Jesus, this kid had been mind-fucked. “Well, you’re safe now.”
“I—Sure.” Zach shrugged. “I guess.”
Colton wanted to reach across the table, take Zach’s hand, and hold it until he felt safe. Totally something a well-adjusted person who’d been totally played did with the guy who did him dirty. Except Colton wasn’t sure it was all an act. Enough of him believed—or wanted to believe—Zach had been honest about what he wanted and the need to get away was the bonus.
“You need a place to stay?” He nodded before Zach even had the chance to answer. “I’m building a house right now, but my uncle—the sheriff—he’s got a huge spread. There’s room for you to breathe and figure out what is what, okay? You have a safe place here.”
“Thank you.” Zach sagged. “I can’t. Not after what I just did.”
The sincerity in his refusal only fueled Colton’s ridiculous optimism that Zach hadn’t totally played him. “It’s not a problem. Seriously. I won’t let you twist in the wind.”
“I’m sorry.” Zach snuck a glance, but dipped his head quickly. “You deserved better, but I knew you’d help.”
Yeah, and Colton was the rube who Zach made his move on. At least he had been the cop first, the horny bastard second. “I’m glad you did.”
“Are you?” Zach sat back and went right to tapping on things and picking at them. Those fingers were always busy.
Colton wondered what it would be like to feel them on his skin. “I am. I don’t want anyone to feel trapped. Anyone. And hell, you’re talented. You’ll make your way out of here, once you’re on your own.”
Annie appeared and put a steaming cup in front of him. Zach perked up and leaned slightly forward.
“That smells good,” Zach said.
“You want that, not a Coke?” she asked.
“Can I have both?” he asked.
“Sure, hon.” She grabbed a cup from the counter, filled it, and set it in front of Zach. “You decide on food?”
Colton rattled off both their orders, since Zach had told him what he wanted. And off she went.
They sipped coffee, and Colton kept quiet. As a law enforcement officer, he had questions. What the hell was going on with that show topped the list. Personally, he wanted to know the same thing, but this time it involved what Zach was thinking.
Colton had grown up with carnies coming to town twice a year for county fairs. Some came only once—others returned year after year. Most were drifters and misfits, but Zach didn’t fit the mold.
He was crazy talented, but didn’t seem to realize just how good he was. Why hadn’t he left to do more? Had his grandfather kept him prisoner? Did he stay out of obligation?
Zach clutched his mug like he wanted to crush it. “Breathe.” Colton waited for Zach to react and then changed the topic. “When did you start playing the fiddle?”
“I can’t say when I first picked up a violin.” Zach shrugged, cheeks pinking. “Is that strange? I remember getting this violin but not my first lesson.”
He remembered learning to love music, gospel and country, bluegrass and Dixieland. His family played whenever they all got together—nothing fancy, but joyful? Hell yeah. And loud. Lord, they could be loud. “It’s not strange. I think it’s amazing.”
“I can see how much it moves you,” Zach said. Then he lowered his voice. “It’s what made me notice you.”
Colton’s face got hot. “I don’t know about that, but you don’t have to butter me up. I’ve already agreed to help you.”
Zach looked at him, and Colton thought he might tear up. “I was just trying to explain. Never mind.”
Colton didn’t have thirty years on the force like his uncle, and had even less dating experience, but God help him, he believed Zach. He knew it was because he wanted to, not because he had evidence. Before he could answer Zach, their food arrived. “Welcome to your fancy-assed supper.”
“Oh my God, this smells so good.” Zach’s sincerity was undeniable. “It sure beats corn dogs at the fair.”
The change from dejected to excited gave Colton a small thrill. “Oh, I don’t know. Corn dogs are a food group all their own.”
Zach laughed, and Colton figured he’d done his good deed for the week. Now he just needed to figure out what the hell the actual deal was and how to help without seeming like a complete fool.
