Page 63 of Thunder Road

“I love the costumes,” he told Simon as a gaggle of children walked away in search of more treats. “My brothers and I were always cowboys because it was easy.”

“I’m fine with ridin’ and ropin’,” Simon replied with a wink that sent heat to Vic’s groin. “I was ‘that kid’ who came up with the very nerdy original costumes. I dressed up like famous scientists for several years.”

“I bet you made a cute Einstein.”

Simon rolled his eyes. “Everything’s relative.”

Vic elbowed him. “Ha, ha. Very funny.” He frowned when he realized that Simon had a far-away look in his eyes. Vic followed Simon’s gaze and saw only an empty street. “Simon?”

“It’s Maggie.” Simon evaded the next group of kids and left them to Vic while he headed toward the corner with a piece of candy, which he added to a small pile at the edge of the sidewalk. Kids and adults who knew the legend added to the stack over the course of the evening, and no one poached from the stash.

Vic greeted the trick-or-treaters and gushed over the costumes, but he kept an eye on Simon, who appeared to be talking to empty air. Simon let the candy fall from his hand toward the pile, and it vanished along with the rest of the candy, then he smiled and waved before returning to the house.

“Ghost?” Vic asked in between swarms of children.

“Yeah. Maggie got hit by a car back in the 1980s near that corner. As far as I can tell, she’s never pulled pranks or caused problems. I don’t know what she does the rest of the year because I’ve only ever seen her on Halloween,” Simon replied. “The candy vanishes, she looks happy and fades out.”

“Good to know that even ghosts like chocolate,” Vic said. Simon’s talent to see spirits no longer made him uncomfortable. He saw it as a way of providing solace and, sometimes, absolution. Or in Maggie’s case, letting a young girl’s ghost know that she wasn’t alone in the Great Beyond.

The hoards of candy-seekers gradually slowed, and by the final half hour, only a few dedicated stragglers remained. Vic made sure they gave the last two kids most of the candy left because he didn’t want to be tempted to eat it himself. Besides, Vic knew that Simon had a bag or two of their favorites hidden in the pantry for later.

When they finally turned off the outdoor lights and closed the door, Vic sighed in relief. They left the inflatables lit and running until the timers shut them down at midnight. He would collect them in the morning.

“Dinner smells amazing, and I’m starved.” Vic locked up and followed his nose to the kitchen where Simon was plating their food.

“Grab a drink and sit—everything’s ready.”

Over dinner they recounted the most memorable costumes.

“Store-bought costumes are fun, but I love the ones people put together on their own,” Vic said. “Some of those kids could end up being Hollywood costume designers. They’ve got the knack.”

“My favorite was the one that looked like a dinner table with a dome over a plate—” Simon began.

“—And then an arm lifted the dome, and the kid’s head was on the platter.” Vic laughed. “That should have won an award.”

After leftovers were put away and dishes done, Vic and Simon headed into the living room, where extra blankets were piled on the couch, ready for their marathon.

“I prepped the stuff for the charcuterie board when I made dinner, so when we’re peckish, I can just bring it in.” Simon plopped on the couch while Vic reached for the remote.

“And you made a horror movie playlist and queued it up.” Vic turned on the television. “So bring on the thrills and chills!”

By midnight they had polished off most of the cut-up meat and cheese, along with several glasses of wine. Thoroughlystuffed, Vic and Simon snuggled close beneath the blankets as they watched heroes battle vampires, werewolves, zombies, bad witches, malicious ghosts, and a seriously malevolent possessed house.

Bad special effects made them laugh. Incorrect lore had Simon cringing and pointing out what was wrong. Vic took exception to weaponry mistakes. But the really scary parts had them glad to be safe and together.

“C’mon—let’s go to bed.” Vic tugged at Simon’s sleeve. “I’ve got some ideas about ending Halloween right.”

It only took minutes to clean up, turn off lights, and check the locks. By the time Vic walked into the bedroom, he found Simon waiting beneath the covers, naked.

“I want you.” Simon held out his hand to Vic, who didn’t hesitate. He stripped quickly and slid in beside Simon, who turned toward him, pressing close. “Whatever you want to do, I just need to feel you.”

Vic answered with a kiss that started slow and deepened, growing heated. He stroked one hand through Simon’s hair, holding him close and angling his head just so. Simon went along willingly.

Vic’s hands slid down Simon’s shoulders, then to the sexy dip at the small of his back. He firmly gripped Simon’s ass and squeezed the globes, pulling him close and grinding their cocks together.

Simon tangled their legs, holding on to Vic like he was drowning. “Please,” he moaned.

“Anything,” Vic whispered. “I’m here. Just relax and let me take care of you.”

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