Page 25 of The Devil You Know
“Like what?” Seth couldn’t help being pleased that Jesse had planned time for them to spend together and was surprised that he’d managed to get the time off from his job.
Jesse grinned, a broad smile Seth remembered from their childhood when Jesse found something that lit a fire inside him.
“Well, there’s a mega-arcade with retro games over at the new entertainment complex in Terre Haute,” Jesse said. “It’s also got mini-golf. I’ve found some really good places to eat. And if you’re interested, I’d like to show you the campus.”
Seth smiled. “I’d love all of that.” He had told Jesse many times how proud he was of him for going after his degree. Seth was only now putting together his plan for what he wanted to do. Just getting home alive had been a big enough challenge.
“And we’ll end the day at the best steakhouse in Terre Haute,” Jesse promised. “My treat.”
Seth raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? They pay you that much? How are you suddenly made of money?”
“I’m an international man of mystery,” Jesse whispered. “If I told you where I got the money, I’d have to kill you.”
“All right, James Bond. Show me what you’ve got in mind,” Seth joked.
They spent the morning at the sports complex, going from the retro video arcade to the batting cages to mini-golf. For lunch, Jesse took him to his favorite ramen shop.
“My friends and I loved this place,” he said as they slurped fresh noodles from a spicy broth. “It’s cheap and filling. That’s big with the college crowd.”
“This is…amazing,” Seth said with food in his mouth. “So good.”
Jesse laughed. “Didn’t they feed you in the Army?”
“Not like this.”
Seth had missed the easy camaraderie between the two of them; falling back into the give and take like no time had passed was a balm to his soul.
“Just wait until we go to the steakhouse,” Jesse replied.
“You’ve been there?”
“On a date. It lives up to its reputation,” Jesse assured him.
“You said you didn’t have time to date. Let’s hear details. You’ve been holding out on me.”
Jesse blushed. “School took most of my time. But…I went out now and again. Still do.”
Seth grinned. “Tell me more.”
Jesse sighed. “Not much to tell. I’ve gone out with a few girls since I graduated, no one special. Maybe this is the year I get lucky. How about you?” He nudged Seth with his elbow. “Come on, tell me everything.”
“The Army hasn’t really caught up with the times,” Seth said. “I didn’t have much opportunity to date.”
“Then now’s a great time to make up for it,” Jesse replied. “Brazil might not be very progressive, but Terre Haute’s better. I bet you could find a date if you tried hard,” he teased. “You’re not hopeless.”
“Gee, thanks.”
Seth wasn’t going to admit that for three nights straight, he’d dreamed of the dark-haired stranger. Each time, he’d woken hard and desperate, and while he’d remembered the erotic parts of his dreams, Seth always felt like the most important elements slipped out of reach.
After lunch they went to the local brewery and then took in a matinee at the 1920’s era theater. Jesse drove them around campus, pointing out the highlights. Seth thought he glimpsed the dark-haired man from his dream. But once again, the stranger disappeared into the crowd before Seth could find him. He tried to shake off the mood that caused a weird combination of disappointment and foreboding.
Maybe I’m losing my mind.
Seth forced the thoughts away and threw himself into enjoying the plans Jesse made for them, which included wandering through the art museum and taking in a sprint car qualifier at the track.
“You should be an event planner,” Seth said, in awe of Jesse’s itinerary. “You’ve packed a month into several hours.”
“I’ve had a lot of time to plan.”
