Over and Back Read online

  “It’s been festering. He wanted to go with me on the trip,” Hank clarified.

  “Yeah,” Grant said quietly from behind him. “Billy has tried to trip me while I’ve been carrying trays of drinks.” He bit his lower lip in that nervous way he had. “I don’t want to tell tales out of school.” He sighed. “Tonight, he was complaining to patrons that he wasn’t going to be back after the club closes and saying that if they want him here, the patrons should talk to you.” Grant stood right next to him, and Hank’s temperature rose fast.

  “That’s very helpful to know,” Bull told Grant. “I’ve seen his behavior, but I appreciate you telling me.” He smiled slightly. “Once we reopen, I’ve been thinking that instead of running the table service out of the bar, we need someone to coordinate the servers so we stay on top of our game. Maybe you’d like to do that for us.” Bull clapped Grant on the shoulder. “You would also be in charge of training the new servers. Show them how it’s done.”

  “Are you serious?” Grant asked. “I’d love that.”

  “We’ve decided that we’re going to add a few more food items. People keep asking for them, and it would help us sell more drinks. So we’re going to implement a new order system with the remodel. You’ll learn it once we get back and then be in charge of teaching it to the rest of the staff.” Bull stepped away. “Both of you need to get home for some rest. I know I do. And thank you for your help with this.” He turned away, and Hank slipped off the stool, placed it under the edge of the bar, and walked toward the door.

  “I’m hungry and too wired to sleep,” Hank said to no one in particular.

  “Me too. There’s the diner on Second. They’re open twenty-four hours. We could get something to eat there before going home.”

  Hank knew this was probably a bad idea, but food sounded awesome, and he didn’t have the energy to come up with an excuse that wasn’t going to hurt Grant’s feelings. “Good. As long as it doesn’t take too long. We both have to get some sleep so we can turn around and do this all over again tomorrow.”

  “I’ll meet you there,” Grant said.

  FIFTEEN MINUTES later, Hank pulled into the small parking lot next to the diner. There were still spaces available, thank goodness. He didn’t like the idea of parking on the street at this time of night. He found a table inside and sat so he could watch the door.

  “What can I get you?” the waitress asked.

  “I’m meeting a friend. He drinks Diet Coke, and I’d like a decaf and two glasses of water.” She hurried away, and Hank glanced through the menu before settling on a simple hamburger and fries. No sense tempting fate with anything out of the ordinary. He looked up when the door opened, but a stranger walked in, not Grant. Hank checked his watch, peering out the windows.

  The waitress brought the drinks and asked if he was ready to order.

  “Can you come back in a minute?” he asked, and she shuffled away, her irritation obvious. By the time she returned, Grant still hadn’t come in. He excused himself and went to the door, peering out into the night. When he didn’t see anything, he texted Grant, who didn’t answer. Figuring he’d been stood up, he returned to the table and was ready to place his order when Grant burst through the door and hurried over.

  “Someone was following me,” he whispered. “I left the club, and this car was behind me, staying close. I made the turn to head this way, and they stayed behind me. I turned a couple more times, and they were still behind me. It was the freaky guy from Bull’s place.”

  “The guy in the Corvette?” Hank asked.

  Grant nodded. “I recognized him in my mirror as he pulled to a stop at the light. He was driving a Lincoln this time, and he switched on the inside lights for a second. I knew him and tried to get away. He kept behind me until I made a couple of fast turns and finally lost him.” Grant picked up his soda and took a mouthful. “I’m not sure what he wants from me. It kind of freaked me out.”

  “You need to tell Bull,” Hank said. “When we leave tonight, I’ll stay behind you to make sure you’re okay and out of the city.”

  The server approached for the third time, and they both ordered a burger and fries. She sighed once they ordered and trudged to the window to put it in, muttering to herself.

  “I hope she doesn’t spit in the food or something,” Grant whispered.

  “You know what it’s like to work these hours. The after-bar crowd, half drunk and all stupid. It’s not a job I’d want to do.” Hank had worked as a server when he was in high school. It was hard, grueling work.

