Page 32 of The Nephilim's Touch
He settles back at the table, and we eat in relative silence. As silent as we can with him humming to himself and bouncing in his chair. He’s so happy and I did that.Me.
“Do you still wanna come to work with me?” Gabe wipes his mouth and watches me.
“Absolutely. I wanna see you in action, angel.”
He snorts. “It’s not that interesting.”
“It’ll be interesting for me. How long have you worked for Pike?”
“Only about six months. I got into Hex, got my living permit, and started looking for a job immediately. Flutter and Fangs had an opening. I interviewed with Ava and Pike and voilà, here I am.”
“Why’d you move to Hex in the first place?” I can venture a guess.
He nibbles on his nails. “Dad died. I didn’t handle it well and couldn’t contain my magic. It kept going haywire in public. It was bad.Reallybad. Mom came to me one night with the address to Hex. I sold almost all of my things, booked the flights from San Francisco, and I’ve been here ever since.”
What can I say to that? I’ve never been close to my parents, never knew who my father is. And my mother forced me into a parental roll at seven. I would not mourn at losing her. Not one bit.
I rub at my chest, forgetting about the count down device. What would it be like having a parent I’d mourn the loss of?
“But let’s not dwell on sad shit.” Gabe grabs both our plates and gives them a quick wash in the sink. “Dad had a good life, and he gave me a good life.”
“What did you do in San Francisco?” I want to know everything about him.
He cracks a smile. “I edited porn.”
I choke on my drink. “What?” Never would have?—
“I’m joking! Just wanted to see your reaction. I was a software developer.”
“You got me.” I snort. “Do you miss it? Going from software developing to bartender is a major change.”
“Nope, not one bit. Hex has been everything I’ve wanted in a hometown. I never want to venture out into the human world and their jobs ever again. I don’t have to work on complex problems. I don’t have to worry about if I’ll make rent or anything. It’s bliss.” He says it all as if Hex really is a dream come true for him and I’m starting to believe it is. His eyes flint to the microwave clock. “Okay, I gotta finish getting ready.” And he leaves me for his bedroom again.
13
GABE
Pike cat callsfrom the bar as soon as Van and I walk through the door of Flutter and Fangs. My cheeks blaze hot when he whistles and Lark just shakes his head at his partner.
“There are bets on whether you two fucked,” Warwick says from his usual spot at the counter.
Van wraps an arm and his tail around my waist. “I’d never fuck and tell, and certainly not with sweet angels.”
“He told you what he is, then?” Pike laughs. “Took an entire two months before he trusted us.”
My cheeks burn hotter. “I didn’t know if I could trust you yet or not. I was still getting a feel for the place and Hex.”
“And now you love it,” Lark says as he hops off the countertop. He’s in his signature sparkly booty shorts. This pair is bright orange. Pike likes seeing his ass on display, and so does everyone else.
Van growls behind me and pulls me closer. “What do you say about changing your uniform to a pair of those?”
“Nope. Not happening.” I shake my head so hard I almost trip over my own feet. I’m just not comfortable with everyone seeing so much of me in public.
“Booty shorts aren’t for everyone.” Lark shakes his ass and I think we’re all mesmerized by it.
“Close your mouths boys, Lark is mine,” Pike says as he pulls him in for a kiss. They’re so sweet together and I still ache for something like that. Where someone cherishes me and I cherish them.
Warwick huffs and throws back a shot of HellFire. There’s a yip from the couch and Frankie charges towards us.
