One morning before work, Alan Travers accidentally bumps into Detective Jim Garrison at a cafe where both men stop for coffee. The handsome younger man interests Alan, but he misses his chance to get to know the detective better and wonders if he'll get another.<br><br>With the help of his nephew Bryce, Alan concocts a plan to try and get Jim's attention "accidentally on purpose." It works, but as things heat up between them, Alan worries what Jim will think if he finds out their getting together was no accident.<br><br>Then Bryce goes missing, and Alan's going to have to come clean. But is he the only one not being truthful?

Accidentally On Purpose

At some point he becomes aware that he isn’t alone. Alan turns to find Brooks standing at the bottom of the stairs, hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans, staring at him.


“Wotcher, lad?” Alan pats the cushion beside him on the couch. “Take a seat.”


For a moment Brooks doesn’t move. Then he rocks back on his heels, and when he rocks forward, he pretends to stumble off the bottom step and into the living room. He kicks at Alan’s shoe as he passes by, then falls onto the couch with an audible oof


“You’re a bull in a china shop, mate,” Alan says, shaking his head. “Can you try nottearing the place down today?”


It’s gruff and low, but about as sincere an apology Alan can expect from a teenage boy. “S’oright.”


“No, I mean it.” Brooks flops back with a sigh. “Sorry for this morning, too. And for talking to Kylie about you. I wasn’t being mean, I promise.”


Chapter 11