It was just after 9pm, Wednesday night. It was dark, the moon hung lonely in the sky, and the road narrowed the deeper they got into the countryside.

The city of Charleston was long behind them, and with it, so was the warm beach breeze and palm-studded sidewalks. Here, the trees loomed taller, skeletal fingers clawing at the cold sky. They were still painted in slashes of red and gold, but a lot of the leaves had fallen now, turning the shoulders of the road into a rustling, mottled carpet.

Zeke leaned against the cold glass of the window, hoodie sleeves pulled over his hands. It was colder here than he expected. The kind of creeping Appalachian cold that curled down your spine and made you want to drink something hot and sleep for a week.

The road twisted and dipped, barely wide enough for two cars, lined with crooked mailboxes and the occasional busted pumpkin, guts spilled across the pavement. Halloween was coming. You could feel it out here.

Darius drove like he knew exactly where he was going. Focused, determined, silent. Joey, in the passenger seat, was humming something under his breath and drumming his fingers against his thigh. Zeke checked his phone again, thumb hesitating over Josh’s name.

They hadn’t talked much today—just a few brief messages, a dumb Gif or two, and a TikTok about “accidental bisexuality.” Nothing serious. But Josh had seemed... lighter. More playful. Zeke had promised to call him tonight. Now that they were finally ahead of schedule, he could’ve. Should’ve. But something about being stuck in this car with Darius made him hesitate. Last time he and Joey talked to Josh, Darius hadn’t looked happy. Zeke figured it was safer not to stir the pot.

Still, the itch to hear Josh’s voice again was nagging at him like an unpicked scab. Maybe later. Maybe when he could actually be alone.

Zeke cleared his throat. “Sooo... where exactly are we going? Does Hollow Creek have hotels?”

Joey turned, grinning. “Can I tell him now?”

Darius gave a distracted nod. “Sure.”

Joey beamed. “There’s this c-couple. Bo and Dolly. Older, really sweet. They let us stay with them before—fed us, gave us a b-bed, even paid us a little to help around the place.”

Zeke blinked. “Farm people?”

“Yeah,” Joey said. “It was like... the first time I felt safe in months. We p-promised to help fix their fence before we left, but everything kinda…fell apart.”

“And now,” Darius muttered, eyes on the road, “we’re gonna finish the job. Stay a night, maybe two, if they let us. Save on motel fees.”

Zeke raised his eyebrows. “Cool. I don’t know shit about fences, but I can haul stuff.”

Joey turned in his seat, excitement growing. “You’re gonna love it. They’ve got goats. And pigs. And this b-bossy little cat named Percy.”

As if on cue, the car turned down a long gravel driveway, the headlights sweeping across a crooked wooden mailbox with “B. & D. Hargrove” painted on the side in chipping red letters. Trees bordered the drive like sentinels, their twisted branches black against the moonlit sky.

And then, the house came into view.

It was big and square and proud despite its age. The wraparound porch was strung with orange Halloween lights and flickering electric candles. A line of pumpkins sat on the steps, carved into silly, happy faces. A broomstick leaned beside the door and a faded “WELCOME, FOOLISH MORTALS” sign swung from a rusted nail.

And on the porch railing, curled up like he owned the place, was a gray cat with bright yellow eyes.

“Percy!” Joey squeaked.

Darius slowed to a crawl as they approached. Porch lights blinked on from inside.

An older man stepped out, thin and wiry, with a weathered face and a ball cap pulled low over his white hair. He was holding a baseball bat. Behind him came a short, broad woman in a flannel shirt and jeans, her silver curls tucked into a red bandana.

Zeke froze, eyes wide. “Uh… we sure this is friendly?”

“They’ll r-remember us…” Joey said confidently, reaching for the door.

Zeke wasn’t so sure.

Darius parked. As they stepped out of the car, crunching onto the gravel, the man raised the bat—but didn’t swing it.

“…D? Joey?”

Darius raised a hand. “Hey, Bo. It’s us.”

Joey waved. “Hi, Dolly!”

Dolly squinted. “Well, I’ll be. You boys picked a hell of a time to drop in. You want candy or chores?”

Zeke burst out laughing, relieved.

Bo lowered the bat, squinting at Zeke. “And who’s this one?”

“Just a friend,” Darius said. “Thought we’d bring extra muscle for the fence.”

“About time,” Dolly muttered, but she was smiling. “Come on in. Supper’s long gone but I can reheat something.”

Zeke followed Joey up the porch steps, heart warming despite the chill in the air. He paused to scratch behind Percy’s ears. The cat purred and didn’t bite him. That had to be a good sign.

As the front door swung open, a warm light spilled out into the October night. Zeke hesitated just a beat before he followed Joey and Darius inside.

Just ahead of them, Bo set the bat gently against the wall just inside the door, shaking his head with a faint scowl like he wasn’t totally convinced he wouldn’t still need it.

The house smelled like something warm, maybe roasted meat or spice cake, and the flickering orange Halloween lights outside gave way to soft lamplight indoors. The hardwood creaked as they stepped into the entry hall.

Darius took one glance at Bo’s stiff posture and cleared his throat.

“Hey,” he said, voice lower now. “I wanted to say… sorry again. For what happened last time. That police raid was… pretty enthusiastic.”

Zeke’s eyebrows shot up. The hell? Police raid?

Bo scratched the back of his neck, his lined face twitching with something like discomfort. “It wasn’t exactly subtle.”

Joey rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. “Y-yeah. That was rough.”

Bo looked at both of them carefully. “You two still wanted? Is this visit gonna bring sirens again?”

Darius raised both hands slightly. “No. We’re good. Officially. In fact, that’s another reason we’re here. An FBI agent’s coming to town tomorrow. We’re teaming up with him. Trying to take down the people I used to work for.”

Bo’s expression shifted, thoughtful and wary. “FBI?”

“And a lawyer friend of mine,” Darius added. “Just to talk. We were hoping… maybe they could meet us here? It’s quiet, private.”

Dolly, passing behind them toward the kitchen, called over her shoulder, “You’re not setting off another stampede in my garden, are you?”

Joey groaned. “That wasn’t my fault!”

Zeke didn’t say anything—yet—but his brain was throwing off fireworks. What the actual hell happened here last time?

Bo scratched his chin. “I dunno…”

“We’ll finish the fence tomorrow,” Darius offered quickly. “And the gutters. Joey mentioned the lawn could use another rake, too.”

Dolly reappeared in the kitchen doorway, hands on her hips, eyes twinkling beneath the edge of her bandana. “And someone better scoop the goat shit. Fair trade.”

Darius chuckled. “Deal.”

“Alright then,” Bo grumbled. “As long as no one brings a damn helicopter this time.”

Zeke was still processing helicopter when Dolly gave him an appraising glance. “And what’s your name, hon?”

“Zeke,” he said politely, stepping forward a little. “I’m… an old friend of Darius’s.”

Dolly’s eyes softened, already bustling toward the kitchen again. “Well, Zeke, you hungry?”

“Starving,” he admitted, following the warm smell into the next room.

The kitchen was a lived-in kind of cozy. Yellow cabinets, ceramic mugs on hooks, and a table that looked like it had hosted a hundred family dinners. Dolly was already pulling open the fridge.

“I’ll warm up some turkey,” she said. “There’s bread for sandwiches. Got slaw too. You eat coleslaw?”

“I eat everything,” Zeke assured her.

Joey flopped down at the table, eyes sparkling. “She m-makes the best food. And wait till you meet the chickens tomorrow.”

Zeke leaned on the counter, watching Dolly with mild awe as she worked. “Okay, but… what was that about a police raid? Seriously.”

Joey grinned. “Oh man. So p-picture this. Me and D had just offed two guys—mob guys—in Ohio so we were kinda hot. Like, e-every cop in the state was looking for us. And then…”

Zeke blinked as Joey launched into the story, his eyes wide and amused but also a little stunned as the tale began to unfold—about how a peaceful goat farm somehow became ground zero for a tactical police incursion.

Dolly made a satisfied noise as the microwave dinged and the warm smell of roasted turkey filled the kitchen.

Zeke glanced toward the porch windows, the amber glow of jack-o-lanterns still flickering outside in the night.

This place… was something else.

Maybe a half hour passed, and the last bite of turkey sandwich and slaw had barely hit his stomach when Dolly clapped her hands, already ushering everyone into their respective corners of the house like a seasoned camp counselor.

“Alright now,” she said, nodding toward the back of the first floor. “Joey, D—you boys know the way. Same room as before. Bathroom’s still yours, too.”

