Page 48 of Jared

Tim appeared carrying wadded up bedding. “All right! Want me to put these in the basket in the bathroom or what?”

“Yeah, that should be fine.”

“Cool.” Tim made his way down the hall to deposit his armload, returning moments later. “Eat, have a brew, then take the mattress out,” he announced.

The other two men nodded.

“Sounds like a plan,” Steve agreed.

“I got four larges. You think that's enough?”

“Should be.” Noticing Jeff was still standing there holding the stack of pizza boxes awkwardly, he said, “Just set them down over there on the counter, then we'll all go help you bring in the drinks.”

“Cool. I loaded them all in the elevator then left them in the hall. I couldn't carry them and the pizzas at the same time, especially as the bags started to rip.”

“I hate that. Cheap ass bags.”

“Yeah, I guess should get some of those burlap looking ones.”

“Or maybe a hand truck. You can stack cases of beer and soda on those, just put the pizzas on top and be careful.”

Steve and Jeff both looked at Tim as if he'd lost his mind.

“Dude, just how would that help me get my groceries home. I don't just have beer, soda, and pizza!”

“Oh, yeah. I know! Put your shopping in folding crates. They sell them in three packs at the hardware store.” Tim grinned as he considered himself the winner of that discussion.

Jeff looked at him astounded. “You know, that's not a bad idea. They'd sit okay under a tarp in the bed of my truck too.”

“I'll drink to that,” Tim said.

“As if you need an excuse,” Steve teased.

“Not my fault you work a guy to a thirst.”

Steve rolled his eyes and went to grab one of the cases out in the hall.

20

“Iwas afraid you'd hate the bedding,” Jared admitted.

Who could hate Snoopy? Especially a baby Snoopy with a little baby Woodstock?

“Because, umm, he's a dog...” Jared's voice trailed off uncertainly.

Ohhhh...

“But it's Snoopy. Can't be hating on Snoopy, right? Besides, My mom didn't say anything negative about it, did she?”

“No. She helped me find a diaper stacker that had the same color as the background to the print so it'd co-ordinate because there wasn't one in the range.”

“There's your answer then. No way would my mom let you do something insulting, now would she?”

With more confidence. “Alice definitely would not. I'm just over worrying again, aren't I?”

Steve wrapped him in his arms and gave his nose a gentle kiss. “Yes, you are. I also think you're actually worried about something else and not wanting to face it yet.”

Jared's eyes darted to one side, then he met Steve's gaze. “I- I've been thinking. Maybe I should talk to those officers. If there's a way to keep the pack from scrutiny,” he finished in a rush. “I was embarrassed by what happened and didn't want anyone else to know about my...about my humiliation. But if these are the same guys that are doing it to other guys, I gotta say something, don't I? I can't let myself hide.”