Page 36 of Doubting Hearts

“So what’s Toby’s part in all of this—why does Neil want to mess him up?”

Lucas shrugged. “He thinks Toby’s the one who convinced her to dump him, especially after that incident in the car park.” His face darkened.

“Rain, he doesn’t really need an excuse. Tammy told me Neil has never really taken to Toby because he knew Toby couldn’t stand the sight of him. And there’s something else too about his dislike of Toby, but I don’t know what it is.” He huffed in frustration.

“Does Toby know about this threat?” I felt a little perturbed. Toby hadn’t mentioned anything to me if he did know.

Lucas nodded. “He knows.”

“Lucas, what the hell is it?” I was starting to get worried now. “Some dude’s threatening to bash my boyfriend, and I think you know something about it.”

“Toby didn’t want me to tell you. I thought you should know, but he made me promise not to.” Lucas shifted uncomfortably.

“Lucas….” I was ready to explode.

He scowled. “Toby’s been getting these phone calls. Someone threatening to beat him up, calling him names, insulting him. Stuff like that.”

“So why the hell didn’t he tell me?” I was really pissed off now I was also scared for Toby.

Lucas shrugged. “He didn’t want to worry you. He says he can take care of himself.”

I threw my hands in the air. “Maybe against one of them. He can be a real nasty little sod I think when he wants to be, but if there’s more than one, he won’t stand a chance. You, Mr. Karate Black Belt, I don’t need to worry about. Christ, Lucas, someone should have told me.”

I stalked around the room excitedly as I assimilated what I’d just been told. “That’s the reason he keeps changing his number. He told me he kept getting harassed by some really persistent telesales people. I should have known better. And the other thing I don’t understand is why someone isn’t coming after you rather than him. You’re the one Tammy’s diddling, for God’s sake.”

Lucas sighed, not taking the bait. “This isn’t really about me and Tammy being together. And he knows I’d take him on and beat him to a pulp in a heartbeat. It’s about him thinking Toby split them up and whatever else he has against Toby in that tiny brain of his. Toby said you’d get all upset. That’s why he hasn’t told you.”

“But the two of you sit and talk about it like old buddies, though.” I turned and spat the words at him, my fear and frustration getting the better of me. “You two have had this whole bromance going and just left me out of what’s going on. I have a right to know about it, Lucas. Toby’s mine, not yours.”

“I didn’t think I belonged to anybody, actually,” were the quiet words from the doorway. Toby stood there, Tammy wide-eyed at his side. His face was set, his jaw tense.

I waved a hand. “Semantics, you know what I mean. Tammy, did you know what was going on, that your ex has threatened to beat him up?”

Tammy moved into the room. Her expression was slightly threatening as she looked at Lucas. He met her gaze calmly. She looked exasperated. “No, I didn’t.” Tammy swung around to look at Toby, who’d moved forward and was watching me with a strange expression on his face. “Toby, why didn’t you tell me about this?”

“Because it’s nobody’s business but my own,” he said. “I can take care of myself. I’m not going to worry about it until something happens. Neil’s a coward. He’s highly unlikely to make good on any of his threats.” His face darkened, and I wondered what threats had been made. “And don’t blame Lucas, either of you. I asked him to keep it quiet.” His voice was wry. “Although it seems like the cat is now out of the proverbial bag.”

Lucas shook his head. “I’m sorry. But I’m not good at keeping secrets.”

Toby nodded, smiling. “I noticed.”

I stared at my lover fiercely. “Toby, are you taking this seriously? You know Neil’s background. He’s a bloody bully, and he and those mates of his are known for causing trouble.” I moved over to my boyfriend as he watched me carefully. “The last thing I need is you getting bloody beaten up.” My voice caught.

He smiled at me sympathetically. “Rain, nothing’s going to happen. I’m careful, I watch out for myself, I promise. It’s not the first time this has happened to me.”

I looked into those green eyes, with their golden flecks. “Maybe you should tell the police you’re getting threats.”

He snorted loudly. “No fucking way.”

“I agree with Rain.” Tammy took Toby’s arm. “Let them know about it. Maybe Sergeant Webber can have a word with Neil. Tell him to back off.”

Toby laughed cynically. “Tell Sergeant Davey Webber that a gay man is getting threats from a man whose dad said policeman knows personally and is very thick with? I think not. That will just make things worse. Webber isn’t a fan of mine.” His voice hardened.

I looked at him in disbelief. “You pissed off the police?”

He moved away from me and didn’t answer.

His voice was harsh when he finally replied. “Suffice it to say he isn’t a fan of fags. The police are supposed to be nonjudgmental, but I can assure you he isn’t.” He swung around, a look of impatience on his face, his mood suddenly dark. “Now can we leave this alone, please? You’re all making too much of this, which is the reason I didn’t bloody tell anyone in the first place.” He looked threateningly at Lucas and moved over to the doorway. “Now I need to get back to work. Suddenly I’m not in the mood to shoot the breeze anymore. Rain, your sandwich is in the kitchen if you want anything to eat.”