Chapter Fifteen
Liam
The screwdriver slipped out of the grove, flew from Liam’s hand, and skidded across the floor.
“What the fuck!”
Slider looked up from his dog bed in the kitchen, his head cocked to the side.
“Sorry, boy.” He scratched the dog’s head as he picked up the errant tool. “Guess I’m not as good at this as I thought.”
Installing the spice rack on the cabinet near the stove was supposed to be a thank-you surprise. Pop had ordered the rack before Liam moved in; years before, if Liam had to guess. He’d talked about installing it “one day.” When Pop went out for the afternoon, Liam decided the day had arrived.
Only he didn’t count on being such a klutz. Screwing was supposed to be easy. At least with screws. Liam, however, had his mind on a different kind. Not that he and Coury had come close to that particular fantasy.
It wasn’t just sex—though he really wanted to have marathon sex with Coury—it was Coury himself. Liam missed how thoughtful he’d been. How he’d made sure they did things Liam liked, even if Coury didn’t enjoy them. It was the way he appreciated Liam for who he was and didn’t try to change him.
He sighed and looked at the reclining terrier. “Be glad you’re a dog. You don’t have to deal with this stuff.”
Slider barked and Liam thought he might be answering. A second later Slider rushed to the door.
Looking at the half-finished rack, Liam shook his head. “Another epic fail.”
The front door opened and a swirl of cold air swept down the hallway until it hit Liam on the kitchen floor.
“Liam?”
“Kitchen, Pop.”
Slider led the way, stopping to lick Liam’s face.
“What are you—oh.”
“Surprise?” He smiled sheepishly. “Either you’re home sooner than you said, or I suck at this.”
“I might be a bit early . . . what are you doing?”
“Trying to surprise you.”
“Okay. Any reason, other than you’re my favorite grandson?”
“It was supposed to be a thank you.” He shrugged. “You do so much for me. I wanted to give you something.”
Pop smiled but didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “You’ve done more than you know for me, Liam. I’m so glad you moved in, even if it’s just for a short time.”
He set his keys in the bowl and walked around the pieces still waiting to be put in place. “How about some help? I used to be good at this once.”
“Sure.” If he didn’t get help, he’d still be working on it in the morning.
Pop knelt on the kitchen rug next to Liam. “Can I see the directions, please?”
* * *
“Let’s hang it on the back of the door and see.” Pop pointed to the fully assembled spice rack—together, they’d taken twenty minutes to finish it.
Liam handed it over, and they slid it onto its hooks. It fit perfectly and felt sturdy when Liam tested it.
“Feels good.”
“Better than good.” He hugged Liam. “Thank you.”
“You did most of it once you got here.”
Pop winked. “No, I told you what to do and you did the work.” He removed his spices from their various places and set them on the counter.
“Would you care to tell me what’s really wrong?” Pop continued sorting his ingredients.
“Just needed to do something.”
“I see. And what were you trying to forget?”
He felt Pop’s steady, knowing gaze on him and bowed his head under the scrutiny. How did he always just know?
A knock on the door set hurricane Slider in motion.
Finally, a reprieve.
“That should be the Chinese food.”
Liam leaped to his feet, taking the chance to remove himself from Pop’s shrewd vicinity. “I’ll get it.”
“I’ve paid.”
In a dozen strides, Liam was at the door. He pulled it open and sucked in the first gust of fresh air—
And froze.
Coury stood on the front porch, palm against the wall, face cast down, pensive.
Dark eyes lifted slowly and hit Liam with a crude mix of frustration and annoyance. Liam’s heart banged in his chest, with guilt, with relief at seeing him again, no matter his mood. “Coury.”
Slider slipped around Liam and put his paws on Coury.
Absently, he rubbed the excited dog’s head, his gaze on Liam. “Are we still friends?”
Liam didn’t know what his response was supposed to be, only that he was glad Coury was there.
Coury glanced away. “It’s been five days.” He slammed his eyes shut and cursed under his tongue.
“Coury, I—”
“I failed Glover’s test. It was stupid. I could hear your disappointment.”
“We all have a bad test day,” Liam managed.
“This was more than that,” Coury said, his face pinching in annoyance. “I couldn’t concentrate. Not on the test, not the days before it.” He locked his frustration on Liam, and Liam wanted to take the week back for a do-over.
“Coury, I—”
“You’ve been acting different. Ever since you kissed me.”
Those final words blasted through Liam and he rocked back on his heels. Coury was calling him out.