“No, I’m flagging a taxi now. I’m sorry I’m leaving the case like this,” Kreed apologized.
“Don’t worry about that. Do they have any funeral details?” Mitch leaned against the desk, not sure exactly what to do. He hated the helplessness.
“I don’t know. I’ll text you when I know more,” Kreed said, and Mitch heard Kreed’s signature loud whistle. The one that would stop any moving taxi within a mile radius.
“I’ll be there,” Mitch promised.
“You don’t have to come. I need to get to Dulles International,” Kreed said, then Mitch could hear the taxi driver saying something.
“I’ll get Ellen to get you a seat,” Mitch offered.
“I just hung up with her. I gotta go, Mitch.” Kreed’s voice choked up. The best Mitch remembered, Kreed had only one sibling who was years younger than him. His parents were older. Mitch had met them one time for just a minute when they drove through Texas to Mexico.
His heart broke a little more right then. He vowed to himself to be better to his family. What if this had been him? He hadn’t even met three of his nieces and nephews. He dropped his head in his hand before he rose. He needed to cover Kreed’s shifts and find someone to cover them both for the funeral. He’d be there for Kreed. He had to be.
Chapter 38
Cody ran uncharacteristically late and that stressed him out more than the man he rushed to pick up. The last few days had been hard. Cody knew Mitch was grieving at the same time he had been busting his ass, covering both his and Kreed’s workloads. Cody was hell-bent on being there for Mitch when he needed him this weekend. In honor of that thought, the least he could have done was arrive to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on time. But downtown Austin traffic had other ideas. The roads had been a snarled mess, something he didn’t factor into his time when he left this evening.
Cody took a chance and pulled into the loading zone for arrivals. He was at least twenty minutes late, probably enough time to get out of baggage claim, if Mitch had even checked any luggage. Cody drove slowly through the lot, watching as he passed by the people standing outside. Mitch stood out like a beacon to him. He was somewhat alone, looking impressive and intimidating all at the same time. There were people on the sidewalk with him, but they all stayed back, which probably had something to do with the scowl he wore on his face.
Damn, he hoped he hadn’t made things worse.
Cody pulled his truck right up alongside the curb and shoved the gearshift into park. He opened his door right about the time Mitch opened the passenger door.
“I’m sorry I’m late.” Cody was stuck between getting out of the truck and Mitch getting inside.
“Don’t be. Thanks for picking me up. I could’ve grabbed a taxi,” Mitch said, holding the passenger door open. He had a backpack as well as a garment bag with him. Mitch reached back to hang his suit bag on the hook in the backseat when Cody got fully inside and shut the door. Once Mitch got everything settled, he slid into his seat and looked over at him. Cody reached across and lifted Mitch’s sunglasses from his eyes.
“You look exhausted.”
“I am. This one, for some reason, is really hard on me,” Mitch said, putting the sunglasses back in place before linking his hand with Cody’s. They still faced one another, neither willing to be the first to look away.
“It’s been all over the local news. I’m sorry for your loss. I played little league with him,” he squeezed Mitch’s hand.
“I wondered about that. He’s your age, thought you might have gone to school together or something. Just a kid.” Mitch sighed as he sat back in his seat.
“He wasn’t a kid. I’m not a kid. At least I don’t see us like that. Something’s not right with this whole thing.” Cody didn’t put the truck in gear. Instead, he continued gauging Mitch’s mindset.
“That’s the military for you. They aren’t giving any details. Kreed’s family’s a wreck.” Mitch pointed toward the drive. “We should get going. The cop’s circled a couple of times now. He’s eyeing you.”
“I’m not gonna get a ticket,” Cody chuckled. He knew ninety percent of the Austin Police Department. Mitch had to know that. Cody reluctantly let go of Mitch’s hand and moved the gearshift back into drive.
“I imagined you driving a big truck like this, wearing that baseball cap you wore the first night I met you. I thought about that on the plane ride. I’m glad you’re wearing it now.” Mitch took Cody’s hand back in his once they’d merged into traffic.