Darius gave a nod of thanks and touched Joey’s lower back gently as they walked off together. Zeke caught the glance they exchanged—soft and familiar, something to envy. They disappeared down the hall, the sound of a door clicking shut behind them, hiding Zeke’s sigh.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Dolly said, already halfway up the stairs. “You’ll be upstairs.”

Zeke perked up a little. Finally… a chance to call Josh. He followed her up the creaking steps, glancing around at the homey touches as they went—family photos, a faded quilt hanging on the wall, the faint smell of laundry detergent and old cedar.

She pushed open a narrow door near the end of the hall. “This one here’s my grandson’s old room. He’s off at college now—hasn’t stayed the night in years, if I’m honest. Room’s just collecting dust.”

Zeke stepped inside. It was small, maybe ten by twelve, with a twin bed tucked under the window, a battered desk, and a lamp shaped like a football helmet. Posters of motocross bikes and vintage snowboards curled slightly at the edges on the walls.

“Hope this’ll do,” she added, fluffing the pillow with practiced hands.

“It’s perfect,” Zeke said honestly. “Thanks.”

She smiled, but lingered, smoothing the bedspread with an extra pass of her palm. “Bathroom’s at the end of the hall. You’ll be sharing it with me and Bo—just knock first if the door’s closed.”

Zeke nodded, fighting a yawn. It ambushed him halfway through and came out full-bodied.

“Mmhm,” she chuckled. “That’s what I thought. You boys looked like ghosts walking in here. Get some sleep if you’re planning to fence tomorrow.”

“We are,” Zeke said, already tugging at the zipper of his hoodie. “I promise I’ll pull my weight.”

Dolly gave him a knowing smile and stepped out. “Goodnight, sugar.”

“Night.”

She closed the door behind her with a gentle click.

The room fell quiet.

Zeke sat down on the bed, letting out a breath. He peeled off his hoodie and tossed it onto the desk chair, then stretched out on the mattress, phone in hand.

9:57 PM.

There was a single message. A random meme from his cousin.

But his eyes skipped over it and went to his last conversation with Josh. Zeke grinned.

He tapped the name. Let the phone ring.

It had barely rang twice when Josh answered, voice scratchy and just the slightest bit hurt.

“I was wondering if you’d actually remember to call.”

Zeke smiled, the warmth blooming behind his ribs immediate and embarrassingly strong. He flopped back onto the twin mattress, one hand behind his head, the other holding the phone up to his ear.

“Do girls usually forget to call you?” he teased.

Josh snorted—an actual, unfiltered laugh. “No. Opposite, actually. They don’t stop calling. I end up blocking half of ‘em.”

Zeke raised an eyebrow. “Huh. Impressive.”

“…You’re not a girl, though.”

“Nope,” Zeke said, popping the p. “Observant.”

There was a short pause, and then Josh said abruptly, “I’m a Leo.”

Zeke blinked. “What?”

Josh laughed again, sheepish but leaning into it. “My ex in high school—Brianna—she was obsessed with astrology. Had me reading horoscopes and compatibility charts. At first I thought it was stupid, but then… I dunno. Some of it stuck. It kinda started making sense.”

Zeke chuckled, genuinely entertained. “So you believe in that stuff?”

“I mean… I think there’s truth in it,” Josh admitted. “Leos are loyal as hell. Loud, prideful, competitive, sometimes arrogant. Big feelings. Big protector energy. Kinda dramatic but like… the fun kind.”

Zeke grinned into the phone. “You’re definitely dramatic.”

“Dramatic and hot,” Josh added. “Don’t forget that part.”

Zeke laughed. “Okay, okay. Fair. What else?”

Josh got a little quieter, but he was still talking. “Leos are supposed to be natural leaders. Protective of their people. They crave attention, even if they act like they don’t. And when they like someone, it’s like—whole-hearted, ride-or-die, all in.”

Zeke blinked at the ceiling. That… felt oddly honest. Even vulnerable.

“And what about you?” Josh asked. “What’s your sign? I’m gonna look up our compatibility.”

“Pisces,” Zeke said with a shrug, tucking his hand behind his head again. “I don’t really believe in it, but my dad did. Used to read my horoscope out loud every morning if I let him.”

Josh’s voice softened. “Your dad…passed?”

“Yeah,” Zeke said, swallowing. “About a year ago now. Frank. Real old-school hippie. Believed in the universe and karma and, like… soulmates. Said Pisces were dreamers. Artists. Feelers. Sometimes too soft for this world.” He huffed out a dry laugh. “Didn’t really pan out that way, did it?”

Josh was quiet for a second, then said gently, “Nah. I see it. You’re… different. In a good way.”

Zeke didn’t know what to say to that, so he stayed quiet.

He could hear Josh typing in the background. Then:

“Okay, so… Leo and Pisces? Not a textbook match. But it says here it works if they’re open-minded. Leo’s like fire, Pisces is like water. Emotional opposites but sometimes opposites click. Like a balance thing.”

Zeke closed his eyes, smiling. “You’re getting real poetic over there.”

“Well, listen to this—‘Leos thrive on admiration. Pisces give love without hesitation. If they don’t scare each other off, it can be beautiful.’”

“Damn,” Zeke murmured.

Josh laughed softly. “You are a Pisces, though. You go with the flow, make everyone feel good around you, act like you don’t care but you feel everything. Sensitive-ass fish boy.”

Zeke groaned. “Don’t call me fish boy.”

Josh, smug: “Oh, I am absolutely calling you fish boy.”

Zeke grinned, rolling over onto his stomach now, cheek pressed into the pillow. “You’re such a dork.”

“You like it.”

“...Maybe.”

There was a beat of quiet that felt full, like they were both breathing in the same air even though they were states away.

Then Zeke said, “That reminds me, talking about astrology and all that... You know what I was doing on my eighteenth birthday?”

Josh perked up immediately. “No. What?”

Zeke chuckled, settling deeper into the mattress. “So yeah… for my 18th birthday? My dad, he saved up for months and took me to California for a week’s vacation.”

Josh whistled softly. “Damn.”

“Right?” Zeke grinned, eyes unfocused on the dark ceiling above. “It was magic. I surfed the whole time, day and night. I was seriously thinking about going pro back then. The waves were clean and cold, the sunsets were like cotton candy, and the sand stuck to your skin for hours. I loved it. Every second.”

Josh murmured something soft in the background, like he didn’t want to interrupt.

“And… I may or may not have lost my virginity to a really hot surfer guy on the beach. He was older, a pro, experienced.”

That got a laugh. “Of course you did.”

“It was the best birthday ever,” Zeke said with a grin. “Ten outta ten, would recommend.”

There was a beat of silence. Then Josh said, “Guess what I was doin’ on my eighteenth?”

Zeke smiled. “Do tell.”

Josh’s voice dropped, still wry but a little quieter. “I was still locked up. I turned eighteen in a state prison with a paper crown some guy folded outta newspaper and a shitty prison cake made with chocolate a friend saved and leftover peanut butter. One guy gave me his last three minutes on his phone card. That was nice. And the guards let me eat double dinner.”

Zeke’s smile faded to something gentler. “Damn. That sucks, man.”

“Yeah,” Josh said. “Would’ve rather been on the beach. Maybe getting laid by some dreamy older surfer guy.”

Zeke snorted. “Dreamy older guy, huh? Like me?”

Josh let out a soft laugh. “How old are you, anyway?”

“Twenty-nine.”

Josh made a thoughtful sound. “Yeah. I always had better luck with the older crowd.”

Zeke rolled onto his side, grinning. “Naturally. You got a thing for authority figures or just hot dudes with inheritance money?”

“Shut up,” Josh muttered, but he was laughing.

A few seconds passed. Then Josh said, quieter, “I’ve never seen the ocean.”

Zeke blinked. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Josh said. “We went to Lake Erie once as kids. It was pretty big, but it doesn’t count. No waves. No real beach. It wasn’t even sunny that day. Just gray. Lots of dead fish and cigarette butts and rocks.”

Zeke smiled, heart tugging a little. “Yeah. I figured. Joey acted like he saw Narnia the first time we took him down to the beach.”

“I bet,” Josh said flatly. “We’re both a couple’a regular Ohio boys. No oceans. No palm trees. Just Dollar Generals and potholes.”

“Hey,” Zeke teased. “You’re talking about your childhood. Have some respect.”

Josh huffed.

Zeke’s voice softened. “I could teach you, you know. If you ever came down. I’m already giving Joey swimming lessons. You? I’d teach you how to surf.”

Josh went quiet. Then—“Pfft. No thanks. The ocean’s got sharks. I’ve seen Sharknado, man.”

Zeke laughed. “You think I’m gonna let a shark eat you? I’m fish boy, remember?”

