Page 32 of Beck

Was it a coincidence that the place was Kole’s favourite? A place he spent many hours touching, sliding his fingers over the skin, mesmerised by the softness.

“But what if I never learn?” he managed to say.

“Then I’ll just keep the design with me. It’ll still be mine.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “But you want to, don’t you? I’ve seen you watching, your eyes sparkling.”

Kole met his gaze and couldn’t do anymore than tell the truth. He nodded slowly. “Yes, I do.”

Beck grinned, the crinkles around his eyes and mouth deepening. Kole wanted to kiss them or run his fingertips over them. Instead, he stared, taking everything in so he wouldremember it forever. Because he’d stopped kidding himself at that moment. He wanted Beck with a fire he’d never known before, but like a scrap of fabric that was soaked in fire retardant, he couldn’t catch him. Wouldn’t. Because Beck didn’t want him the same way, and he refused to lock Beck into something he didn’t truly want. He could deal with the pining if it meant he would still see Beck often at work, but if their friendship got ruined because of Kole’s wants, he’d never forgive himself and would slink back to Whitby with his tail between his legs.

He’d rather hide his feelings away than lose what he had with Beck.

After all, no one would blame him for not finding someone straight away. It would bide him some time. At least until Ethan or Christi set in on him again. They meant well, but they were like alligators after fresh meat when they wanted to be.

“Beck?”

They turned to the voice, and Beck flinched beside him. The only reason Kole knew was because their arms were resting close and he felt it. Ignoring the slightly overweight man for a moment, he focused on Beck, and what he saw he didn’t like. His usually warm skin had leeched of most of its colour, and his hands had turned into fists of stone. He stared at the man, his breathing increasing until he broke the spell and smiled.

“Hey, D. Long time. How have you been?”

Kole knew at that moment he wouldn’t be leaving Beck alone with whoever this guy was.

****

Chapter 11

Beck

While Beck had an outwardly calm demeanour, inside, he was a mess. He’d never thought he’d ever run into Drake again, especially as the last time he’d spoken to him, he’d said he was moving out of the country. Beck had celebrated that news by getting considerably drunk and finding someone to share the night with. He’d thought he was free and clear. It was too much to hope for, he supposed.

He swallowed hard and kept the smile on his face as Drake began to speak.

“I’m good, thanks. Great, actually. Just got a promotion with work after spending a few years in Dubai, so I’m taking a holiday before that starts up in a few weeks. I thought I’d come back and touch base with some friends.” He grinned. “Didn’t think I’d see you here.”

There was something in his voice, the same something that had always been there, the same something that had the hair lifting on the back of Beck’s neck and his forearms.

“Congrats on the promotion. Are you heading back to Dubai again or is it back here?”Dubai, Dubai, Dubai.The chant started in his head—or rather, the prayer. Beck wasn’t a religious man, but he would pray with the holiest people on the planet for the rest of his life if Drake said he was going back to Dubai.

“Dubai. Such a beautiful place. Best decision I ever made was to take that job, even if it meant I couldn’t see my familyanymore. The price of plane tickets is crazy.” Drake grinned again, his eyes flicking to the side.

Beck wet his lips and swallowed again. “You still see Roger and Erika?” He wasn’t sure he truly wanted to know the answer, but in some ways, he did. Roger and Erika Price had been the foster parents he’d shared with Drake until they’d told the social worker to find another placement for Beck. It had been completely out of the blue, and Beck had no idea why.

Beck entered the room, eyes darting around at the four adults seated on the sofas and chairs in the small space. Two of them, Roger and Erika, his foster parents, wore slight smiles on their usually cruel faces, and the other two had pursed hips and annoyed expressions.

“Come on in, Beck. We need to have a chat,” Roger said. “Sit down.”

Beck dropped into an empty chair, the words, while quieter and softer than usual, still holding the demand they usually did. He had questions, of course he did, but he was twelve, and he wasn’t supposed to ask.

“Good morning, Beck,” the unknown woman said. “I hear there have been a few issues with your stay here. We would like to find out what those issues are so we can find you a better fit with a new family.”

The woman sounded harsh and, in all honesty, fed up, but if she had to deal with this shit all day, Beck wasn’t surprised. What he was surprised about was the so-called issues he was having. What issues?

He glanced at Roger and Erika, who smirked at him, and it was then he realised what she’d said.New family.He was leaving. And while he was half grateful for the opportunity to leave this awful place, which had far too many children for the space and far less love and support he had hoped for, ithad been his home for three years. He’d believed—wrongly, it seemed—that he wasn’t going to stay there until he aged out after all.

“Tell us about the forest. Why did you hurt those children?”

Beck frowned. “Hurt who?”

Roger scoffed. “You know who. Daniel got his arm broken and Lisa sprained her ankle. Not to mention the scrapes and bruises littering their bodies and the nail scratches on your body.”

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