He’d been waiting for this question. Did he tell Colton the truth or skim the edges? He exhaled and lifted his chin. “You won’t believe me.”
“How about you tell me and let me decide?”
Now that everything had gone to shit, Zach had nothing to lose being honest. “You’re smoking hot, and I liked how you looked at me.”
“Must be the uniform.” Colton blushed but didn’t get all bashful.
He’d never seen anyone as red as Colton. If he weren’t in public, he’d have reached over and kissed him. Then he side-eyed the cousin and it faded. “Nope, that’s Peter’s deal. I’m a face man. Bodies too, but hot bods are easy to find. You’re that superrare person. Totally hot but not arrogant. I chased you because I knew you’d treat me good. Before, during, and after.”
“I keep telling you that you don’t owe me anything.” Colton said. “You don’t need to flatter me.”
Colton had a right to think that way, but it still pissed him off. It was what everyone thought. “Knew you wouldn’t believe me.”
“Never said I didn’t.”
“Stop treating me like I’m a kid. I’ll be twenty in two weeks. I’m also not some idiot who doesn’t know his ass from the seat cushion.” He saw people glancing their way and lowered his voice. “I’m not a whore, and never taken anything for sleeping with someone. No one touches me unless the attraction is mutual. I’ve been eye-fucked my whole life. Had some pervy asshole try to fuck me when I was fourteen. Grandpa nearly shot his balls off when I screamed for help. Most guys who look at me don’t wantme; they want to say they had me. They think I’m someone they can impress with who they are or their money. That I’d be grateful for the chance to let them spoil me.”
“I don’t?—"
Zach held up a hand. “You weren’t like them. Before this happened, there was admiration and respect. It’s how you treat everyone you meet. When I played, you didn’t see my face or hear the music, you heardmein my music. If Stephen and Creepy Guy hadn’t shown up, I would’ve gone out with you, and for one night I’d know what it felt like to be with someone who finally saw and wanted me.”
A tear slid down his cheek and he swallowed. Colton stared at him, his face totally unreadable to Zach. The only thing he saw was the absence of the interest that was there before. “And now I won’t even get that.” He heaved a sigh and wiped his face. “Thank you again for saving me, Colton. I was stupid to think I could be with someone like you.”
Zach rose, but a big hand landed on his shoulder, pushing him down.
“Park them buns for a minute, son. I need to talk to you.” An officer in a white shirt with lots of gold on the shoulders, and who was scary as fuck, stared down at him. “Scoot over, would you, please?”
It was more order than request. Zach snuck a glance at Colton and did as he was told.
“Thank you. Colton, you come over and sit next to him.”
“Yes, sheriff.” Colton slid out of the booth, walked around the imposing figure, and sat inches from Zach.
When the day had started, sitting this close to Colton would have made Zach’s cock hard. That was before the large cop inched his way into the booth.
The sheriff was good at his job. He’d boxed Zach in, giving him no room to leave until the interview was over.
“That thing on?” The sheriff pointed toward Colton’s body camera.
“It was on until we left the fairgrounds. I turned it off when I got in my truck. My shift was effectively over at that point.”
A frown greeted that answer. “You talk to him about what’s going on?”
“Yes, Sir.” Color crept up Colton’s neck. “But only while we were eating.”
“Doesn’t matter. You were talking to a witness.” He fixed his deputy a hard glare. “I’m not trying to embarrass you Colt, but next time don’t mix personal business with work.”
“I’m sorry, sir. This wasn’t supposed to be business. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Yes you were. Just with the wrong head.” The big man winked, and it took some of the tension from Colton’s posture. “Next time leave it on, or we’ll be having a real talk.”
“Yes, sir.” When he sat back, Colton’s knee brushed Zach’s.
Zach flinched and moved his leg. After a second, he moved it back until their knees touched again. To his surprise, Colton didn’t move.
“Can you tell me why I got a call from Frank Jenkins telling me that the two deputiesI personally sentto work his festival had abandoned their posts?” He raised an eyebrow, which only made Zach more afraid of the man.
“That ain’t how it happened, Uncle Ted.”
