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He probably shouldn’t worry, but Adam hadn’t liked that Nash had left them the night before to go into work. Nash’s job was dangerous. There was so much that could happen to him. Biting his lip, Adam pulled out his cell phone. No messages. Should be message Nash? Was that too clingy? With a sigh, he put his phone back in his pocket.
“Maybe just call him?”
Adam looked over his shoulder at Mickey. “What?”
“Nash didn’t come in today,” Mickey said. “Did you two have a fight?”
No, they hadn’t had a fight. They’d finally gotten together. Had that sent Nash running? Maybe Nash had been disappointed in him? Maybe Adam was kidding himself and Nash didn’t want anything more than that one night.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” Adam responded. “He’s probably busy.” His heart ached and now he wished he’d never met Nash or Lucas. It was one thing to have complete strangers turn their backs on him, but Adam couldn’t handle it if that was what happened with Nash. He’d have to see Nash occasionally. Nash and Lincoln’s partnership and Lincoln and Caden’s relationship would put Nash in his orbit all the time.
He knew he shouldn’t have allowed himself to hope.
“Adam?” Mickey’s arms went around his waist.
Adam patted Mickey’s hand as it lay across his stomach. He tried not to stiffen. Adam didn’t want to hurt Mickey’s feelings. Mickey craved touch just like most of the boys in their group who had grown up without it. “I’m fine.”
Mickey squeezed. “Call him. Or at least send him a message.”
But he couldn’t. Even when Mickey returned to cleaning, Adam couldn’t do more than stare across the street. Was Lucas worried? Maybe Lucas thought that Nash had already been by and didn’t know the detective was missing in action. Or Nash could have just worked late or he could still be sleeping or maybe he was still at work.
He hated this. Adam had too much going on to worry about one man. That was the problem, wasn’t it? Without having to run back and forth from work and school during the break, Adam did have time to worry.
“I’m making you some hot chocolate,” Mikey said suddenly. “Go sit down and relax before we get busy again. With the chance of rain coming, I bet a lot of people will be running errands today in preparation.”
“You don’t have to do that!” Adam assured his new friend. And Mickey was a friend. Much more than a co-worker. More like a…brother. Crap, that wasn’t what he wanted to think about. Nope, not going there.
“Sit!” Mickey pointed to the table they all used during breaks. It was closest to the kitchen and out of the way of customers that might come in.
Just to be a brat, Adam crossed his arms over his chest, while lifting a brow.
Mickey gave him that gap-toothed smile that lit up his entire face.
Shit, Mickey knew that Adam couldn’t stand up against that adorableness. This was why he could never pull off being bratty or sassy! Adam wanted everyone around him to be happy and when they weren’t, it bothered him. “Fine.”
Mickey laughed before giving a wiggle that would have made Caden proud. Yeah, putting Caden and Mickey on the same shift might not have been the best decision he or Sam made.
Mickey was sweet, soft, innocent, and trusting. Even though he’d been living in his car for a few months, Mickey never lost his enjoyment of life. Finding a home and a family had given Mickey the chance to explore desires he’d never understood. Caden had become a mentor to Mickey, who found himself wanting to be little more than just a few scenes a month or only with a partner.
It was nice that Mickey was comfortable around them and fun that there was a new little in their group. It had been amazing when Adam and Sam both realized that they had little tendencies. Adam had felt astonished that someone was like him. Later, when Caden had joined the coffeehouse staff, Adam had been reminded how much fun being a little could be.
Introducing Caden to all little things made Adam appreciate his little side more. Now that Caden was more comfortable and had a Daddy of his own, they didn’t play together as often, and Adam had been missing the time, but Mickey’s appearance had once again given Adam the chance to show someone else what he loved about the lifestyle. Mickey, however, didn’t have the same reservations that Caden had. Mickey had jumped into the lifestyle with both feet, refusing to be ashamed for what he liked.
“Really, Adam, are you okay?” Mickey grabbed his arm.
Realizing that he’d zoned out, Adam smiled. “Guess I’m just tired.” That wasn’t a complete lie. They’d both been working extra shifts with Sam and Caden gone.
“Sit and relax before we get busy again,” Mickey urged. He even followed Adam to the table and set a cup in front of him.
Adam wrapped his hand around the cup, allowing the warmth to spread through his body. There was no point in worrying about something that he had no control over. Either Nash flaked out on him or not. Adam wouldn’t know though unless he asked.
Pulling out his phone, he stared at the screen before swiping it and opening it. One message. He would send one message and then it would be up to Nash how he responded.
Hey, it’s Adam. Just checking on you. Missed you this morning.
He sent the message before he could talk himself out of it. Placing his phone on the table in front of him, Adam picked up the hot chocolate and let the gooey goodness fill him.
His phone chimed and he jumped.