Josh chuckled reluctantly. “Yeah, yeah. My own personal fish boy. Defender of the realm.”

“Damn right.”

Josh was quiet again.

Zeke sensed it—something brewing on the other side of the line. “…What’s up?” he asked gently.

Josh didn’t answer right away. Then, out of nowhere. “Where are you, anyway?”

Zeke blinked. “Huh?”

“I mean…” Josh hesitated. “You said Joey and—his boyfriend—picked you up from the hospital yesterday. Are you back at the beach or what?”

Zeke paused. He could still hear Dolly and Bo faintly downstairs. Darius and Joey were probably half-naked in their room by now. He shouldn’t say anything. But…

He wanted to trust Josh… and he decided to give in… a little.

“…They made a deal,” Zeke said quietly. “With the feds. They’re not wanted anymore. Turns out the FBI’s willing to cut deals when you’ve got evidence against the Cleveland mob.”

Josh went silent on the other end.

Zeke sat up, bracing. “We’re meeting tomorrow with one of Darius’s old contacts. I...guess I’m just along for the ride. So, no, we’re not at the beach right now.”

“Figures,” Josh said finally, voice edged with something bitter. “Joey gets a deal. Me? I got court on Friday.”

Zeke’s gut twisted. “For the theft charge?”

“Yeah.” Josh exhaled. “I mentioned I got a real lawyer this time, right? Gotta pay some whack-ass monthly fee to retain her, but she’s not your typical court-appointed stiff. She’s… pretty good. Said I got a shot. But I dunno. Kinda think I’m still screwed.”

Zeke didn’t even think. “I won’t let that happen.”

Josh snorted. “What, you gonna bust me out of the courthouse? Real Bonnie and Clyde?”

“Maybe,” Zeke murmured. “Could be arranged.”

Josh huffed a laugh, brushing it off. “Whatever. Just… call me tomorrow night, alright? You can wish me luck before I go get handcuffed again.”

There was a beat of quiet between them, the kind that buzzed with something unspoken.

Then Zeke smirked. “Well… according to the stars, I might be destined to save your ass.”

Josh made a confused noise. “What?”

“You looked it up, didn’t you?” Zeke said, rolling onto his side, one hand tucked under his head. “Pisces and Leo. Fire and water. They clash and make steam. You said it yourself.”

Josh snorted, clearly trying not to sound charmed. “Jesus. You remember me saying that?”

“Of course I did. It was poetic,” Zeke said lightly. “And also hot.”

Josh muttered something under his breath.

“What was that, Leo?”

“Nothing.” A pause. Then: “You’re such a goddamn Pisces.”

Zeke grinned. “Mm, you mean intuitive, romantic, creative, and emotionally devastating?”

Josh made a strangled noise. “I meant slippery and nosy, actually. Fish boy.”

Zeke laughed, delighted. “You’re just mad I swim circles around you.”

“Okay, now I’m picturing you with a tail. This is your fault.”

“Scales, glitter, the whole thing,” Zeke teased. “But seriously… the fire inside you? I feel it. That pull. You burn so bright, and I just…”

He let the words trail off before they got too serious. He was already too far in. No need to scare Josh off.

Josh didn’t reply right away. Then, quieter, “I don’t get why you’re like this with me.”

“Like what?”

“…Gentle.”

Zeke’s heart squeezed. “Because I like you.”

Josh went silent again, but he didn’t hang up. Zeke could hear him breathing. Maybe pacing. Then:

“I was being real earlier,” Josh said, changing the subject. “I do have court Friday.”

“I know.”

“And I really don’t want to go back in.”

Zeke’s tone dropped. “You won’t.”

Josh laughed, a little too rough. “You don’t know that.”

“I’ll make sure of it.”

There was a beat of stunned silence.

“You’re gonna bust me out with your mermaid army?” Josh asked dryly.

Zeke smirked. “Hey, fish boy has connections. I’ll keep the sharks away from you. Like I said.”

Josh’s voice got soft. “You would, wouldn’t you?”

Zeke nodded, even though Josh couldn’t see him. “In a heartbeat.”

Josh took a breath, then another. Like he wanted to say something more. Instead, he said, “Text me in the morning?”

“You better text me first,” Zeke teased. “Like you have the past two days.”

“I will.” Josh’s voice was quiet. Tired. But warm. “Night, fish boy.”

“Night, firebrand.”

The line went dead.

Zeke lowered the phone, staring at the cracked ceiling above the bed, lips curving into a smug, dreamy grin. His skin buzzed. His chest felt warm.

He was halfway to Ohio.

And halfway into Josh Balas’s heart.

This was gonna be good.

***

The scent of bacon hit Joey first, rich and comforting, making his stomach grumble. Sunlight filtered through the farmhouse curtains, casting warm golden stripes across the wood floor as he stepped out of the back room he shared with Darius.

His hair was still damp from the shower, and his neck and lips bore faint evidence of the night before—marks Darius hadn’t hesitated to leave and Joey didn’t minded keeping. He grinned to himself. It had been a good night.

Darius followed him out, handsome as always with a fresh shirt stretched across his broad chest. He looked like he’d gotten real rest for the first time in a while.

In the kitchen, Dolly was putting the finishing touches on breakfast—eggs sizzling in the cast iron pan, golden biscuits cooling on a wire rack, a jar of homemade apple butter waiting on the counter.

Bo sat at the table, already sipping coffee and thumbing through the local paper.

Darius slid into the seat across from him, picking up on some story in the paper, and started chatting with quiet familiarity.

Joey crossed toward the stove, already eyeing the crispy bacon when Dolly stopped him with a gentle pat to the arm.

“Be a dear and get five more eggs, would you? I think we’ve got enough, but I don’t like to come up short. Coop’s just out back—you remember.”

“I wanted to show Zeke the chickens anyway,” Joey said brightly. “He hasn’t met them yet.”

“He’s still upstairs, sweet boy. Room’s at the top of the stairs—last one on the left.”

“On it!” Joey said, already turning toward the stairs.

He bounded up, his new Walmart tennis shoes making the warm wood creak beneath his feet.

“Zeke?” he called lightly, knocking once before pushing the door open. “Hey, w-wanna come meet the chickens before—”

He stopped.

Zeke was sitting on the edge of the twin bed, elbows on his knees, phone held loosely in one hand. His face was soft, caught in the middle of a dreamy little smile, eyes glazed over like he was thinking something sweet.

The second the door opened, Zeke startled. He nearly fumbled his phone, then shoved it under his butt like a teenager caught watching porn.

Joey blinked, then narrowed his eyes. “What were you j-just doing?”

“Nothing!” Zeke stood up too fast. Then, almost as an afterthought, he clumsily grabbed his phone again and slid it into the pocket of his jeans. “Just… getting dressed. Thinking. Existing.”

Joey folded his arms, not buying it. “Uh-huh.”

Zeke clapped his hands once. “So. Chickens?” he said, way too chipper. “I’m absolutely ready for chickens.”

Joey squinted at him suspiciously as he followed Zeke down the stairs. In the kitchen, Joey grabbed the basket off the back counter then hurried to catch up with Zeke who’d just gone out the back door.

The cold hit Joey the moment he stepped outside, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Not really. The kind of chill that flushed your cheeks and made you feel alive. The October sky was a pale, soft blue, the early sunlight just starting to melt away the frost on the grass. It was colder here than it had been down south, and Joey pulled his hoodie tighter around his middle as he kicked through a pile of crunchy leaves.

The whole yard was buried again, like his and Darius’s last cleanup effort had never happened.

“Figures,” he muttered, humming a little as he picked up speed to catch up with Zeke, who was already halfway past the old barn. Joey remembered how he and Darius had spent nearly over an hour just fixing the damn door. The wood still looked freshly sanded, the latch shiny where Darius had oiled it.

Beyond that was the Hargroves’ little garden—now barren, just brown soil and sticks, but it was neat at least. He remembered how grateful Dolly had been when they’d cleaned it out. And just behind it, nestled in the back corner of the property, stood the chicken coop.

Well… it leaned more than stood, really. A couple of the boards were warped, and the wire mesh sagged in one corner like a tired old woman. Joey winced a little, feeling guilty. They’d meant to fix that. But time had run out. Even now, he wasn’t sure they’d be staying long enough to get to it.

Zeke slowed his stride, eyeing the coop with visible suspicion. “That thing safe?”

“Debatable,” Joey grinned, swinging the egg basket in one hand. “C-come on, the birds are harmless. M-mostly.”

Zeke gave him a wary look. “You say that like you’ve been through some shit.”

“Oh, they’re d-definitely a handful,” Joey laughed as he pulled open the creaky gate, which squealed like a haunted house sound effect. “You ready to meet the l-ladies?”

