on the untouched bed as soon as he opened the door. For an instant, he stood frozen in shock, staring at the unturned comforter.

Where was Wesley? Had something happened to him?

He rushed back to the kitchen and searched for his cell phone. He saw the little green LED blinking, signaling that he had a message, but it took two tries to turn it on. Ignoring the rest of the notifications, he went straight to the text from Wesley.

The night ran long and it’s too late for me to come home now.

Falling into his chair, he stared at the screen without understanding, at first, what he was reading. Anxiety rose to choke him. Fuck! Wesley hadn’t come home. He’d preferred to sleep at the club.





Chapter 8


“Hey, Connor.”

Connor jumped at Lucas’s voice, and gave a silent groan. He wanted to get his things and go home to find Wesley. By the time he’d reached the club, Wesley had already left. He wanted, needed, to get to Wesley. Nothing more, nothing less. And now this. For an instant, he forgot that Lucas was his friend, not only his boss.

Connor pushed the locker door closed, biding his time before having to face Lucas. When he couldn’t put it off any longer without raising suspicions, he turned and faced him. “Hey, Lucas.”

They shook hands, the touch brief but familiar.

“Did you want something?” The question came out much harsher than Connor had intended.

Lucas’s eyebrows shot to the sky. He recovered quickly, emotions gone from his face. “I wanted to take you out for a beer or something, but if this is a bad time…”

“No, no. It’s fine. I’m sorry. I was distracted.” Connor tried to downplay his earlier outburst.

Lucas waved it away, but his eyes narrowed, watching Connor carefully.

Connor met his stare head-on, but he had to force himself to keep his gaze steady. “A beer sounds good.” And to Connor’s surprise, it did.

“Great. Let’s go.”

Clutching his jacket, Connor followed Lucas as he led the way to a cozy little place close to The Dungeon. They sat at the bar and placed their orders.

“What’s going on with you?”

Connor gaped at Lucas.

“Don’t tell me it’s nothing.”

“Did Wesley come to you to complain?”

“Wesley didn’t tell me anything, and thinking he would doesn’t do him justice.”

Shame stabbed at Connor, and he couldn’t look at Lucas. Maybe it wasn’t Wesley’s fault after all. Maybe it was him.

“Just so you know, it has nothing to do with Wesley. I’ve been watching you for weeks now. Something is wrong. I want you to tell me what it is.”

“Is this the boss or the friend talking?”

Lucas cocked an eyebrow. “I invited you as a friend, but I’m starting to think the boss should make an appearance as well.”

“No. I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”

“Come on. Tell me.”

Two draft beers were placed in front of them, and Connor wrapped his palms around his glass, happy for the distraction. Two long gulps later, Connor found himself ready to talk.

“You’re right. Something is wrong.”

“Is that why Wesley spent the night at The Dungeon?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.”

“What’s the problem, if I may ask?”

“I’m not sure. He started saying I’m keeping things from him.”

“Are you?”

“No.”

“What about Matthew?”

Connor frowned, confused. “Matthew? What does he have to do with anything? He’s just a client.”

“Yet, he has disturbed you.”

“Yes.” Once the admission was out, he felt relieved. It felt good to say it out loud.

“Why didn’t you come to me if you had a problem with it?”

“I didn’t realize I did.”

“What happened?”

“I started thinking of Alin, making comparisons between them.” He shrugged. “It became so real at times.”

“And you took it out on Wesley.”

“How did you know?”

“I’ve seen this before.”

“How does it turn out?”

“Depends.”

“On?”

“On whether or not you talk to your partner about it.”

***

Connor had stopped at one beer and headed home. He wanted to keep his head clear.