2. Waylon

Chapter Two

WAYLON

" S oren, what are you doing here?" I'm surprised to see my cousin show up at my office in Kansas City. The guy travels a lot between investigating stories and accompanying his boyfriend on the road. But that doesn't mean it's not good to see him.

"What? You didn't miss me?" He feigns disappointment before he saunters into my office, and I close the door, turning to see he's made himself at home in one of the comfortable chairs across from my desk. I make my way over to my chair, unbuttoning one button on my suit jacket before sitting down.

"Of course I did. But I didn't expect you."

He's grinning wide, and I'm a little nervous about what he's doing here even before he opens his mouth to tell me. "I found him."

I sit there, stunned because there's no way he's talking about Justin. It's been months since Christmas. It's April. Not one word. Not one lead. Not one fan sighting. And I'd given up hassling poor Soren about it.

I thought he'd forgotten too.

"I did," he says when I don't say anything. "You know I'm good at what I do, and although it was tough, I did it."

"Where is he?" I'm still in total disbelief.

"Tennessee."

"What?" My brows shoot up to my hairline. He did not just say Tennessee.

Soren smirks. "Yup. Out in the middle of nowhere. I may have had someone track his spending."

"Allegedly," I add for him because that has to be illegal, but Soren has made quite a few friends in his line of work. Investigative journalists will stop at nothing to get the story.

"Right." He smiles at me, but he doesn't look worried in the slightest that I'll call him out for his less than ethical practices. "Anyway, he must have had lots of cash on him or something because there was no use on any of his cards. But then he rented a cabin."

"A cabin?" I stare at Soren in disbelief. "A goddamn cabin in the middle of nowhere Tennessee? That's where Justin St. James has been?"

He shrugs. "I don't really know where he's been, but that's where he is now." He stands up from his seat. "I'll text you the details."

"Thank you," I say numbly.

He gets up and walks to the door but then stops and turns to look at me. "Are you okay? I've never seen you act this way about a client before."

I swallow hard, my stomach in knots because I know it's strange. I know I should just let it go, but I can't seem to do it. "I'm okay." He nods and turns back toward the door. "Tennessee? Really?"

He chuckles, and I see him shake his head. "Yup."

After he leaves, I sit at my desk for what feels like forever before a series of texts come through with all the details of the town and place Justin appears to be living now.

I book a flight without giving it too much thought and then text Jenny.

Me: I'm going out of town for a bit. You think you can watch my dog for me?

Damn Cooper—I swear the guy has talked every single one of us, except Jenny, into adopting pets from the animal shelter where he volunteers. She's the only holdout, but she has a soft spot for the guy. And now that he's dating her client Maverick, she'll be around him even more. I predict she'll have a new best friend in no time.

I watch the dots appear after she sees my message. She types and then stops a couple of times before sending a message through.

Jenny: Fuck no. Have that adorable little cutie pie who talked you into adopting him watch him.

I grin at that.

Me: He's out of town with Maverick. As his agent, you should know that.

I get a middle finger emoji for that one and crack a pleased smile.

Jenny: Ah, fuck a duck. Fine. I'll watch your yippy-ass dog.

Jenny: Where the hell are you going?

Yeah, this is the part she's really not going to like. But might as well get it over with.

Me: Tennessee

And the white dots appear again. And then disappear. Then appear and disappear again.

Jenny: Why?

I take a deep breath and type the reply as I climb up from my desk and head out of the office.

Me: Soren tracked Justin down. He's there, so I'm going.

Please don't call me an idiot. I fucking know.

Jenny: You idiot.

Damn it.

Me: I know.

Jenny: Drop the dog off at my place. I have a meeting tonight, but I shouldn't be out too late.

I smile. She may not agree with me, but Jenny is loyal. She'll support me as she calls me an idiot, and I couldn't ask for a better friend.

Me: Thank you.

Jenny: Be safe.

I text her a thumbs-up emoji I know will piss her off and will likely result in another middle finger waiting for me when I get home. Then I drive straight to my house.

My dog—who I lovingly nicknamed Cujo because the tiny little basset hound with the sweetest face in the world turns into a holy terror who tears up all my shit and will bite you if you get near his food—runs up to greet me happily.

I smile as I scratch his ears. "Hey there, Cujo. You're going to stay with Auntie Jenny for a bit."

I laugh when I see the middle finger emoji waiting for me on my phone from Jenny, like I knew I would, and put my phone back in my pocket. Cujo follows me happily up the stairs and into my bedroom as I find my suitcase in the closet to start packing for my flight. Trying not to think too much about what the hell he could be doing in Tennessee.

He's not from there. He was born in Texas. As far as I know, he doesn't have any family there.

Cujo jumps up on the bed and tries to pack himself, but I carefully remove him from lying on my clean clothes and point at him. "And do not eat Auntie Jenny's shoes, or I swear she'll take you to the pound. And we can't have that."

He cocks his head to the side, listening to me, and I can't help sitting next to him and petting him while he climbs onto my lap.

"She won't. But knowing her petty ass, she will order a bigass steak and eat it right in front of you out of spite. So be good."

He just pants happily as I pet him, and then I finish packing before dropping my dog off at Jenny's house. Saying a silent prayer that he doesn't tear up her house and I won't owe Jenny too many damn shoes when this whole thing is over.

I shouldn't be flying to Tennessee tonight.

I shouldn't be chasing a guy who doesn't want to be chased.

But I can't just leave it alone.

He's not okay. I can feel it deep in my bones.

And for whatever damn reason, if Justin isn't okay, I'm not okay.