“Absolutely not,” Zeke said, following him in anyway.

The hens were already awake and pecking around, clucking loudly at the intrusion. One especially scrappy-looking red one fixed her bead-eye stare on Zeke like he owed her money.

“Oh god,” Zeke muttered. “Why does that one look like she’s got beef?”

“She g-gave me that look the last time I was here, too. I think s-she always looks like that,” Joey snorted, shooing her gently aside with his foot. “Okay, watch—see the n-nesting box? You just reach in real careful. They’re not too mean about it.”

He demonstrated, carefully lifting a warm brown egg and placing it gently in the basket.

Zeke, squinting like he was defusing a bomb, mimicked him with another egg closeby. “Like this?”

“Yeah. Look at you, f-farmer boy.”

Zeke held up the egg with the reverence of someone holding a human heart. “This thing’s… kinda warm. That’s freaky.”

“That’s nature,” Joey said, placing a third egg in the basket.

Just then, one of the hens clucked indignantly and flapped her wings, sending feathers into the air.

Zeke yelped and stumbled back dramatically. “Jesus! She tried to peck my soul!”

Joey cracked up, nearly dropping an egg. “You’re such a c-city boy.”

“Not true,” Zeke sniffed. “I’m just… livestock-challenged.”

“Uh-huh. Grab t-two more, Mr. Livestock.”

Somehow, they managed it—laughing the whole way. Zeke got his sleeve pooped on at one point and threatened to sue the chickens for damages. Joey, gasping with laughter, had to brace himself against the wall of the coop.

Finally, with their eggs secured and a few more feathers stuck in Zeke’s wavy hair, they ducked out of the coop. Zeke took a deep breath of the crisp morning air like he’d survived battle.

“Okay,” he said dramatically. “Now I get it. You’re not running from mobsters. You’re fleeing poultry trauma.”

Smirking, Joey bumped his shoulder as they walked. “That’d b-be a nice change. Dodging feathers and bird poop instead of b-bullets.”

Zeke snorted with amusement.

But as they crossed back behind the barn, the leaves crunching underfoot, Joey’s smile faded just a little. His gaze slid sideways, landing on Zeke’s face, smooth, calm, totally unbothered.

Still, that weird look from earlier flashed back—Zeke sitting on the edge of the bed, phone in hand, expression soft and faraway. Like he’d been caught in something private. Something intimate.

Joey slowed a little, trying to sound casual. “So hey…”

Zeke glanced at him. “Hmm?”

Joey raised an eyebrow. “What were you doing this morning? Before I came in y-your room?”

Zeke blinked, then smirked faintly. “Nothing important.”

“Mmhm,” Joey hummed, this time with even more suspicion. They were just about to reach the kitchen door again when he stopped suddenly and tugged at Zeke’s sleeve.

Zeke paused mid-step. “Huh? What now?”

Joey gave him a sheepish look. “Uh—I-I j-just… I want a smoke. Real quick. W-Wait with me?”

Zeke gave an exaggerated groan and pressed both hands over his stomach. “You’re killing me, Balas. I’m about to pass out from hunger. I could eat that whole egg basket raw.”

Joey chuckled under his breath and nodded toward the porch. “J-Just one minute, p-p-promise…”

Zeke followed him around to the front steps, grumbling, but not really mad. And up on the porch, Percy the cat was already there, curled up like a furry croissant on the faded old swing. Joey dropped the egg basket gently on the railing and eased down beside the cat, who stretched just enough to accept a head rub. Zeke leaned back against the porch railing across from the swing, watching them.

Still patting the cat, Joey dug into his jeans pocket and pulled out a battered cigarette pack. He tapped one free with practiced fingers.

Zeke eyed the smokes. “Gimme one?”

Joey handed it over wordlessly and lit his own, dragging in the first breath like it was therapy. The smoke curled around his lips in thin, silver ribbons as he exhaled into the autumn morning. The air was sharp, tinged with woodsmoke from a nearby chimney, and the trees out front were a riot of orange and red, glowing under the pale morning sun.

For a few moments, they sat like that—quiet, smoking, Percy purring faintly in the background.

Then, Joey squinted over at Zeke. “Y-You were talking to my brother, weren’t you? J-Josh. Up in your room just now.”

Zeke froze mid-inhale and a bit of ash crumbled off his cigarette.

Joey’s stomach twisted. That was all the answer he needed. “Oh m-my god,” he groaned. “I knew it.”

Zeke blinked innocently. “What? We’re just flirting a little. It’s not a crime.”

“Y-Yeah but it should be,” Joey muttered, dragging hard on his cigarette. “J-Josh isn’t… he’s not even… I mean, he’s not gay. And even if he w-was, he’s—he’s terrible with relationships.”

Zeke lifted an eyebrow. “He mentioned he talked to a lot of girls.”

“Y-Yeah. A lot of girls,” Joey said, throwing his hands up. “Doesn’t that bother you?”

Zeke shrugged. “Why would it? I’ve been with a lot of guys. I mean, is there some kind of rule about how many partners you can have? Maybe… Josh is just bisexual.”

“Bisexual?” Joey’s jaw dropped. “Y-You’re not seriously—Zeke, c-come on. Please…just tell me this is a rebound thing. You said you were gonna do that, right? I-I mean, that’s the only way I’d even sorta be okay with this. N-No strings. N-Nothing serious. ‘Cause Josh? He’s… not the kind of guy you fall for.”

Zeke tilted his head. “Why not?”

Joey groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “B-Because every r-real relationship he’s ever had? He’s wrecked. Either he drives the girl insane, or he… I-I dunno, implodes.”

Zeke smirked. “Sounds dramatic.”

Joey flailed a little, nearly dropping his cigarette. “Oh my god. D-did he ever tell you about Brianna?”

“A little…”

Joey let out a heavy sigh, looking out at the overgrown field across the gravel driveway as his expression tightened. “Brianna was Josh’s f-first real girlfriend. They met in their sophomore year and were t-together almost two years. By the end, my mom was letting her sleep over half the week ‘cause her mom was nuts. But it was awful. Me and Josh s-shared a room, and I had to listen to him and Brianna fight all the time ‘cause Josh didn’t understand the concept of personal space.”

Zeke snorted. “Sounds like young love.”

Joey ignored him. “No. It was obsession. J-Josh wouldn’t leave her alone. She’d go to the bathroom, and he’d f-follow her in there. Like. Literally sit on the edge of the tub w-while she pooped. Because he couldn’t stand being away from her for f-five whole minutes.”

Zeke burst out laughing. “That’s… weirdly romantic.”

“No, it’s p-pathetic.” Joey groaned, rubbing his face. “He stalked her. C-called her non-stop. Tracked her every move. When she f-finally broke up with him, he had a f-full blown meltdown. Like… he wasn’t r-right for months. For a while, we weren’t sure he’d recover. That’s who you’re messing with, Zeke. A w-walking red flag in designer k-knockoff sneakers.”

Zeke stubbed out his cigarette with a chuckle. “Yeah, he does seem like he needs a lot of attention.”

“He does. Way too much.” Joey rubbed his temple. “It’s like… all or nothing with him. If he l-likes someone? He doesn’t just fall. He p-plummets. Face first. And he never let’s go.”

Zeke leaned back and blew a smoke ring toward the porch ceiling. “But…maybe that’s what I need, you know? Someone to hold onto. Someone to keep me company for more than just the off-season… So, maybe Josh is a mess, but he could be my mess.”

Joey stared at him like he’d grown an extra head. “You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”

Zeke didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled out his phone and smirked. “Wanna see his morning text? The one you were so curious about when you walked in on me earlier?”

Joey groaned. “No—God, no.”

“Too late,” Zeke said brightly, then, he read aloud: “Morning, Zeke. Slept better after we talked last night, so you better not quit on me. I think I’m actually starting to like you. Like… a lot.’”

Joey moaned in horror. “J-Josh sent you that?”

Zeke nodded, smiling widely as he continued to scroll. “And I replied with, ‘Oh yeah? Better hold on tight, then. I’m a terrible influence with a big dick and a lot of boundary issues.’”

Joey choked. “Zeke!”

Zeke snickered. “He sent back a blushing emoji and a peach.”

Joey buried his face in his hands.

Zeke leaned back, smug. “Josh wants me.”

Joey stared at him, his face pale. “You—you’re really—Zeke. This is so bad.”

Zeke shrugged. “I think it’s kinda perfect.”

Joey stammered, “Y-You don’t know him. H-He—he’s only interested in you because he thinks you’re, like, a big-shot business guy or something—”

“I am a big-shot business guy,” Zeke said proudly.

