Page 5 of Unbound
Something flashed in those blue eyes—confusion, fear, and something else. Something that looked suspiciously like interest.
Well, well, well.
"Your sign," I said, nodding toward the bathroom counter where he'd left it. "Wouldn't want to forget your props."
He looked at the sign like he'd never seen it before. "Oh. Yes. Thank you."
"Let me help you." I grabbed the sign before he could, examining it with exaggerated interest. "Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin." I nodded appreciatively. "Classic. Less aggressive than your buddy's 'God Hates Fags' out there. You're the good cop, huh?"
"It's not—I didn't—" He reached for the sign, but I held it just out of reach.
"Tell me something, Jesse." I stepped closer, dropping my voice low. "Do you actually believe this bullshit? Or are you just going through the motions?"
His eyes met mine then, and the naked conflict in them caught me off guard. There was something happening behind those eyes—a war I hadn't expected to see.
"I believe in God," he said quietly.
Not what I'd asked. Interesting.
"So do lots of people who don't spend their Friday nightsharassing others," I pointed out. "Including some of us 'sinners' in here."
He looked away. "May I please have my sign back?"
I relented, handing it to him. Our fingers brushed in the exchange, and he jerked back like I'd shocked him.
"You act like I'm radioactive," I observed.
"No, I—" He clutched the sign to his chest like a shield. "I really need to get back."
"I'll walk you out." It wasn't an offer.
Surprisingly, he didn't protest as I held the bathroom door open with exaggerated courtesy. We walked side by side down the hallway, an odd pair—me completely at ease, him looking like he expected the ceiling to collapse at any moment.
"So," I said conversationally as we approached the main room, "do you come to all the protests, or is this a special occasion?"
"My church organizes them regularly," he answered stiffly.
"And do you enjoy it? Standing in the rain, telling people they're going to hell?"
He hesitated, just a fraction too long. "It's my duty."
We'd reached the entrance now. The bouncer—Mack—raised an eyebrow at me, and I gave him a reassuring nod.
"Well, Jesse from Topeka Covenant," I said, "it's been enlightening. Maybe next time you need a bathroom break, we can have a proper conversation. One where you actually say what you're thinking."
He looked at me then, something vulnerable and raw in his expression. "What makes you think I'm not saying what I'm thinking?"
"Because if you were, you wouldn't still be standing here talking to me. You look lost.”
The door to the bar opened again, spilling light and music into the night. A petite blonde woman burst out, her face amask of concern that quickly morphed into something harder when she saw me.
"Jesse! We've been looking everywhere for you!" She grabbed his arm possessively, shooting me a suspicious glare.
"Rebecca," he said, sounding relieved and something else. Resigned, maybe. "I'm sorry. I just needed to use the restroom."
"In there?" Her voice dripped with disgust as she glanced at The Harbour.
I gave her my most dazzling smile. "He was just defending the faith to us heathens. Very impressive. Almost had me considering a life of celibacy."
