Page 28 of Don't Scare Me, My Love

Jack also seemed to have noticed the ambiguity in his statement as his eyes alternated between me, the fire, and Nicholas’ hand.

“So you like…Seastone? Is that what you’re saying?” Jack asked.

Nicholas nodded.

"I told you, if you weren't careful, you'd fall for Seastone's charm." Jack’s grin slowed to an understanding smile. “I felt the same way when I came here four years ago. I probably would've left if it weren’t for the people.” His eyes darted to me, and after they lingered for a while, he turned back to Nicholas. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, Nick, since you showed up in Seastone so suddenly. Where are you staying?” He looked at me while the question was directed at Nicholas. Of course, Jack implied he was sleeping at my place.

“Stop interrogating him, Jack,” I uttered before Nicholas could reply.

“I’m just trying to help,” Jack laughed, looking back at Nicholas. “I mean, we all know that Jason has a few spare rooms… and half of a king-sized bed…”

“Yep. Bye,” I said, taking a step toward Jack.

“Okay, okay,” he snickered, jumping away like a puppy playing around. “I have to get back to work anyway. Just wanted to say hi.” He waved at us as he sauntered off.

Nicholas leaned close, lowering his voice. “Thanks for helping me to get out of that question. People always get a bit weird when I tell them I live in my van. So it was nice not to have to explain that to him.”

He… what?

I yanked my eyes so wide open that I had to bring my hand up to keep the prosthesis from falling out.

“Wait. You didn’t know?” Nicholas asked.

“How would I?”

"There are tons of videos about it on my MyTube channel. Since you seemed to have researched me so thoroughly, I thought you might have seen them."

"I had the channel open once, but... it felt wrong to watch them. I was more interested in getting to know you in person.So no, I haven't." I shook my head. “That’swhy you were always already there when I came to work.”

“Oh, no, no. I only slept behind the gas station once, and that was the night before we first met. I was on time because Ireallywas on time.”

I guess someone constantly on the road could save a lot of money if they weren’t renting apartments or going to a motel every night.

“So you sleep cramped into the backseat every night?”

“Mostly,” Nicholas laughed.

“You’re tall as a tree. My body always aches every morning, even with the special pillow I bought. Doesn’t your back hurt? And what about showering and…” I stopped when I saw the face he made at all my questions.

Damn.This was just like when people asked me about my eye patch, wasn’t it? He even said he doesn’t like to tell people because they get weird when he tells them. Why did I react like this?

“Well. I work out and stretch, so my back is okay,” Nicholas explained bravely. “As for showering,” he points into the air before him, “Gym membership.”

With a deep breath, I pulled myself together. “I’m sorry, Nicholas. I shouldn’t have reacted like this. It’s just like when people ask about my eye patch. I hate that. And I get it must be the same for you. I’m sorry.”

“They say some mysteries keep the flame alive, but this is nothing I’m ashamed of. As I said, I thought you knew already.” His eyes twitched left and right. “Maybe I should start telling people gory stories like you.” He got into position as if he was talking to someone standing behind me. “My house burned down. Where else would I sleep?” He turned as if he was speaking to someone else on my right side. “I was in witness protection, but the mafia found out where I lived, and now I’mon the run.” He looked at me. “Wait. You see a car? The witch told me people will always see my house as a car, and I can’t believe it was true!”

“That… sounds like a wonderful solution to get rid of stupid people like me,” I replied.

Nicholas shook his head. “Getting rid of you? That’s the opposite of what I’m trying to accomplish here. I mean, you promised to make me scream, flinch, and sweat today, and so far, I’ve only flinched twice, and no screaming or sweating yet.”

My mouth watered. I'd expected him to be angry, not that he'd be flirting heavily with me.

“So,” he leaned in a little closer, “how about we check out that scary hike we saw on our way in?” The flickering of the bonfire reflected in his uncovered eye.

His parted lips caught my attention. My mouth ached with the need to touch and explore him—to make up for my boneheaded reaction and to put behind us what had been on both of our minds for days now—but this was neither the time nor the place. “Sounds like a plan,” I replied, turning toward the back part of the grounds.

We made our way through the crowd, past the tents and goats, away from the fire. An arrow-shaped sign pointed toward the back.

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