Page 109 of Touch in the Dark

“I think I’m gonna stay at the house tonight. I have the key.” I always keep it in my wallet.

“Are you good, man?”

“Yeah,” I sigh. “Just needed space.”

“Stone chased that asshole out. I told him not to come back. If you want to get in touch with him, then that’s up to you but I said if he comes by again without you inviting him, then we’ll call the cops.”

“Dramatic.”

“It kinda was,” he laughs.

“You went full on protector, Arch. You’re my hero.”

“Fuck off,” he laughs. Then he sobers. “Everyone is losing their shit, Nick.”

“Sorry.”

“No need for that,” Arch says. “We understand, but don’t stay away too long, okay? If you’re not back in the morning we’re coming to get you.”

“Yeah, alright.”

“Plus, if you don’t show up for Jordan’s party, we’ll never hear the end of that.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” I say, tilting my head upwards. There are stars coming out now.

“I know you’re not used to this relationship shit,” Arch breaks me from those thoughts. “But maybe you should-”

“She’s my next call,” I cut him off. “Let the others know I’m okay. I don’t want them worrying. I’m good. I had to come see mom. I’m fine now. Promise.”

“Okay. You call if you need anything.”

I promise again, then hang up. Getting up, I touch my hand to my mom and grandfather’s headstones, tell them both I love them, then head out.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Nick’s childhood home is a typical suburban Craftsman house on a quiet street, they all look like single family homes, all well-kept. I glance at the garage as I pull up in Remi’s car. I took one of the ones he usually drives, rather than ask Thomas to bring me out here. I got the address from Jenna, after she got it off Adam. He’d been hesitant at first, but Jenna convinced him. Adam came on speakerphone, asking me to let them know Nick is okay. He trusts me with one of his best friends, which means a lot.

I get out and walk up the paved pathway leading to the steps to the front door. Glancing at the garage, I realise that is where BreakNeck became who they are today.

The door opens before I get to it. Nick is there, wearing sweatpants that look way too tight on him. I can’t help it, I laugh. He looks down at himself and grins at me.

“What? I haven’t grown that much since I was eighteen.”

“Hmm, you think not? Inside before you get arrested for indecent exposure,” I pointedly stare at his groin and the very obvious outline of his dick, resting against his inner thigh. I grab his shoulders and spin him around, marching him into the house.

“Happy now?” he asks, as he closes the door over behind me. “Although Gladys and Pearl across the street did have their binoculars out earlier when I was mowing the lawn.”

“You did not,” my eyes widen.

“It needed a trim,” he winks.

“Giving old ladies heart attacks?” I cross my arms.

“It’s part of my charm,” I get another panty melting grin. “And who says they’re old.”

“That is all mine,” I huff, even though I suspect he is making that whole thing up.

“That so?”

---