Page 72 of Oh No! There's an Incubus in my Hot Spring
Irene:Okay, I’ve still got two hours left for you this week so I’m on it. Local outlet first which might be weird, don’t judge me, and then I’ll start drumming up some consistent looking Instaframe content. Let’s start there. Shoot me some good, colorful shots of the place when you can. Top deck at sundown would be awesome.
Sylvia:Will do. Night <3
Irene:Gnight friend
I set my phone down and focus back on the warmth of Apollo’s chest and the movie I’ve seen a half-dozen times. My phone buzzes again and I think maybe Irene forgot something. I pull it up and click on the notification without looking.
Mom:Jason is in CO.
My heart skips a beat and my body tenses. Apollo’s arm pulls me closer.
Sylvia:Good to know.
I shoot back the one-part dismissive, one-part thankful text and hope she leaves it at that. I don’t want to see Jason. I don’t want her to be the architect of him coming to try to see me. Please, for the love of all things, don’t let my mother be involved with Jason being in Colorado.
Mom:He’s headed to Grizzly
My heart works double-time.
“What is it, lovely?” Apollo asks against my temple as the heroine on screen kicks ass and takes names.
“Just…bullshit,” I say, my fingers tap-dancing on the back of my phone.
It buzzes and I pull it up to look.
Mom:He wants to see u
Sylvia:Good for him
Mom:U don’t?
Sylvia:No
Mom:He loves u
My blood boils.
Sylvia:He fucked my assistant on my couch
Her dots appear, then disappear, then appear…and disappear.
I plunk the phone down on my stomach and push my way closer to Apollo.
“My ex is here.”
“Here?” he asks, tense as his magical tattoos flare.
“Notherehere. Sorry. He’s in the state and wants to see me.”
“I already said he is not welcome. I will not allow him on the premises, or anywhere near you.” His lips graze over my hair in what might be a kiss. Ever since I told him no lip-locking, he’s been careful about kiss affection, and that’s good. I take a deep breath of Apollo’s manly, possessive bullshit and love it. It feels so good to have someone unequivocally on my side.
But I also know I need to keep myself safeguarded. He can’t love me, and I can’t let myself open to him deeply enough to get as hurt as Mark’s great-grandmother. Hurt enough to try to hurt him in return. I never want to do that.
“Thank you,” I say, still loving the way he makes me feel. “But if he pays to come here, what can we do?”
He strokes his talons through my wild hair. “Buy a new sign that states you can refuse service to anyone for any reason.”
That’s actually a pretty good idea. Covers my bases if I have to kick Mark’s spies out.