  “I know. It’s just that she’d get better tips with a smile. The sour attitude isn’t helping the roiling in my gut. I don’t know what this guy wants with me.” Grant was pale and his eyes were huge as he watched out the window.

  “Do you see anything?” Hank asked as he grabbed his phone. By the time Grant turned away, he had Bull on the line.

  “Yeah,” Bull said as he answered from the car, judging by the background noise.

  “That guy who was stalking your house the other day? He followed Grant from the club.”

  “Where is he?” Bull asked, concerned. “Is he okay?”

  Hank nodded before answering. “He’s here with me. We were hungry and decided to meet at the diner. Grant is okay—a little shaken up, but fine.”

  “Let me talk to him.”

  Hank handed the phone to Grant and sipped some of the awful coffee as he waited.

  “No. He wasn’t trying to hide or anything,” Grant explained to Bull. “I saw him in the light when he pulled down the visor. It was a different car. … No, I didn’t see him in the club, but I bet he was there somehow. At least he was waiting.” Grant grew quiet and nodded a few times before passing the phone back to Hank. “He wants to talk to you.”

  Hank took it.

  “I need you to do me a favor. Make sure Grant gets home okay. I don’t think he’s in any real danger. He was being followed, but I think the guy was trying to send a message.”

  “To who?” Hank asked.

  “Me,” Bull answered. “Tell Grant not to worry, just make sure he gets home safely and without being followed. He’s pretty shaken up.”

  “I will,” Hank agreed, and Bull ended the call with a thank-you. Hank set his phone on the table and turned back to Grant. “It’s okay. Bull is taking care of it.”

  Grant nodded, still glancing out the windows. Hank did the same, but saw only cars passing as they headed uptown. None stopped in the parking area. He had the idea that if they were being watched and if this guy, whoever he was, didn’t want to be seen, they weren’t going to know he was there. Hank didn’t say anything to Grant because he didn’t want to upset him further. But he agreed with Bull—he had definitely wanted Grant to recognize him; otherwise there was no reason for him to turn on the light or follow so close.

  The waitress brought their food, plunking the plates in front of each of them. Grant gave her a smile and thanked her, flashing his incredible eyes at her, and she seemed to lose a little of her frost. “You’re welcome. Is there anything else I can bring you?”

  “Maybe a refill on the soda when you get a chance,” Grant said, “and some more coffee. There’s no big rush, though,” he said kindly.

  “Of course,” she said, then left.

  Grant picked up a french fry and took a bite before reaching for the bottle of ketchup and dousing the rest with it. “I’m not so hungry,” Grant said softly, eating a fry and sighing. “This is all my fault.”

  Hank raised an eyebrow. “What is?”

  “That guy. I probably should have just had a drink with him. Then all this stuff wouldn’t be happening.” He dropped a little ketchup on his lip, and Hank couldn’t help staring at it, barely stopping himself from wiping it away. Of course that was way too intimate a gesture, despite how that little curve in Grant’s upper lip called to him. Grant’s tongue went on a searching expedition, and Hank turned away as Grant used his napkin.

  “Why?” Hank asked. “You don’t owe some stranger a drink.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “He was taking liberties, and from what I saw, acting like you were going to do what he wanted just because he said so. That’s not cool.” Anger rose on Grant’s behalf.

  “Yeah, but if I’d have had a drink with him, Bull wouldn’t have had to intervene, and maybe the guy would just have gone away.” Grant took a small bite of the burger, but his expression said it wasn’t sitting well with him.

  Hank reached across the table to touch Grant’s hand. It was warm, and he jumped slightly. Grant didn’t pull back, but just stared at where he touched him. “You didn’t do anything wrong, and he had no right to expect you to do anything with him. You work at the club as a server, and you’re good at your job. That doesn’t mean patrons can order you around or expect you to have a drink just because they snap their fingers.” He was going to say something inappropriate and swallowed his words. “You never have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

  “I don’t want to cause trouble for Bull. He’s been good to me.” Grant sat a little straighter in the booth. “But yeah, he had no right to expect anything from me.”

