Finding Eden Read Online Free PDF Page A

could help your father on construction sites. I’ll work for free and I’m gonna call the coach tomorrow and see if I can set up housing—”
    “Paul Guy,” Danny snapped, cutting off his rambling. “You can stay here. You don’t have to work for it.”
    “But I will,” Paul said instantly. “I don’t mind.”
    “But you don’t have to.” He stepped into Paul’s personal space, reaching out to touch his shoulder in a gesture that was probably too gentle. He wasn’t surprised when Paul flinched from the touch, a look of embarrassment passing over his face as he looked away. That was probably the most heartbreaking thing Danny could imagine, someone as kindhearted as Paul not knowing how to accept something as simple as a concerned touch from a friend. Danny’s voice softened as he said, “We should get you cleaned up.”
    “I’m okay,” Paul argued. “It looks worse than it is.”
    “It wasn’t a question,” Danny barked, knowing Paul responded to orders as opposed to options. It was the military upbringing. It left its mark and Danny knew he had to work within it. “Get up.” He tightened his grip on Paul’s shoulder, tugging in an insistent gesture for him to stand. “We’ll get you cleaned up and then you can go to sleep.”
    “Fine.” Paul stood, pulling his shirt over his head, not even wincing over the bruising that had to be excruciating. It looked as if he shouldn’t be able to move. “I really am sorry for putting you out.”
    “You’re not putting me out.” Danny went to the bathroom connected to his bedroom and flipped on the light. “The joys of a codependent. We live to fix the perpetually broken. Ask my mother about it if you don’t believe me.”
    “I’m not broken,” Paul said defensively.
    Danny studied him as Paul walked into the bathroom, showing off a massive, beautifully muscled back covered in bruises and cigar burns. “You’re pretty broken, Paul Guy,” he sighed, knowing he needed more than the small tube of antibiotic ointment he had in his drawer. “I think I need to go to the store.”
    “It’s fine,” Paul assured him as he unbuttoned his jeans in the careless manner of a man who had been playing football for most of his life. “Really, I just need a place to lay my head for a few days until I can get the housing situation worked out with the coach. I’m sure he can get me a dorm room.”
    “Your coach is gonna freak if he sees you like this,” Danny said imploringly, dismayed to find his fingers were itching to fix the damage. “Please let me try and patch you up a little.”
    Paul considered him for a moment, as if hearing some sort of whining desperation in Danny’s voice before he nodded. “Sure, fine, I’d appreciate it,” he said with a soft smile. “Thank you.”
    Danny heaved a sigh of relief as he turned on the shower. He held his hand under the water, trying to get it to the right temperature. A part of him knew Paul was catering to him and his battered soul by agreeing to let Danny fuss over him, not the other way around. He may not have played along for his father, but he was playing along for him and Danny was too grateful and relieved to call him on it.
    It really wasn’t his place to call Paul broken.
    Between the two of them, Paul was more stable and together than Danny could ever hope to be.

 
    Chapter Two
    Two years later
     
    “When are you gonna come to work for me full-time?”
    “Never.” Danny snorted, tugging on his jeans. He made a point to look away from the bed. Now that Danny was sated, the occupant didn’t look as good as he had before their interlude. He never did. “I do have standards.”
    “Bullshit.” Tony laughed at the notion. “The only standards you got is a hard-on for that pretty-boy football player you’re always hanging around with. You’d rather be broke than piss him off.”
    “Pretty much,” Danny said, rather than denying it. “He’s the voice of my conscience and I’m probably