Restoration 01 - Getting It Right by A.M. Arthur

Author:A.M. Arthur [Arthur, A.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Nate found Boxer and Elliott dancing together near the middle of the floor. “Where did Louis and James go?” he asked.

“Louis went for drinks,” Boxer replied. “Jay went off to talk to a friend.”

“Okay. I’m gonna go sit for a while.”

“You tired already, old man?” Elliott teased.

He nearly snapped back that he was always tired. “Welcome to being in your thirties, Ell.”

“Ew, don’t remind me.”

Nate wandered back to the booth that Tori and Allen were still guarding. Still standing, he sipped at his Coke while searching for James. Curious who the friend was. He spotted James across the room at the bar, head bent low as he spoke to someone whose back was to him. Short, black hair. The conversation looked intense. A few minutes later, James left the bar and headed toward the front door, something in his hands.

His phone buzzed with a text.

James: Going out for a smoke. You doing okay?

Nate smiled and texted back: So far so good. Want company?

You hate that I smoke.

I know. Still…

Sure. 

Nate made his excuses to Tori and Allen, then braved the crowd to get to the front door.

The air outside was fresher, less congested with testosterone and sweat. James was leaning against the side of the building, a smoldering cigarette dangling loosely in his fingers.

“Everything okay?” Nate asked.

“For me it is.” James puffed on the cigarette with smiling lips. “You’re here.”

Silly as it was, the simple compliment made Nate’s insides warm. “I hope this doesn’t come across as some weird jealousy thing, because it’s not, but—”

“Who was I talking to?”

“Yeah.”

James’s good humor dimmed. “You remember the emails I sent you about Romy

Myers?”

“The guy who got into a bad relationship?”

“Yes. That was him I was talking to. It wasn’t my intention when I approached him earlier, but I gave him my card and asked him to make an appointment.” James stubbed the cigarette out on the bottom of his shoe, then exhaled long and hard. “He was abused, Nate. The question is how badly? He needs help.”

Nate didn’t think before taking James’s hand and squeezing. James had an incurable need to help abuse victims, no matter who or what the circumstances, and this was no different. He hadn’t been able to save his sister, and nothing would stop him from trying to save every other abuse victim who came his way. It was both endearing and flat-out terrifying.

“I thought treating someone you had a personal relationship with was unethical?”

James blinked. “That was over a year ago. It’s nothing like you and me, babe. It’s…”

“What?” Nate turned James head, made him look at him. “It’s what?”

“The pain Romy’s trying so hard to hide? It reminds me of Laurie. More so than a lot of my other patients. I need to help him, Nate.”

“Then you will, if he chooses to ask for help.”

James flinched. “You want to go back in?” Nate asked, even though he much preferred the quiet of the sidewalk. “We haven’t danced yet.”

Something a lot like arousal danced in James’s eyes. “Definitely.

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