Stumptown Read online

  “So, what do you like to do?” Dean asked.

  Justus must have looked shocked and a bit wide-eyed. Dean’s expression changed in a flash to embarrassment.

  “I mean for fun,” he blurted. “Besides your work.”

  “Oh,” Justus laughed and relaxed. He was not averse to telling him what he was into but it was a little soon. “I don’t know. Working full-time keeps me pretty busy. I do like coming here and watching people. What about you?”

  “Aside from working, I like dancing—though I’m not very good at it. I also like camping and fishing, but I don’t get to do that very often.”

  “Where do you go camping?”

  “Central Oregon mostly but Mount Hood and sometimes over on the coast, depending on the weather and my mood. You ever go camping?”

  “Once with my family,” Justus answered. “We went to the Wilson River. It rained nearly the whole time. I slept in the car while the rest of my family slept in the tent. I hated it.”

  “Well, you should give it another chance. Maybe with the right company you might find you like it,” Dean said and gave Justus a suggestive look.

  “I might have to do that,” Justus said. The more Dean talked the more Justus found himself opening up to the idea that he could be fun.

  “Would it be too forward of me to ask, would you like to get out of here?”

  “That depends, where did you have in mind?”

  “I have a place not too far from here. . .”

  “Sounds good.” Justus gulped down the rest of his drink and looked across the club when he stood up. Dale and his new friend were gone. Marcus was nowhere to be seen either.

  Dean put his arm around Justus’ waist and led him out of the club. The night air was cold but Justus could feel the warmth from Dean’s body. They headed down Stark Street toward SW 9th Avenue. When they reached the corner, Dean escorted Justus across Stark. Justus could see his car parked ahead in the middle of the block on 9th. When they reached the sidewalk, Dean turned back up Stark and stopped in front of a doorway.

  “Here?” Justus asked, sounding surprised. He looked over his shoulder at the front door of Stumptown across the street.

  “Yeah, I have an apartment on the top floor,” Dean said while he keyed a security code on the touch pad. The door buzzed and clicked. Dean opened it.

  “That’s pretty convenient,” Justus said while they waited for the elevator.

  “Yeah, makes it easy to get to work every day.”

  “So, do you live here permanently?”

  “No, I have a house in Bend. I’m only renting this place while I’m working in town.”

  The elevator car arrived and the doors opened. Dean held out his hand inviting Justus to enter.

  “How long is that?” Justus continued their conversation.

  “Another eight months to a year. It’s a pretty big job,” Dean answered and pushed the button for the top floor.

  The elevator stopped on the ninth floor and the doors opened. The hallway was not unlike the hallway in Dale’s building. It was fairly wide, enough room for three or four people to walk side-by-side. Nice, shiny, dark-stained wooden doors were spaced out along the walls but none directly across from the other.

  Dean led Justus toward the southeast corner. He unlocked the door and opened it. He stepped inside and turned on the lights. Justus entered. Dean’s apartment was decorated in a surprisingly comfortable style. Harrison would love this. Justus smiled when thought of his friend and landlord. Dean’s living room was small but nice. A sofa, coffee table, and chair were set up facing a large flat-screen TV. There were two windows on the east wall that overlooked 9th Avenue near Washington Street. Not the most exciting of views.

  When Dean closed the door, it locked with a loud click. Justus turned around. Dean approached him with a smile on his lips and sparkle in his dark-brown eyes. He took Justus in his arms and leaned in for a kiss. Justus turned his head.

  “No kissing,” he said as Dean’s lips pressed against his cheek.

  Dean quickly pulled back but still held Justus in his embrace. “Why’s that?”

  “It complicates things,” Justus answered.

  “Oh, okay,” Dean said. Justus could hear the disappointment in Dean’s tone.

  “Not on the lips.”

  Dean smiled. He leaned in and pressed his lips against Justus’ neck.

  Justus felt his knees go weak.

