Page 40 of Be My Vengeance

I cocked my head. “How do you know that?”

“It never is. We’re always harder on ourselves than anyone else. Sometimes we think we’re blowing up our lives when in actuality, we’re setting off fireworks to celebrate a new chapter.”

I smirked. “Thanks, Jim.”

I sat there for another half hour and thought about what he’d said. The man didn’t know I’d confessed my love to my straight best friend and had made our friendship awkward. I knew there wouldn’t be fireworks to celebrate Alex and me. Maybe I could play it off like…I did love him…like a bro or something.

I stood up, brushed some of the sand and dirt off my pants, and made my way to my car. I’d go home, shower, and hopefully pass out for a few hours. Alex was being looked after. Maybe I’d just hide out until Gideon called for me. Yeah, that was a good plan.

Gideon

How long are you going to hide for?

Me

I’m not hiding

Gideon

What do you call it?

Me

I figured Alex was at your place and you’d text if you needed me.

I saw that he’d read my message, and I could imagine the “What the fuck?” expression on his face.

Gideon

I could ask a lot of questions, maybe say something profound but I’m not. Get your ass to my house now.

Me

Okay

He’d given me twenty-four hours, which was longer than I’d thought he would. I’d already showered and dressed for the day, so I grabbed my keys and headed out.

It was a cold, rainy January day with the kind of chill that liked to seep into your bones so that the only way to thaw out was to take a hot shower and slide under your comforter.

When I drove through the gates and up the driveway at Gideon’s, it was coming down in buckets. Fortunately, he had a carport attached to the side, so I was able to park under there and avoid getting wet.

I hung up my coat and went searching for Gideon. I found Penn and Olivia baking in the kitchen.

“Hi, Danny.” Olivia smiled. “We’re making peanut butter cookies, want one?”

“Of course I do.” She held one out, and I took it. After a big bite I hummed. “Perfect.”

She held out a plate of cookies. “You going up to Daddy’s office?”

“Is that where he is?” She nodded. “Then yes.”

“Can you take these up to him for me?”

“Sure thing.”

Penn told me he’d be up soon, and I took the plate and headed up the stairs to Gideon’s office. I hadn’t seen Alex, and I wondered if he’d gone home. Was he going to be here? How awkward was this going to be?

The office door was slightly ajar, so I opened it the rest of the way. Gideon was behind his desk, and Alex was sitting in one of the chairs across from him. Both men turned when I entered. I tried to focus on Gideon. I couldn’t bring myself to look at Alex and see whatever emotion was on his face.