Page 46 of Finders Keepers
Just when Nate thought he’d been handed the golden ticket—turns it was counterfeit.
God, he’d thought they’d had something. He was obviously wrong if Wesley could just pack up his stuff and leave without so much as a note. Without a thank you. Without a fuck you.
Something.
Anything.
But there was nothing. Just silence, cold and heavy, pressing in on him. The kind of silence that said he didn’t matter enough for words. Not even worth the effort of goodbye. It hollowed him out in a way shouting never could.
Nate’s chest cinched tight, his throat burning as if he’d swallowed glass. His gaze dropped to the turquoise bunched in his hands. He clenched his fists, ready to rend the garment in two.
No. Wait.
That blouse was one of Wesley’s favorites. He wouldn’t have left it behind if he’d planned to leave with or without a word.
Wesley would have methodically packed his stuff.
And—the Wesley Nate had come to know wouldn’t take the coward’s way out.
Wesley would have said goodbye unless there was a good reason not to.
Or a reason why he couldn’t.
Nate had no idea what either of those reasons might be, but he’d bet his next day with the Cup that they weren’t good.
Fuck. His sudden departure probably had to do with the break in. Maybe the guys who attacked him…or that damned thumb drive.
Shit. He had to find Wesley.
Nate patted himself down for his phone, keys, and wallet.
At the vibration against his ass, Nate pulled his phone from his back pocket. Why the fuck was Wade calling him? He was half tempted to not answer, but Wade rarely called, so he should probably answer. He swiped to accept the call and headed for the door. “Wade, what’s up?”
“You’ve got a problem.”
He came to a halt, hand on the doorknob. As if skate laces were tied too tight around his heart, Nate’s breathing shallowed. “How’s that?”
“Can you verify that Ashton is Wesley?”
“Fuck. Yeah. Why?” A lump lodged in his windpipe.
“I got a call from him a short time ago saying your secret was being threatened. Said something about a parking lot and a thumb drive. You have any idea what that’s about?”
Nate’s knees nearly buckled. “Oh fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Yeah. Kinda.” He pulled the door open, slammed it shut behind him, and took off for the elevator. He gave Wade a quick recapof the night of Wesley’s assault, the burglary, and everything that had happened since.
“Did he call the police about the break-in?” Wade asked.
“We did.” Nate punched the down button for the elevator, half tempted to take the stairs.
“How would these other people know about you?”
“I don’t know. God, I don’t know.” Nate’s brain whirled with possibilities. “I mean, I always try to be careful. I musta messed up somehow. Fuck. Wait— What about Wesley?”
“He said he was fine.”
“No, no, no.” Nate wasn’t convinced. Especially after his hasty exit. “He wouldn’t admit if he wasn’t. He’s protecting me. He must be if he called you. Plus, he left here without saying goodbye. Shit. He’s in trouble.”
“Nate— If you do this, it may go public. It’s one thing to come out as an ally. Because of Jacob, you can defend that position. But we can’t know what’s going to get leaked to the press. What about management? After what happened in Portland—”