“Where am I taking you? Are you going to Kreed’s family’s house?” Cody asked after giving Mitch a smile for remembering those details about him.
“I planned on staying with you, cowboy. If it’s okay.” Mitch winked at him.
“I’d hoped you’d would, but do you need to go by the family’s house first?” Cody asked.
“I guess I probably should. You mind going?” Mitch asked.
“Not at all. I planned on going to the funeral tomorrow. I figured I should. I didn’t know him well, but you know.” Cody gave a shrug as he navigated the small turns of the airport with the massive vehicle he drove one-handed, unwilling to release his hold on Mitch.
“Good. I wanted you to go. I just didn’t want to ask,” Mitch said. That surprised Cody. He figured he’d be on his own tomorrow. That Mitch would be tied up with the family.
“San Antonio PD’s got some news that Eastfield might show up, but it’s just a memorial. I didn’t think they came to things like that,” Cody said, picking his route from the airport.
“I hate those fuckers. Damn, they piss me off. Is anyone forming a counter-protest?” Mitch asked, looking his way, very concerned.
“I don’t know. It was gossip some of the guys were talking about,” Cody answered, cutting his eyes back and forth between the road and Mitch.
“Do they know Kreed’s gay?” Mitch asked, fully facing him now.
“Kreed’s gay?” That got Cody’s attention, because he hadn’t known.
“If you didn’t know, that’s probably a good sign,” Mitch replied, pulling his phone from his jacket pocket.
“Kreed’s gay?” Cody asked again. He felt a pang of jealousy squeeze his heart even as he said the name.
“Yeah. It’s why we teamed up together. We’ve been doing this a long time. It’s just now that people are so accepting. When I first started as a Marshal, I wouldn’t have made it without him. He’s always had my back. I’ve had his,” Mitch responded, working his phone.
“Do you fuck him?” Cody asked bluntly. He was shocked by his own crude use of words and the possessiveness coursing through him. But damn, how was this the first time he’d heard about this? And absolutely this was not the time to be having this conversation.
Oh shit. I’m an idiot. He’d been saying he would hold Mitch’s spot, but Mitch had never given him that guarantee back.
“No. Of course not.” Mitch’s gaze jerked to his as he waited for the call to connect. Just as he was getting ready to say more, his attention diverted to the phone a second before he whispered, “Hang on,” and held up a finger to give him a minute. “Hi, Mrs. Sinacola, this is Mitch Knox. How are you doing?” Cody drove, not listening to Mitch. Having no idea where he was going, he headed toward San Antonio, taking Mitch to see the family, but with each passing mile, the pit in his stomach grew. He gripped his steering wheel a little tighter than normal. Why hadn’t he thought of this before? He’d never questioned Kreed sharing a room with him that first night he was in town. He also got the feeling Kreed wasn’t into this relationship between them. Just the little things Mitch had said, and now he completely got why. Fuck!
“Hey, cowboy? Earth to Cody.” Mitch’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. Cody glanced over at Mitch who now had his sunglasses pushed up on his head, and the devious grin was back, showing off those gorgeous dimples. Maybe it was more of a smirk, but the dimples were there, drawing him in, and damn, if dread didn’t fill him. Mitch meant something to him, and he didn’t l
ike that Kreed Sinacola was gay.
“Where am I taking you?” Cody asked, not sharing his thoughts out loud.
“What were you thinking so hard about?” Mitch countered.
Cody didn’t answer. He couldn’t. The timing was wrong, and he needed space. Maybe distance was more the word.
“Are you jealous?” Mitch turned in his seat, facing him.
“Of course not.” At least that was what he wanted Mitch to think.
There was silence between them.
“I don’t have sex with Kreed Sinacola. We decided against that a long time ago. We needed to have each other’s backs, look out for the other one. He’s a couple of years older than me. He came from a military background. He knew the deal way before I did.”
Cody glanced over at Mitch, gauged his face. He looked like he was being honest and straight-forward. He couldn’t stare at Mitch long because he had to split his time between the road and the man. Cody finally just picked the road to concentrate on. “You never had sex with him?”