  Hank shook his head. “Whatever problems Bull is having with this guy, it doesn’t have anything to do with you. Bull thinks he’s trying to send him a message.”

  Grant shook his head. “Why? I’m not anything to Bull, other than an employee. It isn’t like I’m his husband or something. If he wanted to get to Bull, why not go after Zach?” He shuddered a second. “I don’t get it.”

  “I don’t really either, but Bull understands these things and knows how to deal with them. Finish your meal. I’ll follow you home to make sure you’re okay.” Hank squeezed Grant’s soft hand and reluctantly released it. He liked the way it felt in his, but he didn’t have an excuse to hold it any longer and had to remind himself that he wasn’t going there.

  “You will?” Grant asked with a slight smile. “You don’t have to do that. I lost him once….”

  “Maybe, but you don’t want him to follow you to where you live. I’ll be behind you and make sure you get home okay. Bull thought it was important and asked me to.”

  “I see. Bull asked you to,” Grant said quietly, his smile fading. Hank wanted to kick himself under the table. He should have just made sure Grant got home and kept his mouth shut. “Do you not like me?” Grant’s question came a little out of left field.

  “Of course, I do,” Hank answered quickly. “I guess I don’t get to know people very quickly sometimes.” He lifted his mug to try to cover some of his discomfort. He liked Grant well enough—in fact, he liked him a little more each time was with him, and therein lay the problem. Grant was probably the one person in the whole world Hank should try to stay away from. There were going to be enough questions as it was. But it was going to be a whole lot easier for everyone if he could find a way not to get his heart involved.

  “You were always so cold and stiff at the club. I guess I thought I’d done something to make you angry with me. Then we get sort of thrown together on this trip, and you’re nice enough, I guess. But I thought maybe you’re just putting up with me because we’re going to be stuck with each other.” Grant pushed his plate away, and Hank pushed it back lightly.

  “Go ahead and eat. You were hungry. And for the record, I don’t just put up with people. If I didn’t think we could get along and have a decent time on this trip, I wouldn’t have agreed to have you as my roommate.” That was honest enough. Even though his heart was hammering a fast drumbeat in his chest.

  “You don’t have to see me home just because Bull asked you to. I can manage just fine. My mom and dad are there. It isn’t like I’m going to an empty house.” Grant picked up his hamburger and took another bite. “No one has to do stuff for me because someone tells them to. I can take care of myself, thank you very much.”

  Dang, Grant was a lot more feisty than Hank had thought he’d be. And he liked that.

  “I’m not in the habit of doing things I don’t really want to do. And yes, Bull asked me to see you home because Bull cares what happens to the people who work for him. I agreed because I care about my friends.” Hank met Grant’s steely gaze with one of his own, holding it until Grant blinked.

  Something in Grant’s eyes told Hank that he’d gotten the answer he was looking for. That was a relief, because Hank had no intention of not seeing Grant home. Something was going on, and whatever it was, somehow Grant had been pulled into it.

  The waitress refilled their drinks and asked if there was anything else before setting the check on the table. Hank tugged out his wallet and paid the bill. Grant protested a little until Hank agreed to let him leave the tip. Then, once they were done, they left, with Hank driving behind Grant, keeping an eye on the other cars around them until Grant pulled into his driveway.

  Hank rolled down his window, waved, and texted Bull that Grant had made it safely. Then he turned around and drove back to his miniscule apartment, where he ended up lying awake for hours, thinking about Grant and the touch of his hand. The man was dangerous to him, and he had no way of knowing it. Hank needed to keep himself under control or everything he was trying to rebuild would be for naught. He’d have to start all over yet again.

  Chapter Three—Let the Fun Begin

  HANK CONFUSED Grant something awful. At times he was friendly, and others, so standoffish, it made him wonder again if Hank was only putting on an act to get along with him for the sake of the trip. The last few weeks, things had run both hot and cold. Part of him wished that Hank would just decide to be his friend, like a normal friend. He wasn’t necessarily unfriendly, just… maybe “aloof” was how he would describe it. Other times, Grant would see him watching and smile. It was so confusing.

