Chapter 33

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

brENDON

Detective Leroy and his partner showed up at Deep Dish Delight about twenty minutes after my call and immediately started asking me a bunch of questions that had my head spinning. I know that they are just trying to get as much information as possible, but time is of the essence, and they need to track down Matais now. I need Carter in my arms as soon as possible.

Right now, the officers are watching the security footage and I'm hanging out with Sasha and Artie, trying not to go crazy. And I'm really trying not to think about the worst-case scenario. If I let my thoughts go down that trail there will be no bringing me back.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and when I pull it out, I damn near drop it as my eyes see the name on the screen.

I race to the office where the officers are and tell them who's calling.

"Answer it on speaker phone, and we'll be quiet," Detective Leroy tells me. "Do more listening than talking. Do not let him know that we are onto him."

I nod and swipe open the call.

"Hello?" I answer, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

"Hey, Brendon, I hope it's okay that I called," he says in such a sweet voice that it's almost hard to believe that he's the one behind all this shit that's been happening.

"Absolutely," I reply, keeping my response short to give him more time to talk like the detective told me to do.

"I kind of wanted to tell you something," he informs me after a brief pause.

"What's that?" I check, my entire body shaking.

"I'm the one who sent you that gift basket," he confesses. "I know I went about things wrong, but I'm crazy about you, and I keep kicking myself for not telling you sooner. I just thought you were straight and that I didn't have a chance. Maybe if I had just told you, you would have realized that you liked guys sooner. I know you're with Carter right now, but I was hoping maybe I meant as much to you as you do to me and that you and I could give things a try."

Detective Leroy nods at me and quickly scribbles down on a notebook for me to agree with Matais and ask if he knows where Carter is.

"Oh wow," I respond, trying to come up with something to say that sounds believable. "I had no idea you had feelings for me, but I can tell you really get me from just how thoughtful that gift basket was. I've always thought you were a really great guy, and now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I had a crush on you," I lie, bile rising up my throat and threatening to make me gag.

"Really?" he questions, sounding hopeful but doubtful at the same time.

"Yeah. I just figured out I was bi when I got back to school, and I think I just jumped into things with Carter because he was there. But looking back, I realize I was totally into you. I just couldn't see it because I thought I was straight." My stomach curdles as the lies roll off my lips.

"That actually makes a lot of sense," he murmurs. Thankfully he's buying the bullshit I'm selling. "Does that mean you're willing to give us a shot?" he checks, hope filling his voice.

"Umm yeah, I think that's a great idea. But I'll have to let Carter down gently. That is once I find him. I've been trying to get a hold of him all night, but he's kind of disappeared."

"Oh, he's actually with me. We ran into each other at Deep Dish Delight, and he forgot his phone in the car," Matais says like it's no big deal, but I know it's a lie. "He's actually the one who encouraged me to call you. He agrees that you and I make a better pair."

Detective Leroy scribbles down a note telling me to get their location.

"Oh, that's cool," I respond. "Why don't you send me your location? I'll come out there. Carter can take my car home, and you and I can spend some time together."

"Umm yeah, that sounds good," he murmurs. "We're hanging out on my grandpa's property right now. He's got an old barn that I use when I want to get away from the city."

"Sounds good to me. Just drop me your location," I encourage him.

"Okay, see you soon," he tells me and ends the call.

Immediately, I rush to the corner where the garbage can is and vomit what little is in my stomach, followed by dry heaving as my body rebels against the poison I had to spew out to such a vile creature. When I'm done, Sasha has a damp paper towel to wipe my mouth with and a glass of water. I wipe first, then take a few small sips, grateful to have something to wash the taste out of my mouth.

I put the glass down on the desk and check my phone, there's a message waiting with his location on my screen. All I want to do is rush to my man's rescue then hold him tight and never let go. I feel like I'd run the risk of becoming a stage five clinger, but I'm absolutely ok with that.

I show the message to the officer. "I'll dispatch units to that location now," Detective Leroy tells me, but I shake my head.

"You can't do that," I growl out. "Matais is expecting me and only me. What if he kills Carter when the cops show up and I'm not there?"

Detective Leroy shoots his partner a look which only pisses me off more.

"I'm not saying I have to go in on my own, but I do have to show up first. I will not have you or anyone else put Carter's life at risk."

"The kid's not wrong," his partner states. "We can radio in our information, get back up on route, and tail him from a safe distance."

Detective Leroy purses his lips and huffs out a breath. "Fine, but don't do anything stupid," he commands, pointing his finger at me. "The situation needs to be as calm as possible. Don't do anything to rile Matais up. Keep his attention on you while we get into position. We'll enter as soon as we are sure that you and Carter aren't in immediate danger." I nod and make a move to leave the office, but Detective Leroy grabs my arm, stopping me. "I also want you to wear a bulletproof vest, just in case."

A lump forms in my throat, and I swallow it down as I move my head up and down.

"Can we go now?" I check, feeling restless and needing to leave as soon as possible.

"Let me just radio in the details," he responds. "Meet me at my car to get that vest."

"Okay," I whisper before rushing to my friends to let them know what's going on.

"Please tell me Carter is okay," Sasha says when I get over to him.

"I honestly don't know," I reply. "But Matais says he is. I'm going to where he is now, and the detectives are following me, along with back up."

"This is fucking crazy," Artie murmurs.

"Would you mind giving Artie a ride home?" I ask Sasha.

"Of course. But are you sure you don't want us to go with you?" he asks, and I quickly shake my head.

"Absolutely not," I reply quickly. "I need to go by myself. If anyone else is with me, it might set Matais off, and I will not put Carter at risk."

Artie and Sasha nod.

"We understand. Just be safe," Artie tells me.

"I'll do my best," I assure him, not making any promises I can't keep.

In the end, I would sacrifice myself to rescue Carter. I'd do it in a heartbeat, not even thinking twice. And It's not just because he's in this mess because of his relationship with me. It's because I love him more than my own life. More than anything else in the entire world.

I can't even imagine a life where Carter isn't there right beside me, and I refuse to ever try. They both pat me on the back before taking off, and I head to the parking lot and wait for Detective Leroy.

Needing to pump myself up for this, I center my thoughts.

Failure is not an option.

Losing Carter is not an option.

I will go in there and lie and charm my way into getting Carter out.

I will say anything that I have to, to get my man back.

If I have to pretend to say the things I'd only ever mean to Carter, then I will.

I am not going to let this scumbag ruin what Carter and I have together.

He doesn't get to decide who I can and can't love or be with.

I'm going to go in there, fake my way through an Oscar-worthy performance,

And damn well get my man… back!

Now I'm pumped and ready to get moving. I'm so close to being with my man I can fucking taste it.