Chapter Twenty-Two

Kyler sat next to Andrew and rested a hand on his thigh. Kyler still didn't know what made Andrew so anxious but being at the bar hadn't relaxed him the way he'd been at home. He almost regretted asking him to come. They'd stay through a couple of Greg and Neil's songs and leave. Since they were already at the bar, they might as well.

Kyler hadn't heard anything, and Andrew wasn't talking about it, which was fine. Sort of. Okay, it wasn't fine. He didn't talk about it because he didn't want it to touch Kyler. Andrew had a protective instinct that rivaled a mother bear's. They'd been with each other enough for Kyler to have figured Andrew out. As much as it frustrated Kyler, he understood. It wasn't good for Andrew, though. He needed to talk about it.

Kyler intended to make him as soon as they left.

Andrew was in conversation with Travis and Jaron.

The bar had filled since Greg and Neil had started playing once a week. They were taking a short break, so they had the sound system playing a popular pop song. Kyler had heard it on the radio a time or two. It wasn't a bad song, but he liked the easy rock stuff that Greg and Neil played much better.

Brian leaned into Kyler. "Wanna dance?"

Kyler nodded and stood. He wrapped his arms around Andrew and kissed him before whispering in his ear. "Brian and I are going to dance."

Andrew nodded and stayed in whatever conversation he was having. It wasn't until Kyler moved away, following Brian, that Andrew grabbed his hand.

Kyler stopped and turned, smiling when Andrew gave him a worried look. He came back to Andrew, who wrapped his arms around Kyler's waist. "I get the next dance since watching you will make me hard. The way you move is sexy."

"I'll give you every dance. All night long, baby."

Andrew chuckled. "That sounds like a challenge."

Before Kyler could respond, Brian grabbed his other hand and pulled. "Give me my dance partner, Andrew."

Andrew shook his head. "I can't do that. We're discussing terms."

"What terms?"

The music cut off just as Andrew said, "Sexual terms." His voice carried across the whole bar.

A few bar patrons looked their way, which made Andrew blush.

Kyler laughed and then pulled out of Andrew's arms when the next song kicked into rhythm.

Andrew let him go, hanging onto his hand until the distance became too far.

Once they were on the dance floor, Kyler kept up with Brian, letting him lead. The song was acoustic and slower. They kept a distance of a few inches between them.

Something in their friendship had changed since their little sexual escapade. Kyler couldn't put his finger on what it was, but he found himself wanting to spend more time with Brian. Each would seek the other out for little things, like texting just to ask how his day at work had gone or even a dance. They'd also had lunch together the other day, just the two of them. They were becoming best friends, which was a title Kyler had only reserved for Greg up to that point. All the little moments he had reserved for Greg, he had them with Brian too. It was odd, even to Kyler, that the sexual adventure they'd shared could bring them closer as friends.

Brad and Luis Flynn entered the bar. He was surprised Brad had made it.

Kyler sighed. There went leaving early. Andrew would have to stay to keep Travis from killing Brad.

"What?"

"Brad and Luis just came, which means Andy will have to stay." Kyler sounded whiny even to his own ears.

"So?"

"So Andy had a long stressful day yesterday, and I want him to relax. He's all tense here, so I was gonna talk him into leaving early."

When Brad and Luis made a beeline for their table and sat down, Travis didn't even stand or make any show of aggression. He didn't acknowledge Brad either. He pulled Jaron into his side and scowled.

Kyler sighed in relief when fists didn't fly. His relief was short-lived when he saw one of Brett Lincoln's friends enter the bar. Kyler stiffened, and all other thoughts fled besides alerting Andrew.

Kyler didn't know the guy's name, but he'd seen him with Brett a couple of times when he'd dropped off his truck at the garage. The guy seemed like the country boy type, complete with a flannel coat and a baseball cap. He looked as if he'd gone a few rounds with a pro-boxer and lost, if the cuts and bruises on his face were any indication. He stood in the doorway and scanned the room, landing on Kyler a little too long for his liking. Kyler averted his stare when their gazes met, inwardly cursing himself for staring.

"What's wrong now?"

"There's a guy that just came in. He's friends with Brett."

"The guy that came in behind Brad and Luis?"

Kyler nodded. "I need to let Andy know, but I don't want to let the guy know I'm doing it."

All the Lincolns scared him and everyone who was friends with them. If Brett's friend knew he snitched, he would have a target on his back.

"So text him."

"I can't. My phone is in the car."

"Why'd you leave it in the car?" Brian's scolded him.

"I didn't think I'd need it."

Brian sighed. "Come closer. Andrew and Greg will get jealous and come over here if they see us getting all fresh."

"You think so? They didn't get jealous the other day."

"We didn't mix and mingle." That had been true. It was something that enhanced their lovemaking experience, however weird that seemed. He couldn't deny that it had.

He slid into Brian's space, holding onto his hips.

Brian's arms came around his neck, and his body came even closer.

It didn't even take a minute for Andrew to come over, Greg following close behind. Brian let go of Kyler and went right to Greg with a smile on his face. He whispered something in Greg's ear.

Kyler wrapped his arms around Andrew and pulled him as close as he could get him.

"Why'd you do that?" Andrew held him close.

"Couldn't figure out how else to get your attention. That guy in the baseball cap with the flannel. Standing against the bar." Mr. Suspicious had made his way to an empty slot against the bar. Instead of facing the bartenders, he kept his back to it, facing the room. "He came with Brett to drop off his truck a few times."

Andrew pressed his cheek against Kyler's and kept their movements slow and easy. "Do you know his name?"

