Full Disclosure (Nice Guys 2)

Shit. So this is what rejection feels like.

“I made you a couple of biscuits with bacon. And a travel mug of coffee,” Cody said. His back was still to Mitch as he fumbled with the food.

Fuck the food. Mitch ran a hand over his face. Fuckin’ shit. Now he was going to have to leave like this.

“I love you, too,” Cody whispered very quietly, still facing away from him.

Mitch shifted his eyes to the back of Cody’s head. Had he heard that right?

“What did you say?” Mitch needed those words reinforced.

“You heard me,” Cody responded, and Mitch was across the kitchen, again at Cody’s back, wrapping him in his arms, tugging that hard body against his.

“Say it again,” Mitch said. It took a full minute for Cody to respond.

“I love you,” Cody said, and he worried his bottom lip as Mitch turned him around.

“Does that pain you?” Mitch asked. The words were exactly what he wanted, but the tone was off.

“I didn’t expect this so suddenly. And I can’t really see how this is gonna work. We’ve been lucky or I guess unlucky if you count the reason for this visit, but you got to come here. It could’ve been months before I saw you again.”

“It’s only this case that’s got me tied up right now, and I can’t see how they can justify this team much longer if we continue to come up with shit. My home base can be anywhere; I just have to be on call and go when they need me. I can be here,” Mitch explained.

“Like move in here?” Cody asked, and the shock showed on his face.

“Well, I guess not…” Mitch said, and that little needling in his heart pricked at him again.

“No, you could. It just feels so fast, and surreal,” Cody said in a reassuring tone.

“I know. I could get a place around here until you’re ready for more. I don’t want to push you.”

“You could stay here,” Cody said again. Then added, “It’s just moving really fast.”

“That’s how I am. I don’t pause very often, especially if I know it’s right,” Mitch said. Cody’s front pocket on his shirt beeped, drawing Mitch’s eyes down. “What’s that?”

“My phone. It’s time to go,” he said, but neither moved. They both just stared at the other.

“Kiss me,” Mitch demanded, leaning in and covering Cody’s mouth. Responsible Cody kept the kiss short and pulled away.

“Grab your mug. I’ll get your bags.” Cody was gone from the kitchen. Mitch didn’t want to leave right then. It was only obligation and consideration to Kreed that had him moving. Otherwise, he’d have flown out first thing in the morning, or hell, what would he have to do to get removed from this case? For the first time in a while, he thought again that fresh eyes needed to take things over.

On those thoughts, Mitch picked up the coffee mug and took a long drink, amazed at how instantly coffee perked him up. He could go back with Kreed, give the guy a week or two to get back in the swing of things, and then officially pull himself from the case. He could offer to consult with the new team investigating the crimes. Surprised at how good that felt, Mitch reached for the biscuits that were all wrapped up. Cody had cooked for him. Why did he love that so much? He unwrapped one and took a bite.

“Are these homemade?” Mitch asked as Cody came back, opening the front door.

“Yeah, did you get your wallet?” Cody asked.

“You make homemade biscuits? I might have just died and gone to heaven,” he stepped past Cody out into the hall.

“It’s just that Bisquick stuff, not the real from scratch kind,” Cody stated matter-of-factly.

“And he knows the difference. If I already didn’t love you, I would right now,” Mitch added.

“Did you get your phone and wallet?” Cody repeated again, pushing the down button on the elevator.

“I did. Thank you for taking such good care of me.” Mitch gave Cody a smile and walked over to kiss his lips.

“Am I mothering?” Cody asked with a wince.

“In a good way,” Mitch confirmed and kissed him again.

The elevator dinged, ending the moment.

Chapter 46

Sunday morning traffic wasn’t terrible. Cody put it off to the big Halloween festivities from the night before, but whatever kept people at home was a great thing. He’d driven to the airport and back in less than an hour.

He parked his truck back in the designated spot, got out, and walked into his building. He should have been on his way to his parents for Sunday dinner, but Cody talked to Sheila about twenty minutes ago to let them know he wouldn’t be there today.

It was lame. He never missed their weekly dinner, because he knew how much his mom loved her whole family being there, but he missed Mitch. Missed him bad, and the highs and lows of this relationship were settling in.

Cody rubbed his eyes as he rode the elevator back up to his place. The emotions churning through him wanted him to drive back to the airport and just wait out front until the plane took off. Who did things like that? Girls mainly, he supposed.

He unlocked the front door and walked inside. His apartment felt empty. How was that even possible? He’d been alone in here since the day he bought the place, but now the loft reminded him of Mitch, and since Mitch was gone, it was lonely.

Damn, I’ve got it bad.

Cody’s phone vibrated in his front pocket. He fished it out, seeing Mitch’s picture light up the screen. That was new too. Mitch had that way of tinkering with his stuff, yet making the phone better in the end. Funny how Mitch was the only person in the world he’d be okay with digging through his stuff. He answered the phone on the third ring.

“What are you doing?” Mitch’s sexy deep voice asked. Cody saw Mitch’s suit jacket on the back of his chair.

“I just got home. I forgot to pack your suit jacket,” Cody admitted, lifting the coat in his hand and drawing the fabric to his nose. He breathed Mitch’s cologne into his lungs. Ah, he missed him so much.