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  Torrance made a note on the piece of paper. “That’s definitely something we can check for. Anything else?”

  Trey shook his head. “I don’t think so. You might give me a copy to read over, just in case. I was still pretty shook up when you first came to see me in the hospital.”

  Torrance nodded, and opened the door. He looked out into the hall before gesturing for Trey to follow him. Before they reached the interrogation room where Cole and Angelo waited, he needed a few moments to himself.

  “Can I use the restroom?” he asked.

  Torrance stopped and backtracked a few feet. “Down this corridor, third door on the right.”

  “Thanks.” Trey made his way to the restroom and entered one of the stalls. He leaned against the door and closed his eyes. His hand went to his stomach, tracing the raised scars through his T-shirt. He knew in his heart he’d walk away from the whole episode if he thought it was a one-off on William’s part.

  It wasn’t that he didn’t want the guy to pay for what he’d done, but he was a realist. In the coming months, he’d have to relive that night over and over to complete strangers, including his parents.

  The thought of confessing his sins to Hershel and Claudine Huggins sickened him. Maybe he should take a few days before talking to them?

  “You alright?” the detective’s deep voice asked.

  “Yeah. I’ll be out in a second.” He heard the outer door shut. Trey took a deep breath and opened the stall. He ran some cold water and splashed his face. His mind made up, he opened the door. Torrance was leaning against the opposite wall, black-booted feet crossed at the ankles.

  “Ready?”

  Trey nodded but said nothing. He followed the detective back to the interrogation room. Cole sprang out of his chair and rushed towards Trey, enveloping him in his arms. Trey melted against the bigger man, seeking the comfort he hadn’t been able to give himself.

  “Are you done?” Cole asked after kissing Trey’s forehead.

  “No. It’ll be about another thirty minutes,” Torrance answered for him.

  “Did he identify the guy?” Angelo asked, getting to his feet.

  “Yeah, but I need to type it up and have him sign it.” Torrance put his hands on his hips like he was daring Angelo to say anything more.

  “Well then, get it done, so we can get him out of here.” Angelo stared right back at the detective.

  Torrance took a step forward, towering over Angelo and narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know who the hell you think you are, little man, but I don’t work for you.”

  “The name’s Angelo, and I’m not little. You’re just a fucking giant.”

  “My name’s Moody, and I’m just that, so back the fuck off.”

  “It’s okay, Ang,” Trey tried to interrupt the duelling men. “I told the detective I’d read over the statement I made from the hospital.”

  Angelo took his eyes off Torrance and glanced at Trey. “Just trying to help.”

  Trey reached out and put a hand on Angelo’s chest. “I know. You’re a good man.”

  Torrance let out an odd-sounding snort and left the room. Angelo shook his head. “That man should be in a cage instead of roaming around free.”

  Trey grinned. He’d never seen anyone get under Angelo’s skin to the extent the detective had. Even the constant teasing by the rest of their friends didn’t affect Angelo like Torrance did.

  Cole pulled out a chair for Trey. “You need to sit down?”

  “Yeah.” Trey knew he’d been at the station for less than an hour, but he felt like he’d run a marathon. Cole took a seat beside him as Angelo settled in a chair across the table.

  “I’ve decided to talk to my parents later in the week. I don’t feel like dealing with them after that line-up.”

  Cole nodded and wrapped his arm around Trey’s shoulders. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

  “At least I have a name to go with the face that’s haunted my dreams. William. William James Overton.” He still had a hard time connecting JB101 to William.

  The door opened behind them, and Moody handed Trey several sheets of paper. “This is a copy, so if you need to change something let me know. I can fix it and have you re-sign.”

  “Okay.” Trey tried to keep his hands from shaking as he attempted to concentrate on the typed words. Reading how he’d first made contact with JB101 brought back the shame he’d felt immediately following the rape.

