Page 12 of Finding Shelter
Kash didn’t look upset by the borderline-yelled words. “It wasn’t your place to do more. I was five months away from eighteen when we met. All you could’ve done was have me spending five months in foster care, and that would’ve been worse. She died four months later anyhow. I was damn near already the adult I’ve always had to be when we met. You couldn’t change things any more than I could. Don’t torture yourself with the past.” Kash’s entire demeanor turned more intense by the second. “You’relooking at the man I am now. Don’t ever think of me as a weak kid again.”
Ledger was transfixed. Tension built between them. “I’ve never seen you as a kid, much less weak.”
Kash took a step closer. “How do you see me?”
It got a little harder to breathe. There was nowhere to run. “Please don’t make me answer that.”
Kash shook his head. “You don’t have to say it.”
Ledger’s breathing turned rapid. He saw life through a pinpoint. Kash stared at him a way Ledger had tried to forget. Ledger hadn’t realized exactly how close Kash had gotten until Kash’s lips touched his. He couldn’t scramble away withthe car so closely behind him. In fact, he was pressed against the vehicle with no clue how he had gotten there. He couldn’t lie to himself and say he hadn’t seen the kiss coming. Ledger knew exactly why he had gotten so lost in Kash’s blue eyes. He wanted this. Ledger hated how weak he was, but then again, he didn’t. Kash had Ledger in knots. He didn’t know if he wanted him to stop.
Kash held Ledger’s bottom lip between his and didn’t move. Ledger knew he waited for Ledger to decide the next move. His heart beat so loudly, there was no way Kash didn’t hear it. Even to his ears, Ledger sounded on the edge of hyperventilating. Ledger’s thoughts were all over the place. Right now, he could stop and call it an innocent kiss. If his lips parted, everything wouldchange. He would have to admit he wanted his son’s ex. Ledger didn’t know if he could cross that line. He needed Kash to choose and take the burden from him.
“Kash Humphries?”
Kash backed away and went on high alert.
His body language had Ledger spinning to see who interrupted them. A man in expensive-looking black dress pants and a perfectly pressed white button-down stood in the mouth of the storage unit. Only one detail stood out above the rest. He had a badge clipped to his belt.
“Depends on who’s asking.” Kash’s voice sounded different—harder.
“Detective Smith Avery. I just need to aska few questions.”
Kash became someone else. His eyes swam with malicious mirth. An evil-looking smile stretched his lips. “Not without my lawyer you don’t, and why do you have a first name that should be your last and a last name that should be your first?”
Ledger couldn’t say why. It was hella bad timing, but a laugh burst from him. The spiel had been delivered with such wry humor; he couldn’t stop the sound.
Smith’s eyes swam with laughter as Ledger covered his mouth. God, Ledger had no idea why this man, standing inches from him, made him feel so much like he was the younger one and Kash was in charge.
The detective looked between them before focusing on Kash again. “You don’tneed your attorney for this. The general just needs a few answers.”
Ledger was super confused by the claim.
Kash’s entire attitude shifted. He took a step toward Smith.
Ledger stopped him. “Don’t let them trick you into talking to them without a lawyer. They always say you don’t need one, and you do.”
Kash kissed his cheek. “I promise I’m good.” He walked away, leaving Ledger floundering. The general of what had questions? That was a seriously odd assertion. Did Kash do some sort of work for the government?
Ledger being Ledger, protecting his boy, circled the car to listen while stayingout of sight.
“You haven’t responded to any texts from the general in a few days.”
“I told Ajax where I am. See how easily you were able to find me. If he needs any jobs done on the west coast, then we’re solid. As of right now, I have no plans to return to Atlantic City. He knows this. Everything I love is here.”
Ledger stopped breathing.
“Call him. I’m just the messenger.”
Kash sounded calm and honest. He didn’t sound as if there was anything to worry about. “Tell him I’ll call him tonight. I’m not dodging him. We’re good.”
“I’ll let him know.” The detective sounded as if he believed.
Ledger didn’t know if he should be worried. While the entire conversation didn’tfeel malevolent in any way, Kash had admitted to shady dealings. But this was a cop, and he didn’t sound like Kash had done anything wrong other than not answering some general.
The sound of a car door closing pulled him from his musings. An engine started. Ledger didn’t move from his spot. He wanted honesty between them. Whatever was happening between them would already turn Ledger’s life upside down. If he risked everything on lies, Ledger couldn’t handle that. He already didn’t know what he was doing.
Kash stepped back inside. His gaze went straight to Ledger like he had never lost sight of him.