  Chapter Two

  Justus woke the next morning with the sun shining in his face and Dean’s warm breath against his back. What have I done? He never stayed the night. One-night stand was only a term. It did not really mean he actually stayed the whole night. He was supposed to leave once the deed was done and they both were satisfied. How did this happen?

  Justus started to get up but felt Dean’s strong arm squeeze him tighter, pinning him to the bed.

  Oh, dear God, now what? He relaxed and lay still. Dean continued to sleep and snuggle Justus’ back.

  The digital clock on the nightstand beside the bed blinked away the minutes.

  This is all Harrison’s fault. If he would allow me to bring guests home, none of this would happen. I’d make sure they left.

  Why did I let Dean talk me into cuddling afterward? Cuddling, like kissing, never ends well.

  The clock blinked 9:00 A.M. and a buzzer blared. Justus jumped and so did Dean. He rolled over on top of Justus and palmed the clock, shutting off the alarm.

  Justus lay on his back looking up at the man on top of him. Dean’s dark-brown, gray-streaked hair was mussed. His brown eyes were half-open. He smiled and Justus could not help but smile back all the while wishing Dean would get off him.

  “Morning,” Dean said and lowered his head.

  Justus quickly turned his and Dean planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Dean’s chin felt rough against Justus’ smooth skin.

  “Morning,” Justus said and squirmed. “Gotta pee.”

  “Oh.” Dean quickly moved and let Justus go. “First door on the left,” he called as Justus pulled his shirt over his head while hurrying away.

  Alone in the bathroom, Justus stared at his reflection in the mirror. “You stupid, stupid idiot, how are you going to get away?” An idea flashed in his mind. He flushed the toilet for effect and returned to the bedroom.

  “I’m sorry,” he apologized and began to dress quickly. “I forgot I have a family thing at, what time is it?”

  “A little after nine,” Dean answered while he lay on his side, propped up on his elbow, watching Justus.

  “At ten,” Justus continued his lie. “I’ll have just enough time to get home, shower and change clothes. . .”

  “You could shower here,” Dean offered.

  “As tempting as that sounds, I really need clean clothes.”

  “Okay,” Dean relented, seemingly buying Justus’ fib. He threw back the covers and pulled on his bathrobe. Justus caught a glimpse of Dean’s buff body and for a moment felt a bit of regret for wanting to leave. Dean met Justus at the bedroom door. “I’m glad you spent the night. It was nice holding you.”

  Justus smiled and felt anxiety growing in his chest. “It was nice,” he said for lack of something better to say.

  They walked to the apartment door.

  “Can we do this again?” Dean asked. “I really enjoyed it.”

  “Sure,” Justus heard himself answer before he realized what he had said.

  “Great, I’ll call you later then,” Dean said and gave Justus a hug before letting him leave.

  Call me later? Did I give him my phone number? Damn, did I lose my mind? I’ve broken all my rules.

  Justus hurried to his car and once safely inside, relaxed. Dean, you were great but, see ya.

  Twenty-five minutes later, Justus parked his car by the curb in front the old Portland Craftsman house he shared with his friend and co-worker Harrison Andrews. Actually, it was Harrison’s house and Justus had sort of made himself at home there a year ago when he was as
ked to house-sit. However it happened, this was now home.

  The morning paper was still on the front porch. He picked it up and then decided it was better to leave it and let Harrison get it. Explaining why he brought it in would be too complicated. Normally he would be in his bedroom upstairs, asleep until nearly noon.

  Quietly he slid his key into the lock on the front door and gave it a turn. The heavy wooden door creaked softly when Justus opened it. He cringed and hoped Harrison would not hear. Closing the door behind him, he locked the dead bolt and turned around.

  “Well, you’re a little late,” Harrison greeted him from the dining room.

  Justus yelled and jumped back into the door, hitting his head.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” Harrison apologized and covered his grin with his hand. “So, just getting home?”

  “Don’t ask,” Justus grumbled. He rubbed the back of his head and walked over to the table. “Coffee ready?”

  “Of course,” Harrison answered and turned around. “It’s in the kitchen.”

