Page 61 of Digging Deeper

A loving smile crosses Jameson’s face when Holds starts yell-laughing about something at our friends. “I’m happy you’re with my brother. You both seem really happy,” I say.

“You’re done getting weirded out?” He waggles his brows.

“As long as you keep the PDA light in front of me, I can handle it,” I tease back.

“Yeah,” he snickers, “I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Ever since Holds saw you and Gavin grinding on each other at the bar, he’s traumatized. I’m not sure if it was seeing his best friend get all hot and bothered, or seeing his twin with a boner, or if it was a combination of the two, but he made me swear I’ll never touch him in any way in front of you that may cause you to retaliate.” Hmm… now that he mentions it. “Hendrix, I see that calculating look on your face. Don’t even think about it, I’m the one who has to come home with him at night.”

Although it would be a good distraction to tease him, I have something else to discuss. “Gavin wants me to tell you that I’ve been having nightmares.”

“Okay. About what? How often? What do you need me to do?”

I hold up my hand, shaking my head. “Shut up. Geesh. My brother really is rubbing off on you. It’s not that big a deal.” Jameson cuts his eyes at me, a frown on his face. “Okay, it is a big deal. They’re about the night of the shooting, but they’re not. It’s weird.”

Jameson leans forward, planting his elbows on his knees. “What can I do?”

Running my hand through my hair, I pause before answering. “Originally, I was just going to tell you because Gavin asked me to. Since you’re my best friend—”

“And partner,” he interrupts.

“And partner,” I agree, holding my hands up in surrender. Thankfully, the orthopedic has already released me for duty. Gav just blushes when I credit that to him, but I wouldn’t be in shape physically without him. The work isn’t over since I had to start my department-mandated counseling last week, but soon now, I’ll be back to work. It feels good knowing I’ll be back on the streets, protecting this town I love. “Anyway, I think it’s good he told me to tell you. I think we both need to be able to communicate about this shit.” His head tilts in confusion. “Like if you’re struggling with having to take that guy down, I know I had a hard time coming to terms last year when I had to… I mean, one minute I was squeezing the trigger and the next I was watching that guy drop, you know? Even when you’re doing your job, that messes with your head. Right? And now I have this… I just think we need to be able to talk about it.”

Jameson’s nodding before I’m through talking. “Yeah, you’re right, and… it’ll be good to know we can do that. I want to protect Holds the best I can; I’m sure you feel the same about Gavin now. This will be hard for them.”

“At least they can lean on each other, I guess.”

Jameson sighs. “True. There is that. I’m glad Gavin decided to follow Holds.”

A burst of air rushes out of my mouth. “Pht. You and me both. I can’t imagine my life without Gav.”

“Wow. Look at you.”

I whisper, “I asked him to move into my room a couple of nights ago.”

Jameson’s eyes widen as he gasps. “No way.”

I nod happily. “Yep. Told him I love him, too.”

“Get the hell out of here.” Jameson punches me in the arm. “I guess you really can teach an old dog new tricks.”

Reaching over, I shove him hard against the arm of the couch. “I wasn’t that bad, asshole.”

Laughing, he responds, “Bullshit. You were the worst.”

We carry on, back and forth, passing the time with good-natured ribbing as we wait for the call that tells us Jameson’s dad, Delaney Fox, is getting his life back.

24

Gavin

When I walk through the front door, I call out, “Honey, I’m home!” Drix doesn’t say anything back as I make my way into the kitchen, and I frown because I don’t see him. “Drix?” He doesn’t answer, and the fidgety, anxious feeling I’ve had all day roars to life despite the fact that my dogs are whining and excited to see me. “Drix!” I quickly search the house with the dogs following my every step, eagerly waiting for me to let them out, and proving that Drix isn’t home. I don’t find any sign of him, so I pull out my phone and call Drix immediately. He should’ve been home by now, he got off work before me. What if… what if something happened to him? Would I even know if something happened? Would I get a phone call? Jameson would call me, wouldn’t he?

“Hello?”

“Drix?”

“Gav? You okay?”

I blow out a relieved breath and sag to the floor. Nana and Brutus climb on my lap as my eyes get watery from the sound of Drix’s voice. “You’re okay?”

---