“I didn’t say that. I have, we did in the beginning a few times. But that stopped a long time ago. We made that decision. It’s done. I have no desire to ever go back there again. He’s my work partner, we’re fluid in the field together. Nothing else. I promise,” Mitch assured him.
Cody let out the sigh he was holding, keeping his eyes on the road. “I assumed you’d be holding my spot since you were asking me to hold yours.”
Mitch took Cody’s hand back in his, made a show of linking their fingers together again. “It’s a safe assumption. Look, I’m not gonna hide the fact I’m kind of looking for more with you than someone to fuck. Watching Colt Michaels and Jace Montgomery and knowing their story made me realize that if it could happen for them, then it could happen to anyone. I was open to the idea, but I honestly didn’t think I’d find anyone. Then there you were, sitting quietly in a corner, almost unseen. My world’s been pretty rocked since then. Meeting you knocked me flat on my ass, Cody. I’m not gonna lie about that to you.”
Cody gripped Mitch’s hand tighter.
“So it’s a safe assumption?” Cody asked, not looking over at Mitch.
“Oh yeah,” Mitch answered and raised their joined hands for a kiss.
“I’m driving in the general direction of San Antonio. I’m not real sure of your plans. This is the way I should be going, right?” Cody asked, changing the subject.
“Yeah, let me pull up their address on my phone.”
Cody’s stomach wasn’t roiling like it had before, he might even be back to the happy medium he’d been at when this conversation started, but he still needed to be careful. He hadn’t figured Mitch for the settling down type. No way would he have ever gone there. Besides, their distance was enough to make this whole thing between them too hard. This was good for now, but he needed to keep his head straight. This was going to end. The complications were stacked against them. No matter how much he wished it weren’t true, six months from now, Mitch Knox would be a memory.
Mitch watched as Cody navigated the big truck down the older neighborhood street, dodging the parked cars and children playing outside. He’d officially spent almost the whole entire month of October in DC. Riding down this street reminded him it was close to Halloween. He had to look down at his phone to see it was actually October thirtieth.
This part of the country was warm and inviting outside. The carved jack-o’-lanterns were being put out. Decorations were being hung. When had Halloween rivaled Christmas for home décor?
“Right here,” Mitch said, pointing to the house that had cars filling the driveway and all out front along the road.
“That’s Kreed.” Mitch gestured to the guy atop a ladder, doing some sort of home repair. An older man stood at the foot of the ladder, pointing, giving directions. It had been years since he’d met Kreed’s family, but he thought that might be Kreed’s dad at the base.
Cody parked the truck in the first available spot a few houses down. He turned off the engine. Mitch didn’t move, he stayed by Cody’s side.
“You’ve been quiet. I know that’s not a good sign.”
“I’m just trying to be accommodating.” Cody gave him a smile.
“You know I feel better just being with you, but you haven’t kissed me yet,” Mitch said, scooting closer to Cody.
“It’s probably not the best place,” Cody started to say as Mitch lifted his arm, moved in, and pulled Cody toward him. Their lips met for a soft brushing. Mitch opened, deepening the kiss. He agreed this wasn’t the time for much more, but he’d missed Cody and merely being in his presence soothed him. Besides, they’d just had a pivotal moment in their relationship. Cody had been jealous of Kreed. Very jealous, and that meant he cared. Mitch wanted him to care.
“I’m gonna need you to make love to me tonight. Maybe something tender, meaningful.” Slowly he opened his lids to see Cody staring at him.
“You have no problem just saying what’s on your mind.” Cody leaned in and kissed his lips again.
“Actually, I don’t think you’ll believe me, but I do. I keep a lot inside.” Mitch watched as Cody’s brow narrowed. “Come on. Kreed’s probably going to need some help with whatever job his dad has him doing.” Mitch let go of Cody, got out of the truck, and waited for him at the tailgate.
“Mrs. Sinacola said there was a lot of food. We could stay for dinner.” Mitch tucked his hands inside his jacket pockets when Cody slid his in his jeans.
“It’s Halloween this weekend.”
