Our Little Nest: Book 4 of The Two Timer Series

by D. B. Watson

  “Your mind will reveal it when you’re ready to face it.” The line went dead.

  Patrick returned his cell to the table and walked to the bathroom, turning on the shower.

  When he washed away whatever evidence was on his body, he dried off, shutting the lights off, and went to bed, lying on his back. He should have known Adam wouldn’t fall for that backwoods bumpkin.

  “Dammit, why did I get drunk and wander into Yuri’s room?” He wanted to blame Adam, believing if he’d only stayed, none of this would have happened. But Patrick realized he had to take responsibility for his actions. He rolled over, trying to forget as he fell back to sleep.

  ****

  Time passed and Patrick rolled onto his side when he heard his bedroom door open. He awoke and listened as the person closed the door, locking it. Patrick knew it wasn’t Cora; she would never enter his room at night.

  Is it Yuri? he wondered. If that was true, he needed to put a stop to whatever was about to happen.

  A thump alerted him that the person dropped something, then the same sound happened again.

  He’s undressing, he concluded. Patrick took a deep breath and sprang up in bed. Terrified, he looked around and grabbed a square object from his nightstand. He was about to hurl it when the figure lunged at him, pushing him back on the bed. The stronger body pinned Patrick, covering his mouth with his palm.

  “Patrick, calm down, it’s me,” Adam said, waiting until Patrick stopped struggling before moving his hand.

  “Adam?”

  “Yeah, baby, it’s me.” Adam leaned down to kiss him, but Patrick turned his head away. Adam took Patrick’s reaction as punishment. “Pat, I’m sorry.”

  Patrick wanted Adam to confess his wayward kiss with Jamie, but he didn’t. Instead, Adam rolled off him and propped up on his arm.

  “I ran out on you and your parents’ party and I’m sorry. I should have been here for you. But this time, I am. I’ll even give you my cell phone.”

  Patrick’s guilt surfaced as he locked eyes with Adam, about to confess his betrayal.

  “Adam.”

  “No, Pat, wait. I need to tell you something first. I found a house in a quiet neighborhood and I think it would be perfect for—us.”

  “A house for—us?” Patrick asked.

  “I plan to make an offer to buy.”

  “You want to buy us a house?”

  “I do. My apartment is too close to my job and doesn’t give us enough privacy.”

  “But Adam—”

  “Pat, don’t decide anything until you see it, okay? I figure we’d see it tomorrow before the party—if it’s okay with you?”

  Patrick’s heart pounded in his chest at the notion of Adam wanting to raise the commitment to their relationship. When Adam pressed his rigid cock against his thigh, Patrick paused his confession, knowing whatever happened was all speculation. Yuri never confessed that they had sex, so why should he tell Adam anything when it may not be true, just like Adam kissing Jamie? Adam leaned down—this time, Patrick didn’t refuse his kiss. Adam’s lips traveled along his neck and chest, downward.

  He would never cheat on Adam, and since he couldn’t remember the act, he’d just assume it never happened. Patrick reached out and entwined his fingers through Adam’s hair while Adam savored his body.

  CHAPTER 41

  lEAVe

  Yuri first heard voices around him when he opened his eyes. He saw unfamiliar faces talking over him. He realized they were two females, a doctor and a nurse. They noticed he was awake.

  “Welcome back, Mr. Jin. I’m Doctor Hayes,” she said, giving Yuri’s chart to the nurse, who walked away.

  Yuri looked at the name tag, confirming her name.

  She pulled out a thin flashlight and checked his eyes, minding a bandage that covered his forehead. She turned off the light and smiled at him. “You were in a car accident. How are you feeling?”

  “Fine.” Yuri was still unsure of what was happening.

  “Can you tell me your full name?”

  “Yuri Jin.”

  “Good, now the date?” Yuri was about to answer when he remembered Jamie.

  “Jamie, where is he?”

  “Jamie, who’s that? A friend, family member?”

  “My—lover. He was in the car with me.”

  “No, you were alone when someone found you.”

  “No, he was with me.”

  “Mr. Jin, when the paramedics got to you, you were alone.”

  “What? No—” Yuri tried to sit up, but a dizzy spell hit him hard, causing him to fall back.

  “Please lie still, Mr. Jin. You’ve been through a traumatic event.”

  “Jamie, I need to find him.”

  “What you need to do is stay put so you can heal. I’m prescribing something to help you sleep. The nurse will be back to give you a pill.”

  Doctor Hayes typed something on a tablet and turned to leave when she stopped at the door. “Oh, we took the liberty of calling your emergency contact. They should be here shortly.”

  Yuri was in shock from finding out Penny’s feelings toward Jamie were only intense hatred. A lump grew in Yuri’s throat at the reflection of never seeing Penny again. If she had only said something, he might have eased her worries. He slowly sat up and got to his feet, still feeling tipsy as he found his clothes and dressed. He caught his image in a mirror, the bandaged cut on his forehead and his cut lip. He tried to remember what happened, but his mind was blank.