  I invited him in. Trey focused on the sentence. He must’ve reread the words a dozen times before he was able to move on. When he finished, his eyes automatically went back to the offending statement. I invited him in. Trey had always known that was the source of his shame, but seeing it in writing further cemented the feeling.

  Before he could hand the papers back to the detective, Cole held out his hand. “Would you mind?”

  Would he? On one hand, Cole would know the details of what had happened, but on the other, it would save Trey from having to tell him. Trey knew everything would come out in the trial anyway. Maybe this way Cole could be saved the humiliation of hearing it for the first time in that setting.

  Trey handed the sheets to Cole before addressing Torrance. “Other than the bit about his pinkie, I think it’s all there.”

  Torrance nodded. “I’ll get that added in and bring it back for you to sign.”

  “Is there somewhere I can get a drink?” Trey asked. He wasn’t really thirsty, but he knew he couldn’t be in the room while Cole read the statement.

  The detective must’ve known it as well. “Sure. Come with me.”

  Trey stood and turned to Angelo. “Would either of you like anything?”

  Cole was deep into reading and didn’t acknowledge the question, but Angelo shook his head. “I’m good.”

  Torrance let out another one of those disgusted snorts and led the way out of the room.

  “Thanks,” Trey said when they were out in the hall.

  Moody dug into his back pocket and produced a business card. “I know you were given one of these before, but it might be a good idea to actually use it this time.”

  Trey took the card for the counselling service. He didn’t want to discuss his obvious need for psychological help. He shoved the card into one of his side pockets. “What happens with William now?”

  “It’s up to the prosecutor. We have another victim who seems willing to testify, as well.”

  Trey perked up. “So you may not even need my testimony?”

  Moody’s eyes narrowed. “Are you thinking of bugging out on this thing?”

  “I’m a teacher. Do you have any idea what a high profile case like this will do to my career?” Trey tried to explain.

  Moody grabbed the sleeve of Trey’s shirt and pulled him into another interrogation room. “With William wearing a condom, the only DNA evidence we’ve been able to gather is skin scrapings from underneath your fingernails and few prints. That alone won’t be enough for a guilty verdict. Putting a case like this together is a bit like constructing a puzzle. You gather as many pieces as you can and hope they fit well enough to create a picture for the jury. If you take out a large portion of those pieces, the jury will be left with gaping holes in the big picture. Get it?”

  Trey’s thumb began sliding against his thigh. “I get it. This asshole gets to fuck me twice.”

  Torrance sighed. “If you’re that worried about your job, maybe you should talk to your boss or something.”

  “My boss is in the other room. That’s part of the problem. This thing could very well end up costing him his job as well.”

  “Hell. Well, try the school board. See how they feel about it. In the end, you need to decide what the right thing to do is. Losing your job would suck, but watching William walk out of that courtroom a free man could prove deadly.”

  Trey nodded and opened the door. “I’ll think about it.”

  “I’ll go finish making the changes to your statement. Shouldn’t be more than another ten mi
nutes.”

  “Okay.”

  The detective stomped off. Trey decided to go to the restroom for real this time and headed that way. He knew he had a lot to think about. Moody was right about him talking to the school board, but it wasn’t something he was looking forward to.

  * * * *

  By the time Cole finished reading the statement he felt ill. He stood and left the pages on the table. “I’m going to find the restroom.”

  Angelo nodded. Cole could tell by the look on his face he had no intention of reading the details of the attack. Cole wished he hadn’t. What that man had done to Trey was worse than he’d thought. It went way beyond physical damage. JB101, or William as he’d come to find out, had gained Trey’s trust and then betrayed him in horrific fashion.

  He walked out of the interrogation room and asked a passing officer for directions to the restroom. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see Trey standing at the sink, washing his hands.

  Something inside him shifted at the expression on Trey’s face as he made eye contact.

  “I’m sorry,” Trey whispered. He turned and pulled several paper towels out of the wall dispenser.

  He was sorry? “What the hell do you have to be sorry for?” Cole asked, stepping up to stand toe to toe with Trey.

