Page 55 of Flesh and Fury
The cat growled and stopped grooming, jumping off Ari’s chest, and taking a flying leap at the cat tree which he expertly climbed before reaching the top where he curled up into a little ball.
“Fucking shifters,” Eoghan grumbled in passing as he walked into the kitchen and bent to open the refrigerator. He sighed as Ari walked into the room holding both of their duffels. “What are you doing?” Eoghan asked, pointing.
“I’m gonna take these out to the laundry room and get started on the dirty clothes and then check to see if the plumber has been to my unit like he promised.”
“Plumber?”
“I asked him to install a garbage disposal, remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” Eoghan met him halfway across the floor where he leaned up to kiss Ari’s mouth. “You’re gonna do my dirty clothes too?”
“Sure. There aren’t that many. I know you need to check in with the chief to let her know we’re back,” Ari said. He suddenly smiled, then leaned in and whispered in Eoghan’s ear, “Besides, I love touching your lacy briefs.”
Eoghan shivered.This man is going to be the death of me. “Thanks, babe. I need to go to the grocery store also. The cupboards are bare and if you want me to make a nice dinner at home tonight, I need fresh ingredients.”
Ari smiled. “You don’t have to cook. We could order takeout.”
“God, no. I get so tired of eating off menus. I’m not planning anything elaborate. Maybe a nice Chinese chicken salad. You know you love the way I make it,” Eoghan said.
“Oh, God, yes. I’d love that. Get one of those rotisserie chickens from the market. It makes it so easy. I’ll help when you get back.”
“You’re right about the chicken. Good idea. You don’t have to help unless you want. You don’t even have to wash clothes. I can do them later.” Eoghan smiled.
“Really, babe, I don’t mind. You’re doing the shopping,” Ari said, leaning forward and pecking him on the lips again. “I like how domestic doing chores feels sometimes. We get so little time just to be boyfriends and not to worry all the time. Besides, doing inane things instead of constantly dealing with work shit, takes me out of my head. I like doing your laundry.” He smiled. “Like I said.”
Eoghan nodded. “I know how you feel.” He thought for a second, ticking off a mental list. “You know what? Don’t washthe lacy things in the machine. I’ve been meaning to get some of that gentle detergent for hand washing delicates. I’ll pick some up while I’m out but first, I’m gonna call the chief.”
“Whatever you want, honey,” Ari said.
The endearment warmed Eoghan and he smiled as he checked one more cupboard and then followed Ari out of the kitchen, patted him on the ass, and retrieved the burner phone from his pants pocket. He dialed Priest’s number and let it ring several times as he absently flipped through bills and other mail he’d gathered on the way into the house. She didn’t pick up. He tried again and then once more, getting no answer and put the phone down.
He pushed a sense of foreboding away as he stood and walked to the kitchen. Removing his sun tea maker from the pantry, he set out to make one of his favorite beverages before putting it out on the stoop in full afternoon sunlight. He heard the sound of the washing machine turn on as he inhaled the scent of honeysuckle coming from the hedge which separated Al and Ted’s property from the neighbor’s house. Their house was far from new, but it was well maintained. Butterflies fluttered from flower to flower in the sunshine. The flower garden was beautifully planted and tended by Ted who had the green thumb in their family.
Beside the flower beds was a vegetable garden which currently housed rows of romaine lettuce, carrots, peppers, and tomato plants in cages. Ted grew a juicy variety of small tomatoes which Eoghan had never heard of. One in particular had tender skin and was about the size of a big jawbreaker. The skin was a gorgeous deep red when ripe and full of juice. Before moving here, Eoghan had known nothing about gardening. Now, he was well-versed in the names of all of Ted’s precious roses.
This late in summer, Ted’s string beans were climbing high on a trellis. But his herbs and more delicate butter lettuce were nearly gone now, with only the heartier rosemary and thyme remaining. Ted had harvested and shared basil, thyme, and oregano with Eoghan for his Italian cooking, and a homemade goulash recipe he’d made for Ari once. He smiled as he remembered the way his man had stood and applauded him right there at the dinner table after tasting the goulash which was served over egg noodles.
He turned and smiled at Ari who was walking out of the laundry room. “Is there anything you want me to get at the grocery store while I’m there?”
Ari walked over to the stoop with his hands on his hips. “I can’t think of anything. You’re making that salad?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, that sounds good. Maybe get something to make sandwiches to take to the office tomorrow,huh?”
“I could do that.”
“Did you get a hold of the chief?”
“Not yet. I’ll try her again before I leave.” Eoghan walked back into the house with Ari following. He picked up his burner and dialed again. It rang several times and he glanced at Ari, frowning. “That’s strange. Normally she picks up or calls right back.”
“Did you try calling the office?” Ari asked, looking at the kitchen clock. “It’s still early. She might be there.”
“I’ll do that now.” He switched phones and asked to be put through to the chief.
“Priest isn’t in, Marshal Sapphire,” Carolyn at the switchboard said. “Would you like to leave a message for her?”
“Yes. Please tell her to call me back. I have to ask her about Mr. Burns,” Eoghan said.