Page 51 of Finders Keepers
“Are you queer, Officer Savard?”
The man snorted. “Of course not.”
Nate rose to his knees, one hand holding Wesley’s. “Okay, well… ‘Queer’ is our word, and I’d appreciate it greatly if you didn’t use the term.”
“Or what?”
“Or nothing.” Nate shrugged. “You have freedom of speech, of course, to say whatever you want. But some labels should belong strictly to those to whom they refer.”
Savard narrowed his gaze. “Are you giving me a sociology lesson?”
“Not at all. Making conversation and expressing my opinion.”
Savardhmmd, not appearing pleased with Nate’s comment.
Too damn bad. In for a penny, in for a fucking pound. If the dude wanted to out him, well, Nate couldn’t stop him. At this point, healmostdidn’t care. But it would bring on a shit storm he really didn’t want to deal with.
So Nate said, “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep my sexuality to yourself.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then I’ll be dealing with a lot of bullshit over something that’s nobody else’s business and has no bearing on your investigation.”
“And I’ll report you to the chief for breach of public trust,” Officer Bennett cut in, startling both Nate and Savard. “Go away, Savard.”
The two had a bit of a silent showdown until finally Savard huffed and left the trailer.
Nate nodded to Bennett. “Thanks.”
“I have half a mind to say something to the chief anyway,” Bennett said.
Sirens pierced the air, growing louder before ending with two sharp chirps.
Two EMTs tromped in a few moments later, and Nate shuffled backwards to let them work. In about three minutes, they’d ascertained that Wesley didn’t have any life-threatening injuries.
“We’re taking him to the ED at Bellevue Medical Center,” one of the EMTs said as they rolled him out the door. “But he should be okay. Eventually.”
Nate held Wesley’s hand as he walked next to the gurney until they reached the back of the rig. “I’ll be along shortly. I’ll find you.”
“Wait, wait...” Wesley rasped to the EMTs, before turning his attention to Nate.
Nate’s face throbbed in sympathy.
“You don’t have to come. I’m about to become a lot of trouble you don’t want in your life.” Tears trickled from Wesley’s eyes, leaving a streak of reddish brown along one temple.
Nate knew that. Deep inside. From the moment he agreed to take Wesley home. The first time, from the hospital, and even more so the second time, from here. But he’d chosen to do it anyway, and there was a reason for that, even if he hadn’t known what it was. Nate gently stroked Wesley’s head. Anywhere else would probably cause pain. “You’re exactly the kind of trouble I’ve been looking for, only I never thought I’d find it. But I did. I found you. Unless you have any better objections, I’d like to keep it. Keep you.”
Wesley half sobbed, half laughed and then moaned in pain.
Nate winced in sympathy. He’d been that battered and bruised before, as a result of hockey, not as a result of violence. “Let them get you to the hospital, baby. I’ll be there, okay.”
Wesley sobbed once as if he couldn’t believe it. “You sure?”
And maybe Wesley couldn’t believe it, so Nate nodded and said, “I’ve never been more sure of much else but hockey. Finders keepers.”
They stared into each other’s eyes for a protracted moment.
Nate finally raised an eyebrow.
