Page 51 of Starting Over in Cedarwood

“Why?” Kevin put space between them. “Shaun?”

He couldn’t keep this to himself any longer. “He called me, said he had photos that were mine and wanted to give them to me. I guess there are wedding pictures from my folks’ wedding, photos of my parents and other photos I had. They were missing,” he said. “If he really has the pictures, then I want them back.”

“Understandable.” Kevin’s expression remained blank. “So you’re seeing him today?”

“Yes. In Ashland. I wanted to bring you, but there’s a game this afternoon.” Shaun rubbed his forehead. “I’m sorry, but I want my possessions back.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“Yet you don’t trust me,” Shaun said. “You’re not giving me much of a trusting look right now.”

Kevin drank a swig of water from his bottle again, then bowed his head.

“What? Are you having something with Kyle?” His heart dropped. His comment was uncalled for, but the question burst from him. He doubted Kevin was doing anything with Kyle. “Kevin?”

“I need a moment to process this, but no, I’m not doing anything with Kyle.” Kevin sat on the arm of the sofa. “Here’s the thing. I do trust you. I’m sure you’re going to see him to get your stuff and that’ll be the end of it.”

“But?”

“It doesn’t exactly make me want to do handsprings,” Kevin said. “You must’ve known about this meeting before today and yet you just now told me. It doesn’t inspire confidence.”

“I was afraid you’d be upset.”

“I am.”

“Kevin.”Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“I’m upset because I wish you’d have told me when you first decided. I’m not jealous of him and I know you’re not going to fuck him, but I was hurt by my ex not telling me the truth.”

“I wanted to,” Shaun said. He brushed an errant lock of Kevin’s hair off his brow. “It didn’t feel right to tell you in a wild moment. I didn’t want to ruin things.”

“I know.” Kevin stood, then embraced Shaun. “And now I know.” He brushed his nose along Shaun’s. “We’ll get through this.”

“I love you, Kev, and I don’t want to hurt you.”Never.

“I know.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know.” Kevin tipped his head to meet Shaun’s gaze. “It’ll be okay. Promise. I’m not going anywhere—except to work—and I’ll have my phone with me tonight if you need me.”

“Don’t get into trouble.”

“I won’t.”

He held Kevin tight. He knew he’d made the right choice when he’d met him. He’d found his guy. “Want to shower with me?”

“I would if I didn’t need to get moving. I spent too long here already, but I’m glad I did. I wanted this worked out.” Kevin kissed him. “I regret nothing.”

“Where are you going?” Shaun asked. “The game isn’t until one, right?”

“As the head of concessions, I’m going over the figures with Mr. Vale. Sales are up since the promotions started and the workforce is happier,” Kevin said. “He wanted to meet to discuss strategies for next season.”

“Does this mean you might not be spending so much time working the counter?” And more time watching the game, preferably with him.

“If I play my cards right.” Kevin kissed him again. “If revenue stays up, we can hire more people. It seems to be so far and Mr. Vale is tossing around ideas for using the stadium in the off-season. Who knows? I might get to stay out from behind the counter for good.”

“I hope so.”

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