Joey groaned. “No, but like… he thinks you’re rich or connected or something and—and—and he’s got a type! Y-you fit it.”

“I’m flattered.”

“I’m not kidding!” Joey rubbed his temple in frustration, his cigarette burning down between his fingers. “Josh—Josh has other relationships besides those c-crazy short-lived romances I mentioned. Relationships like he had with M-Mindy. I know you remember h-hearing about her, Zeke. The girl who just had the miscarriage? Josh lived with her for months. Said he l-loved her, and maybe he even thought he did, but mostly he just needed a place to stay. U-used her car, her bank card, her bed. That’s what he does. If he isn’t involved in s-some destructive whirl-wind romance, he charms people and u-uses them until they’re drained and he gets bored or makes a mess and runs.”

Zeke’s smile dimmed a little, but he didn’t look away. “That doesn’t mean he’d do that to me.”

“I t-think that’s exactly what h-he’s gonna do to you!”

“Well, I think otherwise.”

“Zeke! I—I’m serious. He’s gonna break you!”

Zeke grinned. “On the contrary. I’m gonna break him. Of all his shitty relationship habits, that is. If we both want this, it can work. The past doesn’t rule the future, Joey. Nothing is impossible.”

Joey blinked, wide-eyed. “W-Wait. You act like you’re planning to… like, actually hook up with him.”

“I am.”

“Y-You didn’t tell him we’re coming back to Ohio, did you?”

Zeke shook his head. “Nope. Just told him you and Darius made a deal with the FBI and that you’re not wanted anymore.”

Joey gasped. “Darius t-told me not to say anything to my family ‘cause Vinnie’s p-probably watching them! He’s gonna f-freak if he finds out you’re talking to Josh!”

“Screw Darius.” Zeke crossed his arms. “He told me to move on. So I did. I want Josh. And when we get to Ohio, I’m going to sweep him off his damned feet.”

“You’re g-gonna ruin the whole mission!”

“No, I won’t,” Zeke said calmly. “Josh is loyal. He’s sweet. He’s not gonna screw us over.”

Joey rubbed his face again. “He’s also a lying, drug-using, c-court-dodging hot mess. And he’s got… like, emotional issues! I mean—trust me, Zeke. Y-you’re not ready for Josh’s level of neediness.”

Zeke just smiled. “I think you’re wrong. Maybe an attention-whore is exactly what I need. You say he’s going to move in my house, sleep in my bed, love me like nobody’s ever loved me before, and never get tired of me? Well, I say, bring it on.”

Joey shook his head, but the fight was draining from him. He knew that look on Zeke’s face now. He’d seen it on himself plenty of times, in the bathroom mirror in the mornings after he’d spent another late night in Darius’s arms. That dumb, glowing softness you got when someone saw you. When someone made you feel like more than a survivor. When you knew you’d do anything to keep them close, just for a little longer.

Joey let out a long, exasperated breath. “Zeke… before you get t-too deep, please talk to Josh. About all his o-other relationships. Including Mindy. At least know what you’re getting into.”

Zeke’s smile faltered—but only a little. “We’ll talk. I promise. But right now? I’m too damn happy to care.”

Joey shook his head. He was losing this battle. It seemed that at this point, fighting was futile.

Then Zeke perked up. “Oh! Also—Darius was saying we might stay another night? But… can you talk to him? Try and get him to leave today? I want to get to Ohio ASAP. Josh has court in the morning. I was kinda hoping we could… show up and surprise him.”

Joey blinked. “W-We’re not stopping in Warren. Darius said—he already said—we’re going straight to Cleveland!”

“Please,” Zeke said, his eyes big. “Just talk to him. You don’t have to say why. Make something up. Say you’re worried about your mom again, say it’s a gut feeling or whatever and I’ll back you up. Just… whatever you do, don’t tell him I’ve been talking to Josh.”

Joey studied his face. That stupid, familiar look Zeke wore—Hopeful, nervous, falling too fast.

Finally, Joey sighed. “O-Okay. I’ll t-try. But no promises.”

Zeke’s face lit up. He surged forward and gave Joey a tight hug. “You’re the best.”

Joey patted his back. “Y-Yeah, yeah. Don’t s-say I didn’t warn you. Josh is… Josh.”

Zeke pulled back, still smiling. “Then maybe he just needs someone who doesn’t scare off easy.”

Joey flicked the end of his cigarette away and muttered, “You’re definitely gonna to regret this.”

“We’ll see,” Zeke said, beaming. “Thanks Joey.”

Joey patted his back awkwardly, grumbling under his breath. “You’re s-such a simp.”

Zeke grinned. “I prefer ‘devoted romantic.’”

Joey rolled his eyes and grabbed the egg basket off the railing. “C-Come on. Breakfast. We got a fence to build.”

They headed back inside together, the porch door creaking shut behind them.

After breakfast, the sun was gold and lazy, dripping through thinning tree branches as they stepped out the back door. The air had that sharp, woodsmoke-tinged edge Joey always loved—cool enough to see his breath, warm enough in the sun to shed your hoodie once you got working. He still had a bit of apple butter on his tongue, and he couldn’t shut up about it.

“I-I’m just saying, Dolly could totally bottle that and m-make a killing. Like, I’d buy a c-case of it. God.”

“Forget the apple butter,” Zeke said, rubbing his full stomach as he yanked on a too-small hoodie he’d borrowed from Joey for once, from his and Darius’s Walmart run yesterday just outside Charleston. “That hot chocolate was made by angels. Literal Southern church potluck angels. I think I had a religious experience.”

“You’re gonna need religion after you see the to-do list,” Darius muttered, stepping out of the shed with a toolbox balanced in one hand. “Zeke—go grab the rake and the bin from the side of the barn. You start the lawn while we finish the fence. Joey, you’re with me.”

Zeke gave Darius a mock salute, but when he turned away with a snort, shaking his head, Zeke shot Joey a look behind his back—eyebrows high, mouth twisted in a silent are you going to ask him??? Joey rolled his eyes and gave him a reluctant thumbs up in reply.

Then, Joey jogged to catch up with Darius, who was already kneeling at the first busted section of fence. They got to work quickly for almost an hour—Joey handed him planks and braced uprights while Darius hammered with clean, confident precision. They worked well together, always had. Even in silence, their rhythm was easy.

Zeke, meanwhile, was dragging the rake through a patch of crisp, crunchy leaves like it was made of wet spaghetti noodles. He kept pausing to not-so-subtly glance over at them, squinting like he was trying to read lips. Joey almost burst out laughing. Every time Darius looked over, Zeke pretended to rake harder and it was kind of hilarious.

“Do l-leaves fall in South Carolina?” Joey asked absently, setting a board against a post.

“Just enough to piss you off,” Darius muttered, then glanced back at Zeke, wielding the rake like it was a sword. “But I don’t think Zeke has…much experience either way.”

Joey snorted. “H-how could you possibly tell?”

They moved down the fence, replacing two more panels in quick succession. Zeke was nearby now, loudly humming a Taylor Swift song and twirling the rake like a baton now, only half-aware he was being watched. Darius gave him another look and muttered, “He’s enthusiastic. I’ll give him that.”

Joey smiled, but it faded as he inhaled deeply and finally pushed the words out. This wasn’t just for Zeke and Josh… it was for him, too.

“H-hey, um… about t-tonight. I know you wanted to stay an extra night, b-but could we—uh—maybe think about l-leaving after the meeting?”

Darius blinked and looked up from the post he was screwing into place. “After the meeting? Why?”

“I j-just…” Joey rubbed his hands on his jeans. “I—I wanna see my mom. My nieces and nephew, too. It’s Halloween next week, but Trick-or-Treat will b-be this weekend. And just in case—if something goes wrong in Cleveland—I don’t wanna miss it. I at least want to see their c-costumes.”

Darius paused, leaning back on his heels.

“I figured we’d be tired after a full day of work, so I thought we’d crash here one more night. Sleep in a little then drive out in the morning, fresh. We’ll be in Cleveland tomorrow before midnight if we don’t make too many piss stops.”

Joey shuffled a bit in the leaves. “B-but Darius… you told me to tell you when I w-wanted to talk to my family again. So… I am.”

Darius eyed him for a moment, then smirked faintly. “So what—you gonna disobey me again? Gonna sneak off in the middle of the night for a family reunion if I say no?”

Joey shrugged one shoulder, eyes dancing with quiet defiance. “P-probably.”

Darius chuckled under his breath and went back to hammering. “You’re lucky I like you.”

Joey waited, breath held, as Darius worked in silence for a full minute. The leaves rustled in the wind, and Zeke could be heard tripping over the rake just behind them, near the barn.