  Grant tried to put the last few weeks out of his head and get his mind on packing. He had his main suitcase—a gift from his mom and dad—packed, weighed, locked, and sitting by the door. His carry-on and the small personal bag the airline website said he was allowed sat on his bed, filled with his shaving kit and a plastic bag of liquids that he could easily remove.

  His phone chirped, and Grant grabbed it. The Uber is here. Bull and I will be there in about five minutes.

  Grant responded, then closed the carry-on, wheeled it out by the door, and added his small backpack. He checked that he had his wallet, money belt, and passport, as well as a file with all the travel details, before hefting everything and carrying it around to the driveway.

  His mom and dad joined him from the upper floor, and he hugged them both.

  “Have fun, son,” his dad said. He took Grant’s hand, and danged if he didn’t press some money into it. His mother hugged him as well and did the same thing. They both winked at him, hinting that he wasn’t supposed to tell.

  “Message us when you can,” his mother said.

  “I will. I got a special phone plan so I can talk a little bit and send some texts.” Grant hugged them both again as the car pulled up the driveway. He hurried around to the back of the car, put his bags in the trunk, and got in the back seat next to Zach. He could hardly believe that this was happening. It was going to be a huge adventure.

  FOR MUCH of the train trip, he was almost too excited to sit still. The car wasn’t full, so he had two seats to himself and spent much of the time trying to read or just looking out the window. They arrived at the airport stop and took the tram into the terminal. Security was a bit of a nightmare, with long lines that made Grant wonder why anyone flew anywhere.

  Once on the other side, he bought a bottle of soda and a few snacks for the flight and waited with the others to board.

  “Bull, have you been to Rome before?” Grant asked.

  Bull nodded. “I was there for work some time ago.” That was all he’d say, and when Grant looked at Spook, he got the same “don’t ask any questions because I can’t answer them anyway” stoic look. Grant sat back, pulled out his tablet, and charged it at a nearby station. He figured he’d need all the juice he could get.

  “I’ve been looking forward to this for months,” Jeremy said, plopping down in the seat next to him as the other guys gathered around. “Zach and I have been working for two years to get the guys to take a vacation… a real vacation, not just a few days off here and there.”

  Zach pulled a travel guide out of his bag and handed it to Kevin. “You can read up on some of the things we’re going to see if you want.” He handed a second copy to Tristan.

  “Is he anal about this stuff or what?” Grant whispered to Jeremy, who nodded.

  “I like to plan. That doesn’t make me anal.” Zach propped his hands on his hips. “I like to know all the things that we can do and help decide which ones are worth our time. We can’t do everything.” He grinned as Bull wound his arms around his waist.

  “You’ve been a travel agent extraordinaire for all of us.” He tickled Zach lightly, and he giggled. “Right, Giggleboy?” Bull leaned close, and Zach pressed right back against him.

  Grant sighed and turned away. They were so much in love. It shone in their eyes, and their ease around each other showed just how much they truly cared. It left Grant feeling a little alone, even in the midst of a sea of people.

  “Come on, you guys. Give us single guys a break,” Hank said, and Zach laughed, squirming away from Bull.

  Grant caught Hank’s gaze for just a second and saw some of the longing that jabbed his own belly.

  Announcements followed, one after the other, and finally their flight was called. Grant checked his boarding pass, and they all lined up with the first group. It seemed Zach had arranged for priority boarding, allowing them to get on first. Grant found his seat next to the window, stowed his bags, and sat back. He was on his own because he’d bought his ticket later than the others.

  THE FLIGHT took forever, and Grant slept as much as he could.

  “You doing okay?” Hank asked as he slipped into the empty middle seat next to him. It was one of the few empty seats on the plane, and Grant was lucky he had the extra room to spread his legs, because these seats were close together.