Isaac wished he had something stronger to drink than water.
“I thought you were gay,” Andrew spat.
“Equal opportunity. Dalton is gay.”
“I know that.”
“You knew before I knew he existed, apparently.”
“I had no idea he was your son!”
“Wouldn’t have expected you to, but now I expect you to keep this to yourself.” He made sure his tone broached no argument, his expression hard as he leaned across the table.
“You’re that worried about him?” Andrew furrowed his brow, looking to Dalton gathering the tray of food at the counter and then heading to the corner to get silverware and napkins. “You’re worried your enemies will target him.”
“I made a lot of them at Christmas. Everyone knows I cut a deal.”
“I won’t say anything.” Andrew nodded dutifully. “Well, except to Candace. She knows Dalton. And I have to tell Kevin.”
Isaac scowled.
“No one else, I promise!”
“Art History?” Isaac said after a beat.
“A bachelor’s in Police Science requires credits in arts and humanities, too.”
“I’m sure it does.”
“Why did you have to say we dated?” Andrew dropped his head back with a groan. “So, we’re both… equal opportunity. That doesn’t make this any less weird.”
“Better than admitting I screwed my arresting officer and assisted in two hand-jobs yesterday.”
“I can’t believe all that happened, and you still thought I was straight.”
“People have done crazier things after a breakup.”
Andrew glanced away.
“That’s what happened at Christmas, isn’t it?”
“That’s none of your—”
“Business. I know.”
There was a brief stint of silence again before Andrew said, “Of course we broke up. I was in a foul mood that night, which I already apologized for. You’re the one who pushed for more when we saw each other yesterday.”
“I did. And do you regret giving in?”
“No. But you’re still an asshole for entering the same line of work as me. If we weren’t competitors—”
“What? You’d ask me out for real?”
“That… would be a disaster.”
“And yet a purely physical relationship seems to be working wonders.” Isaac eyed him gaugingly. He couldn’t go back in time and prevent Andrew from learning about Dalton, but there was no reason anything had to change between them. “You do still owe me a ‘next time’, Andrew. Unless you’re no longer interested?”
Andrew’s eyes darkened and his cheeks flushed before he could answer.
