"I'm not going to mess up Nathan's life. I won't be here too much longer. Tomorrow will be it. And I had forgotten about him right up until I came back here. He's different now … It caught me off guard is all."
"He is finally comfortable in his own skin, even with the scars. Quinn is good for him, and he's good for Quinn."
"He's happy. Natalie, please just let it go. I promised you years ago that I wasn't going to act on a silly crush. I have a friend at home. I see him when I can. There is nothing to worry about."
"I hope not. There's Lonnie. I'll see you back here tonight after work. And try to be here this time." She pulled up behind the notel-motel for Drew to switch vehicles for the drive into the plant with the foreman. "Hey, Drew, just in case I don't get a chance to tell you, I find the lip rings sort of sexy. Wish you'd worn them for me; maybe I would have forgotten you were hot for my brother and seduced you myself."
"Shit, Natalie, don't let Lonnie hear you say that. I want to keep my teeth in my head, know what I mean?" He dragged out the last words, smiling when she went pale. "Don't forget, baby doll, I am a trained investigator first and foremost. I know a pair of lovers when I see them. And for what it's worth, you might want to tell your family about him before-" He didn't finish, instead he looked pointedly where her seatbelt crossed her belly. She went suitably pale, but she smiled after, almost shyly.
"That was the plan. We were going to tell the family everything just as soon as Ma and Pa get back from vacation. Until then, you better keep your lip zipped or believe me, I will zip it for you."
"Ooh, big talk from a little girl. I'd kiss you, but the dude is already glaring at me."
"Just get out and try not to get caught spying today," she growled at him.
"Yes'm. And, Natalie, don't worry so much, okay? It's not good for you. I'm pretty sure whatever is going on isn't in your plant."
"Which means it's in the community. Shit. Nathan is not going to like that. He still doesn't trust people. And after yesterday, all that is coming up again."
"You heard about the incident at the office, I take it?"
"Caz is a fool. He's running his mouth about Nathan being gay. Piece of shit is spreading around that Nathan suspended him because Nathan is after him."
"He did it because Deputy Dawg body slammed me onto the hood of his cruiser. I didn't mean to tell him that part, but damn, he lifted Caswell off the floor with one hand. It was sort of … well, alarming and hot all at the same time."
"You are so gay."
"Actually, I'm not, but thanks for the vote of confidence."
"Bi, then, bitch. Which reminds me, get the fuck out of my car before my boyfriend comes and yanks you a new one."
"See you tonight, honey." He blew her a kiss and climbed out of her little car. Alonzo Ortiz was indeed staring daggers at him through the windshield, but Drew ignored it. He would fall back on the longtime friend of the family down- on-his-luck story they'd given him to explain the flirting. Lonnie was a big man, protective of Natalie and the plant, but he wasn't stupid. In another couple of days, he would figure out Drew wasn't what he pretended to be. And Drew hoped like hell that he wouldn't be here in another couple of days.
This lusting after a man he couldn't have was going to kill him. Watching Nathan with Quinn was tearing him apart. That they easily included him in their roughhousing last night while playing ball with the kid had nearly brought him to his knees.
He couldn't do this too much longer. Tonight was going to be torture. Mrs. Truman and the kid were leaving for Florida today, and he would be alone with Nathan and Quinn.
Jesus Christ, he did not know how he was going to survive it. The temptation alone was enough to kill him. "Hola, Lonnie, how's it hanging, dude?"
"None of your damned business." Lonnie was surlier than yesterday. He threw the truck in drive and slammed out of the parking lot before Drew's ass was firmly in the seat.
Drew sighed. It was going to be a long day.
* * * * *
It was the longest fucking day of his life. Nathan dragged his hand through his hair pulling strands from the elastic band. He pushed them out of his eyes hastily as he paced the main hall of the plant. Natalie was in a business meeting and he couldn't just walk in and have the secretary hunt down Enrique Dominguez. But he needed to talk to Drew right-fucking-now.
Soft Spanish filtered down the hall from the direction of the break room, a laugh that he recognized was followed by more Spanish. Nathan tried to compose himself. He was a fucking professional, stone cold statue. They called him Iceman behind his back at the station. He liked being cold.