  He opened the door and found a dark empty hallway. He glanced around, finding it strange that just a moment ago a doctor and nurse were in his room. He moved for the exit, taking the stairs down. He saw that he was on the second floor and held onto the railing as he descended. When he reached the lobby, he found it deserted; not even security. He wandered outside and noted the night sky filled with stars. He noticed a wrecked car sitting by the curb, then realized it was his—or what was left of it. The trunk was smashed in, and the driver’s side and passenger doors were missing.

  “Where are you, Jamie?” he breathed, panic racing through his body. He looked around and down the path toward the exit gate was a taxi. He moved to the car and climbed into the backseat. The driver didn’t ask Yuri where he wanted to go as he pulled off. Yuri gathered himself, searching his pockets for his cell, unable to find it.

  “Driver, I need to go back, I left my cell phone,” Yuri said, but the driver ignored him. “Did you hear me? I need to go back,” Yuri said louder as the driver said nothing, turning down streets that Yuri was unfamiliar with.

  With a closer inspection of his surroundings, Yuri realized he wasn’t in Cargo City. Nothing looked familiar.

  “Driver, where are we? What neighborhood is this?” Still, he received no answer.

  He reached for the door handle, finding it missing, nor any way to roll down the window. He looked at the driver’s credentials, but only saw a silhouette with the caption, Welcome to WillowMoss.

  “I’m in WillowMoss?” Yuri said out loud. “That can’t be.” But then he saw that they were driving toward the highway. Yuri banged on the plexiglass divider. “Hey, stop the car, I want to get out!” But the driver didn’t flinch; it was as if he was unaware of Yuri in the car. Helpless, Yuri sat back as they passed the billboard reading: You Are Now Leaving WillowMoss. Hope You Enjoyed Your Stay, with an image of a family embracing one another.

  Yuri knew he was leaving Jamie behind, but he also knew he was coming back to find him. Only, he needed help. He glanced at the driver’s dashboard and saw the time was 4:30 a.m. He closed his eyes and conserved his strength.

  CHAPTER 42

  Comfort

  Adam was uneasy showing Patrick the country home. They awoke early, having breakfast in the kitchen with a few of the staff—all female. It’d impressed Adam how comfortable Patrick was with them. They knew of his cosplay and were supportive of his and Adam’s relationship.

  Adam’s injuries were rebandaged, and with the help of pain
killers, he was able to function normally. Adam drove them in his jeep, and neither said anything about what happened to the other last night.

  Patrick tried to busy himself on his cell, texting Mia, who was out of town with Adam’s older brother, Paul.

  Adam wasn’t sure if Patrick had fully forgiven him. He hoped seeing the house would prove to Patrick that he was serious about their relationship.

  “Who are you texting?” Adam asked, keeping his eyes on the road. Patrick lowered his cell.

  “Mia, I wanted to see how she was doing.”

  “So, how are the happy couple?”

  “They're busy and having fun,” he answered in a neutral voice. “She’s emailing me pictures.”

  “I’m glad they hit it off. Mia’s great.”

  “Me too,” Patrick said, still staring at his cell.

  Adam understood Patrick had doubts about their own relationship. By his actions, Adam knew he was pushing Patrick too far with his business. “We should plan on taking a vacation.”

  “What about your work?”

  “Well, I’m done with my latest case, and I must admit, I could do with a break.”

  “Wait, you’re done with the case?” Patrick asked, looking at Adam with optimism in his voice. “As in, no more bodyguarding?”

  “That’s right. Mr. Jin said he no longer needed my services.”

  Patrick’s face brightened as Adam smiled.

  “So, there’s that pretty smile I was looking for this morning!”

  Patrick blushed as he looked away, still smiling.

  “Sorry,” Patrick said. “I had a lot on my mind.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “No. It was silly. Tell me how you found this house?”

  “I was driving and saw a garage sale and ran into someone I knew from the police academy. She was moving away with her family to a new job and needed to sell her home. She invited me in and showed me around, then gave me an inside deal. I need to make a bid before the end of the week.”

  “Adam, are you sure this is something you want?”

  “I would have never told you if I didn’t want it, Pat.”

  “I’m not the greatest of roommates.”

  “I have no complaints.”

  Adam reached out, taking Patrick’s hand. Adam pulled the soft palm to his lips, kissing the back.

  Patrick still had the guilt of what he might have done with Yuri. If he and Adam were just left alone, it could silence all doubt.

  Adam remembered his kiss with Jamie was out of his control. To tell Patrick would only cause more problems between them. He didn’t want Patrick to have any doubt in their relationship or his ability to make him happy.

