Every Shade by Nora Phoenix
5
Fifteen minutes later, Tris ushered Samuel into a restaurant that looked from the outside like it was closed. But once the door opened, it revealed a cozy-looking, if somewhat rundown, burger place. The smell of grease and bacon wrapped itself around Samuel, and his stomach rumbled in response.
"I know it doesn't look like much, but they have the best burgers in town," Tris said, and Samuel realized he was nervous about bringing him here.
That made sense, considering how Samuel was dressed and what he had told Tris about the restaurant Evan had planned to take him to. And Tris didn’t even know the truth about him yet. That would’ve probably intimidated him even more, which Samuel hated.
“I love burgers," he told him. "And I’m far hungrier than I realized, so thank you."
A sharp look from Tris had him cracking a smile. "Oops, didn't mean to thank you again."
Tris smiled back. "You're learning."
They were brought to their table by a fifty-something woman who took her time to welcome them with a genuine smile, despite the fact that every table in the place was full. She handed them menus, which were surprisingly simple, and said she’d be back in a few minutes to take their order.
"They don't have a lot of choices, but what they have is phenomenal," Tris said.
Samuel looked up from the menu he'd been studying. "How about I stop saying thank you and you stop defending your choice for this place? It's fine, Tris. I'm happy to be here, I swear."
Tris sent him an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. I feel like you might’ve expected more, what with what you and Evan are probably used to. I mean, look at how you’re dressed. That's not the attire of a man who is used to a place like this."
For a second, Samuel had been worried Tris had recognized him after all. That wouldn’t have been a big deal, but he felt relieved when he realized Tris had merely drawn conclusions from his suit and the mention of the restaurant. He lifted an eyebrow. "And here I was thinking that I asked you not to defend yourself anymore. Those restaurants, that was mostly Evan's choice. I won't deny I appreciate exquisite food, but I love a good burger just as much. Besides, do you have any idea how long it's been since I had greasy food like this?"
As if on cue, his stomach rumbled so loud that Tris chuckled. "Okay, point taken."
Samuel decided on a classic bacon cheeseburger, while Tris ordered a double one. After a slight hesitation, Samuel asked for unsweetened iced tea. He would've loved to order a beer, but after everything that had happened, adding alcohol to the mix didn’t seem smart.
"You can order a drink if you want to," Tris said, apparently picking up on his hesitation.
Samuel shot a quick look at the server who was patiently waiting for them to hash this out. "I'm not sure if alcohol is a smart idea right now."
"I promise you I won't drink, okay? You deserve a beer right now or whatever you want to order. I'll stay sober and make sure you get home safe."
Tris's face changed at that last word, as if he had realized something. Samuel frowned.
"Order your beer," Tris said. "I'll explain after."
Samuel stopped debating and gave in, ordering some craft beer he'd never heard of on recommendation from the server. "What was that look on your face?" he asked as soon as she had moved on.
"You and Evan, you were living together, right? Was that in his place or yours?" Tris asked, his face frighteningly serious.
"It's my apartment. I bought it when I moved out of my parents’ home Evan moved in with me. Why?"
Tris leaned forward. "So his name isn't on the deed?"
Samuel didn't know why, but something cold raced down his spine. What was Tris getting at? "No. I own it free and clear. He has a key, obviously." And then it hit him, and he gasped. "You think he's going to go home and do something to the apartment?"
"Look, I don't know. But considering what I know about Evan and how angry he was with you, I wouldn't rule it out. Do you have anything of value in there?"
Samuel felt the blood drain out of his face. Evan could walk right in. He had the key and the doorman knew him, would let him through without a second thought. He was on the approved visitors list, had been since shortly after they’d started dating.
“Oh god. You have no idea. I work from home a lot. My computer setup alone is a couple of grand, but I have much more. What do I do? I need to go home."
He was about to rise from his seat when Tris gently held his wrist. "I have an idea. You'll need new locks now that he's out, right?"
Samuel slowly nodded.
"I have a guy I work with all the time. I trust him completely. How about I call him and ask him to replace all the locks right now? Would that be okay with you? That way, if Evan shows up, you won't have to face him. Trust me, he won't mess with Law. That guy is six foot five of solid muscle."
"Law?"
Tris smiled. "Lawrence, but everybody calls him Law."
Samuel considered it, then decided it was a much better plan than going home himself and maybe facing a furious Evan. "I'd appreciate that." He barely held back the thank you, but Tris's quick smile showed he'd picked up on it.
"Let me make a quick call," Tris said. Within seconds, he had placed the call, and Samuel experienced a strange nervousness as he waited for it to connect. What if this guy didn't have time? Should he call the cops? They would never come, would they? Not without knowing for certain Evan had something planned. Well, maybe if he dropped his name. He hated doing that, but it usually worked. Luckily, he wouldn't have to make that choice, because Tris started talking.
Within minutes, he had arranged for Law to stop by the burger place to get Samuel's keys, then head over to his apartment and change the locks. Samuel agreed to all of it, happily providing him with the address.
"Law, you may want to bring your brother. You may run into trouble with an angry ex-boyfriend."
Samuel couldn't hear Law’s reaction, but Tris snickered. "Glad to provide the entertainment, dude. Thank you."
Samuel raised his eyebrows in a wordless question. "Law said he had a shitty day and was itching for some trouble," Tris explained. "I think he's hoping Evan will show up. Law is one of those guys who can fix anything, and his brother Rab is a football coach. Between the two of them, Evan doesn't stand a chance."
Samuel wondered for a few seconds what would happen if Evan did try something with these two brothers, then decided that he really didn't give a shit. If he were honest, he was hoping Evan would show up as much as Law, probably.
“I need to call the doorman and let him know not to let Evan in anymore. It won’t keep him out completely, as the doorman is on a schedule that Evan knows, but he needs to be informed anyway,” he said.
