Page 34 of Cocoa

Another voice sounded, then the obvious sound of footsteps.

“We’re not alone. Other ghost hunters maybe.”

Lucas tightened his grip on her camera. “I hope that’s all it is.”

They bolted hand-in-hand, their boots thudding on broken tile, the flashlight’s glow bouncing wildly. They tore through themaze of corridors back toward the main entrance. A shouted, “Hello?” from one of the strangers followed them through the darkness, but they didn’t slow down or look back. They burst into the night, cold, fresh air slapping their faces, and ran to the truck.

Ryder didn’t wait for the engine to warm up. He turned around and zoomed back to the entrance road and the cover of the trees. A laugh burst out of him with a cloud of white steam. Then, they both fell apart, Lucas doubling over to clutch at his stomach as the laughter rolled on and on.

“We’re idiots,” Lucas said at last. “I cannot believe we just got chased out of a haunted asylum by a bunch of what were probably teenagers.” He squeezed Ryder’s thigh and left his hand there. “At least I got a lot of great pictures of you out of tonight, even if we didn’t find the ghost of the murdered janitor.”

The sound of Luc’s laughter and that bright, teasing smile burned itself into his mind and heart, right beside the knowledge that this was right. Would it be dumb to tell someone you loved them after making out in an abandoned building? Was there ever a right time?

Ryder had no clue. He’d never done it before, but the words seemed to throb in his throat and batter against the inside of his lips. He took a deep breath. “This was a great night, Lucas,” he said instead. He laid his hand over Lucas’s and squeezed. “You make my life so much better.”

It was as true and real as anything else he wanted to say, and he let it hang there in the warming air as a smile settled in his heart. He knew he found something a lot more real than anything they heard in their favorite podcast, and he believed in it more than anything else he ever had before.

Chapter 21

Lucas

Casting a quick eye over the lingering students, Lucas pulled out his phone to check the message that vibrated against his hip halfway through class. He didn’t like looking unavailable if they wanted to ask questions, but missing one of Ryder’s texts sucked. He blinked, surprised to see Finn’s name instead.

Finn:Hey! Mav’s bugging Ryder to come to the bar tonight, and I thought maybe you could come hang out with me. I know we haven’t officially met, but it’s time!

Ryder’s mechanic friend started going out with Finn, and he slipped into the fringes of their friend group easily, according towhat Ry said. He’d hinted at introducing Lucas to everyone, but their schedules made it difficult. As much as Lucas wanted some alone time with his man, he wanted to make more friends, too. If he was going to be a permanent part of Ryder’s life – and he desperately wanted that – he didn’t want to stay on the fringes.

Lucas:Yeah, if Ryder’s going. I’d like to meet everyone in person.

Finn:Yay! I can’t wait.

He pocketed his phone again and pulled on his coat. The last two students left chatting, and Lucas passed them in the hall on the way to the front door. The warmth of the invitation lingered as he hurried out to his car and ducked inside. His breath fogged the windshield as the engine hummed to life. For a moment, he just sat there gazing out at the world that had become his own in a way he hadn’t expected when he moved away from his family’s hometown.

Lucas wasn’t shy, but he hadn’t left behind any close friends when he left his hometown. They drifted away without much fuss when regular contact stopped. He wanted more out of life, but as much as he wanted to spend all his free time with Ryder, he couldn’t build his whole world around him. What was he supposed to do? Sit at home until their schedules happened to line up? Besides, with the new work coming his way, he could actually afford a couple of beers out on occasion.

Without thought, Lucas turned east toward Ryder’s apartment instead of west toward his own. He let himself in with the key, gave Ritz all the scratches he deserved, and stepped into the room to see Ryder poking at his phone on the couch.

“Hey, Finn texted me and invited me out tonight. You going?” Lucas leaned down to brush a kiss against the offered lips.

“As long as you’re cool with that,” Ryder said, heaving himself upright and heading for his bedroom. “They’ve been bugging me about meeting you.” He shot a teasing grin over his shoulder as he ducked into the bathroom.

Lucas leaned in the doorway, listening to the sound of the sink running and the cabinet opening and closing. “I’d like to meet them.” When Ryder reappeared, he let his gaze skate down over the man’s bulky frame and back up again. “Although I don’t want to stay too late.”

“You have plans, babe?” Ryder’s dark blue eyes gleamed as he pulled on his coat.

“Absolutely.” He held Ry’s hand on the way through the parking lot, rested his palm on the thick thigh on the drive, and wrapped his arm around Ryder’s waist on the way into the bar, loving the heavy weight of the muscly biceps across his shoulder.

When they stepped into the bar, a wave of warmth and sound flowed over them, nothing overwhelming but welcoming somehow. Lucas felt himself relaxing. This wasn’t a pickup spot or a dive, just a friendly neighborhood spot where it seemed everyone was welcome. No one gave them a second glance, even though they were obviously together.

“You must be Lucas!” A pretty little redhead weaved through the tables toward them, his smile brighter than the overhead lights. “I’m Finn. Hey Ryder. Mav and Jax are at the usual table.” He spun around and led them back through the busy room to a large booth by the far wall.

“Hey.” A man with the dark hair and big muscles gave him a nod. “I’m Maverick. Nice to meet you at last.”

The other man, who sported a deep auburn fade and a black t-shirt so tight it showed off his pierced nipples, looked Lucas upand down before smiling. “Ryder’s been keeping you hidden,” he said.

“Mav, Jax, this is Lucas.” Ryder slid into the booth and drew Lucas against his side. They doffed their jackets and got comfortable. Ryder poured them each a beer from the pitcher in the middle of the table.

Lucas pressed in close without hesitation, soaking in the warmth of the bulky body and the buzz of conversation around them. The comfort of Mav and Finn made it clear that no one cared about seeing same-sex couples there. He glanced from Ryder to Mav’s thick arms to Jax, equally built and tough-looking. No one would dare.

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