“Am I keeping you from anything? You don’t have to stay if you have plans,” Mitch said.
“No, I took off tomorrow, and Sunday I was scheduled off,” Cody said as they walked side by side toward the house.
“Knox, it’s about fuc…time.” Kreed yelled from the top of the ladder.
“It’s about time you did some actual work for a change,” he called out, cutting across the yard. He reached for Kreed’s father’s hand. “Mr. Sinacola, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, Son,” the older man replied. His eyes were red-rimmed, and he looked tired. Kreed was coming down as he introduced Cody.
“Mr. Sinacola, this is Cody Turner,” Mitch introduced them. Cody was perfect. He extended a hand to Mr. Sinacola’s in greeting.
“Sir, I played little league with Derek. I was so sorry to hear what happened.” Before Mr. Sinacola could respond, Kreed was in Cody’s face.
“It’s about damn time I met you. Mitch freaked me out with all the positive energy and smiling he’s been doing,” Kreed teased, sticking out his hand. Mitch took this as the diversion Kreed needed. He looked as exhausted as his father.
“It’s crazy in there. You might wanna grab a ladder and help me clean out the gutters,” Kreed offered.
“I’m supervising,” Kreed’s father declared. “The womenfolk are three feet deep in food in there.”
“Your mom said there was food.” Mitch watched as Kreed handed Cody the ladder and grabbed a smaller one lying against the side of the house.
“Not worth going in there,” Kreed hollered back.
“Cody, don’t let him put you to work. Come inside, eat something.” Mitch was already several steps away.
“I don’t mind helping,” Cody said, and Mitch laughed at the gleam on Mr. Sinacola’s face. Mitch could see him mentally ticking things off his to-fix-around-the-house list. Cody was in good hands. Besides, his cowboy had to see for himself that Kreed was harmless. Those two needed to build a friendship if he and Cody had any chance of making something substantial together.
“Can you use a hammer?” Mr. Sinacola asked, and Kreed just laughed.
“Yes, sir,” Cody nodded seriously.
“Well, that’s going to come in very handy. Come with me, young man,” Mr. Sinacola said.
Chapter 39
Twilight had passed about an hour ago, and Cody worked on hammering several broken shingles back in place. The job had been more than he originally thought.
Part of the siding from the house had come loose. Once he got up there, he found a big mess, and he just didn’t have it in him to do a half-ass job.
Kreed’s father had regularly thanked him for the last couple of hours. He finally sent the man inside when the evening chill came on. Kreed had his own task going on in the shed outside. Apparently with both their boys gone and Mr. Sinacola’s age, a lot of things around the house hadn’t been taken care of.
What got Cody solidly in the heart was when Mr. Sinacola had said Derek had planned to make these repairs once he left the military and was looking for work. That broke his heart. He and his family worked together all the time. And here this family was all broken apart.
“Homemade Southern fried chicken. It’s about the best thing ever,” Mitch taunted. Cody looked down and saw Mitch standing in the shadows of the house, holding up what looked like a chicken leg.
“I’m a home-grown Southern boy. That chicken’s a staple of my everyday life. It doesn’t hold a lot of interest to me. Now pecan pie on the other hand…” Cody called back, jokingly.
“Well, that’s a good thing since I ate your share of chicken. Now I’m gonna go find that pie.” Mitch grinned, and Cody just chuckled at him.
“I’m almost done. Hang on.” Cody finished the last couple of bangs with the hammer, made sure everything was nailed properly and made his way down. Mitch sat on the porch steps. The light from the front door cast a glow on him. He gnawed on that bone, not leaving a scrap behind. Cody had to laugh; Mitch must really like fried chicken. He’d be at home with his mom on a Sunday lunch.
Kreed came from the other side of the house, the tall dark-headed guy wiping his hands on a rag as he came toward Cody. “I’ll take that,” Kreed said, motioning for the ladder Cody already had tucked under his arm.
“I got it, just tell me where to go,” Cody said, already walking toward the garage.
“Dad’s got several against the side of the house over there,” Kreed responded.
Nice Guys Collection With Added Bonus Material Page 58