Tris nodded. “Go ahead. Smart thinking. Tell him to let Law in as well.”
Samuel’s call was done in under a minute, the doorman responding with nothing but professional courtesy. No wonder, they paid a fortune for that service. He ended the call, determined to focus on something else.
"Tell me about your current project," he said to Tris. "What are you building right now?"
When their burgers came, Tris was still talking about the renovation of a former orphanage in Queens that was being transformed into apartments. It was easy to hear his enthusiasm for this project, and after seeing some pictures on his phone, Samuel could totally understand why.
Conversation flowed easily as they ate, only interrupted when a towering giant of a man popped up next to their table. Tris hadn't been kidding about Law. The man looked like he could wrestle in the WWE. Samuel quickly handed off his keys, and Law promised he would text them as soon as he got to Samuel’s place.
The food was delicious, and Samuel was nursing the last few swallows of his second beer as he pushed the plate back, leaving only a few fries. "Oh my god, you weren't kidding about the food. Best burger ever. I'm so stuffed."
That made Tris beam, a strangely endearing expression on a man his size. He was such a bear, all big on the outside but with a soft inside, Samuel was discovering. "Glad you liked it."
Samuel emptied his beer, enjoying the slight buzz in his head. He didn't usually drink a lot, since it tended to affect him, but if there ever was a day to get absolutely plastered, it would be today. He looked around the restaurant, spotting several couples who were holding hands. Of course, it was still Valentine's Day.
God, what a clusterfuck this day had turned out to be. Instead of a proposal, he was sitting here with a guy he’d met only hours before. Still, he had to admit that dinner had been a resounding success. Obviously not in the category of a romantic proposal, but then again, after what he had learned about how Evan had pulled the wool over his eyes, he doubted he would ever think about proposals the same way again. Fool me once and all that shit.
"Do you want another beer?" Tris asked.
"I really shouldn't. I'm a lightweight when it comes to alcohol," Samuel said with a laugh.
Tris's phone rang, and he picked up after a glance at the screen. "What's up?"
He listened for a little bit, then held out the phone to Samuel. "The cops need to talk to you," he said, sending him an encouraging look.
The cops? What the hell had happened? With a trembling hand, Samuel accepted the phone. "This is Samuel Norris."
"This is Officer Daniels from the NYPD. Can you confirm you're the owner of the apartment on East 66th Street?”
"Yes, sir, that's my apartment."
“Your locksmith called 911 because someone was trying to force entry into the apartment while he was replacing the locks. The intruder claims he lives here, but your doorman says you’ve removed him from the visitors list. According to his driver's license, his name is Evan McLeod. Do you know this person?"
Samuel grabbed Tris's hand, somehow needing the reassurance. God, he was regretting that second beer now. "Yes, sir. That's my ex-boyfriend. We broke up, and I had the locks changed."
"I understand. Mr. McLeod claims he still has your permission to access the apartment. Is that correct?"
"No, sir. He does not. He needs to pick up his stuff at some point, but not unannounced," Samuel said, not knowing where he got the balls to be this resolute.
"Okay. Hang on one minute while I talk to him."
The call was muted and Samuel waited with bated breath to see what would happen next. With the cops there, there really wasn't much that Evan could do. Then again, today had taught him that he really didn't know Evan all that well, so there was no predicting what he would or wouldn't try.
It took a few minutes before the cop returned to the phone. "Mr. McLeod claims he has personal belongings in the apartment that he needs right now. He says the breakup was unexpected for him, and that according to the law, he should be allowed to pick up his belongings."
Samuel rolled his eyes. Of course he would cite the law, ever the lawyer. His eyes met Tris’s, and an idea popped into his head. "He has permission, but I want him supervised at all times. He is not to take anything that doesn't belong to him."
"That sounds like a smart strategy," the cop said, and Samuel couldn't help but feel the man was on his side.
No wonder, since cops and lawyers didn't exactly get along. Plus, Evan had been caught trying to force his way into the apartment, apparently. That had to set some bad blood with the cops in the first place. Then there was Samuel’s last name, of course, which the cop had no doubt recognized by now. With the generous donations his parents made every year to several NYPD charities, that had to count for something as well. Tris might not know who Samuel was, but that cop sure did.
"You need to give us some guidance on what he can take, then," the cop said.
And Samuel didn't know why he had never realized it, but it sank in that everything in that apartment was his. How had he never noticed that Evan hadn't contributed at all? Sure, he had pitched in for groceries or takeout every now and then, but not for any purchases like furniture or even something as small as towels or kitchen utensils. Every single thing in that apartment was Samuel’s, and that was sobering as much as sad. How had he not seen how unhealthy and weird that was? It wasn't normal when two people lived together.
"Mr. Norris?" the cop asked, and Samuel realized he'd been lost in thought.
"I'm sorry. He's only to take his own clothes and toiletries. The books on the nightstand are his, and he can clear out the fridge and take all the food from the cupboards for all I care. But all the furniture, all the equipment, including everything electronic, is mine. Please do not allow him to touch the computer setup in my work room."
"Crystal clear. Do you want to stay on the line while we do the walk-through with him?"
Samuel opened his mouth to answer, but then he waited because he heard voices in the background.
"Your locksmith is offering to stay here until Mr. McLeod is done grabbing all his stuff. That way, you wouldn't have to stay on the line. Would that work for you?"
Samuel breathed out with relief. "That works for me very well. Thank you, officer. I apologize for the inconvenience."
"You're welcome. Life would be so much easier if people respected the word no, right?" the officer said, and if that didn't sum up the whole situation perfectly, Samuel didn't know what did.
He ended the call and then looked at Tris. "On second thought, I want to get blindly drunk."
