Page 55 of Out of Nowhere

Chapter Thirty-three: Dex

Dex was in his room in the mansion, packing his things, when he looked up at a light knock on his open door.

“Hey,” Cara said, walking in with Jude, who immediately threw himself onto the bed, making himself comfortable.

“Hey, stranger.” Dex hugged her. “It’s been over a year since I’ve seen you! When did you get back? How’s your grandma?”

“I arrived late last night, and she’s doing much better, thanks,” Cara said. “Having me there helping her made a huge difference in her healing, I think.”

“I’m sure it did,” Dex said, closing the box he’d just filled and labeling it. He’d missed Cara. She’d been away on a case with Ezra before her grandmother had fallen ill and Jase, West, and Logan had arranged a leave of absence for her.

“What I want to know is, is Jude pulling my leg when he says you’re moving in with Seo-jun?” Cara sat down on the edge of Dex’s bed.

“He’s telling the truth,” Dex said, smiling. “We’re in a relationship.”

Jude lightly smacked Cara on the arm. “I told you! They’re a thing.”

“Well, you can’t blame me for doubting you. For one, I didn’t even know Dex was gay, and for another, well, I mean, I like Seo-jun, but I have trouble seeing him in a relationship with anyone.” She turned to Dex. “Although he’s definitely hot.” She grinned, pushing her ash blond hair out of her face. “Where are your glasses?”

“I got contacts,” Dex said, taking a pair of pants off a hanger in the closet and folding them before putting them in a fresh box. “It was hard doing Taekwondo with them on. I was afraid of breaking them, but I needed to see.”

Cara nodded. “Here, let me help.” She crossed the room, took a shirt off a hanger, and started to fold it. Casting a look at Jude, she said, “You could help, too, you know.”

Jude pulled a pillow over his face and grunted. “I’ll help carry the boxes down. Let me just lie here a minute. I was up studying all last night.”

By the time Seo-jun came looking for Dex an hour later, everything was packed up and ready to go.

“Thanks for your help,” Dex told Cara as Jude picked up a big box and carried it downstairs.

“No problem.” Cara watched with interest as Seo-jun greeted Dex with a kiss. “You two are hot together,” she said.

Seo-jun smiled at her. “Nice to see you back.”

“It’s nice tobeback. I missed the beach and all of you guys.“ They each picked up a box and carried them downstairs and outside to put in Dex’s trunk before turning around to make the trip again. When Dex’s trunk was full, they filled Seo-jun’s.

Dex’s phone rang. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, he was surprised to see it was after three, his scheduled time to call Anna.

“I wasn’t watching the time,” he told Anna after answering. “Sorry.”

“That’s okay. I figured something like that had happened,” Anna said.

They chatted for a while. Anna’s pregnancy was coming along nicely. She told Dex that their mother had been there to see her.

Dex sat down on one of the chairs in front of the house. “Is that right? Well, good. Did Garfield come with her?”

“No, thank fuck. He’s so boring, and Mom acts like she has to wait on him hand and foot. Yuck. She came alone, and she took me shopping. We bought me some things and a lot of things for the baby. I think I’m going to name him Sky. What do you think?”

“That’s a cool name,” Dex said. “I guess it won’t be too long now. We’re almost into October. When’s he due?”

“December 7th. But the doctor says he’ll probably come early because of the meth. At least he seems to be a good size. Hey—maybe that’s what I should name him! Meth!”

“Don’t even think about it,” Dex threatened.

Anna started laughing. “Oh! Don’t make me laugh. I’m going to pee in my pants!”

“Well, stop laughing then. Just think positive thoughts and try not to stress,” Dex said.

Anna sighed. “I am. I enjoy the art classes, and I spend a lot of time by the pool, reading. It’s sort of like an extended vacation, and I know I owe all this to Garfield. I’m still glad he didn’t come with Mom, though. You know, she wants us there for ThanksgivingandChristmas this year. You can’t get away with just one.”

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