Page 14 of Something Cryptid This Way Comes
Adrian smirks. “So will you and Rory.”
As we eat and try the pub’s new maple infused beer, the playful jabs continue, layering under multiple conversations ranging from the format for Cryptid Night, Halloween costumes, music lessons, the pub’s seasonal menu, and Jo taking part in the pumpkin carving contest. In a way, this group reminds me of my football teammates and the guys I went to college with. Close-knit, fun, and though they might argue, they enjoy each other’s company. I’ve been so immersed in the podcast that I haven’t found many friends in Philly yet, aside from Charlie and a few guys on Philly’s pro footballteam. Maybe it’s more of my brother’s city than mine. Maybe Maplewood was my place all along.
Trevor leans into me and his breath feathers over my ear. “Should we get out of here? We need to feed the dogs.”
“Yeah, let’s go home.” I reach for my jacket, but he plucks it up before I can, and hands it to me.
Saying goodbye takes a while with so many people, but soon we’re on our way. The night’s turned colder now that the sun has set. Goose bumps break out all over my skin as we walk home beneath a sky with more stars than I’ve seen in a while.
When we get inside Trevor’s house, he takes one look at me, tells me that my lips are turning purple at the edges, and insists I take a hot shower while he feeds the dogs.
Warm again, and smelling of his soap, I return to the kitchen. My laptop waits for me on the table.
Trevor finishes adding fresh water to the dogs’ bowls. “I’m heading to bed.”
“I’ll be up soon. I want to get some ideas down.” The slide of the chair against the floor seems loud with the rest of the house so quiet.
He nods, then rests his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t work too late.”
“I won’t.” I look into those gorgeous brown eyes and want to ask him to stay. Don’t go to bed yet. But that’s ridiculous. Right?
Biting his lip, he holds my gaze for a beat, then turns away, calling for Bandit to follow.
Hades settles beside me as I work, adding the stories I learned of tonight. The sound of the shower running drifts from upstairs. Picturing Bram under the spray with steam billowing around him is too easy. Then my brain helpfully adds me into the fantasy.
Concentrating on cryptid encounters isimpossible. I’m glad he’s upstairs. My joggers don’t conceal the effect an image of a hot, wet Trevor has on my body. I shift in the chair, palming my hardening dick, but it doesn’t help.
I get up and drink a glass of water. The window over the sink shows a view of the side lawn. There’s a flash of something dark along the edge of the property. Probably a deer, or someone returning to the inn. They’re gone too quick for me to get a better look.
My phone beeps with a text from Charlie, checking in. As I respond to my brother, the shower turns off. I try working again, before giving up.
Hades has fallen asleep, so I ease past him and make my way upstairs.
As I step onto the second level, the sound of a voice that isn’t Trevor and resembles mine comes from his bedroom. Curious, I tread careful steps down the hallway. His door is halfway open. His back is to me and he’s hanging clothes in the closet.
Itismy voice. One of the special stories I send exclusively to him is coming from the phone on his bed. I remember the investigation from last fall. He and I talked about the stories, so I know he’s listened to this before.
Happiness as sweet as the maple drink we sampled at the pub slides through me. I should back away, not infringe on his private time.
The jangle of a dog tag and nails tapping the floor come from my left. “Woof!”
Hades’s bark startles me into hitting Trevor’s door. It flies open.
Trevor spins in a flash toward the door. Bandit, who’d been asleep in the dog bed in Trevor’s room, wakes up, shakes, sees me, and barks.
Busted.
Heat flames my neck, my face,my ears. Even the top of my head is hot with embarrassment. I grab hold of Hades’s collar before he can rush into Trevor’s room. “I, uh…”
A flush colors his cheeks and ears. He looks from me to his phone, and in two strides, has it in his hand. With the jabbing of his finger, the story falls silent. He slowly lowers his phone to his side then drops it onto the mattress. “Um.”
It’s one thing for me to be burning red, but I can’t bear for him to be embarrassed, especially over me. I thought he only listened to the new episodes and stories as they arrived, but if he’s playing them more than once… Warmth coils low, snaking through me. I release Hades so he can curl up with Bandit. My hands tucked into my pockets, I step inside the room. “That was a fun investigation.”
“It’s one of my favorites.” His face still flushed, he’s looking everywhere but at me. “Look, I don’t know what to say. Is this weird?”
“Why would it be weird? You said you listen to the stories while you get ready for bed.”
“Yeah, but you know I already listened to this one. We talked about it.” Eyes focused on the floor, he rubs the back of his neck.