Finally, Darius sighed. “Tell you what. If we finish the fence, and Zeke does the leaves, and I don’t have to scoop up all the goat shit by myself—then I’ll think about us leaving after the meeting. And I’ll also ask Riley today if we can take a quick detour through Warren.”

Joey lit up and literally bounced a few times, utterly thrilled. “R-really?!”

Darius gave him a warning look. “I’ll think about it.”

Joey still beamed. “Th-thank you!”

“Get back to work before I change my mind,” Darius grumbled, but he was smiling a little.

They got back to it, hammering and fitting planks. Despite Darius’s warning, Joey felt lighter, his chest fizzing with hope.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Zeke watching them again, rake in hand like a broomstick. Joey gave him a sneaky thumbs up and Zeke grinned and did a ridiculous little victory dance—one arm pumping, one leg kicking—nearly smashing a chicken that had wandered into the yard under his wildly swinging tennis shoe.

Joey looked away, biting his tongue to keep from laughing. That guy was ridiculous. He couldn’t believe Zeke was, like, text-dating his brother. What the hell did their messages even look like?

Joey shuddered a little, disgusted. He disapproved. He had a feeling Josh was up to no good, but for now… he would keep Zeke’s secret. Darius would find out eventually.

But maybe not today.

***

Just a little before noon, the final clump of soggy leaves dropped from the gutter and splatted against the ground. Darius wiped the sweat off his brow with the sleeve of his hoodie and squinted up at the farmhouse roofline, satisfied. Clean. Done. He braced a hand on the ladder and started the slow climb down, knees twinging a little from the morning’s labor.

The yard below looked ten times better than it had when they pulled up yesterday. The busted fence now ran in a clean, straight line along the pasture. The grass had been raked neat, the wheelbarrow trails clear from the front yard to the burn pile in back. Bo’s chickens pecked curiously through the piles of disturbed earth, the goats were back in their little fenced patch, lounging like royalty, and the feisty piggies were bedded in the barn.

Zeke passed through again, pushing a fully-loaded wheelbarrow, his cheeks flushed and his posture proud despite the leaves clinging to his hoodie and the sweat pouring down his brow. Darius grinned faintly. Guy had no clue what he was doing but made up for it in sheer volume and dramatics. He was talking to himself again—probably narrating his progress like a cartoon lumberjack. God help them.

And over by the barn, Joey was shoveling goat crap into a trash bin like it was the most normal thing in the world. His sleeves were rolled up, and his cheeks were pink from exertion, but he wasn’t complaining. Darius had felt pretty guilty when he’d handed him the shovel after they’d finished the fence an hour ago, but when Joey had started the task, he’d muttered something about picking up after three dogs back home with his mom—said this wasn’t that different.

And sure, it wasn’t glamorous, but Darius had never seen anyone clean animal shit with such quiet contentment before. His heart tugged, unexpectedly.

This kid, he thought fondly, watching the boy work for a moment, admiration shining in his dark, intent eyes.

Then the phone buzzed in his hoodie pocket. He tugged off his gloves and pulled it free.

Nina.

Darius stepped away from the gutter line and answered with a gruff, “Yeah?”

“Where are we meeting?” Nina’s voice was scratchy, annoyed. “This town’s got one motel and zero discreet coffee shops. You better not tell me it’s a diner or some tourist trap.”

“I’ve got a better idea,” Darius said. “Private. Secure. I’m at that farmhouse we got raided at last week. We made friends last time we were here. Just finished up helping them out and they’re letting us use the place.”

He could hear Nina huff before she said anything. “That place? Ugh. Fine. Text me the address. I drove most of the night—this better be worth it. I swear to god, D.”

“It will be,” he said, and the line went dead.

He snorted and shook his head. Typical. Just the same, he quickly texted Nina the address then hit send.

Afterwards, he lit up a cigarette, glancing back across the field as he took his first puff. Joey was finishing the last stretch of yard, still bent over the shovel, moving slower now, like his back was starting to stiffen. Zeke was dumping his latest wheelbarrow. He finished, then let the wheelbarrow fall into the grass as he ripped his hoodie off dramatically and fanned himself like a Victorian widow.

Darius exhaled smoke into the air as he keyed up another contact.

Agent Cameron Riley.

It didn’t take long to connect.

“I was just about to call,” Riley answered, sounding like he hadn’t slept in a week.

“I got a location for the meet,” Darius said. “You probably know where we’re at already.”

“I do,” Riley muttered.

“Well, I’m telling you anyway.” Darius gave him the address verbally. “The couple that lives here, Bo and Dolly, they’re solid people. Quiet. They’re friends of Joey and I, and they’re cool with us using the house. It’s private and rural.”

“I don’t love this,” Riley admitted. “But I’ll be there soon. I… got a room at that little motel in town. Figured I’d try to get a decent night’s rest.”

Darius nodded, even though the agent couldn’t see him. “We’ll be waiting. Nina’s en route too.”

“Good,” Riley said, and then he hung up.

Darius took another couple draws on his cigarette, then field-stripped it, pinching the ember out and pocketing the butt. No wildfires on his watch. Then he jogged toward the goat pen, where Joey was pushing the last mound of dirt into the bin.

Joey looked up with a sweaty grin and said, “W-welcome to my t-turf. Watch your step—someone’s already blown a hole in the yard.”

Darius barked a laugh. “Yeah? Who was the victim?”

“One of the goats. Pretty sure it was the o-one with the evil eyes.”

Darius grabbed a second shovel leaning nearby and helped him with the last stretch. The work was shitty—literally—but it felt good. Real. No threats. No blood. Just sunshine and sweat and the rhythmic scrape of shovels hitting dirt.

He glanced sideways at Joey, who was humming something off-key and looked weirdly proud of his gross job.

The guy didn’t even complain.

And that… it made Darius feel something he didn’t have a name for yet. Something big and warm and quiet that sat deep in his chest and kept surprising him.

They’d be done soon. The yard was nearly spotless, the animals taken care of, and the fence and gutters looked worlds better. Despite Joey’s little stunt asking to leave early—and despite Darius knowing it was about his obsession with seeing that chaotic family of his—he couldn’t really be mad. Because Joey had done everything he asked, without complaint. He’d worked his ass off. And he’d asked this time, not snuck away.

So yeah. Darius would make it happen.

He’d take Joey to Warren. Just for a little while.

Because the boy wanted to see his family—and this time, no matter what they threw at Joey, this time, Darius could protect him from them.

Twenty minutes later, the three of them were just tossing the last load of leaves into the burn pile when Darius caught movement at the edge of the driveway.

He froze, narrowing his eyes.

Wait… is that—?

“Hey,” he said, jerking his chin. “Heads up. We’ve got company.”

Joey and Zeke both turned as Darius straightened up and wiped his hands on the thighs of his jeans.

There they were, walking side by side up the long gravel drive: Nina and Riley.

Together.

And—Jesus Christ—they were laughing.

Darius blinked. Laughing?

Nina, in her sleek black blazer dress and towering heels, had her hair up in that complicated twist she liked, a few dark curls falling around her face. She looked like she belonged at a courtroom gala, not a goat-piss-scented farmhouse. But there she was, walking shoulder to shoulder with Agent Cameron Riley, her head tilted toward him like he was the most fascinating man on the planet.

Riley, in his dark jacket and tie. His eyes were sharp, but he looked relaxed. Even... charmed. He had one hand in his pocket, the other gesturing mid-story, and he actually grinned as Nina let out another gale of laugh.

Darius stared, stunned. “What the hell…” he muttered.

Zeke let out a low whistle beside him. “Damn. Those two are getting along famously. You sure this is the first time they’ve met?”

But Joey just laughed. “I k-knew it,” he said just under his breath, an evil little smirk curling his lips. “I knew they’d hit it off.”

They all moved toward the porch, stepping up just as Nina and Riley arrived just in front of the farmhouse.

Darius raised his eyebrows at them both. “Looks like you two have already met.”

Nina smirked, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “Hard not to. I noticed this tall brooding guy trailing my car from the motel, and when he pulled in behind me, I figured, Ah. Must be the infamous Agent Riley.”

Riley nodded, amused. “Figured I’d walk up with her. Safer. Besides, we were bonding over the five-star luxury accommodations we’re sharing in town.”

Joey, unable to help himself, blurted, “T-told you you’d like him, Nina. H-he’s got that FBI charm and that… beard. It’s very, uh… trustworthy.”

Nina’s cheeks flushed just slightly. Her lips pursed, but she didn’t say anything.

Beside her, Riley just chuckled, the sound surprisingly warm, and Darius thought what the actual fuck is happening right now. Nina had been making flirty eyes at him since day one. Now she was blushing at Riley like a teenager?

