“I'm not a stalker,” Joe replied.
This kid is much cuter than Jordy made him sound.
“I guess I'll have to tell you the truth. I'm a cop.”
Roger did a double take. “Okay, now I am freaking out a little. Why would a cop know my name?” His grin got wider. “Should I be looking for the nearest exit so I can slip out after I distract you, Officer?”
“I hope not.” Joe winked. “I was hoping this was the start of a beautiful relationship.”
“Maybe it is,” Roger flirted, reaching out to touch Joe's arm. “Nice and solid. I like that. But seriously, how did you know my name?”
“Because he's the cop who interviewed me after Chad fell,” Jordy said from behind them. Joe turned. “Hello, Detective.”
“Just call me Joe, Jordy.”
“You know, I wondered if I'd ever see you again.” Jordy smiled. “Dante, this is Joe Palladino, one of Polk's finest.”
Dante stuck out his hand, and Joe took it. “I want to thank you, DetectiveâI mean
Joeâ
for believing Jordy.” He kissed Jordy's cheek. “It sure would have sucked to have the love of my life locked up.”
“Well.” Joe shrugged. “Had no reason to arrest himâespecially after Chad came to and said he'd lost his balance and fallen. The whole thing was a waste of time.”
Not really. I enjoyed listening to Jordy's story. And otherwise I wouldn't be here.
“How are you, Jordy?”
“I'm good, Joe.” Jordy smiled. “Do you guys mind if I talk to Joe alone for a second?”
“As long as you bring him back.” Roger's hand brushed against Joe's butt. Joe started a bit and grinned back at Roger.
“Jesus, Roger.” Jordy rolled his eyes. “He's really become out of control, JoeâI should warn you.” He gestured with his hand. “Follow me.”
Joe followed Jordy through the crowded bar to a hallway to the back bar, where the music wasn't quite as loud. A drag queen was working behind the bar, and there were a few guys standing around talking. Jordy sat down on a bar stool beside a tall table. Joe hopped on one on the other side. “I wanted to thank you,” Jordy said.
“For not arresting you?” Joe waved his hand. “Like I said, there was no reason.”
“No, not for that.” Jordy smiled a little sadly. He took a deep breath and exhaled. “Talking to youâtelling you my storyâit gave me a chance to go over it all again, and it made me think about things, put them in the proper perspective.” He hugged himself. “I didn't foreclose on the house or carry through on any of my threats.”
Joe sipped his drink. “Why not?”
“It's
negative,
” Jordy replied. “You were right. You asked me if it was right to punish everyone in the house for the bad actions of a few. And it wasn't. So, the next morning I went by the house. I retired the debt, and the mortgage. I turned it all back over to the house. The brothers now own the house free and clear.” He sighed. “And I didn't ruin Chad's family.” His eyes twinkled. “But I put the fear of God into Chad. He's a completely different person nowâyou wouldn't believe the change in him.” He shrugged. “Whether it's going to last or not, who knows? But for now, he's trying to be a better person.”
“And Brandon, Rees, and Bobby?”
“The brothers bounced Bobby, and Brandon and Rees were put on probation.” He held up a hand. “Before you say anything, I had nothing to do with any of that. At the meeting on Monday night, Chris told everyone what had happenedâand it was their decision.” He shook his head. “I kind of feel bad for Bobby, but it wasn't me. And I've made peace with Brandon and Rees, too. Whether they change is anyone's guessâbut they both apologized to me, and I think they're going to be okay from now on.”
“And what about you, Jordy? Are you still a brother?”
“I wanted to belong somewhere,” he said, playing with the straw in his drink. “But I don't belong at Beta Kappa anymore. I went ahead and resigned from the brotherhoodâafter everything that happened, I just thought it was for the best. Besides, it would be weird being there after paying off the house debt, you know? Everyone would feel, I don't know, obligated to be nice to me. And I don't want to be around that.”
“Are you still looking for somewhere to belong?” Joe asked, genuinely curious. He felt an overwhelming affection for Jordy, but it wasn't attraction. He
was
a good kid, and it sounded like he was coming into his own at last. He could see it in the way Jordy carried himself, confident but not arrogant, at peace with himself and the world.
“Oh, I found where I belong.” Jordy flashed his amazing smile, and his entire face lit up. It was like klieg lights had turned on behind his eyes. “With Dante. That's where I belong. The guys from the house are still my friendsâI'm not abandoning them entirely. Actually”âhe laughedâ“after I resigned on Monday morning, the brothers voted that night and made an exception. They granted me alumni status. It was very sweetâand I was touched.” His eyes glistened. “They really are a great bunch of guys. I kind of lost sight of that for a while. And you saw Rogerâhe really is out of control.”
“I'm happy for you, Jordy.” Joe touched his hand. “Really, I am. It wasn't my place to say anythingâbeing a cop and all, and being there on businessâbut I was hoping you'd do the right thing. Revenge is a dark place to go, and I don't think it would have made you happy in the long run.”
“You're a very nice man, Detective Palladino.” Jordy raised his glass. “I hope we can be friends.”
Joe clinked his own glass against Jordy's. “I think I would like that very much, Jordy.”
Jordy hopped down from his bar stool. “And besides, it
never
hurts to have a friend on the police force.” He threw back his head and laughed. “Come on, let's join the others.”
Joe followed him back into the other bar, laughing.
It feels good to laugh,
he thought.
How long has it been since I've laughed?
Too longâit had been far, far too long.
“There you are.” Roger handed him another gin and tonic. “I was beginning to think I was going to have to find someone else to flirt with.”
He really is adorable,
Joe thought, and laughed. “Don't be starting something you don't plan on finishing,
boy.
”
“Boy?” Roger's face registered delight. “Oh, I like the sound of that. Do you dance, tall, dark, and handsome?”
“I would love to.”
“Well, come on, then! What are you waiting for?” Roger grabbed his hand and dragged him out onto the dance floor.
Joe looked around the dance floor as Roger started dancing. Jordy and Dante were dancing, their arms around each other and their foreheads touching. The song changed to Lady Gaga's “Bad Romance,” and Joe started to dance.
He looked at Roger, who smiled and threw his arms around him. “Wanna have a bad romance, Officer?” Roger asked, an impish grin on his face.
Joe started laughing. “I think I can handle that, boy.”
“I'm a lot to handle, Officer.”
“I have no doubt,” Joe said, throwing his head back and laughing.
And they danced on.
Together.