Page 62 of Controlled Burn
“I never said that.”
“I saw y’all, you know?”
“Saw us where?” We hadn’t exactly hidden out at my house the whole time, but we hadn’t made a point of going out together in public either.
“At Kirby’s. He was at the bar, and you were there with a small group of people. I wasn’t hiding or anything. But I’d just started at the station, and you didn’t see me, so I figured it was best if I kept my distance.”
“Makes sense. It takes a bit to find your place, but just know anytime you see me out, you can feel free to come over and say hi, okay?”
“Yeah, I would now, but I wasn’t so sure then. I’d heard that the Sixty-nine was a good station, a place I would be welcome.” He glanced over at me from under the longest brown eyelashes before looking away. “Besides, your attention was obviously elsewhere.”
I didn’t have to ask him where my attention was because even if I hadn’t wanted to admit it that night, from the second Caleb had walked in, everyone else had ceased to exist for me.
“I met Caleb one day when he stopped by the station to drop something off for his dad.” He chuckled and shook his head. “Robert introduced us, and the first thing he asked me was if I had a library card.”
“Sounds about right,” I said with a grin.
“Anyway, that’s why I recognized him. Like I said, he was up at the bar, and he looked so out of place. Then that jerk Sebastian hit on him. I thought about going over, but I noticed you were keeping an eye on him.”
“I was. That’s true.”
He nodded. “Then you stalked over there and put Sebastian in his place. Stupid asshole. Someone needs to teach him that no means no.”
“He didn’t bother you, did he? Cause if he did—” It might be time for me to have another talk with Jesse and his partner Victor about Sebastian.
“Nah, I’m not his type. He likes ’em small and dainty. My friend Mika had a near miss with him, though.”
“Andy, next time you let me know you’re there, okay?” I didn’t like the idea of anyone out at the club alone. It just wasn’t smart.
“I thought we just established the fact that you already have a boy, Keith. Besides, I can take care of myself.”
“You say that, but no matter how big you are, a drug slipped into your drink can make you helpless.”
“You’re right, but don’t worry. I don’t go alone. Victor is actually my brother, and Jesse acts like he is.” He rolled his eyes dramatically. “So, yeah, I’m not alone.”
I filed that away for later discussion. We’d all wondered what brought Andy to Vesper, but I had no idea he and Victor were brothers.
“Well, I’m glad you’re safe. Now, you saw us that night?”
“Yeah, and then I saw y’all at the Farmers’ Market.”
“So you knew, but you didn’t say anything to anyone?”
“Didn’t figure it was my place.” He shrugged.
“Well, I appreciate you respecting my privacy and giving us a chance to tell Robert ourselves.”
“Yeah, I’m guessing he didn’t take it well?”
“Not really, but we’re still hoping he’ll come around,” I said, trying to play it off like it was no big deal.
“I’m sure he will. Robert’s a good guy, and so are you. Y’all will figure things out.”
“Thanks, probie. I sure hope so.”
We made quick work of shopping and then headed back to the station. As soon as we got the groceries unloaded, Samuel stuck his head in the kitchen.
“Hey, probie, everyone’s in the training room when you finish up here.”