Page 47 of Troy
“Yeah, I know that. Why don’t you come to our place, we can get the jet-skis out and just chill? It’ll take your minds off everything. What d’you say?” Ryan looks at us hopefully.
Troy smiles and he checks with me, “I’d like to, Raff, shall we?”
“Of course, babe, anything for you.” I eye Ryan who is smiling broadly.
“Awesome. We can cook out on the grill and have a few beers, too.”
We spend a great afternoon playing about on the water with the jet-skis and then have a couple of beers and burgers off the grill. I’m grateful Ryan suggested this; it has kept our minds off the next few weeks.
Studying Troy as he splashes in the water with my dog, I can’t help but laugh at the joy he gets from messing around. Nico joins me and laughs along.
“How is he?” He asks quietly, “I worry about him, he has been through so much.”
“I don’t know what I can do to make any of this shit any easier for him; every time I get his trust back, something else happens. Fucking Drake Hauffman, he’s sure as shit up to something. I’m convinced my father is behind his appearance here. I bet there was money involved, he’s easily bought.”
“It won’t take long for us to find out.” Nico turns his head when he hears footsteps behind him and smiles when Ryan walks up and wraps his arms around Nico’s torso.
Bringing my gaze back to Troy, I notice he left the water and heads back up the garden. The smile on his face is so irresistible, I can’t stop myself from leaving the deck and treading over to meet him halfway. Troy opens his arms to pull me in close but I catch on to his trick and move away from his wet body.
“Oh, c’mon, Raff, what? Are you afraid of getting wet?” Troy laughs and tries to haul me against him. This time, I let him and wrap my arms around his body then grapple his ass.
“You ready to get outta here?” I murmur to him before nipping the soft lobe of his ear, making him sink deeper into my embrace. “I take that as a yes?”
“Yeah, take me home, babe. I’m tired out.” Troy pushes his damp hair away from his forehead and I spot the dark rings under his eyes. My heart strains, I know this is on me.
He looks up at me and glowers, “Don’t frown, Rafferty, this isn’t your fault.”
I shake my head, “Troy, all of this shit is because of me.”
“Shut the fuck up, Raff! I love you and I don’t want to be without you. Quit punishing yourself and concentrate on getting a conviction for the asshole whose fault it really is!”
Troy’s raised voice startles me and, when I glance behind me, I see Ryan and Nico are equally shocked.
“Y’see? This is why I’m pissed with you all! You tiptoe around me, ‘oh, poor Troy, how’s he feeling?’ I’m not a fucking child. I’ve had more shit happen to me than most twenty-five-year old’s; I can cope with most shit thrown at me. But I’m not a fragile doll that has to be handled carefully!” Pulling his T-shirt over his head, Troy’s angry face disappears for a moment. “Are you ready, Raff?”
I nod and whistle for the dog. Troy discards his wet swim shorts and steps into his dry denim cut-offs; my mind goes blank as I watch him pull the worn fabric over his ass. Then, as soon as it’s covered, I hear him calling my name again.
“Stop staring at my ass, you perv!” Troy laughs. It seems he’s got over his hissy fit.
“Just wait until I get you home.” I laugh back at him and witness his eyes darken.