  Adam knew the place still wasn’t what Patrick had grown accustomed to from his upper-crust lifestyle, even though Patrick never complained about staying in Adam’s one-bedroom apartment above his office.

  ****

  Adam waited in the now empty house, as Patrick quietly walked through each room, looking in closets and drawers, opening windows, and running water until he finally approached Adam with a warm smile on his face.

  Adam, standing with Megan Sutter and her realtor, Craig, doubted Patrick’s demeanor. “You hate it," Adam prompted.

  Megan glanced at Adam, shocked by his comment.

  Patrick stepped closer to his worried detective, then lightly slugged him in the stomach. Adam leaned forward, pretending to suffer pain.

  "You think I'm shallow?" stated Patrick.

  "No," Adam said, smiling.

  "Liar. I love it. I want to move in now."

  "Really?"

  "Yes, and for you doubting me, you must cook dinner for me for a week.”

  "Is that all?" Adam gathered his smiling lover in his arms.

  “So, it’s a go?” Megan asked, knowing the answer. Adam looked at his friend.

  “If my offer is enough.”

  “And if it’s not, I’ll cover it,” Patrick said. Adam was about to protest when Patrick cut him off. “If we do this, we’re in this fifty-fifty. Okay?”

  Adam thought it over, then smiled. “Okay, anything you want.”

  “Wonderful. I drew the papers up, so if you’re ready to sign?” Craig said.

  “We are.” Patrick spoke first.

  Adam signed, and Patrick followed for every page they needed their name or initials. When they finished the paperwork, both Adam and Patrick transferred each of their half of the offer through their phones.

  Megan and Craig walked to the front door, followed by Adam and Patrick.

  She turned to Adam, handing him the keys to the house.

  “Here you go. There are three sets total.”

  “Thanks, Megan,” Adam said.

  “No, thank you. I’m glad I’m giving this place to someone I trust.” She glanced at Patrick and smiled. “It’s good meeting you, Patrick. Enjoy your new home.”

  “It’s nice meeting you too, Megan. And good luck with your new career—and addition.”

  “Thanks.”

  Adam leaned down and kissed her cheek, and she returned the gesture.

  “Good luck, Megan, you deserve it,” said Adam.

  “Thanks, Adam. Goodbye,” she said as she walked to Craig’s car and climbed in. Adam gave Patrick his set of keys and watched as he locked their front door.

  “I wish we could stay a little longer,” Adam said.

  “Me too, but we need to get back,” Patrick replied, staring at his keys as they walked to Adam’s jeep.

  “Do you want to tell your parents?”

  “As soon as possible.”

  “What do you think their reaction will be?”

  “They’ll be happy for us.”

  “Are you sure about your father?” Adam questioned, opening the passenger door for Patrick, who climbed in. Patrick seemed lost in thought as Adam closed his door and boarded, starting the jeep. Patrick remained quiet through their journey, not taking his eyes off the keys in his hand. Adam pulled over to the side of the road, turning off the motor.

  “Pat,” Adam said, gaining Patrick’s attention. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “I should have never brought up your father like that. I’m sure your parents’ will be happy for us.”

  “I want them to be. But if for any reason they, meaning my father, disapproves, then—oh well.”

  “Oh, well?”

  “Yeah. I’m old enough to make my own decisions, and if he wants to cut me off because I refuse to listen to him, then it will be his loss and his alone.”

  “Pat.” Adam reached over and wiped a tear away that rolled down Patrick’s cheek. “Your father loves you, and there is no way he will ever cut you out of his life. Even if he’s mad at you. So, I believe he’ll be on board with our decision and support his little boy.”

  Patrick smiled as another tear rolled down his cheek. Adam wiped it away with his thumb.

  “Now no more tears. This is a huge thing and I want you happy.”

  “I am,” Patrick said, sniffing.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’ll have to prove it,” Adam said, merging back into traffic.

  “How?”

  “Wait until we get back.”

  “What? But I want to know now.”

  “No, tell me how we should decorate our place.”

  “Decorate? I always had someone for that.”

  “Then here is your next lesson. We’re doing it ourselves.”

  “We are?”

  “Yeah, it’ll be fun. Like, we can paint the living room orange and the kitchen black.”

  “What? Adam, no.”

  “Then how would you do it?”

  “The living room needs to be inviting, with a warm color, and the kitchen—well—I’m not sure.”

  “That’s okay. That’s why we’re doing it together. And I promise I won’t paint any room a color we don’t agree on.”

  “I’m so excited abou
t this.”

  “It’s going to be amazing.”

  ****

  They returned to the manor, and Adam pulled his jeep into the same spot he’d parked in his first arrival to the Valdez estate, behind the house near the entrance to the kitchen. He climbed out and walked around, opening Patrick’s door. Once out, Adam pulled him into an embrace.