Page 17 of All The Things: The Last Thing He Needs Omnibus

“Yeah, she had a great time. Said Wyatt was a perfect little gentleman.”

Bobby laughed at that. “Thank God. I was afraid I’d have to arrest you if he wasn’t.” He paused as he headed for the door, adding, “Though, with your little talk, he would’ve been a real idiot if he had tried something with her.”

“All teenage boys are idiots.”

Bobby agreed with a nod and another soft laugh, and then he surprised the hell out of Tommy. “Listen, next time we both have a night off, you wanna go out? Maybe play some pool or something?”

Tommy chewed the corner of his mouth so hard he thought it would draw blood, thinking too long before he answered. He had already started to seriously question Bobby’s sexuality, but he wasn’t sure how much of it was wishful thinking. Bobby was starting to look embarrassed for asking and it sent a wave of guilt through Tommy—something he wasn’t accustomed to. “Sounds good, man. Lemme know your schedule and I’ll swap with someone down at the pub.”

Oh Jesus. The smile he got for that nearly knocked Tommy over.

“That’d be great,” Bobby said as Tommy walked him to the door.

They both hesitated, gazes locked for a beat, and again, Tommy wanted to kiss him. It felt like such a normal thing to do, and that scared the shit out of him.

“I’ll… see ya soon.”

Tommy nodded in response, trying not to hold his breath, his heart beating faster as he controlled the urge to jerk Bobby closer and press against him, taste him. “Not if I see you first,” he joked, trying to smile.

Bobby breathed a laugh and walked out the door.

Tommy waited until Bobby had taken a few steps down the walkway before he closed the door and locked it, but he watched through the window just as he had with Colleen earlier that night, making sure Bobby got into his car safely, waiting until he was pulling away from the curb. He muttered a curse and let the curtain fall shut when Bobby waved at him before driving off. Tommy had been caught watching Bobby leave, like a pining teenager with a crush.

“I need to get laid,” he told himself as he turned out the lights before going upstairs to fall into bed.

Chapter Four

“Hey, Tommy!” Gene’s voice sounded from the bar. Tommy glanced over his shoulder from the table he was clearing. Gene was stocky, in his late fifties with buzzed gray hair and watery blue eyes. “It’s slow tonight, you wanna take off early?”

His boss was a nice guy, always willing to let him work even if there wasn’t much to do, but he always gave Tommy the choice.

In truth, they could use the money. Hell, they could always use the money, but it had been over two months since he’d felt anyone’s hand on him but his own. The kids were covered for the night, not expecting him home until after two when the joint closed, and for once he had the car. He decided he’d take the three hours off and figure out a way to make a few extra bucks later if it came down to it.

“I think I will,” he told Gene as he put the last of the dishes into a bin. “You want me to finish this load first?”

Gene looked around the empty pub with a laugh and lit a cigarette. It was against the law, but it didn’t look like anyone would catch him tonight. “Nah, leave ’em, it’ll give me something to do till closing.”

Tommy laughed and dumped the bin in the kitchen before grabbing his jacket. He thought about calling Bobby to see if he was off, but he decided against it. The two of them had been spending too much time together as it was. The last three nights they’d both had off, they ended up shooting some pool and having a few beers before going home and spending time with the kids. He loved watching Bobby lean over the pool table to line up a shot. He especially liked the way Bobby would stand close to him and whisper in his ear if the bar was noisy. But too many times, he thought he might tackle Bobby, pin him down, and kiss him until neither of them could breathe. It was starting to drive Tommy up the wall.

He had a half ounce of Kelly’s weed under the front seat of the car and decided he’d head to Jump—the only gay bar within twenty-five miles—and make up for the lost hours. And with any luck, he’d get Bobby McAlister out of his head. For a little while, at least.

Even for a Friday night the club was packed. Tommy was able to make his connection within ten minutes and did a hasty deal in one of the stalls in the men’s room. Now he stood at the bar and watched the crowd, hoping to have a more satisfying deal in the same bathroom stall.

He shook his head in frustration when he realized all the guys he was checking out looked suspiciously like his favorite blond-haired, blue-eyed cop. He hissed a curse and downed his drink. He was about to order another when an all-too-familiar voice sounded against his ear. “Can I buy you a drink?”

Even over the loud music and the chaos of laughter and conversation, Tommy recognized Bobby’s voice. Several questions ran through his mind at the same time. Had Bobby gotten some promotion to vice? Was he there undercover? Had Bobby taken up following him around to make sure he wasn’t getting into trouble? Or were the glances and pregnant pauses more real than Tommy had let himself believe? He hadn’t answered yet, but he could still feel Bobby’s chest pressed against his back in the crowd. Rather than say anything, Tommy turned around to face him.

The expressions that chased over Bobby’s face told Tommy he hadn’t known who he was talking to. First Bobby looked confused, then embarrassed, and then slightly terrified. Words seemed lost to him as he opened his mouth and then closed it again. Tommy had never seen him so flustered. He liked it.

Leaning in, Tommy finally asked against Bobby’s ear, “You here on official business?” If Bobby were there for a bust—which seemed unlikely at best—Tommy didn’t want to blow it for him.

Bobby seemed to collect himself, arching a brow and looking him square in the eye. “Are you?”

Tommy grinned at him, teasing and predatory at the same time. “My business is already done, now I just want that drink you offered.”

Bobby elbowed his way to the bar and squeezed in next to Tommy, signaling the bartender for two of whatever Tommy was drinking. “Do I wanna know?” Bobby asked after the drinks were in front of them.

Tommy understood without asking for clarification. He turned to face the bar again as he answered, “You probably do, but it’s better that ya don’t.”

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