Page 86 of Wandering in Darkness
“Oh?” he asks. “What kind of hike?” He waggles his eyebrows, well aware of my pining after Grayson. He knew quite early when I’d asked about Grayson and he told me he’d seen him out with his boyfriend.
“The kind where he made me run straight up the ‘Stairway to Hell’ and then laughed when I fell on my face.”
“I was thinking something a bit more… romantic, but he’s a stubborn one. I have faith. You can do it!”
“Hmm…”
Tate’s eyebrow lifts as he leans into me so the others can’t hear. “Wait… so… was that a romantic run up the stairs? A romantic laugh when you fell on your face?”
“He kissed me.”
Tate smirks. “Like… how Eddie kissed you?”
That makes me laugh. “No one kisses like Eddie. Speak of the devil. There’s Eddie and his tonsil-stroking tongue.”
Eddie walks over right before it’s time to board.
“Eddie, we were just talking about your skills,” Tate says.
“Oh yeah?” Eddie responds, clearly distracted.
“Something… going on?” I ask.
He looks over at me and smiles. “Sorry, just running late and was positive I wasn’t going to make it on time. We’re likeThe Avengerswhere you’re all like Person Number Sixty-Nine in the credits and I’m the main Avenger.”
“So what number am I, then?” Tate asks.
“At least Person One Ninety-Two.”
“Wow, they sure took their time deciding they needed me, then.”
Eddie laughs. “You’re like the person who is walking toward the restroom while I give my glorious speech.”
“Do you ever get tired of loving yourself?” Audrey asks.
“There’s a lot here to love,” he says, throwing his arms over Tate’s and my shoulders as we wait to be called to board. “You know I love you both, right? I’ll share some of my glory with you. Where’s Grayson?”
“He’s not coming today.”
“Seriously? My boy is holding out on me? What’s he up to? Probably playing with his pizzle, if I had to guess.”
“Good lord. Can we board so I don’t have to hear you talk?” Audrey asks as she waves him toward the attendant who is calling for all military personnel to board.
“Looks like you’re next to me, Eddie,” Devon says, and I notice the way Eddie hesitates. I guess he’s disappointed that he can’t pester someone for the whole flight, which is fine with me. I plan to sleep and know if I ended up next to him, he wouldn’t let me.
“Oh look, you’re seated next to the only person you haven’t tried kissing yet,” I realize. “Maybe this flight is the meet-cute you’ve both been waiting for.”
“Ihavebeen having a tough go of it. I think all of you broke my spirit a bit,” Eddie says.
Tate grins. “I’m pretty sure nothing could break your spirit.”
We load onto the plane and Tate slides in next to me.
“Where’d you go last night? Did you ditch us for that girl you’ve been talking to?” I ask Tate.
“Excuse me, does someone need dating advice?” Eddie asks as he tries to look between the seats. I grab the safety pamphlet and shove it between the seats to ward him off.
“Dammit. You two are no fun,” he says. “I just want to be involved.”