Strangely… he didn’t hate it.

In fact, it felt like relief. A massive weight sliding off his shoulders.

Before anyone could say more, Dolly opened the front door and stepped out with a warm smile. “Y’all look hungry. I brought sandwiches and hot cider.”

“Ma’am,” Riley said with a polite nod, “you’re a lifesaver. I didn’t have time to grab lunch before I left.”

“FBI, huh?” Dolly said, eyeing him up and down. “D mentioned.”

“Yes, ma’am. Agent Cameron Riley.”

“And I’m Nina,” she added, her cheeks still pink from Joey’s earlier comment, then she glanced at Darius like don’t you dare introduce me as anything else.

“Well, come on up,” Dolly said cheerfully. “Ya’ll can eat on the porch. It’s a lovely day.”

The group settled in like a family reunion. Darius claimed the porch swing beside Joey. Zeke leaned against the railing, two sandwiches already stacked on his plate. Riley and Nina took up the chairs near the wicker table as Dolly handed them food and mugs of cider.

The porch creaked in all the right ways. Leaves rustled gently. The sun was warm, hanging high in the sky, and brushing everything with that perfect gold.

Joey made a soft sound of joy as he sipped his cider. “O-oh my God. This is amazing.”

“Try the sandwiches,” Zeke mumbled, already halfway through his second. “It’s got like… cheese and bacon and magic in it.”

Darius took a bite and had to admit, it was pretty damn good. It wasn’t turkey again, it was something different. Something smoky and sweet. Maybe pulled pork? Whatever it was, Dolly had outdid herself again.

“Thank you for warm hospitality. Really,” Nina said to Dolly, holding up her plate. “This is lovely.”

“It really is,” Riley added, flashing one of those disarming smiles. “Much appreciated.”

Dolly beamed. “I’m just glad these three got their work done. The fence has never looked better, the gutters are clear, and my yard’s ready for winter now. They’ve been a big help.”

Riley glanced at the trio on the swing and railing. “Well, I hope they can do as good a job for me. We’ve got business to discuss.”

That made Dolly blink.

Her smile faltered just a touch. “Oh, my. Well… I’ll just let y’all get to your important business, then.”

Darius winced a little. “Dolly—”

But she was already retreating, waving it off like she wasn’t bothered. “No no, you go on. I’ll tidy up inside.”

Riley looked a little guilty but stayed silent.

Nina sipped her cider, but didn’t meet anyone’s eyes.

Darius cleared his throat and straightened up slightly on the swing. “Well… I guess we should get started then.”

He squeezed Joey’s knee, just once in reassurance. And Joey looked up and gave him a small, supportive nod.

Nina took another careful sip of her cider, then set the mug down on the wicker table, her legs crossed beneath her elegant black skirt.

“I didn’t prepare anything concrete yet,” she said, looking over at Riley, “but I’ve got access to a decent amount of court records that never made it into public filings. Some internal memos too, things I was blind-copied on. Not enough to bury Vinnie outright, but enough to show a pattern. Misconduct, collusion, false testimony. Especially in cases involving his enforcers.”

Riley leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “How soon can you compile something for me?”

“I’ll start tonight. I brought my laptop in my trunk, and a burner drive. I’ll encrypt it and leave it for you at the motel desk tomorrow morning.”

Riley smiled, slow and sharp. “You don’t trust email?”

She lifted a brow. “Do you?”

Riley chuckled. “Fair enough. But I think I’ll pick it up in person. Just to make sure it’s all there.”

Nina tilted her head, smirking. “Just to make sure, huh?”

“Sure,” he said casually. “And maybe to see if you want to split a coffee.”

She actually giggle-snorted. Nina. Giggling. Darius almost choked on his last bite of sandwich.

Then Riley’s tone shifted, low and even. “What about the Carillos? Do you have anything on the Florida side?”

Nina sobered, shaking her head. “Not much. I didn’t handle any Florida correspondence directly. Vinnie and Carmine were very hands-on when it came to those meetings. But…” She glanced toward Darius. “D said something interesting when we talked last. About the partnership still being active, even after Leon disappeared.”

“That’s right,” Darius said, nodding once. “They kept it quiet in Cleveland. Vinnie told everyone the Carillos walked after Leon vanished. But that was obviously a lie.”

“Ralph Vance,” Nina said, the name almost a whisper, like she was speaking of a legend. “He handles Vinnie’s financials. If he kept the trade with Florida going, even in if he kept a secret from us, I bet Ralph would have the receipts, the bank transfers, any meeting records, codes. All of it.”

“Ralph, the fixer,” Riley echoed, leaning back in his chair. “Yes. Darius and I have our eye on him.”

“I see,” Nina said. “Well, if anyone’s got direct links in Cleveland, it’d be him.” Then she turned to Darius and caught his gaze. “But, if you’re going to approach him, you’d better be careful. After Milo turned up dead… and you vanished with Joey… I’m positive that’s when Carmine bugged my place. Phone, car, probably my office too. I’m guessing anyone connected to you is under surveillance now. Ralph might be walking around with ten bugs and have no idea. If you want a clean conversation, you’ll have to meet him in person. And make sure nobody sees you.”

“Already planning on it,” Darius said, exhaling. “We’re heading back to Cleveland tonight.”

Nina’s brows lifted. “Are you?”

Joey nodded. “W-we were gonna stay, but we finished all our chores early.”

Zeke gave a lazy shrug. “And I’m just here for the vibes. I don’t make the calls.”

Nina smiled, a little wistful. “Well… I don’t envy you. Going back to Cleveland will be dangerous. But for what it’s worth—good luck. To all of you.”

Zeke raised his cider mug. “Thanks, Ms. Lawyer lady.”

Joey beamed, his green eyes warm. “It w-was really good finally getting to m-meet you, Nina. You’re even prettier t-than I imagined.”

Nina laughed, her whole expression lighting up. “Likewise, Joey. And you’re just as adorable as I knew you would be.”

Joey smiled like the sun.

Darius just gave his old friend a respectful nod. “Thanks, Nina. We’ll need all the luck we can get. Considering...”

Nina held his gaze for a moment. “You and Joey… you’ve been through hell and somehow you’re both still standing. That gives me hope. I don’t know how, but you keep finding your way out of every mess you land in.”

That made Darius smirk a little. “We’re a good team. Or just stubborn.”

“Maybe both,” she said, drinking the last of her cider. “Well. Looks like we all have our work cut out for us.”

Darius turned toward Riley. “We’re leaving for Ohio in an hour. But… before we hit Cleveland, we’re making a stop in Warren first. Joey wants to check on his family. Last they heard, he was wanted for murder.”

That made Riley wince a bit. He paused for a long second, then finally said, “Alright. But make it brief. Your real work’s in Cleveland.”

Darius nodded once. “Agreed.”

Riley stood, brushing crumbs off his slacks, “Well, guess it’s back to the motel.” And then he turned and offered a gallant hand to Nina. “Could I walk you to your car? Assuming your heels don’t get you killed in that gravel.”

Blushing a faint and very alluring pink, Nina took his hand. “I’m trained for worse,” she said, and though flustered, she stood smoothly. “Besides, looks like I’ve got an escort now.”

As they descended the porch steps, Darius overheard Riley murmur, “The sandwiches were great, but I’m gonna be hungry again in like… two hours. There’s a diner near the motel that looks mostly clean. Want to risk dinner with me? We could… go over the case some more.”

Nina laughed, her response half-muffled by the wind and the distance.

Darius watched them go, the two of them strolling side by side back down the long driveway.

He felt something shift in his chest. Something soft.

In the thirteen years he’d known her, Nina had always chased the wrong men. Dangerous men. Him included. But maybe—maybe—this time, she’d found someone who’d chase her back.

He smiled, just a little, truly happy for the woman. That had gone exceptionally well.

And now, it was time to pack.

***

Zeke stood on the farmhouse porch with Joey and Darius, watching the lawyer and the agent walk down the gravel drive together. Their heads were close, their laughter drifting back on the cool October breeze.

He shifted his weight impatiently. “So... we packing up or what?”

Darius didn’t turn at first. He stood there with his arms crossed, watching the pair disappear like he wasn’t ready to move yet. But then, finally, he exhaled and nodded. “Yeah. We should pack. If we head out now, we’ll hit Ohio by early afternoon tomorrow.”

“Good.” Zeke touched his pocket as his phone buzzed again. Josh. Of course. He’d been texting like crazy for the past hour. Every five minutes, at least. Jesus, you little twink, Zeke thought with a fond smile. You’re gonna vibrate a hole in my thigh if you don’t chill. “I’ll help you drive if you want. As long as I’ve got GPS, I’m good.”

