Detour (The Getaway Series Book 5)

by Jay Crownover

  I snorted and stabbed a sausage angrily with my fork. “I could report her for sexual harassment, not that anyone would believe me. But our esteemed mayor is not technically doing anything wrong.” The sarcasm couldn’t be any thicker in my tone.

  Her brow furrowed as she ignored her food and started to worry in earnest about my situation. “You’re worried about them finding out about you. Even more so, now that Special Agent Bryant is in the picture.”

  I sighed heavily and dipped my chin in a slight nod. “I knew I couldn’t keep it a secret forever, but I wanted to be able to decide when and with whom I talked about it. I don’t like having my hand forced, especially by a homophobic prick and his lecherous assistant.”

  She nodded solemnly in agreement. “You don’t owe anyone any kind of explanation about your private life. Not even the people in this town who voted for you. Wyatt doesn’t seem like the overly flashy type, and he’s mentioned more than once he’s unsure how long he’s staying in Sheridan. Maybe you’re worrying about the unknowns for nothing.”

  I stabbed another link on my plate with more force than necessary. “Wyatt doesn’t give a shit what anyone thinks. He kept his personal business to himself when he was working with the DEA, but he doesn’t hide anything. He’s a fierce advocate for anyone he sees being wronged for being perceived as different.” He was a fighter. It was one of the things I liked most about him. It was something I desperately envied. I wanted the freedom to speak on things I considered wrong, but I always let fear hold me back.

  Miranda picked absently at her pile of French toast. “He’s going to bring your carefully built house of cards down around you, Rhodes.” I couldn’t tell if she sounded pleased by the fact, or if she was trying to warn me. If I was being honest, a small part of me was pleased about the chaos that Wyatt could rain down upon this town.

  “I know he is.” But there was nothing I could do about it. At the end of the day, I wanted him more than I wanted to keep pretending to be someone I wasn’t.

  Finally, Miranda smiled. A real, happy smile full of love and light. “I’m so glad he ended up here. There have been moments since I’ve met you that I worried you and Abe were headed in the same direction. No one can live their entire life denying who they are without it taking a serious toll. If Wyatt is the catalyst that finally pushes you to be honest with yourself and what you want, then I owe him more than I can say. He’s going to save your life, Rodie.”

  I didn’t think it was that serious, but I could admit he was making me re-evaluate the way I’d been living.

  I gave her a grin and told her, “Maybe I’m going to save his.”

  That glowing smile dimmed some, and the familiar heartbreak crept back into her gaze. “That’s what love is. Recognizing what each other needs and saving one another whenever you need saving.”

  I knew without asking she was once again thinking of Abe and how he’d slipped away from us. I tried to change the subject to something lighter because I didn’t want to go back there when we’d both spent too much time trying to learn to live with the constant hurt.

  “Speaking of Wyatt, how’s he doing with physical therapy?” I knew he’d been going into town to see her a few times a week.

  “Good. Like you said, he’s a fighter. He’s in good shape and excellent health already, which helps. He gets frustrated with himself easily and wants results faster than he’s seeing them, but I think we’re in a good place and on the right track. If he keeps up with the exercises I’ve taught him and works on stretching, I predict he’ll be able to maneuver without the cane within six months, give or take a few.”

  He maneuvered without it just fine when we were in bed together, but she didn’t need to know that. I bit back a grin and muttered, “Good to know.” I didn’t mind getting on my knees for him, but he mentioned he wanted to return the favor when he was able, and he couldn’t at the moment without pain. I was pretty easygoing when it came to sex. I liked it in all forms and positions. I rolled with the mood, and Wyatt was the same. I was surprised, thinking he’d be a stickler and stuck in one role or the other, but the man was far less uptight when he was naked than I thought he’d be. He didn’t even argue when I barked orders at him and demanded he let me heap attention and pleasure on his willing body. I wasn’t ready for the quiet submission, but it did almost as much to undo me as his mouth around my cock. We just kept finding out we were more and more compatible every minute we spent together.

