Page 13 of Signs and Wonders

In Evan’s case, Seth’s first attempts hadn’t gone over well. Past experience had made Evan wary, and despite his attraction to Seth, he had resisted believing in the supernatural and refused to accept that he was in danger from a dark coven with a century-old grudge. His inability to trust nearly got them both killed until he finally realized Seth was telling the truth.

Evan felt his cheeks color at the memory. Seth nudged his knee under the table as if he guessed the direction of Evan’s thoughts. “You had good reasons to be skeptical. Any sane person would be. Let it go.”

He nodded and tried to push the feelings away. Since then, Evan had done his best to embrace Seth’s quest to stop the coven’s killing spree. They had saved lives, both in the present and for future generations. That didn’t make explaining the situation to a newcomer any easier.

They paid the bill and walked back to the truck. Evan pulled up the casino on his phone and frowned at the photo. “Not exactly the Bellagio.”

“Maybe it’s a bad photo.” Seth pulled out of the parking lot. They didn’t have far to drive and found themselves in front of Lacey’s, a squat blue and white cement block building sporting neon beer signs in its front window.

“Looks more like a strip joint,” Seth said. “I’m guessing they’ve got video machines and a bookie, maybe a backroom with poker.”

“And here I was, hoping for Cirque,” Evan snarked with an exaggerated sigh.

“Add it to the bucket list.”

Evan figured Lacey’s passed for an “entertainment complex” in the area. A bar lined one wall with multiple screens showing live sporting events, horseracing, and several online multi-player betting games. Four poker tables took up the center, leaving only a few places for patrons to eat. Video gaming machines flashed and blinked along the far side of the room. A small stage off to the right sported a pole, but the amps and drum set suggested that sometimes bands played.

“I guess they’ve cornered the nightlife around here,” Seth murmured.

“It’s a long drive to go anywhere else,” Evan agreed. “They’re probably making the most of that.”

Evan had worked his share of bars. He knew where to look to judge how well a place was run. He felt vaguely surprised to find that Lacey’s looked clean and well-maintained, if somewhat hard-used. The health certificate on the wall vouched for the food. The state allowed smoking indoors at casinos, but Evan figured the place must have a decent air handler since it didn’t reek.

Cameron Davis didn’t spend time on social media, but his friends did. That had yielded some photos and a vague idea of his interests and habits. Evan spotted Cameron behind the bar as soon as they entered. Cameron was in his early twenties, with a face that was pleasing, if not quite handsome, and reddish brown hair cut in a style just a few years past trendy.

Watching Cameron at work, Evan could see that he was an experienced barkeeper. He flowed from one patron’s order to another with no wasted movement, using the tricks of the trade that shaved precious seconds off during busy times. Evan figured the other man had either gone to bartending school or been doing it long enough to learn the hard way.

Despite being early afternoon, Lacey’s wasn’t empty. Two older men nursed beers at the bar, deep in conversation. Four of the video machines were taken by retirees who looked like they’d probably been on the same stools since the joint opened.

Evan made a slow tour of the machines, ending up at the bar. “Got any hard cider?” he asked Cameron, who appeared to be the only bartender on duty.

“Yeah, but only one brand,” Cameron replied without looking up.

“Good enough.” Evan laid cash on the bar. “Is there a menu?”

Cameron snorted in amusement. “Lunch specials are two types of cold sandwiches with chips and a pickle. After five, we’ve got burgers, fries, wings, and pizza.”

“Okay.” Evan took a drink from the cider bottle. Seth meandered up to the bar beside him, flagged down Cameron, and ordered a beer.

“Anything I need to know before I pick a machine and try my luck?” Evan watched Cameron as he worked, gauging how the other man handled distractions. So far, he seemed like a pro.

“If someone gets up, make sure they’re really gone before you snake their machine. Mrs. McHenry cracked a guy’s skull once with a purse full of quarters when he tried to take her lucky spot,” Cameron answered. “We have dancers Thursday through Saturday, live music most Sunday nights. Last call is at 10:30. We close at eleven.”

“Thanks,” Evan replied. “Sounds like you’ve given that speech before.”

“Maybe a time or two.” Cameron wiped his hands on the bar towel hanging from his apron. “What brings you and your buddy in? I thought I knew everyone in town.”

Evan fiddled with the cider bottle, drawing his finger through the condensation. “We’re in the area for a while and heard the food was good.”

If Cameron had doubts about Evan’s story, he kept them to himself. “Lacey’s is a classy joint for these parts. You could do worse. A word to the wise—just be careful where you get your barbecue. Pick the wrong place, and you could have a heap of regrets.”

“I’ll take that advice to heart,” Evan said. “You from here?”

Cameron shrugged. “Buckhannon? Yeah. Been here at Lacey’s for a few years. Like I said, it’s a nice place. The owner’s an above-board kind of guy; the regulars don’t throw up in the bathroom, and we haven’t had a brawl since the last time WVU lost to Penn State.”

Evan finished his cider and ordered another before heading for the machines. Seth stayed at the bar, and Evan figured his boyfriend would find a way to ask a few questions. Evan picked a machine where he could watch the bar in the mirrored backdrop, keeping an eye on both Seth and Cameron.

“That’s it! Keep it coming!” the older lady at the machine beside him cheered. Lights and bells signaled a win. Evan smiled, enjoying her enthusiasm. Gambling had never held any fascination for him, although he had gotten to be a much better poker player thanks to Seth.

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