Steam (Homecoming Hearts #4)(34)
“Dude,” he lamented as Merlin finally calmed a little. Trent rubbed his ears and sighed. “Can’t you cut me a break for like five seconds? I swear, my dad will like you more if you do.”
Merlin gave another bark and wagged his tail. Trent wasn’t really mad at him. The poor pup didn’t know any better, and besides, it was nice that he was so happy to see Trent again. But wrecking his dad’s store was not the way to win his heart.
The part-time woman ran her hands through her light brown hair and sighed as she surveyed the damage. Luckily, it looked like Merlin had only wrecked a few salt-and-pepper shakers. The rest was just strewn across the floor.
“Hey,” Trent said, standing to look her in the eye. “Would it help if I took him for a walk while you clear up?”
The woman broke into a relieved smile. “Oh would you?” she asked. “I think it might be a good idea to burn off some of his energy.”
Trent assured her it was no trouble and left her to it. Merlin seemed more than happy to trot about the resort for a little while, sniffing at everything. Trent figured he could walk him around the outside of the main lodge and hopefully the little guy would do his business out there rather than the lobby’s carpet.
“Well, look who it is,” an unfortunately familiar voice drawled.
The Texan twang alerted Trent even before he turned around and registered the bright white Stetson. Kiefer Burton was sauntering down the hall toward Trent, possibly on his way to the restaurant behind him and Merlin.
Kiefer had two other guys in cowboy hats and boots walking either side of him. They were both older than Kiefer, one with a substantial belly and the other tall and gawky, all three wearing enough gold between them to open a bank. Rings and watches and spurs on their boots. One look at them told Trent they wouldn’t be the sort to tip their waiter, though. These guys got their wealth by stepping on other people’s heads.
“Jim, Marv,” Kiefer said, not bothering to look at his companions. “This here’s the Grand’s local celebrity. TJ Charles himself.” He sniggered. “Ain’t we lucky?”
Trent wondered if Kiefer had recognized him when he’d recklessly gone in and claimed to be Ashby’s boyfriend. Damn it. Forty-something dudes from the Midwest didn’t used to be his demographic. That was before The Fixer had made him more of a household name, though.
“Mr. Burton,” Trent said curtly. “Good to see you again.” They both knew he was bullshitting, but Trent smiled nonetheless.
“Where’s that cute little boyfriend of yours?” Kiefer asked, biting his thumbnail and spitting the bit he’d torn off away. “I would have imagined he would be the one on the leash.” He glanced down at Merlin and Trent’s hackles rose for more reason than one.
He didn’t like Kiefer getting anywhere near his dad’s puppy, and he definitely didn’t like him mentioning anything to do with Ashby. “He’s around,” Trent said curtly. He felt bad continuing the lie that they were dating, but he wasn’t exactly going to admit they’d made the whole thing up. That would leave Ashby vulnerable to this asshole.
Kiefer gave him a mock show of concern. “Trouble in paradise?” He licked his lips and leaned in toward Trent. “I should have just fucked that sweet lil’ ass anyhow. Maybe I still will. Clearly, you haven’t got the kind of hold on him a boy like that needs.”
Jim and Marv, whichever was which, suddenly looked extremely uncomfortable as they shifted from foot to foot behind Kiefer. Their disgust no doubt came from homophobia. Trent, on the other hand, was completely appalled that Kiefer would talk about Ashby in such a vulgar way. He could feel his anger rising.
He jabbed a finger toward Kiefer. “You stay away from Ashby. You hear me?”
He was somewhat undermined as Merlin chose that moment to pounce on Kiefer’s boot and chew it, his tail whipping back and forth as he issued little growls that he clearly thought were terrifying. Trent cleared his throat and tugged Merlin’s leash, trying to encourage him back.
Kiefer regarded Trent coolly, ignoring the puppy’s attack. “Or what?” he drawled. Then he laughed. “Sugar, this is my little kingdom. I’ll do what I want. Although I am curious. Are you serious enough about this cute lil’ twink to go public with him? I’m sure your fans would be pretty devastated to find out you don’t like fuckin’ pussy no more.”
Trent ground his teeth. “That a threat?” he bit out, arching an eyebrow.
Merlin dropped his ass on the carpet and scratched his ear.
Kiefer shrugged. “Depends,” he said slyly. “Are you ashamed of him? See-” he placed a hand on his chest, showing off his bling “-I’m a real man. Everybody knows I’ll fuck all the cute twinks I like and fuck up anybody who thinks that’s some sort of weakness. But you?” He sneered, his eyes dancing with malice. “I know your history. You run at the first sign of trouble.”
Once again, his companions became extremely interested in the bland, outdated décor of the corridor. Merlin gave a noisy yawn and batted at the laces on Trent’s boots.
Trent couldn’t help but hesitate in the face of Kiefer’s accusations. It was one thing to say he was dating Ashby to keep this fucker away from him. But it was another entirely to risk the public finding out and the homophobic backlash that might cause.