  We kept the conversation playful and light as we finished breakfast. We were arguing over who was going to pay the bill when my cell phone rang. I went on alert when I recognized the number from my office on the display. I wasn’t on duty yet, so I didn’t bring my radio, but all my deputies had my number in case of an emergency. Seeing the expression on my face as I answered the call, Miranda gave me a silent goodbye, slipping out of the booth with the bill.

  “There’s a problem at the high school.” The deputy sounded worried, and I didn’t blame him. We rarely got calls from the school, and this was the second one within a month.

  “Don’t tell me the mayor’s kid is involved again.” I knew I wasn’t going to get that lucky.

  A heavy sigh came over the line. “No can do, boss. It’s him and the same kid from last time. The mayor’s already up there raising hell. It sounds like it’s about to get ugly.”

  “Son of a bitch,” I uttered a few more choice words under my breath as I hurried out of the diner toward my SUV. “I’m on my way.”

  I knew this wasn’t going to be good, and I couldn’t help the slight surge of panic shooting through my blood at the thought of something bad happening to Cam. I would’ve been him if I’d been more honest and open when I was younger. I couldn’t stop a trickle of worry over what this situation was going to mean for me and Wyatt, because I knew without a doubt that Cam wasn’t going to be facing the mayor and his bully of a son alone.

  Wyatt

  It took both me and Brynn to hold Lane back in the principal’s tiny office. The youngest Warner looked like he was ready to take the mayor’s head off, and if we let him go, there was a high probability of that happening. The mayor seemed unfazed in the face of the cowboy’s ire, mostly because he was cowering in front of the oldest Warner. There was simply something about Cyrus Warner that demanded immediate respect. While the mayor was still mouthy and defiant when he spoke, he was less blustery in the face of someone who naturally held the kind of authority he’d sought by being an elected official. The mayor wanted to use his title and position to get his own way. Cy didn’t need either of those things to command all the attention in the room. I’d never seen anything like it. Even when I used to have a badge to flash at people, I never got instant respect and admiration the way Cy did. It was impressive as hell.

  The principal looked frazzled and on the verge of losing his breakfast. He was pale and sweaty, his nervous gaze darting between the two sullen teenage boys caught in the middle of the war being waged by the adults.

  Cam was holding an ice pack to his mouth and had a wide bandage secured to his forehead. This time, the mayor’s kid was the one who looked like the victor. According to Cam, Dalton had been goading him, prodding him, and picking on him for weeks following their last dust-up. When Cam couldn’t take it any longer, he’d lashed out, only Dalton was waiting for the day Cam was pushed too far. It wasn’t just the mayor’s dirt-bag of a son waiting for Cam to lose his temper and attack. It’d been Dalton and four of his friends. When the fight broke out in the gymnasium, all hell broke loose. Cam was lucky he only had a split lip and gash on his head. Being ganged up on like that, beaten from every direction, could’ve led to something so much worse. I didn’t blame Lane for breathing fire and wanting the principal’s and the mayor’s heads on a pike.

  “Again, Cam admits he’s the one who instigated the fight. We have multiple witnesses who corroborate the fact. School policy means he has to be expelled.” The principal wrung his hands together nervously when Cyrus swi
tched his intent stare over to him as he spoke.

  “What was done the multiple times Cameron complained to you about the ongoing harassment he was receiving from this young man and his friends? Did you file a report? Did you take any preventive actions? Or have you been complicit, forcing Cam to take his safety and well-being into his own hands?” Cy never raised his voice or postured to make himself look more intimidating. He simply asked the questions and watched every single move the principal made, judging.

  “We followed all of the proper procedures when handling Cam’s complaints. There was no evidence to support his complaints of harassment. Dalton has a crystal-clear school record. He’s been a model student since elementary school. The accusations are outrageous.”

  A low, rumbling growl came from Cy’s chest, and Lane jerked so hard he shook loose of the hold I had on him. Lane and Cy stood shoulder to shoulder, making the principal cower and forcing the mayor to fall back a step.

