Page 225 of Haunted

Stupid bastard had it coming, not that such an argument cut any ice with the boss. Butch was still amazed he’d let them go into Livingston for Zeeb’s birthday bash, but thankfully there’d been no shenanigans.

Only what Sol and I got up to in our room.

That ache in Butch’s chest was back.

“Butch? You in here?” Zeeb called out from below.

“Yup,” he hollered down. “Just finished cleaning the bathroom.” He came down the stairs to find Zeeb standing in the main room, trailing a finger along the spanking bench’s black vinyl covering.

The sight of it made Butch’s balls tighten.

Wonder what that feels like?It wasn’t the first time the thought had occurred to him.

Zeeb glanced at him and grinned. “Just checkin’ for dust.”

“Did you want something?”

Zeeb nodded. “Toby called.”

“I thought he was out someplace. I didn’t see his truck earlier.”

“He went into Bozeman, I think, but he’s back now. Said he wants you to go on up to the house.”

“That’ll be for the Halloween decorations.” The boss obviously wanted to make sure everything would be ready. “Is Matt making that cake again?”

“The one that looked like body parts, all red inside? Lord, I hope so, it was delicious. Never did figure out how he got that red jelly to ooze out like blood.” Zeeb studied him. “How you doing?”

Butch kept his expression neutral. “I’m just fine.” And if at some point that day it had occurred to Butch to wonder how Sol would be spending Halloween, he’d dismissed it just as quickly.

He didn’t need to torture himself any more than he already had done.

Zeeb was still watching him. “You sure about that?”

“No, but it’s the only answer you’re gonna get.” Butch took a deep breath. “I know you’re asking because you care, but—”

“Weallcare, okay? And I’m the only one askin’ because I drew the short straw. Which I was kinda hoping for, by the way. Just so long as you know, we’re here for ya. Anytime, Butch.” Zeeb held a hand up. “And you don’t have to say another word. You don’t wanna talk about it, and that’s okay. We’re goin’ nowhere.”

Hearing his own words to Sol echoed only served to exacerbate the ache in his chest.

He forced a smile. “Thanks. And now I’d better get up to the house.” He headed for the door. Zeeb meant well, but Butch wasn’t ready to talk about Sol.

He wasn’t sure if he ever would be.

Butch strolled up the path, wishing he’d worn his coat. The stiff breeze chilled him a little. He went into the house and straight into the living room. “Here to pick up the dead bodies,” he called out, grinning.

The boss came out of the kitchen. “That can wait. I need you to check on the state of the cabin.”

“Sure. Someone got a guest staying tonight?” That was weird. No one had mentioned such a thing.

And how would you know that, when no one is talking to you?

“Yes,” Toby said as he followed the boss. “You do.”

Butch frowned. “Then you know something I don’t, because I ain’t got a guest tonight.”

The boss chuckled. “You do now.”

There was movement behind Toby, and Butch’s heart skipped a beat when Sol walked into the living room, dressed in jeans, boots, and a black sweater.

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