Carol of the Bellskis (15 page)
Read Carol of the Bellskis Online
Authors: Astrid Amara
Lars Varga. He's staying here?”
Seth gulped. “What would make you think that?” He hoped to buy Lars enough time to
flee the building.
Adam Finch frowned at his phone. “Lars gave Nancy the number of this place the last time
he called, and said he could be reached here. Since I was in Vancouver to meet with a client this
afternoon, I thought we'd catch a bite and discuss the Ramirez file before I fly out tomorrow.”
Seth felt sweat trickle down his back, despite having the front door open and cold air
blasting in.
“Well, he's…” Seth breathed heavily. There was a loud laugh from the other room, and the
sound of glasses clinking together. “I don't know…”
“Hey, Adam.” Lars stepped out of the shadows and stood next to Seth. “Come in.” He
opened the door, his long arm stretching over Seth.
Adam smiled, clearly relieved. “I thought you were dead in a ditch somewhere. Why aren't
you taking your calls, man?”
Lars's expression was waxy. He smiled but was deathly pale. “I'm on vacation.”
Adam's eyebrows rose. “Really? You didn't say that when you left the meeting Thursday.”
“It was a last-minute decision. I left information with Nancy, though.”
Adam kept glancing at Seth and then back to Lars, confusion plain on his face.
“So you stayed here, then?”
Lars stared at him blankly.
“You…you stayed at this…kosher B and B this whole time?” Adam tried again.
Lars let out a long breath.
He put his arm around Seth's shoulder. Seth assumed he was attempting to look casual and
calm, but the fact that Lars was as white as a ghost and looked about to pass out ruined the effect.
“I stayed with Seth here,” Lars said, voice barely shaking. “It's his family's B and B, you
know.”
“Oh! How…nice of your family.” Adam's brows crumpled in confusion. He smiled, but it
was cold, and he looked like he didn't understand the language being spoken.
Carol of the Bellskis
93
Lars let out another breath and tried again. “I stayed with Seth because…well, we're
together, you know.”
“
Together
?” Adam croaked.
“Yeah. A couple.” Lars's voice was stronger, but he was trembling. Seth moved closer to
lend support. Seth tried to erase the glare he was giving Adam, challenging him to say the wrong
thing.
“I…I didn't know.” Adam shook his head and gave a false laugh. “
That
I didn't know.” He
shook his head again, forming and rejecting words. “What about Ella?” he asked finally.
Lars shrugged. “Just a friend.”
Adam wore a shocked expression. “Well, I…I guess I shouldn't interrupt your vacation.”
“I'll be in the office the day after tomorrow,” Lars said. “Give me a call about Ramirez
then.”
“Yes. All right.” Adam turned quickly.
“Drive safely,” Lars told him. Adam waved his hand stiffly.
“Bye,” Seth said.
As soon as the door shut, Lars noticeably slumped.
“
Fuck
. You actually did it.” Seth stared at Lars, awed.
“Yup.” Lars gave him a weak smile. “Okay, I'll be puking in the bathroom. Holler if you
need me…”
Seth grabbed his arm and pulled him back. He hugged Lars, who gripped him fiercely.
“I did it,” Lars whispered after a moment. “I can't fucking believe it.” He laughed a little.
“That was much harder than telling your aunt and uncle, by the way.”
“It gets easier the more you do it,” Seth promised him. “Trust me.”
“I do.” Lars's smile was steadier, and color had returned to his cheeks. “What about you?”
Seth frowned. “Me?”
“Do you trust me?” Lars swallowed. “You didn't, eight days ago.”
“I trust you. I forgive you. I love you.”
Lars breathed out a loud sigh of relief. “Then everything will work out just fine.”
94
Astrid Amara
* * * * *
“Yeah?”
“I've been thinking.”
The two of them lay on top of the Chuppah Room bedspread. They were packed, ready to
leave first thing in the morning. Dinner had been delicious and bittersweet, as the guests had all
grown fond of each other and didn't want to leave.
Even Seth found himself saying good-bye remorsefully. He let Doctor Mister lick his
fingers and exchanged mailing addresses with the Rosenbaums and the Siegels. Heidi and
Sharon had made Lars and Seth thank-you cards for rising to the task of running the B and B and
salvaging their Whistler holiday. Ben Berkowitz wept and promised eternal gratitude for saving
his dog's life.
But in the last evening of silence in the house, Seth's mind whirled, thinking about the
drive home alone tomorrow and the next day at the office.
“Are you going to tell me what you're thinking, or am I supposed to guess?” Lars raised an
eyebrow.
“It's about that study deal you've got going. I think I'll take you up on the offer.”
Lars's smile was genuine and wide. “Really?”
Seth smiled back. “Yeah. Assuming we both still have a place at Finch and Varga.”
Lars scoffed. “Hey. Like you said, it's my company too. And if it's too ugly at work, screw
them all. We'll get you through school and then start our
own
firm.”
“Varga and Bellski?” Seth laughed. “Doesn't have the same ring to it, I'm afraid.”
“It'll grow on us,” Lars promised.
Loose Id(R) Titles by Astrid Amara
A Policy of Lies
Carol of the Bellskis
Intimate Traitors
The Valde: Water
“Next of Kin”
Part of the anthology
Hell Cop
With Nicole Kimberling and Ginn Hale
“Trust Me”
Part of the anthology
Hell Cop 2
With Nicole Kimberling and Ginn Hale
Astrid Amara
Astrid Amara is the author of several gay science fiction/fantasy titles including the 2008
Lambda Literary Award Finalist novel,
The Archer's Heart
. She has lived in Maidenhead,
England, Jerusalem, Israel, and Bukhara Uzbekistan but decided to settle in Bellingham,
Washington because the rain improves her complexion.