  Justus followed his housemate into the kitchen. Harrison was older than Justus by nearly ten years. I wonder how old Dean is? From the back, they could be twins, except Dean has muscles. Harry’s a desk jockey. Their hair is about the same color though—oh God, do I have a daddy fixation? No, Harry’s too young to be my daddy, but—

  Stop it! Stop thinking like that. That’s gross.

  “Is something wrong?” Harrison asked while he scooped up scrambled eggs and put them on a platter.

  “No, just thinking too much,” Justus answered. He grabbed his favorite mug, the one that held nearly two cups, from the cupboard and filled it with coffee, leaving enough room for his sweet cream. Opening the fridge, he did not see it. “Creamer?”

  “It’s on the table,” Harrison answered.

  Justus took his coffee and walked around the island in the center of the kitchen. Col. Mustard, Harrison’s orange cat, glanced up at him and then returned to eating his own breakfast.

  When Justus reached for the cream pitcher in the middle of the table, he noticed the two place settings. He knew the second one was not meant for him since he always sat across from Harrison at the other end of the table.

  “Company?” he asked when Harrison set the platter on the table.

  “Yes, Doug is washing up.”

  Justus grinned. “Oh, I see,” he said in a suspicious tone.

  “No, it’s not like that. Doug only dropped by this morning.”

  “Uh-huh,” Justus continued to tease. “It’s okay if you two want the house to yourselves for a bit. I can find something to do. . .”

  “Sit down,” Harrison said in an exasperated tone. “I’ll get you a plate.”

  “I thought I heard your voice,” Douglas said when he walked into the dining room.

  “Morning, handsome,” Justus greeted. Douglas was more to his tastes: rugged and firm body, slightly graying ginger hair on his head and chest, and the hottest blue eyes. Plus, he was straight, a challenge. Justus had to remind himself that Douglas was Thomas’ friend.

  “Morning to you too, dear,” Douglas teased back.

  “Don’t encourage him,” Harrison said, before returning to the kitchen.

  “Just get in?” Douglas asked. He grabbed the back of the chair to the right of Harrison’s and leaned against it.

  Justus could not help looking at Douglas’ big hands. For a moment he was lost in his head and then realized he was staring.

  “Oh, yeah,” Justus answered and shrugged a bit.

  “Thought you had a rule about spending the night with someone?”

  “I do,” Justus answered and shook his head. “Believe me, it wasn’t on purpose. Chalk it up to too much to drink.”

  “I see.” Douglas pulled out his chair and sat down when Harrison returned with a plate of toast and another place setting.

  He handed the plate and silverware across the table to Justus. Justus jumped up and took them and set them down. He was not really hungry. In fact, he felt a little nauseated, but he enjoyed looking at Douglas.

  “So, how are your friends?” Harrison asked.

  “Okay, I guess,” Justus answered. He watched the two of them dish up their breakfast and decided he would have a piece of toast after all.

  “That didn’t sound good,” Douglas spoke up. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing—well, Dale is worried because Jack is missing.”

  “What?” Harrison’s fork slipped from his fingers and fell onto his plate with a loud clank.

  “Dear God, not again,” Douglas gasped. He and Harrison exchanged looks.

  “No, no, it’s not like Thomas,” Justus said, remembering the ordeal Harrison and Douglas had gone through nearly a year ago. “Jack was at the club on Valentine’s Day and he left with some guy, at least we think he did.”

  “How is that not like Thomas?” Harrison asked. Justus could hear the fear in his voice.

  “I don’t know, because he’s here and not in Ellensburg?” Justus could not help notice the way Douglas closed his eyes when he said the name of the coastal Oregon town. It had slipped his mind that Douglas’ wife Barbara had been murdered by the crooked cops in that town. “I’m sorry,” he apologized.

  Douglas did not respond, apparently lost in a memory.

  “So, wha—Why do you think he’s missing?” Harrison asked.

  “Dale,” Justus started again but kept an eye on Douglas. “He’s a friend from high school—”

  “Yes, we know,” Harrison urged.