  “So, what you’re saying is that because Dalton has been in the school system longer than Cam, school policy is going to favor him?” Lane bit out the words, each one angrier than the one before. “Doesn’t seem right.”

  I cleared my throat from where I was leaning against the wall at Cam’s side. The kid had been quiet, but I could tell his spirit was hurting, and that he was just as frustrated as his guardian.

  I rubbed my thumb against the corner of my mouth and waited until I had both the principal’s and mayor’s eyes on me. “Doesn’t matter what the school policy is, if this institution is going to discriminate against Cam because of his sexuality, we’re going to get a human rights lawyer involved. I’ll have all your names in the press, and make sure what you’re doing here goes public, far and wide. Your job is to protect all students, not just the ones you’ve known since elementary school. You’re preventing Cam from getting the same education as everyone else because of your own prejudice.” And there was no way I was going to stay still and let that happen.

  “You again? Why are you even here?” The mayor glared at me, putting a protective hand on his son’s shoulder.

  I lifted a challenging eyebrow. “I’m here because, just like Cam, I’m an outsider. I didn’t grow up in this town. I’m not willing to accept the excuse that just because things have always been one way for so long, that’s how they should stay. It’s not an acceptable reason for bad behavior. I know how the world works outside the fishbowl of Sheridan. I don’t have a business and reputation to protect in this town, so I’ve got nothing to lose when it comes to keeping this kid safe and making sure he’s treated fairly.” I shot Cam a look out of the corner of my eye and asked, “Are you sure you don’t need a doctor? I want to make sure you get your head checked out. You might have a concussion.” If he did, I was going to encourage the Warners to drag the school through the very dirty legal mud for their lack of action.

  Brynn wrapped her arm around Cam’s shoulder and dropped a kiss on his uninjured temple. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this.” Her voice was soft and comforting, but there was a thread of steel running through it. She wasn’t about to let this corrupt system mess with her baby either.

  Cam tried to smile, but winced when the movement pulled at his battered mouth. “Been through worse.”

  I heard Brynn’s teeth click together and grind as she furiously whispered, “But I promised you it would all be behind you. I’m so angry right now.”

  I inclined my head toward the door, “Take him to the ER to get checked out. Make sure they take a close look at his head.”

  Brynn nodded and started to usher the teenager out of the hostile room. Everyone paused when the mayor suddenly burst out, “Where do you think you’re going? I called the sheriff. We’re pressing charges. That little fairy is going to jail for assault.”

  My spine stiffened and I heard Brynn gasp. Cy let out a string of swear words, and Lane once again lunged for the mayor, but was brought up short by his older brother’s arm.

  I put my hand on Brynn’s back and urged her toward the door. “Don’t worry about that. If Sheriff Collins needs to talk to Cam later, he can come find him at the hospital or at home. It’s illegal to deny an injured person medical attention during an investigation.” The law was a little gray in that area, but I doubted any of the people in this room knew the finer details, and I wanted Cam gone before Rodie showed up. This situation was about to go from bad to worse, very quickly, once Rodie walked through the doors.

  The mayor huffed and puffed as Brynn led the shaken teenager out of the room, but no one was daring enough to take on Cy or Lane to get their hands on the boy. I scowled when I realized the mayor’s son was smirking and watching the fallout of his actions with unabashed pride.

  When our eyes met, I asked the other kid, “Proud of yourself?”

  He shrugged, but there was no mistaking the boastful gleam in his beady eyes.

  I gave him a grin that was sharp and asked, “Knew you would get your ass kicked if you tried to take him on one-on-one again, so you ganged up on him, didn’t you? That’s about the most cowardly thing I’ve ever heard. Four on one. You’re all lucky Cam is still breathing after that. No wonder you hide behind your daddy every time you get in trouble. Sounds like he never taught you to stand on your own two feet.”

  “Hey, fuck you!” The teenager tried to lunge at me, but was halted by his father and the principal.

  “Enough.” The principal held up his hand and cleared his throat. “Regardless of Cam’s personal life, policy is policy and there is no arguing he started this fight. Whatever legal ramifications may or may not follow have nothing to do with the school.” The older man rubbed a hand down his face and sighed in frustration. “I have to say, this is the first time we’re facing these kinds of issues in our school district, and Cam joining our school is the only thing that’s changed recently.”

