“Sorry. What did you say?”
Miles gave a look of sympathy. “I think you need to get some sleep. Don’t even think about coming here tomorrow. Enjoy your day off.”
“I will.”
“Oh, and Crompton called. Said Orsen still looks like shit, and you need to sort yours out and deal with his old man. That’s almost a direct quote.”
Rubbing a hand over his face, TJ nodded. “Thanks for letting me know.” He was stuck between a rock and a hard place, but he’d make some calls and see if he could get someone to do a wellness check.
Miles walked back to his desk and TJ left the station, then climbed in his truck and sat doing nothing. Okay, so it was time to face the truth. Since Cody had returned, TJ had been growing more attracted to him and never noticed. No surprise there. He had the worst gaydar. Did that count in this situation? Anyway, Cody liked him. Cody had come back for him. Cody kissed like a man with a purpose and that purpose was TJ, and TJ had loved how he’d felt. Small and overpowered and dominated, and he had it bad. Oh, he had it so bad, and what the fuck did he do?
A week. Cody had been back in his life for a week and had completely turned it around and upended it, and TJ still sat in his truck going nowhere fast. His orderly life had been turned upside down, and Cody knew what he wanted. So sure and positive and strong, and there he went again. He didn’t even think like he normally did.
How could one man cause so much upheaval in TJ’s normally reserved, boring life?
When he arrived home, TJ found himself pausing. Muttering how stupid he was under his breath, TJ went inside and instantly smelled something wonderful cooking in the air. He could get used to this, but nope. He’d made up his mind, and he was sticking to it.
“TJ. Just in time. Do you want a shower before we eat?” Now that TJ was blatantly aware of his attraction to Cody, seeing the younger man stood in his kitchen had him instantly aroused. How could someone look so good in a plain white T-shirt and pale distressed jeans? And why did the T-shirt have to stretch across his chest just right, and look how his jeans cupped what TJ knew was a—
“Shower.” He ran up the stairs and into his bedroom, shutting the door and leaning his back on it. Running a hand over his short blond hair, TJ closed his eyes and moaned. He was in so much trouble, and Cody had to go.
“Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.”
“Food will be ready in ten minutes!” Cody shouted upstairs.
“I’ll be down soon!” Palming his dick, TJ trembled, then pushed away from the door. “Get a fucking grip.”
One shower later and another long talk with himself, TJ entered the kitchen and smiled at Cody as he put a plate in front of him. Chicken and dumplings. A bowl of greens was placed between them and the aroma wafted up to TJ, making him close his eyes and moan.
“I hope you like it. Mama taught me how to make it. I spoke to her earlier and she wants to meet you soon.”
“I’d like that. They sound like good people. This looks amazing. Thank you.”
Cody smiled and TJ stared. God, he was gorgeous with his thick black hair and bright blue eyes, and TJ wrenched his eyes away and shoved a forkful of chicken into his mouth. The heat hit and he waved his hand in front of his open mouth while breathing through it to try to cool it down. Cody laughed as he carefully blew on his food. Which was on his fork.
He ate his food, glancing at Cody and seeing him watching him. TJ could feel the tension rising in the room, and he wasn’t sure how he wanted to handle it. Did he run from it or embrace it? Cody. Young Cody. Cass’ son Cody. Carter’s nephew Cody. Carter, who was married to Toni, the mother of TJ’s boys. So tangled up in his head, yet he knew for Cody it was straightforward. He didn’t care what they thought. He’d come back for TJ. Had told him that right to his face.
Putting his fork down, TJ sighed. “Cody.”
“You seem distracted.”
“We can’t do this. What happened earlier.” He hadn’t been sure what he’d say, so when he spoke, he surprised himself. “I think you should move out. This,” he waved between them, “can’t happen.”
“I thought you might feel that way, and I understand.”
TJ blinked. “You do?”
“I do. Eat up while the food is hot, TJ. I know you’ve worked more hours than normal.”
“Taylor is back now, so that takes some of the pressure off me.”
“It can’t all be down to one officer being off.”
TJ shook his head and ate more chicken. “No it isn’t. We had a man leave and I’ve been told there’s no money to hire more staff.”
Cody snorted. “Well, that’s a load of bullshit. They’re lining their pockets. You should speak to Cass. He isn’t squeaky clean. He knows what’s going on with the finances.”
“What?” TJ put his fork down. “How would Cass know? He has nothing to do with the council.”
