Touch&Geaux by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page A

had surfaced clearer than he’d expected, but he
    was frustrated to realize that he couldn’t describe the man in
    the bowler hat. He only recalled the impression he’d left so
    many years ago, but Zane supposed that was enough.
    He played with the ice in his glass of Coke, fighting the
    desire to pick up Kelly’s drink and throw it back. His one year
    sober chip was heavy in his pocket. Ty wasn’t drinking, putting
    up a united front with Zane so it wouldn’t be quite so hard to
    fight the urge to indulge. Zane appreciated the gesture, but he
    hated to tell Ty that no matter what he did, Zane still suffered.
    “What year was it?” Ty asked.
    “2003. Our tenth anniversary.”
    “And you don’t remember what he looked like?”
    “Couldn’t pick him out of a lineup.”
    Ty nodded, looking almost relieved. Zane studied him for
    a moment, wondering why. Was it possible Ty knew the man
    he was talking about?
    “So that was your first foray into the gay, huh?” Digger
    asked. They were far enough into the night that Ty and Zane
    were the only ones who were sober.
    40
    Zane laughed. “I wouldn’t call it a foray, but yeah, I guess.
    I didn’t often notice anyone other than my wife, actually. The
    first actual foray didn’t come until I was in Miami.”
    “That was after your wife passed away, right?” Owen asked.
    Zane nodded. The man had been making an effort, Zane
    would give him that. He looked supremely uncomfortable
    whenever Ty and Zane displayed any kind of affection, but he
    was keeping his mouth shut.
    The conversation drifted into an awkward lul . Zane
    glanced at Ty and patted his back pocket. He’d stopped at
    one point in the night and bought a pack of cigarettes and a
    lighter. Ty hadn’t said anything, seeming to know that giving
    in to this one vice would help him fight the rest.
    Zane excused himself and headed outside to light up.
    He leaned against the old brick in an alcove off the sidewalk,
    trying to clear his head and enjoying the cigarette just a little
    too much. He could tell Ty was feeling guilty that they were
    here, and part of that was knowing what the atmosphere
    would do to Zane. Ty hadn’t known what they were getting
    into down here, though, and none of the others knew Zane
    was an alcoholic. It was no one’s fault, but Zane was still
    growing annoyed by it al .
    The longer he fought the pull of all that alcohol, the
    meaner he would get.
    A man strol ing along the sidewalk bumped into him as
    he leaned against the wal . Zane peered around the corner of
    the alcove as the stranger turned. His hand reached for Zane’s
    waist as if to steady himself.
    “I’m sorry, love. I didn’t see you there,” he said, patting
    Zane’s side in an overly friendly gesture. His British accent
    was pleasant, and it immediately reminded Zane of Ty and the
    Christmas cruise they’d shared. He was handsome, with blue
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    eyes that Zane could just barely see in the dim light, scruffy
    blond hair, and a smattering of rakish stubble. He had full lips
    that Zane’s eyes were immediately drawn to, and though he
    was half a foot shorter than Zane, he was fit and muscular.
    Zane gave him a second look over, appreciating the view.
    He nodded. “Don’t worry about it.”
    The man was patting his pockets, an unlit cigarette
    between his lips. He grinned. “I see you suffer the same vice.”
    Zane held up his cigarette. “Guilty. I can’t say I’m suffering
    though.”
    The stranger laughed. “Filthy habit, I’m told. And the
    company is often lacking. I can’t say that’s true tonight.” He
    stuck out his hand. “My name’s Liam. Liam Bell.”
    Zane offered his hand and his name, finding himself
    growing warmer with the overt flirtation. Liam’s hand was
    rough and strong, and Zane liked the feel of it as he gripped it.
    Liam continued to pat his pockets, a frown creasing his
    brow. “I seem to have misplaced my lighter; you wouldn’t
    mind if I nicked yours, would you?”
    Zane