"No. He's from Pickleville. I know that much because I've seen him around a lot."

"Did you ever interact with him?"

"Nope. He stayed in his car whenever he gave Brett a ride home. I saw him at Brett's house when I finished with his truck once, but Royce followed Luis and me over and talked to him."

"Good job, carino."

"Really?"

"Really." Andrew danced them around until Kyler's back was to the bar, and he faced it.

The song ended, and Andrew kept his arm around his waist as he led him back to the table. He stopped and looked around the table at everyone before leaning into Kyler. "Sit next to Travis."

Kyler nodded and sat on Travis's other side, which put him next to Brad as well. The perfect pair to protect. Andrew knew what he was doing.

Andrew spoke to Travis. "Is that Geoff Nieves?"

"Yep." Travis narrowed his eyes and met Brad's gaze. He darted his gaze over at Geoff, and that was all the communication they needed to have.

Andrew nodded. "I need to go up to my apartment and get a couple of things. I'll be right back."

Andrew walked toward the bathrooms as if he needed to use it and disappeared down the hallway. There must've been a way to the apartment from there.

Kyler couldn't sit still. He shook his leg with anxious energy. At least he knew how Andrew felt. He couldn't imagine going through that every day.

Kyler got Brad's attention. "Would you go with me to the bar? I need a drink."

"Sure, but are you okay?" Brad stood.

"Yeah, I'm just a nervous wreck. Andrew's trying to catch Geoff Nieves. Not sure what he did. Probably has to do with the rapes, but Andrew's about to make an arrest. All I know is he's friends with Brett Lincoln and Brett's good for the rapes. I know that for sure." Kyler shook his head. "And man, I can't tell you how much all this scares me. Especially with Andrew near the bathrooms where he could get hurt. And I'm pretty sure something bad happened yesterday. Like really bad." The longer Kyler talked, the more Luis, Travis, and Jaron leaned closer to him, wanting in on the conversation. "I don't know what because Andy never told me, but it's heavy shit. I can tell by the way he acts."

"I'll get your drink. You stay here." Brad stood but put a hand on his shoulder and leaned down just enough so Kyler could hear him speak. "What would you like?"

"Just soda." Kyler smiled. "Thank you."

Brad straightened. "Anyone else?"

Travis held up his beer and two fingers. "Thanks."

"What do you want to drink, Brother?" Brad asked Luis.

"Just water. Thank you."

Brad turned his gaze onto Neil. "I have to drink water. Just water. Leonard would not like it."

"Water for me too, man." Brad smiled. "Three waters, two beers, and a soda."

Brad walked to the bar. He made small talk with Kendrick while he gathered the drinks. Kendrick's reaction to Brad was cute. Even from across the room, it was apparent Kendrick found Brad attractive, but the bar was busy. Besides that, Kendrick wasn't the flirty type. He was way too skittish.

Brad eyed all the drinks as Kendrick added them. He must have realized he couldn't carry them all. He looked back at the table and frowned before carrying the beers and one of the waters back to the table. He handed the beers to Travis and put the water bottle in front of Luis before going back for the soda and the other bottle of water.

Kyler stuck out his tongue at Luis because he missed him that day and because Luis seemed off. It was as if someone had kicked his puppy. He winked and smiled next.

Luis smiled and shook his head before drinking.

Brian sat at the table, stealing Brad's seat so he could sit next to Kyler. "Greg's getting ready to sing."

Neil took that as permission to head to the stage.

Brad headed for the stage and handed a bottle to Neil before coming back.

He placed the glass of soda in front of Kyler and sat down on Luis's other side. The new seating arrangement put him next to Jaron, which immediately pissed Travis off, but he didn't do anything besides tell Jaron to sit on his lap.

Jaron sighed but did as Travis asked.

Kyler drank about a fourth of his soda, using the glass to shield himself before scanning the room for Geoff Nieves, trying for subtly. He wanted to make sure he was still around to make an arrest.

He couldn't find him. Shit.

Kyler stood. "I need to find Andrew."

Kyler didn't wait for a response but made his way down the hallway where Andrew had gone. It was as he got to the opening of the hall and the bathroom sign with the arrow, pointing the way toward Andrew that his head spun. He stumbled and fell into the wall. He closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to get the sudden dizziness to leave.

Weird.

A door opened, and Kyler looked toward it. "Andy?"

The man who came through made his lungs burn. Geoff stood there with his flannel and an evil smile. Even with his eyes tunneling toward black, Kyler could see it in the bruises on his face and the way he limped.

Geoff grinned. "Brett wanted in your pants for a long time. Since he's gone, I'm gonna honor his memory."

Kyler's shook his head and turned toward the closest bathroom, hoping it had a lock. He pushed against the door when he got inside, pressing against it.

He yelled for Andrew. His voice sounded far away even to his own ears until all he heard was the sound of his own breathing.

He fumbled for a lock but couldn't find one. The door slammed into him, knocking him backward. Pain exploded in his head. He wasn't sure what happened. All he knew was Geoff came through the door. Kyler backed away until he pressed against the line of sinks. He fell to the floor, making himself as little as possible and squeezed underneath. Pipes pressed against his arm.

Before Geoff could get near him, Brad came through the door, followed by Travis. They came in like angels, ready to do dark things to save Kyler.

It wasn't a fight but rather Travis and Brad having at Geoff, who didn't stand a fucking chance against them. They were the scrappiest fighters Kyler had ever seen.

Andrew coming into the bathroom with his gun raised, was the last thing he saw before he passed out.