Malicious Intent (Soulscape #5)

CH 33

Without too much effort, Alec talked Dennis into taking an evening swim with him. Though perhaps talk wasn't accurate—rather, seduced. Frank hung back at the house, watching them from the porch. James had volunteered to wash the dinner dishes—insisted on it. Alone with Ron, the elephant in the room was too large to ignore. Maybe Ron wouldn't ask, but the unspoken question was palpable.

"It was a slip of the tongue," Frank mumbled as he looked out at the lake.

"What?"

"What Dennis told you," Frank said. "I was... scared. My mind just... glitched or something and I... I called him Alec." He hung his head and rubbed his eyes; he felt like shit lying to his best friend, but what else could he tell him?

"I wasn't going to ask," Ron replied quietly. "I didn't mean to be so intrusive before. If you're happy, that's all that matters."

Frank nodded slowly. "I just wish everyone else would let us live in peace. I'll never understand why the world sees us as such a threat."

"It isn't fear," Ron said. "It's hate. There's no rational explanation for it and never will be."

Sighing, Frank rose from the chair. "Can't argue with that." He rubbed his neck. "I think I'll walk down to the water."

"Going for a swim after all?"

"Nah." Frank smiled small and left the porch, following the path to the dock. He walked to the end and watched Dennis and Alec's playful water seduction. When they spotted him, they swam back to the dock.

"Coming in?" Dennis grinned up at him. "The water is great."

Frank sank to his heels. "Don't really feel like swimming right now."

Alec swam closer and gripped the wooden planks. "You need to go out, Doc. With the sheriff... and the warden and James."

"What do you mean?" Frank frowned.

"Go out... to dinner... whatever... have some fun."

"Can't say I don't like the sound of that." Dennis chuckled.

Frank stared at the young man. "And... you, too... right?"

Alec shook his head. "No. Just you four. You haven't really visited with the warden or James. You should go spend time together." He held Frank's stare. "Friday night."

"What? No." Frank stood. "I'm not leaving you here alone. Absolutely not."

"You don't have to worry about me, Doc." Alec looked at him intently.

"No." Frank swallowed. "Not with the bikers around. No way I'm leaving you alone."

"I have to agree with Frank," Dennis said. "I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving you by yourself all the way out here. I'm hoping they're all talk, but I'm not willing to bet your safety on that."

"Neither am I," Frank reiterated.

Alec shrugged. "As you wish, Doc." He looked at Dennis, mouth twitching. "And Sheriff."

You gave in awful easily, Frank thought. This isn't over, is it?

• • •

"Well, what do we have here?" Dean smacked Sean on the back with deliberate force, nearly causing the young deputy to spill his beer. "And you said you weren't hittin' this."

Sean shrugged away Dean's hand. "We're having a drink as friends," he replied stiffly. "Not that it's your business."

Marcy slid her unfinished beer away. "I should be getting home," she mumbled.