AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Joey gazed at Ethan and shrugged. “No idea. I’ve been here before,” he said, echoing his earlier thoughts, “but it was years ago.”
“Are you planning on staying a while?”
He stared at his cup and shrugged again. “I honestly don’t know what I’m doing, Ethan,” he whispered. “I just know I can’t go back. Not yet.”
Ethan remained quiet for a moment, and when Joey glanced at him, his forehead was furrowed as he stared out of the window. Joey let him have the silence, undoubtedly trying to figure out what was going on. He jumped when Ethan started talking.
“Answer me one more question.” Joey nodded. “Are you wanted by the police?”
Joey shook his head. “I promise I’m not. I’m just…” He sighed, not wanting to go into what was happening in his life that made him want to run away from it all.
“Not ready. I get it.” Ethan sipped his coffee, holding it in both hands with his elbows on the table. “If you found a place to stay, would you stop running?”
Joey considered his question. If he could guarantee no one would find out who he was, he would be happy to stay, and not only because Ethan was here. He liked how relaxed he’d felt breathing in the sea air. “If I could keep below the radar, yes.” Ethan narrowed his eyes. “I promise it’s nothing to do with the police. It’s more to do with…the media.” He had to give Ethan something.
“The media?” He waved his hand almost immediately. “Don’t answer that. Do you need a job?”
“I’m fine for money.”
“You have three choices, as I see it. You can get a room here, and I’ll book it under my name so no one knows it’s you. You can find a guest house somewhere and do the same thing. Or you can stay with me. I have a second bedroom in my palace.”
Joey grinned at the mention of his palace. Despite the house being small, it had a big personality, just like its owner. “I won’t put you out like that, and I won’t stay here. It’s too close to where I’ve been before. If you can recommend a guest house that can keep quiet, I’d be willing to try.”
Ethan grimaced. “Unfortunately, most of the places around here are gossip mills. Everyone knows everyone in the hotel business. Whitby has famous people visiting all the time, and I’m going to assume you’re famous enough to be noticed in certain circles, so it might not be your best option.” He drained his cup. “I don’t mind you staying with me, especially if you can cook.” He winked.
Joey chuckled. “I actually can.”
Ethan rested a hand on his chest. “Oh, be still my heart. I’d consider marrying someone for less.”
“Honestly, I don’t want to intrude in your space—”
“It’s fine. Do you want to head over there now, or do you want to wait until I finish my shift? I finish at two o’clock.”
Joey rubbed a hand over his beard. “I’ll wait. I won’t be there without you. It’s not right.”
Ethan stood. “Okay, well, you know where I live. I’ll be home around two-thirty.” He smiled. “I’ll see you later.” Joey nodded, and Ethan headed away, then stopped and faced him. “I know you said you have money, but are you any good at handyman jobs?”
Joey frowned at the change of subject. “I get by doing my own.”
“Do you fancy some busy work?”
“Like what?”
Ethan stepped closer again. “Our usual handyman is off sick, and everyone is busy. We have some lightbulbs that need changing, a leaky pipe in one bathroom, stuff like that.”
Joey chuckled. “I can try. That’s all I can promise.”
Ethan grinned. “It’s better than what I can do.” He tilted his head in the direction they’d originally come from. “Let me introduce you to my manager.” He paused. “What’s your surname? If you can give it to me.”
Joey licked his lips. “Use Joey Rendall.”
“Pseudonym. Got it.”
Joey followed Ethan out of the restaurant and into the foyer. Ethan stopped briefly to let the other receptionist know where they were going and then pointed down the hall to a room at the end. Ethan knocked.
“Come in.”
The woman sitting behind the desk was in her fifties if he was to guess. She had black hair streaked with grey, black glasses and wore a suit similar to what everyone else wore.