  “Cam is not the problem,” Lane growled the words, still straining against Cy’s hold. “Your inaction and prejudice are to blame here.”

  “Ahhh... Sheriff Collins, finally.” The mayor puffed up his chest. “My son was assaulted and I want to press charges. I know you will make sure justice is served.”

  Rodie had a stern, serious expression on his handsome face as he entered the room. His sharp gaze drifted over the occupants gathered, skimming over the mayor and his son, as well as the Warners. I felt it linger when it reached me, and I could see him stiffen. Our eyes locked for a brief second, and I had to remind myself this wasn’t the same guy whose cock I’d sucked half the night. No, this was the sheriff of Sheridan, a man denying who he was, one who would put his job before anything, even the well-being of a scared kid. That realization had me holding my breath.

  “Dalton and his buddies have been harassing Cam nonstop. He complained to the administration, but they’ve done nothing. Dalton cornered Cam in gym class and provoked him into starting something. Cam pushed Dalton, but then Dalton and his friends mobbed Cam. He was on the ground, being kicked and hit by four other kids when the teachers finally intervened.” Lane laid out Cam’s account of the events in a flat tone.

  The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

  “That’s bullshit. All I was doing was getting ready to ask Cam a question about homework when he suddenly went crazy and attacked me. There’s something wrong with that kid. He’s dangerous. He doesn’t belong at this school.” Defiantly, the teen crossed his arms over his chest and glared at all the adults in the room.

  The mayor cleared his throat and tried to put on an authoritative expression. I thought he looked like he was constipated. “This is the second time he’s put my son in danger. I’m worried about the safety of the students. I want something done about this, Sheriff.”

  Both Lane and Cy turned to look at Rodie. When Cy and the sheriff faced off, it was like the Clash of the Titans. Two big men with a lot of force and personality taking up all the available space and air. It was like two major storm fronts about to collide. I was m
oving before I was aware my feet were in motion. I stopped next to Rodie, tilting my head back slightly to meet his intense gaze.

  “Cam was kicked in the head. We’re worried he might have a concussion. Brynn took him to the hospital. One of your deputies is in the gym interviewing the witnesses and the teachers. It sounds like Cam did engage first, but he was provoked.” I knew I wouldn’t be able to ultimately sway him if he felt like there was enough there to charge Cam with something, but I needed him to know that Cam wouldn’t act out without reason. I needed him to remember we’d both been in the same situation as Cam when we were younger, and neither one of us had been as brave and honest as he was.

  “I know that Cam’s been getting harassed by Dalton and his friends since the last time we were in this very office.” Rodie’s voice was low and almost scary.

  The mayor puffed up, scowling at the sheriff. “What do you mean?”

  “I asked my deputies who patrol the school to keep an eye on the situation. They’ve been monitoring Dalton and his friends interacting with Cam. They’ve mentioned that it seems like there is a group of boys constantly ganging up on Cam and giving him a hard time. I also asked Cam about the situation directly. He told me he complained to the school and nothing was being done, so I told him to make sure he was documenting everything. I’m sure once I talk to Cam, he’ll have some sort of video or recording of what Dalton and his friends have been subjecting him to, at my suggestion to preserve evidence, of course. Did you know it’s against school policy for anyone to use derogatory words and statements and openly threaten another student?” Rodie glared at the principal. “I checked with the district superintendent on my way over here, in case you were wondering.”

  Dalton balked and leaned back against his father. “This is a set-up. Whose side are you on?” He looked over his shoulder at his dad and whined, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “Quiet, Dalton.” The mayor glared at Rodie, teeth grinding so loudly we could all hear them. “I’m curious, as well. Why exactly are you so concerned about this kid, Sheriff? What kind of relationship do you have with him?” He turned to look at Lane with a sneer. “Maybe you should be worrying about that runaway being taken advantage of by someone older in a position of authority.”