Krewe Daddy (15 page)

Drew mumbled something incoherent and shifted under the covers.

"Here's another thing that hasn't changed." He pulled the bedding off Drew.

"Wake up. Time to go."

Drew cracked an eyelid. "Give me back the blankets, and I won't put a bullet in your brain."

Luis got out of bed. "If you kill me, you'll get no coffee. Get up. I'm not suffering alone." He stopped in mid-stride. "Unless you're calling in sick."

Groaning, Drew sat up. "Gotta go. I have two alarms set at home." He ran his hands through his hair and shuddered. "I hate waking up early."

"There's a fresh toothbrush and linens in the bathroom. I'll make the coffee.

Black, right?"

Drew nodded. "Thanks."

* * * * *

With a gargantuan travel mug propped between his thighs, Drew buckled his seatbelt. He took a gulp of the strong, black brew. "Thanks for this."

Drew closed his eyes. They felt gritty as sandpaper. He never got used to sleeping for fewer than seven hours.
I hope the crazies are on vacation during my shift.

"Hope it keeps you awake." Luis patted Drew's thigh. "I plan to crawl back in bed when I get home and sleep quite late."

"Jerk."

Luis put the car in reverse. "Meh, I've been called worse. When can I see you again?"

"I work through Wednesday afternoon, and then I'm going to Redding for a long weekend."

"Nebraska? Why?"

"Bachelors' party for Kevin and Teak. Sapphire has been working on this with me. He has a lot of talent in party planning, and I know it's going to be a blast." Drew took a drink of coffee. "And cost me a fortune."

"Who's Sapphire?"

"He's in charge of all the details for the photo shoots. Ronnie would probably love him. He used to work in a huge theater in Minneapolis. He's worked for Kevin for two years, I think. Crossdressing drama queen, but extremely talented."

"Probably. Is Blair going to be there?"

Drew heard the tension in Luis' voice. "Yes, of course. All the models are invited, plus the support crew, and a bunch of staff from the gallery. I've rented a hotel ballroom for this shindig." He rubbed the back of his neck while yawning. "I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun."

"What are your plans with Blair?"

The clipped tone of Luis' question irritated Drew. "What exactly are you asking?"

Luis gave him a quick glance. "I think you know."

Holy hell, it's too early in the morning for this.
Drew released a sigh.
I might as well
drop the bomb.
"Blair and I are sharing a room."

"Is that a fact?" That sounded more like what-the-fuck than a simple question.

Drew shrugged. "We'd made these arrangements two weeks ago, before you and I, well, sort of got things worked out."

"Is that what we've done? Gotten things worked out?"

"I'm not very good at fifty questions with so little sleep, Luis. So, if you want to know something, be specific."

Luis shot him another look. "Are you going to sleep with him?"

At least he follows directions.
"Until last night, I was pretty sure we would. There was no reason not to. That's why we booked the room together."

Luis put on the turn signal and pulled into Drew's apartment parking lot.

"Change the sleeping arrangements."

Not caring for the command, Drew frowned. "It's my turn to ask the questions.

Why?"

"I don't like the idea. At all. I'm not seeing Ronnie—"

"I didn't ask you to break things off with him."

"But you also didn't like the idea that I might still sleep with him."

"That's not exactly true. What I didn't like was the idea of you participating in a gang bang, with you performing as the primary banger."

"So I can sleep with whomever I want as long as it's one at a time, right?"

Luis' snotty tone added fuel to the fire, making Drew bristle. He didn't want Luis sleeping with anyone else. Period. And if Luis had asked, instead of demanded, he'd have said he planned to talk to Blair about it today. He rubbed his face, not wanting an argument to end their perfect date.

"I can't talk about this now. I need to get showered and to work. I'll see about changing my room today."

Luis visibly relaxed. "I have plans tonight, but we could have dinner tomorrow if you're free."

Judging from the immediate change of subject, Drew figured he'd given the right answer. He wanted to ask what Luis' plans were, but decided the air in the car was frosty enough.

"If we wait until Wednesday, I could spend the night."

Shifting in his seat, Luis leaned against the door. "I'll be in Milwaukee working on their BrewFest event most of the week. I leave Monday morning, but you can stay over anyway. We can go our separate ways in the morning."

