Page 169 of Shadowman
Part of me expects Felix and Dr. Love to be in there, doing something we couldn’t hear through the door, like reading side by side, or cuddling like sappy heart-shaped fruitcakes.
On the contrary, though. The room is empty.
Shoving Byron inside, I follow, closing the door behind us.
“This is… weird,” he hums, looking around. “Why aren’t they here? It’s late…”
“Maybe they’re in his office.” I shrug, wasting no time snooping.
Wandering the room, I touch everything that belongs to Felix Darcey. His books, his clothes, his toiletries.
Byron snorts in derision, and I turn to find him shaking his head at some clothes scattered on the floor. A pair of yellow boxer briefs with bees on them. And matching socks.
“Fuckin’ dork…” He scoffs.
I smile, returning to my snooping. I want to ransack his belongings, maybe steal an item or two, but I’m not sure how much time we have. Not only that, but there isn’t much here. Certainly nothing interesting to take.
The room is sort of barren. Sure, it has furniture, which is what transforms it from a broom closet to an actualbedroom. There’s a bed that does appear light-years more comfortable than ours, a desk littered with pens, a notebook, an MP3 player with headphones. More clothes stacked in a wash basket. But in terms of actualitems, it’s pretty sparse.
I don’t need an MP3 player. Byron already has an iPod and he lets me use it whenever I want.
“The lad’s a bit of a slob…” My mouth twists. “Dr. Love musthatethat.”
Imagining the compulsively neat Dr. Robot grimacing as he steps around the messy state of his serial killer boyfriend’s bedroom is immensely satisfying.
I wonder if he does the wash for him… That would be hilarious.
“No offense, but I highly doubt he hates anything about that bratty shithead,” Byron grumbles. “Did youseethem togetherthat day in the rec room?? He was looking at Darcey like a damn work of art. Like he sneezes rainbows and shits gold.” He rolls his eyes. “I think it’s clear he puts The Carver on a fucking pedestal.”
My delight slips away, and I scowl. “Oh,yes. Let us all fall to our knees and worship the greatFelix Darcey. The most fascinating specimen on the whole bloody planet…”
Irritation sets my jaw as I petulantly explore the books on the shelf. They’re mostly psychology texts, though I do spot a copy ofMindhunter, which I remember Dr. Love having on his shelf back in Atlanta.
Tugging out a random one, I look it over…
Beneficial Brainwashing by Dr. Melvin Strange.
I’m flipping through the pages when I realize that Byron isn’t moving, and I can feel him staring at me. I turn to find him standing beside the bed with his head cocked.
“Yes?” I mutter, arching a brow.
He purses his lips and shrugs. “Nothing. You just…” His voice trails, on purpose. He’s wearing this smug expression that’s irking me even further.
“I justwhat?” I growl.
“You seem a little jealous.” He plops down on the bed and reclines, propping up on his elbows.
My frown deepens. “I am not,” I hiss, though my tone is proving his point. “I think it’s pathetic. Leaving an entirelifebehind to come here and fall in love with a serial killer…”
“Oryou’re mad because Dr. Love never showed any interest in dick when he was treating you.” He smirks.
“False,” I grunt, petulantly stuffing the book back in its place. “I don’t care about that. I ammadthat he deserted me, knowing he could turn around and sell me out to The Ivory. It was all part of his plan, because he’s a raging wanker.”
Byron’s gaze narrows in suspicion. “Just admit you were into him. It’s not a big deal…”
“Bugger off,” I seethe, snooping some more to distract from the resentment simmering in my gut. Stepping out of my shoes, I pick up a toothbrush from the shower caddy and use it to clean them.
His accusations are getting to me, and it’s bothersome.It reminds me of the way Leo used to hassle me about this shit.
