Page 15 of Ghostly Bother
"No, we're going out back for now. We need to relax. We used up a lot of energy today," Ray informed him. "We'll come in and see what you're watching later."
Bethany stood. "Come on, Haunt. You can hang with us."
"Let me get the door." Lance stood and opened the sliding glass door a bit so Haunt could run in and out of the house. Once everyone was outside, he headed to his bedroom to change clothes and wash away the death from his body. He liked showering as soon as he got home, washing away the smells and anything else he might have carried home from the morgue.
The water was hot as he stepped into the shower and he closed his eyes, lifting his face to the stream, letting himself relax. He let thoughts of work slip away and thought about what he could make for dinner. With no idea when Angus would get home, he didn't plan on anything too extensive, but he wanted more than a frozen dinner.
"You are here."
A woman's voice pulled him from his thoughts, and he jumped as he realized he wasn't alone. Lance gasped and quickly put his hands over his goods as he recognized the woman. "What the hell are you doing? I'm showering."
"I wanted to be sure you were here." Eden shrugged. "You're not embarrassed, are you? I'm dead. I'm hardly interested in what you have to offer."
Anger raged as Lance stared at her, unable to believe she would be so intrusive. "Get out. I'll talk to you when I'm done."
"You okay in there?" Angus called from the doorway.
"No, Eden's in here with me. I didn't hear you get home." Lance wanted to tell Angus to get her out, but since Angus couldn't see ghosts, that wasn't possible. "Eden, get out. Go into the backyard and we'll meet you there once I'm dressed."
"I want to know what's going on with my murder." She stood with her head half in and out of the shower curtain.
"Well, I'm not having this conversation while naked. Get out!" Lance wanted to push her, but again, she was a ghost, and he couldn't do anything to stop her.
"She's here?" Angus came into the bathroom and pulled back the shower curtain a bit to look at Lance. "You brought her home?"
"I didn't. She must have gotten a ride with you." Lance glared at Eden who wasn't leaving.
"I was at the police station, and he said he was headed home. You said you were dating him, so I figured he could lead me to you. Now you can tell me everything he found out today."
"I'm not telling you anything unless you get out of my bathroom now." Lance pointed a finger. "Go out to the backyard and talk to the ghosts out there. I'll come out when I finish."
"There's more ghosts here?" Eden asked, still watching him.
"Backyard. Go!" Lance yelled.
Eden sighed. "I'll be back if you don't hurry." She disappeared as she pulled back.
"She gone?" Angus asked.
"I hope so. That was unexpected. Does she think rules don't apply to her now that she's a ghost?" Lance was furious. He angerly reached for the shampoo and filled his palm with the liquid before slamming the bottle back onto the rack.
"What can I do?" Angus asked, looking toward the bedroom, then back at him.
"I'd ask you to join me, but she's ruined my mood." Lance lathered his hair, then tipped back his head to rinse. "I can't believe she did that."
"Sorry. I had no idea she was with me." Angus stepped back. "Finish your shower and we can talk."
Lance heard the bathroom door close, and he let out a long sigh. As angry as he was, he wouldn't take it out on Angus. It wasn't his fault Eden had come home with him. Just the factthat woman knew where he lived now pissed him off. His home was his safe place. Sure, a lot of ghosts came and went, but he'd invited most of them. And none of the ghosts he called friends would ever dream of invading his shower.
He quickly finished his shower and made his way into the bedroom, a towel tucked tightly around his waist. He wasn't going to risk Eden being in the room waiting for him. He didn't see her but found Angus sitting at the foot of the bed waiting for him.
"You okay?" Angus asked.
"Yeah, just mad she had the nerve to do that." Lance pulled out underwear and a pair of sweatpants. He quickly changed into them before grabbing a t-shirt and pulling it on.
"Come here." Angus held out his arms.
Lance sighed, trying to let his anger go as he walked into his arms and rested his head on Angus's shoulder. "I'm sorry." He closed his eyes as Angus's arms tightened around him. "It's not your fault."
