Kevin immediately got out his phone. When Will asked, Kevin said he was going to get her to come over now. Before Will could protest, Kevin was talking to her. He didn't say why he wanted her at his place, just that he did. When he hung up, he smiled slightly. "We're getting two for the price of one. She and Charlie were studying together so he's coming with."
While they waited, Will went back to his apartment to get, as he put it, 'some real coffee' and the coffee maker he'd bought earlier in the day. Ten minutes later, as the coffee was brewing, the buzzer rang and Kevin, after checking, let Charlie and Sue into the building.
When they came into the apartment, Kevin introduced them to Will.
Charlie tapped his lip then said, "I've seen you around, Will. Yesterday and today, on the streets around the campus."
"Caught me," Will replied with a smile. "You've got sharp eyes, if you recognize me."
Charlie glanced at Mick. "I have reason to be aware of who's around."
"Yes, I know. He told me," Will replied.
"Told you what?" Sue asked from where she'd settled on the sofa next to Kevin. "Would someone mind explaining what's going on here?"
"Long story short," Will told her, "we're fairly certain Kevin was attacked because someone doesn't like the fact you two are dating—or appear to be."
"That's insane. Who would…? Oh. Oh no." Sue looked at Charlie. "He wouldn't have, would he?"
"Honestly, I wouldn't put it past him but"—he turned to Will—"why do you think he's the one."
"Because when he—and likely one of his buddies that he managed to convince to help him—was attacking Kevin, he said, 'She belongs to me'."
"Damn."
"I'm so sorry," Sue whispered, looking at Kevin. "If I even thought he'd do that—"
"It's okay. You couldn't have known."
"Can I ask something?" Charlie glanced at Will, who nodded in reply. "Who are you and Mick? And more to the point, why are you involved?"
"I'm an old friend of Kevin's mother. When I heard what happened, I volunteered to keep an eye on Kevin. Mick works with me and agreed to help, so we're posing as father and son for the duration, new to the city and living here in the building."
"Okay." Charlie turned his attention to Kevin. "I've got a very personal question for you." He nodded toward the kitchen.
Kevin chuckled. "Yes, I am, and Sue knows. So do the others."
"Hang on a minute." Charlie frowned at his sister. "You knew and you didn't tell me?"
Sue grinned. "That he's male? I thought that was fairly obvious."
"Susan," Charlie growled.
"Uh-oh, he's ticked off now." She smiled sweetly at her brother. "Sorry, I shouldn't tease. Not now. Yes, Kevin told me he's gay. He didn't want me getting any wrong ideas. I figured it was his…secret and promised to keep it."
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