Page 62 of Dreams and Reptiles

“You would have been if I’d asked.”

The guys came in, and Kendall paused a few feet away.

“Thank you for calling Chief Chen,” I said. “Derek? Will you walk with me to see our moms?” I approached Kendall and gave him a loose hug. “I’ll be back. I just want to assure them.”

“Go around from the back door? I’m going to get the porch cleaned up. I don’t want you to have to see it again.”

I hoped it wasn’t because he thought I couldn’t deal with it. I’d yelped when I opened the door because no one expects to see an eviscerated rodent on their porch first thing in the morning. “Thank you, but you don’t have to⁠—”

“I know you can handle it,” he said softly. “I just don’t want you to have to. Is that okay?”

“I appreciate it. Thank you. We’ll be back shortly.”

I took Derek by the arm and led him out through the mudroom. He was still a bit glum after the morning’s disturbance, but I needed to get us both out of our moods.

“How was the sandwich?”

“Hmm? Oh! Oh, God, Francis.” He pushed me away, but then he laughed, only it wasn’t with the type of floating-on-air joy I felt after a night with Kendall.

“Hey, are you okay? I’m sorry. I was just teasing.”

He sighed and kicked at a rock. “I’m fine. It was incredible. And scary. And I’m even more confused now.”

I put my arm around him and rested my head against his as we walked. “Tell me all about it.”

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

Kendall

Roger, Arnie, and I had the bloody mess cleaned up in no time. I didn’t want any of it remaining when Francis got back.

I was still in shock from what he’d told us, but he seemed to be handling all of this remarkably well. I knew he’d had more than a year to come to terms with everything, but the thought of this Robin guy putting his hands on my Francis?

“Kinda wish we would have caught that guy in the act, feel me?” Roger cracked his knuckles.

“The techs said the guy is such a dumbass,” Arnie added. “Apparently, he took a swing at Officer Davidson after he got him out of the car. The guy didn’t look too pretty by the time Tommy got him to the station.”

I exhaled, watching as Francis and Derek went inside their moms’ place.

“Did you know?” Arnie asked me. “Had Francis told you?”

“Not about the assault, no. Just the basics. I was kind of a dick about him having money in the beginning, so he told me about the settlement. You can imagine I felt like shit.”

“I’m glad he’s here,” Roger said. “Derek really looks up to him. They’re hella close.”

“Speaking of,” Arnie said. “Derek was off this morning, even before we heard what happened. Did he say anything to you?” he asked Roger.

Roger frowned. “No. What’s wrong, do you think? He seemed good before we fell asleep.”

My two buddies exchanged worried looks.

“Patience, guys. You’ve gotta take it easy with him.”

“I know,” Roger said, taking Arnie’s hand. “We just need to talk to him.”

Arnie nodded, still looking at the ground. “I’ve got it so bad for him.”