Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“We’re not dating.”
“I hear that loud and clear, but she doesn’t. That’s why I’m wishing you luck.”
He frowned at Mike’s back but was almost immediately distracted when his phone rang. He had set up a unique ringtone for DJ so he wouldn’t miss his calls. “Hi. Are you on your way here?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
Seamus would have assumed that DJ was avoiding him so they wouldn’t have to talk about the bruises he had seen the previous night and the man who had put them there, but even from only two words, he could tell that wasn’t the issue. DJ sounded completely drained, empty.
“What’s going on?”
“I’ve had a bad day. A really fucking bad day. And it’s not over yet.”
“Where are you?” He flicked his gaze from one side of the bar to the other, confirming there wasn’t anything else that needed his attention that night. “I’m coming.”
“No, no. You’re working. I have to go to my apartment.”
“Are you there now or are you at Slice of Life?”
“You don’t—”
“DJ? I’m coming now. Where are you?”
“Thanks.” His voice was small. “I’m at Slice of Life.”
“Laura,” he said, as he pocketed his keys and his phone. “I’m taking off.” He immediately turned around and rushed toward the backdoor, gut churning. Something was wrong.
Slice of Life was a five-minute walk from his bar, but it’d take them closer to twenty minutes to get to DJ’s apartment. His plan was for them to handle whatever was going on there and then for DJ to come back to his place for at least the night and hopefully for longer. Based on the way he sounded on the phone, Seamus didn’t think he had the energy for that much walking so he got his truck.
A minute later, he turned onto Union Drive and saw DJ on the sidewalk. He was hunched in on himself, his gait much slower than usual. Seamus pulled up to the curb beside him and put the truck in park, intending to go to him, but DJ opened the passenger door first.
“Hi. Thanks for coming.” He closed his door, tipped his head against the seatback, and closed his eyes. “Sorry for making you miss work.”
“I don’t care about work.” He twisted to the side and looked at DJ’s face. His smooth, fair skin was paler than usual and he didn’t think it was because of the dim lighting. His thick black hair was disheveled, like he’d been lying or tugging on it. And his blue eyes had dark circles underneath them.
Instinctively, Seamus reached out and smoothed his fingers over his hairline. “What happened?”
“I have to move out of my apartment right away.”
Being happy about this development when DJ looked downtrodden was horrible so Seamus refused to acknowledge his immediate reaction.
“Do you have boxes?” he asked as he pulled back onto the street.
“No. I should have thought of that.”
“I have some at the bar. It’ll only take me a minute to grab them.”
“Okay.”
He pulled up to the bar’s back door and put the car in park. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll come help.” DJ sat up and reached for the door.
“You’re exhausted. I can handle empty boxes.” Seeing the determination on DJ’s face, Seamus reached out and clasped his hand. “Please let me do this. You can rest for a few minutes. Recharge a little so you have the energy to pack.” Not that he’d have any problem packing DJ’s belongings by himself. “Please.”
The stiffness left DJ’s posture and he relaxed back into the seat. “Thank you for taking care of me.” He rubbed his thumb back and forth over the back of Seamus’s hand, pretty blue eyes looking into his own. “I don’t remember the last time anyone…” His voice broke on the last word. “Thank you.”
Heart aching, Seamus leaned closer and kissed DJ’s forehead. “I’m your husband. It’s my honor and my privilege to take care of you.”
The words slipped from his mouth naturally, without thought. They were something a person in the community would say to their spouse. After he heard himself speak them, Seamus realized just how much he meant them.
Head turned to the side, DJ looked at him consideringly. “We only got married to please your parents.”
“So does everyone in Claddagh. That doesn’t change the truth of what I said.” He cupped his husband’s cheek and kissed his forehead again. “Sit tight. I won’t be gone long.”
With six retail businesses in his building, there was always a big stack of empty supply boxes. Seamus went into the bar’s utility room to get the packing tape and then gathered an armful of boxes and carried them to the truck. He repeated the trip another time and was about to go back for a third when DJ rolled down the window and said, “That’s more than we’ll need. I don’t have much stuff.”
He nodded and got back into the truck. “Do you want to talk about what happened?”