Wow. Not ominous at all. “I don’t know.” Joe rubbed his hands over his face as he paced the living room. This was crazy. Helping the guy out one night was one thing, but letting him stay here until he recovered his memory? What if it didn’t happen? What if he was lying? Joe felt like a jerk for saying it, but he had to think about Bea, Donnie, and Elsie. Not to mention his customers. The last thing he wanted was for someone to get hurt because of him.
“I want to help you, I really do, but if you’re right and someone out there is trying to hurt you, how do I know they won’t come after me and my friends? I can’t let you, or anyone else, put them in danger.” He hated how the man deflated before him, but it was the right thing to do, wasn’t it? Maybe it would convince his new friend to speak to the proper authorities.
“I understand. You’ve done plenty for me already, and I’m grateful for that.” The guy walked over to the couch and sat to put on his boots before picking up his jacket and searching his pockets. He gave Joe a sincere smile that reached his eyes. He didn’t seem upset or even irritated that Joe was casting him out. “Thanks. I’ve gotten this far, right? I’ll be fine.” His expression turned to one of embarrassment. “I feel like a real jackass asking, but could you maybe spare a few dollars for something to eat? Looks like my memory isn’t the only thing missing.”
Oh for crying out loud. Before Joe could put any rational thought into it, he nodded. “Stay.” What was he doing? Was he nuts? He didn’t know the first thing about this man. The circumstances of how and where Joe had found him should’ve been enough for him to walk away from this mess. Actually, the mention of “dead” should have had Joe speed-dialing the cops, but something about the guy, the genuine look of vulnerability and distress, had all of Joe’s wires crossed.
“Really, Joe, it’s okay. You’re right. If I’m in danger, it’s possible I might bring that down on you.” He looked down at his knuckles and sighed. “From the looks of it, I can handle myself in a fight.”
“Yeah, because that worked so well the last time,” Joe muttered. “Look, it’s fine. All I ask is that you stay up here. No wandering outside or downstairs. Not until we know a little more about what’s going on. Deal?” Maybe if he kept his new friend out of sight for a while, they’d figure something out.
“Really?”
“Yes.” Joe held his hand out. “Have we got a deal?”
Joe stood stock-still as strong, muscular arms squeezed him tight. That, along with the feel of the guy’s breath against his skin, sent an unexpected tingle through Joe’s body. His new friend pulled away, his timid smile catching Joe off guard.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to get all touchy-feely on you. I’m just really grateful.” He headed back to the couch and the warmth Joe felt went with him. “Are you all right?”
Joe looked at him blankly. “Huh?”
“You were humming something, and you got this sort of faraway look in your eyes.” Despite the concern in his voice, the guy looked rather amused.
“Oh uh….” Fudgebunnies! It’s a little early for him to find out you’re a nutcase, Joe. Keep it together. “Sorry, my mind just wandered. It does that a lot. Don’t worry about earlier. Say, uh, we should probably think of what to call you, until you can remember your name.”
“Any suggestions?”
“Me?” Joe looked him over. Tall, handsome, rugged, thick biceps, and a nice full bottom lip. A name suddenly popped into his mind, making him smile. “Chris. Like that actor. You kinda look like him. Darker hair, though, and uh, not Australian.” He motioned to his bicep. “It’s the arms.” Wait, did he just say that? Now that he thought about it…. He cocked his head to one side and frowned. “Except you don’t look like a Chris. You look more like a Tom. Yeah, I like that better.”
“Um, okay. I remind you of Chris but look like a Tom. Tom it is, then.” Tom let out a husky laugh. He looked amused.
What had he gotten himself into? Joe felt himself grinning like an idiot. “All right, Tom. You sit tight and stay awake. I’m going to go downstairs to check on Bea and the kids, then I’ll get you something to eat, if you think your stomach’s up to it.” He’d started toward the door when Tom called out to him.
“I hate to be a pain, because you’ve done so much for me already, but can I ask a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Would you mind if I shaved, maybe had a shower? I don’t like looking like I just crawled out of the gutter. Even if that’s sort of what I did.”
At least Tom had a sense of humor.
“Right. Sorry, with everything going on, it slipped my mind to offer.” Joe crossed the living room into the hall to the small closet. He grabbed a couple of towels and tossed them at Tom on his way to the bedroom. He returned with a pair of pajama bottoms and the loosest T-shirt he owned. “Here you go. I’ll see about getting your clothes washed. We’re roughly the same size. Except for the shirt.” He motioned the span of his own far less muscular chest. “That’s the biggest size T-shirt I own, so it should fit.”