A J Sherwood [Sherwood - Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum

I came out of my stretch sharply, head lifting from my kneeso I could look at Garrett. You want to buy the house?

My friend sat on the weight bench in front of me, a littlesweaty from the workout wed just finished. His shirt tried to stick to hischest, and he pulled it away with a pluck of the fingers, his blue eyes neverleaving mine.

I actually wanted to put in an offer earlier, before thatfirst buyer, but you guys locked it up too fast for me to get a word in. Butthe contract fell through, right?

Yeah, financial issues on their end. Id been a littlebummed by the news yesterday, resigned to another week or so of advertising. Itwouldnt take long in this market. Houses moved blazing fast. It wasntinsanely priced or anything. We were only asking a little under $300,000 for it,which I knew he could afford. Garrett had always been conservative with money,and with the inheritance hed gotten from his grandfather last year, heddefinitely have a good down payment. You like the house that much?

You did a great job on the place. I wont need to doanything to it. And its really close to work. Garrett batted his eyes at me.Pretty please with a cherry on top?

I snorted, coming out of the stretch altogether andstanding. You know very well my family would want you to have it. We justdidnt think you were ready to buy a house here yet.

I know Ive only been here two months, so it might be a bitquick for me to buy something, but Glancing away, he ducked his head, lookingstrangely shy. I really like the job. Our coworkers are awesome. I loveworking with you again. And if it all goes well? I might get Michael on anactual date with me in the near future.

Coming around to his side, I straddled the weight bench hesat on. This was the first thing Id heard about him and Sho. You said thatwas going okay. You making progress?

Yeah. Slowly. As he rubbed at the back of his neck, asmile chased its way over his face. Your better half gave me some good advice,to take things slowly and patiently with him, and its working. Michaelshanging out with me more and more, and he doesnt get all nervous about it nowif I invite him to dinner or out for a movie. Every time were out together, Isee him relax just a bit more. Its like hes finding his feet, figuring outhow to accept me into his space.

Id seen that myself in the office. Sho wasnt really atouchy-feely person, but Id seen him grab Garretts arm or hand several timesnow, the touch lingering as they spoke. It was incredibly cute.

Not that Id say that out loud. I preferred my jaw attached.

Im really glad, man. For his sake and yours. I know Jonsbeen downright gleeful about whatever hes reading off you two. Not that helltell me jack.

Hes strangely good about keeping confidences, for all thathe runs off at the mouth sometimes. Garretts lips crooked up in a manner thatsuggested he contemplated mayhem. By any chance, do you know Michaels exsname?

Nooo I drawled out, knowing very well where he headedwith this. But Im sure I can find out. We need to have a chat with the man,after all.

Just a small talk, make sure he understands that laying hishands on someone else is a no-no, Garrett agreed deadpan. Its a communityservice, really.

Absolutely, I agreed mock-somberly. Ill get on that. Youhavent seen him, have you?

Garrett hesitated a long second before he said, I havent.But sometimes theres this dark blue car that shows up where were at. Itspooks Michael. Nothing ever happens, and a couple of times hes relaxed, likehes realized its not the right vehicle. But sometimes he doesnt. Those timesworry me.

I bumped up finding the info to a higher priority. Illask. But if Jon doesnt want to tell us, we can always look it up in the courtsystem. The assholes got a restraining order against him, after all.

Good point. Actually, might be better to just do that.

Probably would. If nothing else, it wouldnt tip our hand. Iclapped Garrett on the shoulder and then urged him into motion. Come on. Showers.I need to head home. Skys going to be at our place soon.

Garrett hefted his water bottle with a sly grin. You likedsaying the our, didnt you.

I snorted and shoved him playfully, heading for the menslocker rooms. I really had. After a full month of living with Jonnot includingour trial periodI was still a little giddy with it. My lover had relaxed hisguard utterly. No tension, no barriers between us, no anticipation things wouldfall apart. I still had no idea what Id done to get him over that finalhurdle, where he could trust in us completely, but wed finally landed.Whatever it was, I didnt question it.

The mens locker rooms were nicer here than most places, soI chose to shower and get changed before going home. Skylar wanted to come overtoday and do some sort of software update. Sometimes that was code for I dontwant to be home, I want to hang out with you guys, and sometimes it really wasa software update. Id see shortly which way the chips fell today.

As I waved bye to Garrett, my phone rang, and I answered itwith a smile. Mom, perfect timing. Got some news for you.

Oh? my mother answered brightly. Ive got somefor you too. Ill go first. Your brother just got approached by the FBI.

I stopped dead in my tracks and belly-laughed. So theycaught him after all?

I thought Jon was joking when he told us about that, butthey really were serious, werent they?

Dead serious. I mean, it sounded like a joke, but theyreally were impressed with Brandon. Well, okay, hopefully he has fun switchingcareers. If he gets to work with the same team I just did, hell have greatcoworkers.

Hes really been at loose ends with his old job and nothappy with it, so this is a good change regardless. Whats your news