Page 41 of Below The Surface
“Interesting.” Kay takes the vase right from the bag barehanded and frowns. “Different flower shop.”
“How do you know?” I ask.
“The vase is different.” He gestures to the bottom. “The base is square, yours is round with a scalloped top. Plus, whoever it is didn’t dye this one very well. See all the white at the top? Yours is solid blue.” He wiggles his fingers and looks to Hayden. “When did your fingers get all tingly?”
“Oh, it was the card.”
Kay goes to grab it, but I stop him. “Maybe don’t touch the card? It could be drugged.”
He glares at me. “Release my hand.”
I do and take a few steps back for good measure. Ijustasked him to date. I don’t wanna piss him off this early in the relationship. When I asked him to go exclusive, he seemed so lost. Like no one had ever asked him out before. He seemed terrified, if I’m honest. He’s a little feral, but that’s what makes him fun. Has anyone ever treated him more than a toy? Someone they can just call up for a fuck? He deserves more than that.
Kay’s poking at the card with a toothpick Hayden handed him. A bit of powder tumbles from the card. “Yep, drugged, but you should be fine if you have sensation still?”
Hayden shakes out his hand. “Yeah, never lost sensation, just felt weird. What does it mean?”
“Maybe whoever it is was hoping you’d touch the card long enough that whatever the drug is would have taken effect.”
Hayden swallows and pulls his hand to his chest and rubs it with his other.
Kay looks around the room. “Stay here unless there’s anything you don’t want me to see. I’m checking for bugs.” Then he’s on his feet and out the room.
Hayden bounces on his toes and shakes out his hands. “I’m kind of freaking out.”
“Shit. I’m sorry, we shouldn’t have fucked around before coming over.”
“No. No, I get it. I just didn’t really take in the fact we’re both getting stalked. I was freaking out when it was you and the gym, but now I’mreallyfreaking out.”
“Can I hug you?” I open my arms and he settles in.
“It’s almost like when my brother’s ex was stalking him.” Hayden shakes his head. “I tried to push it out of my head, but now I can’t unthink it. That bitch made him kill himself to get away from her.”
Hayden clings to me and I rub his back. I squeeze him closer. “We’ll find whoever it is. Do not go down that path, okay?” I pull away and look him in the eyes. “Promise me.”
“I promise.” Hayden steps out of my hold when Kay comes back.
“Don’t be afraid to hug it out, doesn’t bother me.”
“So, find anything?” Hayden asks.
“Nope, not a camera, not a mic. Nothing, so they know where you live, but they haven’t gotten inside.” Kay taps his lips. “But I want to get you set up with security, too. It’ll make you feel safer. Unless you wanna hang out at my place, too?”
Hayden shakes his head. “I can go stay with my uncle if you think it’s unsafe.”
“I think they know where you live so if you have someplace else to go until I catch them I’d go there. But don’t be scared to live your life either.”
“I can’t be scared for too long. We have an appointment tonight with Clayton Climbs.”
I groan and rub a hand through my hair. “I keep forgetting about that.”
“We can’t cancel again, Dallas,” Hayden says.
“I know. I know and the guy’s nice. I just don’t wanna be social right now.”
“Awe,” Kay says. “Be good and do the thing, and I’ll suck your dick tonight.”
I snort. “You’d suck my dick tonight, regardless.” I want to kiss him, but feels weird in front of Hayden.
