Chapter 11
Brice glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was Thursday afternoon right before five, and he would be clocking out in two minutes. He prayed silently the clock would move faster as Harry kept yapping. His story was on a conquest of his back in college, and based on what he had heard so far, Brice knew he was full of shit.
“So, then she says to me, ‘best sex I have ever had’. Not only did I pass the class, I had a side piece of ass all semester.” Harry let out a laugh that only made Brice cringe.
“Oh, that’s great,” Brice said, faking a laugh before he stood up.
“Hey, before you go, you piss-test Logan yet?”
“No. I’m going to on Monday.”
“Don’t do that. He will expect it then. Do it Sunday, surprise his ass.”
Brice nodded, then spoke up. Something about the whole situation with Logan bothered him, but he knew he needed to be careful when he asked Harry.
“Harry, I took some of your advice and was questioning Logan, looking for any new or old information that could come in handy.”
Harry smiled as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. Lighting it up, he took a drag and then blew out, the smoke billowing up. “That’s good, son. I appreciate the hard work,” he said. Brice wanted to smack the man for calling him son, but instead remained quiet.
“I asked him why he killed Tommy.” Brice watched Harry's face change into a scowl. Fearing he may be losing ground, he continued. “He said something about disrespecting his sister.” Brice said with a shrug. “But I felt he was lying.”
Harry coughed, waving his hand, the smoke billowing out of his mouth. “No shit he was lying. Let me tell you what happened, what brought it all about.”
Brice retook his seat. “Thank you. I figure if I need to nail this man, the more information the better.”
Harry tapped his cigarette in the ashtray, a nod to his head. “You know, I’m glad you are taking this seriously. I figured you would, but I like how you think. Anyway, you seen his sister Maddy around by now, right?”
“Yes, sir. She was there last Monday as a matter of fact.”
“The little slut was dating Tommy, and Logan didn't like it. Told her to break it off and she wouldn’t.”
Brice nodded, though he didn't believe the sheriff. He didn't get the controlling vibe from Logan, but he wanted to know more. “So he killed him to stop them dating?”
“Damn straight. Tommy was out drinking one night, same as Logan. He took Tommy behind the alley of Jack’s Bar and beat him to death.”
Brice nodded, knowing that part of the information was true according to the report he read.
“Tommy's dad, Larry, was a friend of mine. We went way back. Broke his heart hearing his oldest boy was dead and he dropped down dead two weeks later.”
“That’s horrible,” Brice said, actually meaning it, trying to imagine the pain the dad must have felt. His mind wandered to his own father, but the pain was too great, and he quickly pushed the thoughts back down.
“So now you know what you are up against. Watch out for Maddy and that blond woman she hangs out with. I think she’s fucking Logan. Hell, probably half the town. Both of them will shake their ass at you, trying to distract you. Don't fall for it.”
The image of Bree running up the steps at Logan's house and flirting with him came to Brice's mind. He let out a small laugh then covered it up with a cough. “That gives me more insight into him and that will really help me. Thanks for the heads-up,” Brice said, standing up and then heading towards the door. Stopping about halfway, he turned around. “Any idea why his sister is still sticking around with him if he killed her boyfriend?”
Harry put out his cigarette, then leaned forward. “I think she did it to see how far she could push him. Women are sick like that, so you got be careful. It don't matter if they are related or not. Why, you got to show them who's boss. And speaking of, send Carol back on your way out.”
Brice nodded, then headed out to the front. Daniel and Melody, two of the night shift deputies were just walking in. Carol was getting her stuff together to leave, and he smiled at all three.
“Hey, Carol, could I talk to you for a moment?” Brice asked.
“Sure,” she said, grabbing her purse.
Brice walked outside, and Carol came up beside him. Turning to face her, he needed to tell her about Harry wanting to talk to her but wanted to warn her.
“So, Harry asked me to tell you to go back to his office.”
Carol sighed, her arms crossing over her stomach. “I’m going to have to hear him hit on me again,” she said, a shake to her head.
Brice imagined for a moment he was Logan and thought about what he would say. If only he could be as strong as that man. “Well, hopefully it won’t be too long,” he said, then felt shame that is all he could say. He was a coward, a weakling. It is why his father hated him, and why he sometimes hated himself.
“Let’s hope. Thanks, Brice. I’ll talk to you later,” Carol said, then headed back inside.
His stomach rumbled, and not feeling like cooking, he decided to stop by Del's for some food before heading home.
As he sat by himself in the booth of the diner, he wondered how he could be the man he needed to be.
***
It was Sunday just after noon, and Brice found himself pulling up in front of Logan's house. Though he was driving the SUV from work, he wore a simple shirt, blue jeans, and shoes. He carried a small paper bag in his hand containing a cup, labels, and two pairs of latex gloves for the urine test and walked up to the porch. He recognized both Maddy and Bree, who sat next to each other, a beer in their hand.
