Page 20 of New Year

“I can see now why you’re trying to help him,” Chase said. “He’s haunted.”

“He is.” Zack parked his butt on the wood coffee table opposite Chase, partly because he knew it would irritate his friend. Partly so they could be close, eye-to-eye. “He was vulnerable last night, so fucking vulnerable and scared.” As long as he lived, Zack would never rid himself of the sound of Nat’s heaving sobs in that alley. “I couldn’t leave him there.”

“I know. I love you for that. Your never-ending ability to see the good in people, even when others can’t. You did that for me once.”

“You already knew you were a good person with an amazing gift, Chase. You just needed someone else to believe in you.”

“Precisely. You believed in me, and I was able to show the world what I can do with a knife and skillet. I hope you can do the same for Nathaniel. Give him a chance to show the world who he is.”

“I don’t know if things will get that far, but if nothing else, I can help him get away from what’s haunting him here.”

Chase held his gaze for several long, intense beats. “Should I buy a shotgun?”

“Might not be a horrible idea, but I’ve got a Glock in a box under my bed.”

“When did you buy that?”

“Fifteen years ago.”

“You carried that thing across state lines when you were traveling for work?”

Zack winked. “Don’t tell the feds. But I did take a gun safety course when I bought it, so I know what I’m doing with it. It’s properly cleaned and maintained.”

“Good to know.” Chase picked up the TV remote. “Go, run your errands. Enjoy the attention of that sweet young thing, until he’s all mine for a few hours.”

For as much as Zack’s libido would love nothing more than to enjoy Nat in the privacy of his bedroom for a few hours, Nat was off limits. No perving on him, no fantasies, nothing but friendship and encouragement. Period.

CHAPTERFOUR

Nat stuffed the rest of the apple fritter into his mouth the moment Zack and Chase left the apartment, and then he reached for an éclair. The carbs were exactly what he needed, especially if he managed to fail…whatever today was going to be. An audition for a job? He had no idea. But he wanted food in his stomach in case things went badly.

He washed his sticky fingers, then found a bottle of cleaner under the sink and wiped down the entire countertop. The coffeepot was still on and had coffee in it, so he didn’t want to mess with that. He double-checked the pastry box was closed tight, and then he had nothing to do but wait for Zack to return.

He hadn’t expected to meet Zack’s landlord this morning, especially not while still in his pajamas, and he wasn’t entirely sure what to make of Chase Sampson. Chase was about Zack’s age, maybe older, with a lot more gray in his otherwise brown hair. Tall, slender, but hunched over the cane, he carried himself like a man thirty years older. Zack had mentioned he was here helping a sick friend, but he’d never said exactly what was wrong with Chase.

Nat hadn’t asked. Asking questions left himself open to the same thing. Besides, he’d be alone with Chase later, when Nat drove him to his appointment. What sort of appointment wasn’t his business, not really.

He studied one of the paintings on Zack’s wall. A department store copy of some beach scene. Just sand, grass, and waves in the distance. Peaceful but nondescript. Sort of like the rest of the apartment, as if Zack had moved in with nothing personal and didn’t plan to stay long. Nat understood that mentality; he’d lived with it for years, paring down his own belongings to two suitcases he’d taken from place to place, as he’d needed to move these last five years or so.

Did Austin still have those suitcases, or had he tossed them in the dump like he’d promised on more than one occasion? Nat’s entire life was nothing but trash. He was no better than sleeping behind a dumpster.

Except…maybe he was? Zack sure seemed to think so. So did Chase, who’d offered Nat a temp job as his driver today. Judging by Chase’s physical condition, he might need a driver again in the future. It was definitely the ideal job, working for a person on his own timetable, rather than working the streets. Selling himself to strangers.

At least those strangers would be Nat’s choice, unlike all the men he’d had sex with because of Austin. When it was comply or else.

He still wasn’t sure what to make of Zack’s continued offers to help Nat. So far, he hadn’t made a pass or even overtly flirted with him. Chase’s flirting had been much more obvious but also…harmless? Teasing like a friend might, with no real intent behind it. Nat craved that sort of interaction, that sort of no-strings affection where a hug was just a hug, and a kind gesture wouldn’t end with Nat’s bare ass in the air.

Nat didn’t trust Zack not to betray him, but so far, Zack had been true to his word, so Nat would give him the benefit of the doubt. For now.

Zack took a while to return, but when he did, he had a pile of clothes in his hands. “These are some of Chase’s,” he said as he placed the pile on the unmade sofa bed. “You’re closer to his size than mine, and they aren’t things he wears anymore. Mostly loungewear like sweatpants and t-shirts, and I think a pair of jeans, but they’ll need a belt. He said you’re welcome to whatever you want.”

“Wow, thank you.” Nat eyed the generous amount of clothes. “I can pay him something. Or trade for today’s driving job.”

“Don’t worry about it. These were already in a paper bag for donation, he just hadn’t gotten around to it yet. Chase has been whittling down his possessions for a few months.”

“Chase is sick?”

Zack released a long, sorrowful sigh and slipped both hands into his pockets. “I wouldn’t call it sick, but he is symptomatic, and it is degenerative. For right now, that’s all I’ll say about his private business.”

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