Jobs Like This by Hollis Shiloh

Author:Hollis Shiloh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical 20th century gay fiction, gay romance, detectives, mystery, hurt comfort, lgbt historical, private investigators
Publisher: Spare Words Press
Published: 2021-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

OLLIE GOT BACK, BRINGING sandwiches and an air of worry. He sat with me, and we ate together. I felt better after just a few bites and was relieved that was it. He couldn't seem to stop touching me, just reaching over, hands light, careful, as if he just needed to be near me, to reassure himself I was alive. Damn. Maybe I'd scared him worse than I realized, too.

How would I have felt if he'd been in the hospital instead of me? I wouldn't have left him there, that's for damned sure. But leaving that aside for now, I'd also have been scared for him. Especially if it wasn't the first time it happened, and was starting to look like it wouldn't be the last.

"I'm sorry I didn't take you with me to the Regent," I told him, between bites. "In retrospect, that was dumb. I've got to make use of backup, now that I have it. I've gotten used to doing things my own way, and by myself."

"Yeah," said Ollie, nodding. He looked at me, searching my face, as if he was looking for some answers there.

"You'll have to remind me sometimes. With your words," I said pointedly. "I'll get used to doing things in a new way, if I've got time."

"You've got time." Ollie laid a hand on my thigh. "For what it's worth, I swear I'll never leave you alone in a hospital that way again—even if it's your own fault. I'm not sure if it was this time or not, but I was so damned mad I couldn't even see straight."

I grinned, trying not to let the words sting. "I know. I can piss you off like nobody's business."

He hesitated, looking like he had more to say. I tried to brace myself, hoping I wouldn't wince, hoping it wouldn't hurt as much as the whole day had, up until he said he was sorry. Maybe those two words shouldn't make so much difference, but they did. They made all the difference in the world.

"I've got a problem with anger," said Ollie. "I get so damned mad sometimes. It's not your fault. Even when it is your fault, it's not really your fault. Do you know what I mean? I'd like to be able to tell you why I'm mad, not just be so mad I can't be sensible." He took a shaky breath. "I can't do that yet. But if you'll give me time to cool down, I promise I'll talk to you properly. I'll try to deal with being angry without taking it out on you. Okay?"

We were reaching all sorts of epiphanies today. "It's a deal." I reached out and took his hand. We shook on it. He gave me that roguish grin of his. His eyes looked relieved, even though he was still searching my face, like he was looking for something.

"I want us to work, Jack. I want to stick together."

"I want that, too." I stared back at him, hoping he could see my sincerity.

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