“That’d be helpful,” Darius muttered, already turning toward the house. “Been behind the wheel this whole damn trip.”

“Hey!” Joey chimed in, indignant. “I c-could’ve helped. I just need GPS too. I m-mean… I can’t exactly read the road signs, o-obviously.”

Darius shot him a tired smirk. “Maybe we all take turns. Switch off so we can sleep in shifts.”

At the base of the stairs, Zeke peeled off. “I’ll grab my stuff. Won’t take me long.”

Darius nodded. “We don’t have much either. Just the one bag.” He paused. “Let’s meet back down here in a couple minutes. We’ll say goodbye to Bo and Dolly before we go.”

Another buzz in Zeke’s pocket. He winced. Josh again. Calm down, baby. “Yeah, I’ll be quick.”

He bounded up the stairs and ducked into the little guest room. The second he shut the door behind him, he yanked out his phone and scanned the screen.

Twelve messages. Josh had really lost it.

The last one read, in all caps:

“CALL ME RIGHT NOW ZEKE WTF I’M FREAKING OUT PLEASE”

Zeke hit the call button without a second thought.

Josh answered before the first ring had even finished. “Zeke?! Oh my God, finally—”

“What’s going on?” Zeke sat heavily on the edge of the bed. “You okay?”

“I had a dream,” Josh panted, voice high and wrecked. “I made a delivery for Ronnie this morning, came home, then I took a nap—big mistake. I took some pills from my buddy, Danny, and I think they messed me up, because holy shit…”

“What dream?” Zeke asked, trying to keep the worry out of his voice.

“I was in court, like, like how it’s gonna be tomorrow—and then the lawyers, the judge, they all started turning into demons. Their eyes went black. Their voices changed, turned evil. The ceiling started melting and the walls turned to fire and they said I was going to hell—jail, I mean, but it was hell! The handcuffs burned my skin, and the other inmates had no faces, just screaming mouths—”

“Okay, okay,” Zeke cut in. “That’s… vivid.”

“I don’t wanna go back, Zeke.” Josh’s voice cracked. “I’ll take it like a man, if I have to, I won’t cry. I never cry. But that dream…” He paused, gulping air. “Fuck, it messed me up. I wish—I just wish you were here. I need a hug, man.”

Zeke’s whole heart softened. Suddenly, he didn’t care what Joey had warned him about earlier, about Josh’s failed romances. Didn’t care about Vinnie’s guys or Darius’s paranoia. Josh needed him.

“Hold that thought,” he said, smiling.

Josh sniffled. “Huh?”

“Tomorrow, it’ll come true. The hug. I guarantee it.”

A pause.

“…What?”

Zeke laughed. “Me, Darius, and Joey—we’re coming back to Ohio. We’ve got business in Cleveland, but we’ll reach Warren by morning. Probably while you’re in court.”

The line went completely silent.

Then—

“No fuckin’ way,” Josh breathed.

“I was gonna keep it a surprise, but…” Zeke shrugged, his smile widening. “You need me. And I’m not playing around, baby. I’m coming for you.”

There was a long, shuddery sigh on the other end.

“…Can we do a video call?” Josh asked, voice small and raw. “I—I wanna see you. Now.”

“Baby…” Zeke groaned. “I would love to see your gorgeous face, but I’m right in the middle—”

“ZEKE! LET’S GO!”

Zeke’s voice faded as Darius’s voice boomed from downstairs.

Shit.

“I—I can’t,” Zeke said quickly. “I gotta go.”

“Don’t hang up! Zeke—!”

Click.

Zeke grabbed his duffel bag by the door—opened just once for a fresh pair of underwear and his toothbrush—shouldered it, and tore down the stairs.

By the time he reached the front hall, Joey was hugging Dolly, sobbing and Dolly was crying too, bless her. She wiped her eyes with her apron as Bo, right beside her, shook Darius’s hand, looking strangely serene, an expression that seemed foreign on his harsh, weathered face.

Zeke stopped at the bottom step—

BZZZ! BZZZZZZZ!

A sharp ringtone shattered the moment. Not Zeke’s usual vibrate for messages. No—this was the tone for a video call.

Zeke froze as everyone turned to stare at him.

The phone kept ringing. And ringing.

Finally, in a panic, Zeke fumbled in his back pocket, yanking the phone out to silence it. The screen was lit up. Josh Balas – Video Call Incoming.

Zeke nearly dropped it, then—“Shit!” He hit the wrong button by mistake.

“Zeke! What the fuck?!” Josh’s voice blared from the tiny speakers right before Zeke smashed the end call button and finally silenced the device.

In the resounding quiet, Darius stared at Zeke from across the hall, his eyes narrowed. “Was that… Joey’s brother?”

Zeke’s soul left his body. “Nope!”

But Darius lurched forward and ripped the phone right out of his hands. His jaw clenched when he saw the screen, still lit up.

“You’ve been talking to Joey’s brother—someone we know is probably being watched by Vinnie’s crew?”

Zeke flushed scarlet. “Look, I—I didn’t mean—”

“This is a direct threat to our mission!” Darius shouted. “How much did you tell him, Zeke? What if he tells someone about your conversations? What if the Vinnie gets wind of it? I mean, what the hell were you thinking?!”

“That I like him alright!” Zeke blurted. “We’ve been talking since Joey wanted to do that video chat the other day. And I think—I know I’m catching feels, okay?”

Another deafening ring. Zeke’s phone. Another video call. Josh again.

And without hesitation, Darius slammed the phone against the wall so it exploded into sparks and plastic.

“No!” Zeke cried. “Josh—he needed to talk to me! You didn’t have to do that! Nobody was going to find out! And he wasn’t going to tell anybody about our conversations, they were all private!”

“We can’t risk it,” Darius snapped. “’Sides… you’ll meet lover boy tomorrow when we get to Warren—”

Suddenly, he stopped talking, turned—and looked at Joey.

Joey blinked. “W-what?”

“Did you asked to go back to Warren for your benefit… or Zeke’s?”

Joey hesitated.

Too long.

His eyes darted around nervously, obvious, way too obvious. “Umm…mine?”

“You lied to me again,” Darius growled. “You knew they were talking.”

“I—I just found out they were talking. Like just this m-morning,” Joey insisted, his eyes immediately filling with tears. “I t-tried my best to talk Zeke out of it, t-trust me. But it…didn’t work. Zeke asked me to h-help get him to Warren, fast, and y-you’re right, I agreed to help him, but when I asked you, I j-just talked about my f-family and about how much I want to see the k-kids on Halloween. I misled you, b-but that last part wasn’t a lie. I do want to see my family. B-badly.”

Darius let out a long, worn sigh. The fury slowly faded from his face.

Bo and Dolly stood watching them, their eyes shifting from face to face, uncertain.

“Let’s take this outside,” Darius muttered.

Joey wiped his face and nodded, following him at once. Zeke followed, quieter now, dragging his feet a bit.

At the car, Darius opened the trunk and dropped his and Joey’s bag inside. Zeke tossed his in behind it and lingered.

“I’m sorry, man,” Zeke said softly. “I wasn’t trying to sabotage anything. I just… I haven’t felt like this in a long time. Not since that disaster we had together four years ago.”

Darius gave him a long look. Then, with a sigh, he clapped a hand on Zeke’s shoulder. “I forgive you.” He muttered, “I’m just so goddamn sick of tapped phones.”

“Fair.”

“C’mon,” Darius grumbled. “Let’s hit the road.”

Joey was already in the front passenger seat, looking pale and withdrawn. Zeke slid into the back, slumping behind him.

Darius got in last and started the engine. The car was deathly silent as they pulled away from the farmhouse, the only sound the gravel crunching beneath the tires.

Zeke glanced out the back window, watching the little house grow smaller in the distance. Then, two black unmarked FBI cars fell in line behind them, cutting off the lingering view of the Hargrove farm as they trailed protectively in the hybrid’s wake.

Zeke’s heart twisted.

Josh must be losing his mind.

And now there was nothing Zeke could do. No phone. No way to reach out.

He sighed and leaned back, eyelids drooping. He was pretty tired. Might as well get some rest before he had to take over driving. The yard work had kicked his ass. He wasn’t used to that kind of labor—his dad always paid some guy to mow their stupid square of grass in Folly Beach.

But as his body relaxed into the seat, his mind wandered…

Josh. In his arms. On the sand. A surfboard under their feet, the Atlantic sparkling behind them.

Soon, he thought. Tomorrow, I’ll hold him for real.

Zeke smiled to himself, his eyes fluttering shut.

He let the quiet hum of the road rock him to sleep, dreaming of ocean spray and Josh’s hands in his hair.