Drew nodded.

A hint of a smile curled Luis' lips. "And bring your toothbrush. I'll give you a shelf in the bathroom."

Drew leaned in and kissed him. "Okay. I'll see you after work tomorrow."

* * * * *

Two hours later, Drew and his partner, Jordan Skeeps, headed southwest on Interstate 90.

"What's going on behind us, Skeeps? You keep checking the rearview."

"I'm not sure. That gray beater has been hanging back there since we left the city limits. I'm just keeping an eye on them. If they follow us onto 306, I'll pull over."

Drew shook off his drowsiness and sat up straight. "I can't read the plate."

"Me neither. Here's 306." Skeeps applied the brakes.

Drew watched from the side mirror, his hand on his weapon, just in case. "Here they come."

Although he didn't need to, Skeeps came to a full stop, forcing the driver of the gray car to show his intent.

In a sudden show of bravado, the driver sped up, sending loose rock and dirt flying as its passenger side tires hit the gravel shoulder.

Drew paid close attention to everything; he'd have only a few seconds.

A Mexican man was behind the wheel. Grinning, he flipped off Drew as the car passed. Another guy in the back seat pointed at him, imitating shooting a handgun.

Skeeps turned left. "Get the plate."

The car continued speeding down I-90.

Drew ran the license while Skeeps pulled onto the shoulder on Bayou Gauche Road. Their trailered airboat rattled behind the 4x4, kicking up another cloud of dust.

While the license plate number went through the system, Skeeps had his dispatcher contact the State Highway Patrol to tell them what happened.

"Yes, the car continued south on I-90. They just passed us at Bayou Gauche Road.

At least three men were in the car." Skeeps described the one who pretended to shoot at Drew, then gave his attention back to Drew. "Just a minute. Drew, what have you got?"

Drew relayed the information. "Registered to Angel Gonzalo. No warrants on Gonzalo, but there's a note that he's a known member of the Retribution gang."

Skeeps repeated that to his dispatcher. "My partner, Agent Rothem, also recently testified against Mateo Sandalio, a known member of the gang."

"Agent Skeeps, State Patrol advises you to take extreme precautions."

"Roger that."

The dispatcher delivered another volley of information from the police. "State Patrol will send an officer to the area and report any findings to us. Agent Skeeps, what is your final destination?"

"The Salvador Wildlife Management Area. We should be offloaded and on the water within the hour."

"Contact Region 8 headquarters when you're coming ashore, and we'll ask State Patrol to try to have a car in the area."

"Affirmative. Agent Skeeps signing off."

Drew looked at his partner. "I knew I should have gotten more sleep last night.

Never fails. Whenever I play, I pay."

Skeeps put the truck back into gear and pulled onto the road again. "Hot date?"

Drew looked at him. "Luis."

He raised his eyebrows. "No shit. How did that go?"

Drew couldn't contain his smirk. "Pretty damn good. Not smooth sailing yet. We have some issues to work out, but it's going better than I expected."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"Really? You're as straight as they come. Two guys together doesn't bother you?"

"I've gotten used to you. And you never lean over and grab my dick, so either I'm not your type, or that's not your style." Skeeps broke into a round of belly laughter.

Drew laughed along with him. "Not my type. I like them—"

Skeeps raised his hand like a stop sign. "That's enough. I said I'm glad you're working things out. I don't need the gory details."

Drew couldn't help poking a little more fun at Jordan. "Aw, come on. Don't you want to know how it feels?"

"Not another word."

Drew pasted on his best innocent expression. "You sure?"

"Not one more remark, or that airboat will come back with only one agent and it won't be you behind the wheel."

"Killjoy. Anal sex is so hot." Drew rushed through the last sentence and broke into evil laughter.

Skeeps blanched.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." He laughed some more. "I've taken so much shit about being gay; it's fun to shovel a little back once in a while."

"You act the same way my grandma used to describe the rotten neighbor kid.

'Give him an inch, and he'll take a mile'."

Drew gave him his best for-the-camera smile. "You know I love you, Jordan."

"Oh fuck, now you're sleeping with the fishes for sure."

