Page 108 of Five for Silver

“You dead.”

Chad grabbed a pillow and hit Romeo’s arm.“Sappy bastard.”

“I always wondered why Ally had an unhealthyobsession with you. Now I know.”

“It’s not an unhealthy obsession. We’refriends … she sees herself in me I think.”

“Kindred spirits.”

“Something like that.”

Chad grabbed Romeo’s hand, and tugged untilhe gave up vigil on the birdfeeders and dropped onto the cushionbeside him.

“They’re probably not hungry.”

“They’re always hungry,” Romeo huffed.“Maybe they got fed up with Mercutio’s ugly face.”

Chad poked him. “You did not just call Mercugly.”

Merc gazed up at them from his bed. One ofPeter Rabbit’s ears had disappeared, and a cloud of plush stuffingpoked out of the hole.

“I did.”

“Look at his face and say it.” Chadchallenged.

Romeo glanced at Merc, then away again.

“I can’t,” he sighed.

“Knew it,” Chad laughed, pressing intoRomeo’s side. “Knew you’d love him eventually.”

“It is not love. I’m fond of him, and you’reright, he doesn’t have an ugly face.”

“Do you feel guilty for saying that?”

“Not in the slightest.”

Chad snorted and dug his phone from hispocket as it vibrated against him. Josh’s name flashed onscreen, nodoubt about to celebrate Vincent’s death and demand Chad return towork as soon as possible.

Chad’s smile fell as he stared at Josh’sname. Vincent had assumed he’d be responsible for Chad’s downfall,but it was Josh who stood on the cusp, about to begin chipping awayat the foundations of his and Romeo’s life.

“You going to answer that or what?” Romeoasked.

“No.” Chad said, placing his phone on hisknee.

The call went to voicemail.

He’d listen to Josh’s message later—but Joshdidn’t leave one, he called again, and again.

“Chad…”

“He must just be eager to talk aboutVincent’s death.”

Romeo’s eyes were dark and searching. “Thenwhy not answer?”

“In case it’s not the reason.”

The call ran to voicemail, then Josh dialedagain. Chad chewed on his lip, staring down at Josh’s name untilhis phone stopped vibrating. He tensed, waiting for Josh to ringagain, but he didn’t.

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