  The fact that Trey didn’t answer right away and refused to look up from the floor told Cole what he needed to know. He wrapped his arms around Trey and held him against his chest. He remembered enough of psychology class to know you couldn’t make someone not feel guilty. Trey would have to forgive himself, or he’d never be able to move beyond the attack.

  “Can I ask you one question?”

  Trey nodded.

  “Before the attack, did you have an inkling this guy was dangerous?” Cole asked. “Did he at any point in your online correspondence give you a reason to question his intentions?”

  “No. I thought he was lonely, like me. I mean, isn’t that the reason most guys join online dating sites?”

  “So, let me get this straight. You met this guy online, talked to him almost every night for two weeks and then agreed to meet him?”

  “Yeah,” Trey mumbled.

  “Do you know how many guys go to bars and fuck in the back room without even introducing themselves? It sounds to me like you were a lot more responsible than most people, so why’re you beating yourself up over it? You didn’t know this JB guy, or whatever the hell his name is, was going to attack you.”

  Cole cupped Trey’s cheeks and gave him a brief kiss. “What happened wasn’t your fault.”

  “Let’s go see if Detective Torrance has those papers ready for me to sign.”

  He knew he hadn’t convinced the man in his arms of his innocence in the matter, but hopefully, Trey at least knew Cole didn’t blame him. “Are you still up for an afternoon at my place?”

  Trey nodded. “Sure. I’m dying to see what kind of secret projects you’ve been working on.”

  “Not so secret. Just haven’t had anyone over,” Cole replied, as he led Trey out of the restroom.

  * * * *

  Trey gave Angelo a hug. “Thanks for coming.”

  Angelo smiled and stepped back towards his car. “I’m touched that you asked me.” Angelo’s head tilted to the side. “Are you going to be okay?”

  Trey glanced up at Cole and squeezed the bigger man’s hand. “I’m gonna try.”

  “I’m here if you need anything. Hell, we’re all here for you. I hope you know that.” Angelo dug his keys out of his pocket and hit the key fob to unlock his door.

  “Yeah. I know,” Trey said as Angelo got behind the steering wheel.

  With a half-smile plastered to his face, Angelo shut the door and pulled out of the parking lot. Trey leaned his head against Cole’s shoulder. “Can we stop and get something to eat on the way to your house?”

  Cole unlocked the truck and waited for Trey to scoot in before climbing in after him. “I’ve got some great salad fixin’s at home if you’d rather do that.”

  “Sure. My stomach would probably do better with something light anyway.”

  Once Cole made it out of the parking lot and onto the main road, he rested his hand on Trey’s thigh. The simple gesture felt so right, like they’d been together for a heck of a lot longer than twenty-four hours.

  Although Trey didn’t want to get into a heavy conversation, he needed to set up a few things. “Can you get me a meeting with the school board?”

  He couldn’t help but notice the tightening of Cole’s hand on the steering wheel. “May I ask why?”

  “I think they deserve to know what happened, and that there’ll be a pretty high profile trial coming up,” Trey explained. Once he spoke with the board, he’d make a decision whether or not to move forward.

  “Do you care if I call them in the morning? I’d hate to bother them on a Sunday, and I really just wanted the rest of the day to get to know you better.”

  Trey leaned further against Cole’s side. “That’s fine. I want to forget about the whole mess for the rest of the day anyway. Learning more about you sounds like a great way to spend the afternoon.”

  Cole’s house was in a residential neighbourhood not too far from the high school. He pulled into the cul-de-sac and into a drive. Although the front yard was tiny, it was filled with landscaped beds overflowing with colourful flowers.

  “Gorgeous,” Trey remarked.

  “Wait until you see the backyard. The lot is shaped like a piece of pie, so all the space is behind the house.” Cole led the way up the front walk and unlocked the door.

