Page 79 of Feuds and Interludes
The far wall was covered with a detailed mural that was the artwork from California’s debut album cover.
“That was my test run. I wanted to do it as a surprise for Pops in his new place, so I did it here first. His turned out better.”
“And now someone else has it. Oh, Shane?—”
“It’s fine. I did it like six years ago, I think. Maybe seven.”
I linked my arm with his. “We’ll have to think of a housewarming-slash-engagement gift for the happy couple. Besides me moving out.”
Shane put his arms around me and kissed my head. “I meant what I said, Boone?—”
“I know. And if you still mean it after Rocktoberfest, I’ll take you up on it. This place is amaz—is that a snake?”
Shane smiled bashfully. “Yeah, that’s Duncan. Pops got him for me when I was fifteen. I thought it made me more metal, having a snake. Turns out he’s on the small side for a ball python and he’s kind of clueless. Every time I’ve let him out, he’s tried to end his little slithery life. Poor guy. Inbreeding has not been kind. So now he’s a pampered pet, not a badass prop.”
“I take back what I said. This place is definitely metal.” This man was so freaking adorable.
“And you haven’t even seen the best part yet.”
He gestured for me to go into the bathroom, where I found a shower that would absolutely fit seven people with several showerheads pointed strategically, and an intricately tiled bathtub tucked into a corner with a full-length stained-glass window surrounding it.
“Shane…”
“All this could be yours,” he said in a cheesy gameshow host voice.
“And I want it.” I placed my hand on his cheek. He seemed nervous showing me around his place. “I’m just a lot to take, Shane. I don’t want you to regret any of this. Ask me again after the festival, okay?”
He dropped his head and nodded. “Gives me time to persuade you.”
“Persuade me?”
He grinned. “We have the best Persian, Greek, Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian restaurants in SoCal in this neighborhood. What can I tempt you with tonight?”
I fluttered my eyelashes at him. “How ’bout pizza?”
He groaned. “You’re not going to make it easy, huh.”
“Just for tonight. Please? Doesn’t pizza and a movie sound awesome?”
His frustrated expression softened and he smiled that soft smile I loved so much. “Totally awesome.”
“Great. You order and I’ll get the laundry started.”
“You don’t have to?—”
“If I’m going to be here, I’m going to attempt to do my part. Besides. I’m great at laundry…making it messyandgetting it clean. Do you have any requirements?”
“Not that I can think of? I’ve got three baskets for sorting and one for stuff that goes to the cleaners. Oh, yeah. No fabric softener.”
“No?”
He shrugged. “I used to get rashes as a kid. Mom yelled at me for getting into shit with my good clothes on, she thought it must be pollen or grass or something I was allergic to. Turned out it was her fancy fabric softener. She didn’t like having to stop using it.”
I nodded. “Good to know.” My Metal Menace had more than an emotionally sensitive side. I kinda loved it.
We sorted our clothes together like an established couple and he showed me how to use his machines. Then he ordered mushroom and olive on pesto for me and spinach and white sauce for him, along with salads. He gave me a pair of comfy lounge pants that I had to tighten up with my hair tie, and we crawled into his massive bed. He lowered a screen from the ceiling at the foot of the bed, turned on a sound system, and we talked about our favorite movies until the pizza came.
We ate standing up in the kitchen, crawled back into bed, and watchedThe Big Lebowski, which turned out to be both of our favorites. We curled up and recited lines together, laughing until my stomach hurt, and I thought, this…really is everything I ever wanted.
