I never should have given Devlin my real name in San Francisco.
Garrick’s mind and body raged with denial the second a thought of tarnishing that weekend with outright lies entered his psyche.
“Hey, G.” Maddie pulled his attention to where she stood in the kitchen. “What can I get you to drink?”
“Listen,” Garrick rushed to Maddie and pulled her aside, “I appreciate the invite, but I’m more beat than I thought I was.” He kept his voice low and half his attention on the men gathered out on the balcony. “You ended up having plenty of company tonight anyway, so you don’t need me for pizza and a game. I’m gonna go ahead and get out of here.” Forever.
“Are you sure?” Maddie held onto his hand. “My brother is actually really good with the grill. There are more than enough steaks to go around.”
“I’m bushed. Detailing all those cars from top to bottom today on my own? Killer.” He pressed his hand into the small of his back and grimaced. “I just want a shower and a bed.”
Maddie immediately furrowed her brow and frowned. “And then I made you stay and help me with the Trans Am.”
“No,” Garrick shot back quickly, “you didn’t make me do anything. I wanted to do that.” Shit, running his hands over that car had almost made Garrick feel as if he was touching Devlin.
Stop thinking that way. It’s over now. For a second time.
“I’m just tired tonight.” Garrick put the mask back on and flashed a wry smile. “I’m gettin’ old.”
“Doubtful.” Maddie snorted and then punched him in the arm. “But if I can’t talk you into staying, I’ll walk you out.”
“Not necessary.” Garrick walked to the door and wrapped his hand around the knob. “I can find my way to my truck on my own.” With one turn of the knob, he let himself outside, nearly to freedom. “Relax and enjoy your meal.”
“All right.” Maddie leaned against the doorframe. “I’ll see you Monday then.”
Damn it, he would miss this vibrant young woman. Dipping down, Garrick bussed a fast kiss to her temple and pushed some strands of loose hair behind her ear. “Have a good night.” He waved one last time and then turned away so he didn’t have to see her shut the door.
As soon as the soft click reverberated in his ears, and put a fisting clamp of finality on his heart, Garrick slumped against the wall.
That had been close.
Too close.
Time to go.
Garrick rolled his back against the wall until his forehead came to rest on the white painted door. The clearly close-knit group of people on the other side--with Devlin smack in the middle of it--called to Garrick and the desperate loneliness slowly crushing him inside. Keeping all these secrets could drive a man insane faster than a steady diet of psychotropic drugs.
Standing here, Garrick wondered if death was a more welcome alternative.
If someone finds you, and you’re with Devlin, it could mean his life too.
Garrick could never let that happen.
“Bye, Devlin.” Something deep inside Garrick screamed a denial, nearly doubling him over, but he pushed away from the wood and ran down the overly bright hall toward the stairs.
A door slammed, and the sound of bare feet slapping on tile had Garrick running for what felt like his very life. He didn’t have to look back; he didn’t have to hear a voice; he knew Devlin’s presence all the way down to his very foundation. And right now, it scared him to death.
Garrick reached the door with barely a slowdown. He shoved the heels of his hands against the long metal bar, but familiar fingers grabbed him from behind and shoved him face first into the wall.
Caught.
Devlin moved in behind Garrick and put his mouth to his ear. “You left without saying goodbye. Or did you intend to send me an e-mail?” He caged Garrick in and pressed close, until his full front rode Garrick’s back like a thick blanket on a cold night. “I seem to recall e-mails are more your style.”
“Please.” Garrick only had to breathe, and the contact of their bodies drew out a whimper of dangerous need. “Let me go.” He still possessed the muscles to overpower Devlin, but right now, a kitten had more strength and self-protection than Garrick did.
With one smooth motion, Devlin spun Garrick around to face him, while still keeping him trapped. He straight-armed the wall, and his slightly shorter height somehow felt like it towered over Garrick. He studied Garrick without wavering, making Garrick feel like a bug pinned to a board.
Then Devlin abruptly leaned in, putting them nearly eye-to-eye. “I don’t know what your game is,” he hissed, “but you will not to come to my town, pretend to be someone else, and then put the moves on my sister.”
“What?” Garrick reared back in horror and smacked his head into the concrete wall. He winced as the sensation of poking pins and needles radiated down his neck and back, but he ignored it, and grabbed Devlin’s shirt. “Devlin, no.”
Devlin touched Garrick’s lips and cheek with the tips of his fingers right then, and completely stole Garrick’s voice.
He continued exploring Garrick’s face, over his forehead, and finally teased the edges of his untamed mane. Devlin’s brow crinkled, and his attention drifted up to his hand, as if dazed. “I’m not used to running my hands through your hair.” He looked Garrick over from top to bottom, and as his focus moved back