  As soon as they were shut inside the privacy of the house, Cole pulled Trey into his arms and devoured his mouth. Trey opened willingly for Cole’s questing tongue. He groaned as Cole’s hands made their way down his back to cup and squeeze Trey’s ass.

  He wanted to feel Cole’s skin next to his, wanted to smell the sweat of his lover as they ground against each other. All too soon, the kiss was broken. Trey opened his eyes. “Is something wrong?”

  Cole shook his head. “I keep forgetting my manners when I’m around you. I apologise.”

  “For what? Kissing me? Believe me. I was right there with you.”

  “No, I mean, yeah. I think the last thing you need right now is someone manhandling you.” Cole brushed his thumb over Trey’s kiss-swollen lips. “I want you so damn much, but I don’t wanna push you into an uncomfortable situation.”

  Cole’s words made a lot of sense. Although he had honestly enjoyed the passion between them of a few moments earlier, he knew he could just as easily have freaked out. Better to save them both the embarrassment of something like that happening.

  Trey’s stomach growled, reminding him of his hunger. “Did you say something about making salad?” he asked as he tried to lighten the mood.

  It worked if Cole’s grin was an indication. “Come on, the kitchen’s at the back of the house.”

  As he walked through the living room, Trey made a cursory glance around. After growing up in his parents’ house surrounded by antiques and knick knacks from their world travels, Trey had developed a minimalist-style of decorating. Cole’s taste was somewhere in between. With gleaming hardwood floors and comfortable furniture, Cole had mixed several very nice antique pieces.

  “Nice place,” he commented.

  “Thanks. I like it.” Cole gestured to one of the bar stools at the kitchen island. “Have a seat while I whip us up something fresh and quick.”

  Trey took a seat and watched as Cole began pulling vegetables out of the refrigerator. “Dang. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many vegetables outside a grocery store.”

  Cole set his haul on the island. “These’re from my garden. I’ll show it to you when we’re finished eating.”

  “Garden? I thought that was something for old people and folks who live in the country,” Trey teased.

  Cole retrieved a large knife and cutting board and began slicing tomatoes. As he concentrated on the task at ha
nd, his demeanour turned serious. “Look around you, Trey. I live by myself. In my position, there’s no way I can take a steady lover and my folks live in Phoenix. What else do I have to do with my off time?”

  Of all the things Trey knew he could’ve learned from the statement, one item stuck in his mind. Regardless of what Trey hoped might develop between them, Cole couldn’t have a partner. Part of him already knew that, but to hear it hurt.

  He rested his chin on his palm and leaned on the counter as Cole continued to prepare lunch. Could he have an affair knowing it couldn’t go anywhere? Even though it was more than he’d ever had, Trey didn’t think casual dating was for him. He didn’t expect to meet someone and move right in, but without hope of a future with Cole, Trey wasn’t sure he wanted to get his heart further involved.

  Cole began mixing an olive oil based salad dressing as Trey continued to watch him. He knew he could call Bobby to pick him up, but at the end of the day, Cole was still his boss. The upcoming school year would be hard enough without pissing off the principal.

  In the end, Trey decided to stay for lunch and a quick tour of the backyard. He could always claim a headache if he needed to.

  “Would you like to eat on the patio?”

  Trey glanced up at Cole. “Sure.”

  “Good. Will you grab a couple bottles of water out of the fridge?” Cole asked, carrying two plates towards the French doors.

  Trey slid off the stool and retrieved the water, before joining Cole on a large patio. Cole had been right, the backyard was amazing. Everywhere he looked there was something new to see. Cole had created an old-fashioned English garden with small sitting areas tucked in between the profusion of flowers.

  “It’s gorgeous.”

  Cole set the plates down and wrapped his arms around Trey from behind. “It makes me smile when I come out here.”

  “Where’s the vegetable garden? All I see are flowers.”

  Cole took a step back and led Trey by the hand. Tucked between the privacy wall and the side of the house, were enough vegetables to put the average hobby gardener to shame.