“Where’s your wallet and cell phone?”
Dev didn’t make eye contact as he pulled his boxers on. He also didn’t respond. Cash dumped the clothes in the basket and moved around Dev, back into the bedroom.
“Where are they? What’re you not telling me?” Cash asked, taking a glance around the bedroom.
“Stop frettin’. The phone’s on the charger on my side of the bed, and the wallet and keys in the dresser. I’m tryin’ to do better.” To prove his point, he opened the top drawer of the dresser for Cash to see his wallet and keys.
No, seeing them tucked away didn’t appease him. His suspicions escalated.
“I feel like there’s more to the story today. You know something that you’re not sharing. Your entire demeanor changed after you talked to your mother,” Cash said carefully, not a hundred percent sure how hard to push.
Dev left the drawer for him to close and dropped down on the bed, reaching for his phone. “I told you what she said. My old man worked for the government, and she was scared that the people who killed him might think she was involved.”
“She didn’t know anything more? Only that your father worked for the government?” Cash asked just like he had earlier, going to the end of the bed, watching for any sign of a lie from Dev.
“No. Why would I be keepin’ secrets now?” Dev asked absently, flipping through his phone. “I got a million texts from my brothers all over the country. Everybody’s freaked the fuck out. Do you think Shanna can handle the funeral arrangements before I have the meetin’ in the mornin’? I think I should get donuts delivered for everyone.” Dev lifted his gaze to Cash, asking his opinion. “Everybody likes donuts. We have plots at Little Bethel Cemetery. When will they release the bodies? Shit, that’s gonna be a process, isn’t it?”
Cash only stared at him, taken off guard by the litany of questions, wondering which one to answer first.
“What? Do you have the authority to release the bodies?” Dev shook his head, seemingly answering his own question, and tossed his cell phone on the bed beside him. “I don’t wanna talk about any of this right now. Will you help handle it in the mornin’? And get in bed. Why’re you standin’ there lookin’ at me? Tell me some happy things. I don’t see anything good comin’ my way.” Dev patted the side of the bed. “Except you comin’ at me. Talk to me about your life outside the job. I need the mental break.”
Dev’s eyes narrowed as he angled his body under the blanket and rolled to his side, tucking the pillow under his head. “I’m talkin’ too much right now, aren’t I? What do you think that means?”
“I want you to carry a weapon at all times,” Cash said, dodging every answer, clearly understanding Dev’s rambling meant he needed a mental break. “Don’t be afraid to use it.”
Plus, if Cash gave Dev an opportunity to talk freely, he might accidentally let the secrets spill. The way Dev patted the bed harder, urging him in, and exaggeratedly waggled his eyebrows at Cash, made him laugh.
“What do you want to know?” Cash asked, going to the light switch on the wall, plunging the bedroom into darkness. Dev’s lamp flipped on, giving him enough light to make it back to his side of the bed, making sure his cell phone was still charging there before climbing in.
“You haven’t shared your roster. I don’t really know anything about your family. What was it like after your attack? When did life get back to normal for you?” Dev asked, scooting to the center of the mattress. The pillow came with him.
“Roster?” Cash asked, confused. Dev rolled his eyes in the dramatic way he had. “Your sex roster. Mine’s undefinable, but I bet you know or knew all the people you fucked. That seems like a normal guy thing to know. You make me feel like it’s more than just sex when we’re together. Do you do that all the time?”
Cash turned on his side, face to face with Dev. He never spoke about himself or his background to protect his parents. Did he really want to start now?
Dev seemed to understand his reservations and reached for his hand. Holding hands was a regular thing for them when they slept but not like this. His knuckles were drawn to Dev’s lips, kissing him. “You make my life better. Thank you. Now start from the beginnin’.”
Chapter 26
“I was born…” Cash started with a smile.
Dev immediately interrupted him, pretending a long yawn in sudden boredom. “Hit the high points until it gets interestin’.”
“Let’s see. My parents are missionaries, have I told you that?”
He chuckled until the laugh turned into a full belly deal. “Of course they are. Everything’s slidin’ into place now. That’s why you’re such a good guy.”
“I don’t know about that, but it’s how I got on this side of the law. My parents started a traveling ministry when I was young. They’re very good people. Hippies to their core. Their ministry never really took off no matter how hard they tried. They preach about love and non-judgment and back it up with the bible. They’re pretty heavy pot smokers.”
“I’ll like ’em then,” Dev said with a spreading grin, trying to understand how religion and weed went together.
He suspected talking about Cash’s life might ease some of his tension, but he had no idea that less than twenty words into the explanation, the stress and anxiety of the day eased away.
“They’d like you. Maybe have a problem with your language,” Cash said, mimicking Dev by adjusting the pillow, pushing a hand underneath. “My mom and dad taught me to strive to be my best. They wanted me to be a good man. My mom was my best friend for most of my life. I didn’t hang around other children after I left Dallas. Lame, huh?”
“No, it’s sweet. I love my mom too. No brothers and sisters?” Dev asked. He knew the answer; he just didn’t know why Cash was an only child.
“No. They tried to have more kids, but my mom had many miscarriages. It broke her heart. They imagined a big family.” Cash’s pretty green stare held the hints of the sorrow his parents must have faced.