“Afternoon, ladies. Sorry to bother you on a Sunday,” Brice said.
“Then why do it?” Maddy spat.
Brice nodded. “Unfortunately it’s part of my job.”
“Whatever,” Maddy said, shaking her head, then taking a drink from her beer. The heat from the sun was hot enough, but the stare from Maddy only intensified it.
“Logan's down at the lake,” Bree said, her voice neutral.
“Thank you. I’ll drive down now.”
Bree laughed. “Cut through that way,” she said pointing. Brice followed her outstretched hand, and then shrugged. At least he could mark it down on the report tomorrow that he walked through the property. Thanking her, he walked down the path between the grass, worn, no doubt, from feet and ATVs. He was excited to see Logan, and if the man was swimming, Brice wouldn't mind seeing what he looked like with his shirt off.
Feeling his cheeks go red without the help of the sun, he hurried his steps, moving up the small hill. When he got to the top, he looked down, seeing the lake about a quarter mile away. Hurrying down it, he almost tumbled, cursing at himself for his clumsiness.
The path soon ended, and the caked mud around the lake took its place. Then he stopped in his tracks and gasped. Logan was walking out of the lake, the sun shining on his broad naked chest, water droplets running down him. As his eyes moved down, Brice bit so hard on his lip, he thought he might be bleeding. Not only was the man’s shirt off, but so were his shorts, and even from this distance, Brice could see Logan had nothing be ashamed of. Logan turned around and his perfectly carved tight butt presented itself. It took several moments before Brice came to his senses and he shook his head to clear his mind.
Brice waited until Logan slipped his shorts on and then his shirt before he walked up, hoping his voice would not give him away. “Hello there,” he called out, and Logan turned around.
“Brice? What are you doing here?”
He smiled, glad the sunglasses he was wearing allowed him to admire the hard chest and six-pack Logan sported.
“I hate to do this, but I need a test from you today,” Brice said, raising the brown bag.
Logan nodded. “No problem. Should I do it here?”
“Well, if you don't mind it would be better if you wait to do it back at the house. I have to carry it, and since I left the SUV up top…” Brice said, motioning towards Logan's house.
“Got it. Did Maddy welcome you with open arms?” Logan asked, slipping on a pair of old shoes, his deep blue eyes not leaving Brice's face.
“Not exactly. Bree was a bit more pleasant, but not by much.”
Logan nodded, grabbing a towel and throwing it over his shoulder. “Listen, I wanted to apologize for last Monday. I shouldn't have yelled and all that. Sorry for putting you in that position.”
Brice shook his head. “I don't mind. I mean…you know, I get it. There’s a lot of pain out there, and it feels good when you have the chance to release it.”
Logan smiled at him, making Brice feel conflicted. On one hand he wanted to share things about his life with this man, but on the other hand Brice was a professional. But his feelings towards Logan were strong, and he didn't know how much longer he could hold back on them.
He looked up with a start as Logan stepped in, his strong hand coming to Brice's shoulder.
“I like you too, man. And if it wasn't for this fucked-up situation, who knows what could happen between us.”
Brice nodded, not knowing what to say. Yet his heart screamed out ‘tell him how you feel. How you want to hold him, feel his strong arms around you, to comfort you.’ But his voice was locked up, and so he said nothing.
“And I have to be honest, I'm so fucking attracted to you it hurts. But I’ve got so much shit going on with Maddy, I don't even know if we could have a relationship. Now is not the time.”
“Dear God, I can’t believe I'm going to say this,” Brice said, his voice cracking under the hot sun. “Yeah, I have a thing for you too. But I’m a cop, I can’t be involved with you at this point of your parole, especially since I'm your case officer.”
Logan nodded, his strong handsome face solemn, but his eyes showed the hurt that Brice felt inside. And though it went against everything he was taught in the academy, Brice spoke up.
“I have my own things I’m trying to work through as well. Issues with my past, parents and a relationship. And at this point, I could use a friend,” Brice said, a tear rolling down his face. “Being gay in a small town like this, not knowing anyone, it’s hard.”
Logan nodded, his face grim. “I understand all too well.”
“Can we be friends at least?” Brice asked, looking through the mist in his eyes. Friendship was not beyond the realm of professionalism.
“I would like that. I need someone, another guy at the very least to talk to, for the road ahead. I'm in.”
Brice smiled. “And being your parole officer, I can call and…well find out where you are and meet up with you, like here or anywhere.”
Logan broke out in a smile. “I would like that.” Then, without warning, Logan pulled him for a hug, his strong arms embracing Brice. And for the first time in a long time, Brice felt protected and safe behind the muscles that held him. And it was a feeling he that he loved.
“Alright, let me go pee for you.” Logan said, breaking the hug.
Brice smiled, and they both walked back up to the house. He had found a friend that he needed and as long as they remained friends, everything was going to be just fine.