Page 49 of The Not So Super Hero
Especially considering that Leona already knew about Bailey.They saw him as someone who could be used against Zane.Rebirth didn’t care if Zane suddenly no longer gave a damn about Bailey.They would kill the boy off without hesitation because lives did not matter to them.That was how they were.
“Keep an eye on him.The safest place for him now is your side, though you probably like that.“
Zane hung up.
“Something tells me Chris wasn’t done talking.”Bailey chuckled.
“He was being annoying,” Zane spat, ignoring his ringing phone.
He put it on silent and slipped it into his pocket.If Chris had anything else important to say, he would leave a voicemail or text him.He was not sitting there listening to Chris badger him about Bailey.They weren’t on a date.Zane didn’t like that Bailey had to stick around.Nope, none of that was true, not in the slightest…
Fuck, Zane couldn’t even convince himself of that.Why the hell couldn’t he go back to the mediocre life he had?It was so easy when his heart didn’t do those annoying palpitations every time he thought about Bailey sticking around.
“How has Chris handled this, like, what happened on campus?”Bailey asked.
Zane shrugged.“Fine, I guess.”
“Is he fine, though?You were attacked, could have been killed.I imagine he’s worried about you.”
“He’s always worried.It’s in his nature.”
Ah, yes, always trying to answer with something humorous or sassy to get off topic.Bailey rolled his eyes.He should have figured he wouldn’t get much out of Zane without a fight.
“Why must you make everything so difficult?Can’t you just be an open book that answers all my questions without making it into a joke?”Bailey sent Zane a smile that had him smirking in return.
“Aren’t mysterious guys trendy?”
“Like you want to be trendy.”
“True.”
Bailey always liked to at least try to get Zane to talk.If he didn’t, then he would learn nothing about Zane.However, Zane had hit his emotional limit that day, actually he probably far surpassed it after whatever happened with Natalia and Nate.The only reason he was in a decent mood was because they had got his mind off such serious discussions.
Rather than push his limits anymore, Bailey asked, “How old are you?”
“Twenty-two, why?”
“Just wondering.I’m nineteen!”
“I didn’t ask.”
Bailey pursed his lips; not liking the teasing tone.“I’m going to kick you out of the car and make you walk home.”
“You’d try to kick me out of the car.”Zane corrected him, and their bickering continued all the way back to Zane’s apartment.
It was late by the time they returned.The sun had set, and the temperature continued to drop.Snow cascaded from the sky, slow at first, then picked up speed.Neither Zane nor Bailey took notice of the weather.The atmosphere in the apartment changed drastically from what it was earlier.The cold air that lingered there had dissipated, replaced with a warmth that made it feel like home.Bailey hadn’t even been there that often, yet he felt so comfortable.
Zane didn’t seem to mind Bailey’s presence either.In fact, he made no inclination that he wanted Bailey to leave at all.The moment they arrived, Zane had suggestions like watching a movie or playing video games.Bailey was a bit baffled that Zane so quickly made up a reason, or an excuse, to keep him there.Honestly, he was ecstatic to be wanted, or wanted to be there, or, well, something like that.
Bailey played games while Zane watched.He had long since beaten the horror game but suggested it to Bailey because he “thought Bailey would like it.”Nah, that was a lie.Bailey was probably going to hate it.At least Zane hoped he would, but Zane was going to love it.
“What the fuck is that?!”Bailey screamed.His hands shook as he attempted to flee from the murderous monsters.He jumped at every little thing or screamed at the top of his lungs.“Y-You said this w-would be fun!”
“It is fun.For me.”
Zane sat at Bailey’s side on the bed.While Bailey had his legs crossed and tucked beneath the blankets, Zane had his hanging stretched over the futon, his feet dangling off the bed.Every now and again, Bailey asked if Zane brought them up because he was scared.A demon would grab him by the ankles and yank the man under the futon into another dimension.Zane gave Bailey a compliment that day for having a childish imagination.
It wasn’t stupid!Everyone knew monsters lived under the bed, in closets, attics and basements.That’s how you knew someone was going to die in a horror movie…or if they saidI’ll be backbecause they wouldn’t be back.