  “Well, he and Jack are neighbors. Last night Dale mentioned he hadn’t seen Jack in a long time. Marc—”

  Harrison nodded that he and Douglas knew who Marcus was.

  “Marcus told us he called Jack’s work and was informed that Jack hadn’t been in in two weeks and was about to lose his job.”

  “Is this normal for him?” Harrison asked.

  Justus shrugged. “Dale didn’t think so. He’s really worried.”

  “So why are you so upset? I mean, he sounds like he’s more Dale’s friend than yours,” Harrison asked.

  “I think I was the last one of the group to see him. So the guys think I should be the one to go to the police.” Justus looked at Douglas. He sat staring at his coffee, not eating or saying a word.

  “Do you want me to go with you?” Harrison asked, but the tone of his voice seemed to beg Justus to say no.

  “Nah, I think I can do it on my own. Besides, you two probably need some alone time.” He smirked, looking at Douglas but Douglas did not react. “Are you okay?” Justus reached across the table and touched Douglas’ hand.

  Douglas looked at him. His blue eyes were shiny with tears. He forced a smile and nodded.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you,” Justus said.

  “You didn’t,” Douglas answered with a gravelly voice.

  After a few more awkward attempts at conversation, Justus apologized to Douglas again for mentioning Ellensburg. He poured a fresh cup of coffee, excused himself and went upstairs.

  Moments later, standing in the upstairs shower with hot water pouring over his body, he played back in his mind what had happened downstairs. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why did you have to bring up Ellensburg? That was so insensitive. After a rather long shower and an even longer self-reprimand, Justus dressed and came back down the stairs.

  “You’re still here?” he said when he saw Douglas and Harrison sitting in the living room. The TV in the corner was on but Justus did not recognize the program.

  “I was about to ask you the same thing,” Douglas fired back. His mood seemed to have lifted and he was back to his teasing self.

  “Well, I’m leaving,” Justus answered.

  “Hey, I was meaning to ask you how that old car of yours is running?” Douglas asked.

  “Fine, it works great, no problems. Thanks again for fixing it.”

  “Anytime,” Douglas answered. “If you ever go to trade it in, let me take a
look at it to be sure it’s in tip-top shape.”

  “That’s not gonna happen for a long time. When dad gave it to me, he called it a family heirloom. So I’m stuck with the beast until either it falls apart or dad dies, knock on wood.” Justus knocked on the wall.

  “You do know that’s plaster,” Douglas teased.

  Justus looked at the wall.

  “Speaking of your parents, how do they like Arizona?” Harrison asked.

  “Dad loves it. He plays golf every day. Mom hates it. She misses my sister and me.”

  “Have you ever thought about visiting them, maybe permanently?” Harrison teased even though his tone sounded serious. At least Justus thought he was teasing.

  “Oh, hell no! They have snakes, scorpions, and big creepy bugs down there.” Justus shuddered. “Plus, I’d hate to leave you. You need me.” He gave Harrison an air kiss.

  “Like a bad headache,” Harrison muttered under his breath.

  “Before you go,” Douglas spoke up. “Do you know where your friend Jack lives?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “Well, if he lives in the city, you should go to the Portland police. If he’s outside the city limits and in Multnomah County, you would want to go to the sheriff’s office.”

  “Oh,” Justus answered and then furrowed his brow, a telltale sign that he was searching the files in his head. “He lives near NW 22nd and Flanders.”

  “City Police then,” Harrison and Douglas said at the same time.

  “You should try the police station at the jail building downtown,” Harrison suggested.

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because the policewoman at the one close to work wasn’t too helpful last year.”

  “Okay.” Justus nodded.

  “Do you have a picture of Jack?” Douglas asked. “You’ll need to give them a recent one.”

  Justus pulled out his cell phone. “Got it.”

  “Good. Let us know how it goes and if you need anything, give me a call,” Harrison said.

  “Will do, dad,” Justus teased. “Now, you two behave yourselves. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”