“I’m just staying long enough to get you settled. Maisie will be here in about an hour,” Hawk said and checked his watch. He had plenty of time to get to the airport for his flight but Hawk wanted to stop by his favorite bakery on the way so he could surprise Casper with cannolis.
“Don’t say that! I owe you!” Phee groaned as he stretched toward Hawk’s lips but he leaned away.
“I’m sorry. I can’t. I’m...” Hawk’s eyes swept to the high ceiling and he nodded. “I’m taken now. I can’t,” he said and held up his hands. Phee’s lips pursed as he blinked back at Hawk in confusion.
“You said you couldn’t be with anyone because you’d only cause them pain and disappointment,” he said and Hawk nodded slowly.
“I happen to enjoy pain and I’ve never had any expectations, so he can’t disappoint me,” Casper interrupted in his low, gravelly hiss. Hawk whipped around and Casper waved as he limped out of the pantry on his crutch.
“What are you doing here?” Hawk demanded as he skirted the island and lifted him. Casper let go of his crutch as his leg locked around Hawk’s hip.
“I missed you too much,” Casper said as he was set on the counter and he buried his face in the corner of Hawk’s neck. “And I couldn’t stand it there without you,” he whispered. Hawk groaned as he sifted his fingers through Casper’s hair. He smelled like home and Hawk was even more certain Casper was the new beginning he was looking for.
“I was on my way to the airport, once Phee was settled,” he said then looked over his shoulder to offer Phee an explanation.
“I think I get it but...” Phee said hesitantly as he scrubbed the back of his neck and his eyes flicked between Hawk and Casper. “Are you sure? He looks like he might be dangerous,” he told Hawk and he laughed as his hands spread over Casper’s back protectively.
“He’s incredibly dangerous and he might kill me but I love that about him.”
“Really?” Casper asked and leaned back so he could search Hawk’s face. “You...lo...love that...” His voice broke as Hawk shushed him.
“I do and I love kicking your ass and stitching you back together.” He whispered and kissed Casper. Right there, where Phee could see them.
“I love you,” Casper said. He kept it small and just loud enough for Hawk to hear.
“Good. I think I’ve always been in love with you. I think it started when I saw the rope and the knife sticking out of the top step.”
“That definitely sounds like your kind of kink,” Phee said and he was obviously disappointed as he kicked off his shoes. “I’m going to bed. Take good care of yourself, Hawk, and don’t be a stranger. It was a thrill to meet you, Casper.” He said and waved as he left them.
“You should have stayed in the cottage but since you’re here and I don’t have to rush, I’d like to check on a patient before we fly back.” Hawk kept his expression neutral so he wouldn’t spook Casper then kissed him when he began to frown. “It’s a bit of a drive but we won’t stay for more than an hour,” he promised and Casper was adorable as he nodded drunkenly.
“That’s fine. I’ll probably just sleep in the car. I’m fucking exhausted,” he said. Casper leaned against his chest and nibbled on Hawk’s lip and it was really unfortunate that Phee was already using the bed.
Chapter 29
The car stopped and Casper jerked awake as Hawk unbuckled his belt.
“We’re here,” Hawk said as he gave Casper a shake and his head popped up.
“Where’s ‘here’?” Casper asked as he sat up and turned in his seat. They were parked in front of a large white house with a wide porch and an immaculate lawn. There was an attractive Cape Cod with another perfect lawn across the street but they appeared to be in the middle of nowhere. The lawns sprang from the woods around them and Casper could see a house made of brick and glass and a lake in the distance.
“Can’t you guess?” Hawk asked. He pushed the button on Casper’s seatbelt then nodded at the large white house as the door opened. Mr. Lavender stepped out and Casper shook his head wildly as he grabbed his seatbelt and buckled it.
“No,” he pulled his hood over his eyes and huddled against his door.
“I just want to say hello and check on Tol...” Hawk stopped and widened his eyes at Casper. “I have to check on a patient and I’d like to see my friends before we go back. Can you just give them a chance? Just say hi and drink a cup of coffee or a soda or something. Nobody’s going to hurt you here,” Hawk promised and Casper laughed.
“I’m not afraid of them,” he sneered. “I’ll wait here.”
“Casper...” Hawk pushed out a hard breath. “Did Lavender do something to you? Because if he did... I don’t think I’ll get in more than a swing before he’ll kill me but I won’t...” He stopped when Casper sat forward and howled as he held onto the dashboard.
“Oh fuck... I love you!” Casper bit into his tongue hard enough to taste blood and shook his head before anyone could laugh at him. “And I love that you’d die for me but Lavender wouldn’t be standing there like a smug fuckface if I had a problem with him.”
“Good. Then, could you just be civil for an hour?”
“It’s extremely unlikely.”
“Can you try? For me?” Hawk asked hopefully but Casper shook his head.
“I’m just going to fail and you’ll wish I’d stayed in the car.” He didn’t want to see the shock on their faces or hear Marston’s jokes, once they figured it out. Casper peeked at the porch and suspected that Lavender already knew.
“Fine,” Hawk sighed in defeat and pushed his door open. “I’m not going to force you to do something that makes you uncomfortable and I don’t want you to feel like you’re outnumbered. I won’t take too long,” he said as he leaned into the car.
“No! Take as long as you want!” Casper called after him but Hawk slammed his door shut and shoved his hands into the front of his fleece as he strode up the driveway. Casper didn’t like the way his chest became tight and his mood sank even further. He had a feeling it was guilt and muttered a string of curses at himself. They’re going to tell Hawk lies and turn him against you! “Damn it!” Casper spat as he threw his door open. Hawk turned and called for him to wait as he ran down Lavender’s driveway.
“Let me get that for you,” Hawk said as he reached in and eased Casper out.
“I can get it myself!” Casper hissed and slapped at Hawk’s hands.
“Sorry...” He said as he backed away.
“I don’t need them to think I’m fucking helpless!” Casper whispered loudly and Hawk frowned.
“Why? No one thinks that but even if you needed help, that wouldn’t make you helpless. And nobody here’s going to laugh at you or kick you while you’re down,” he told Casper. Casper rolled his eye as he used the seat and the door to haul himself up and out.
“I know. They’re all one big, lovely family here and no man gets left behind.” He gagged at Hawk then turned and leaned inside for his crutch. “I bet it’s lovely for you but they don’t want me here.”