Laughing, Drew leaned back. "Just drive. We have a long day ahead of us."

* * * * *

Riding back to the office late that afternoon, Drew was glad their day on the water passed without any more drama. The sun had beat down on them mercilessly without a single cloud to offer shelter. He could already hear Sapphire fuss over the white lines on his temples from his sunglasses and the uneven, light color on his forehead from his ball cap. Sapphire would have a shit fit when he saw him and send him straight to the spa. An airbrushed tan would fix things up for all the photos.

Wouldn't be the first time.

The sun and lack of sleep sapped the strength from him. "I'm going to close my eyes for a couple minutes, Skeeps. Wake me up if we're going to be shot."

Skeeps gave him a jaundiced look. "Thanks a heap. I'm starting to think you'll be doing the driving from now on."

"That would suit me just fine." Crossing his arms, he settled into the seat and closed his eyes.

"Just so you know, I'm taking the corners hard and the stop signs heavy."

"I'm wearing my seatbelt."

It seemed like only a few seconds passed until Skeeps hit the brakes.

Drew's eyes flew open. "Whoa."

"We're home, sweetheart." He gave a humorless chuckle.

Drew rubbed his eyes and then stretched. "Man, I really crashed. Hadn't planned on that. Sorry."

Drew got out of the truck and appreciated the comfortable evening temperature.

Too bad Luis has plans. The weather is perfect for sitting on his balcony and watching the stars
come out. Maybe tomorrow.

"Are you going to stand there all night or help me carry this gear?" Skeeps pitched the life vests at Drew. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were pussy-whipped."

Drew screwed up his face. "That's disgusting."

"Well, whatever you lovers want to call it, your head's in la-la-land."

Drew felt his face grow warm, and was grateful the darkness cloaked his embarrassment.

With their arms loaded with packsacks and other gear, Drew and Skeeps went inside the Region 8 offices. The receptionist probably had left a few hours ago, and with few exceptions, the place was vacant.

After Drew put his gear in his locker, he went to his office to check his phone messages. A bright pink slip was taped to his lamp. He grabbed it and scanned the missive.

"Aw, shit."

Skeeps wandered in, also carrying a pink paper. "Great. Mandatory overtime."

"When are they going to get some more staff?" Drew crumpled the message and pitched it in his wastebasket. "I have plans for tomorrow night."

"That are now trashed, just like mine."

Drew shook his head and released a long, slow breath. "Guess it'll be a long-ass day tomorrow, but at least they didn't mess up my weekend."

"So far, at least."

"I'm leaving town first thing on Thursday."

Skeeps frowned. "Another photo shoot? How many of those are you doing this year?"

"I'm throwing a bachelors' party in Redding for Kevin and Teak. I'm the best man, so not showing up isn't an option." Drew turned off his lamp. "Might as well blow this pop stand. We'll be back before we know it."

Skeeps walked out with Drew. "You really have an interesting life."

Drew shrugged. "Sometimes."

"Maybe one night we'll have to get drunk, and you can tell me all about it."

The comment caught Drew off guard.
Is there a hidden meaning?
He'd have to pay more attention to Jordan, just in case. "Anytime. See you tomorrow."

* * * * *

Remembering Luis was busy tonight, Drew texted him when he got home.

Going 2 miss R date tomorrow. Have to work OT. Sux. Will call U. Have a good nite.

He ate his deli sandwich while flipping through the television channels. He wished Luis would call or text before it got too late, but after an hour and a half of waiting, he turned off the TV and went to bed.

The next morning, the alarm went off at five-thirty. Drew hit the snooze, but his second alarm went off a couple minutes later. He flipped back the sheets back with a
snap
.

He didn't know why he got mad about that every morning. He always got up at five-thirty, and he always needed two alarms. He stomped across the bedroom to shut off the second alarm.

"Still sucks."

His phone lay on the nightstand. He picked it up and saw a text from Luis that arrived after midnight.

Come anyway. I want to see you.

The message made Drew smile. He sent a return text.

Wish I could but won't have time to get organized & pack. I'll call. Let's meet Sunday
when I get back. Have fun in Milwaukee. LOL!