Shivers

by Remmy Duchene

  In the car, he tried listening to music. The show host was talking about homosexuality and how it wasn’t such a big deal anymore. Kofi switched the channel and landed on a soft rock station. His brain couldn’t handle that either. The next station was hip-hop, so he left it there, switched lanes and sped along the street, head bopping to the beat but not really listening. Kofi arrived at the restaurant way too quickly for his liking. He sucked in some air and stepped from the sports car. As he closed the driver’s door, a familiar feeling swam over him and he glanced around. There was no glint from Osaki’s sword, neither did he see the samurai. Shaking it off as paranoia, he entered the restaurant for his date.

  * * * *

  Kofi stared into the open suitcase. What did one pack for Japan? He switched his attention to the pile of folded clothes on the bed beside the suitcase and rested his hands on his hips. Footsteps coming up the stairs caught his attention but he didn’t turn around. He knew it was his brother since Carter was there to help him pack. Yet his brother had only spent the day sitting in the center of the bed, back against the headboard, eating Cheetos from a large bowl and watching reruns on the big screen. Kofi rolled his eyes with a smile.

  He hoped Carter didn’t ask him about his date. He wasn’t ready to talk about it. To say it had crashed and burned would be an understatement. He continued packing, holding up each outfit to his brother who would approve or disapprove with a simple nod or a shake of the head.

  “I miss these times together,” Kofi admitted. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’m here…”

  “Not really. You have a husband now. When we do get together, it’s with him and the in-laws and Greek gods… Lately it feels like I moved into a circus.”

  Carter went silent, so Kofi stopped peeking under the bed for a pair of shoes and glanced up at his brother. Carter had discarded his snack and was climbing off the bed. Kofi stood. His brother then cradled his face and Kofi felt like a child again.

  “I’m your brother… And any time you need me, I’m right here.”

  Kofi smiled.

  “I’m serious, Kofi.”

  “I know…”

  Carter grinned. “Except now because I have to go to work, but any other time, I’m your man.”

  Kofi laughed and pulled his face from Carter’s grasp. “Nerd.”

  “Why, thank you. Now give me a hug.”

  Kofi accepted the squeeze, kissed the side of his brother’s head then walked him to the front door. Just before Carter left, Kofi grabbed a bottle of juice for him and soon Kofi was by himself and feeling lonelier than before. He didn’t go back to packing. Instead, he grabbed his keys, cell phone and wallet then exited the home. If he couldn’t stay in the house because it was so silent there, he might as well get some work done. With that thought firmly in his head, Kofi headed into the office.

  Entering his building, he signed in at the security desk.

  “Mr. O!”

  Kofi stopped to grin at the young security officer. “Christophe! How are you?” He shook the man’s hand. “How’s school?”

  “I’m exhausted. School? Well, I’m taking a year off.”

  “A year off? Why?”

  “Have to work,” Christophe said with a smile. “You know, since Dad died I’ve been taking care of Mom, so money is tight. Just doesn’t seem fair that I splurge on school when she needs stuff.”

  “Yes, but don’t they change the requirements every year? By the time you go back, you’ll have to retake stuff.”

  Christophe Sidler nodded. “I know. But I just can’t do it now.”

  “When is your day off?”

  “Next Saturday. I have to take Mom to a doctor’s appointment, then I’m pretty much free.”

  “Tell you what. Call my cell phone when you’re done. We should talk. I’m heading on vacation for a bit, so that’s why we have to meet so quickly.”

  “I don’t mind. You’re still coming to my match, right?”

  “Yeah. I might be bringing some friends too.”

  “Even better.”

  Kofi grinned. “You have a good day.”

  Christophe nodded and Kofi made his way toward the elevator. He felt as though he could breathe again and that was a wonderful feeling. The music in the elevator sucked as usual and he wondered why his team thought it fit to put music in it. Who was in the elevator for more than a few seconds at a time? Why did the elevator need music? The door pinged open and he walked into the lavish lobby to his company. He paused to rub a bit of dust off the O in Olabasu Real Estate then stopped to get the mail he hadn’t picked up the day before.

  After dropping the mail on his desk, along with his keys and cell, something pulled him to the window. He looked down and a smile crept to his face. The sun glistened off an object and he knew precisely what it was.

  Osaki, why are you here?

  “Because you called me.”

  Kofi whipped around and grabbed for his glass paperweight on the desk then sent it flying at the man’s head. “Shit!”

  Osaki reached out, caught the chunk of glass and placed it gently back on the desk.

  “Why do you sneak up on me? I could have hurt you.”

  “My apologies.” Osaki smirked at him.

  Perhaps it was the idea that he thought he could have hurt Osaki but whatever caused that expression on the samurai’s face left a warm feeling in the pit of Kofi’s stomach.

  “But you asked a question,” Osaki continued. “I was merely responding.”

  “Can you start using the door—please?”

  “As you wish.”

  “I don’t mean to be a dick but I don’t know if my heart can take this popping in and the whole abracadabra of all of this.”

  Osaki bowed his head. A few wayward strands of dark hair slipped over his forehead. “Then you do not seek my assistance?”

  “No…”

  “Very well.” Osaki turned on his heels for the door.

  “Osaki, wait.”

  He stopped and glanced over his shoulder at Kofi. There was something in his eyes, a look that sent Kofi’s blood boiling and caused his mouth to go dry. He smiled and walked to his chair before his knees buckled. “Have dinner at my place night after tomorrow?” Kofi asked. “My brother has other plans and it sucks eating alone.”

  For a long silent moment, the samurai merely stared at him. Kofi’s cheeks heated, his palms became sweaty and he swore Osaki could hear his heart hammering. He moved closer to Osaki, so close he could feel the Shiver’s breath against his skin. It washed over his face like a caress. He couldn’t help himself—he moaned softly and took another step toward him. “So?” Kofi whispered, his voice cracking. “What do you say about dinner?”

  “Thank you for the invitation, Kofi…” Osaki bowed his head, their lips inches from each other.

  “But?” The word escaped Kofi’s mouth as a breath.

  “No buts.”

  “Then you are coming? I’ll make something you’ll like.”

  Osaki didn’t move. “We need to speak on our trip to Japan, so dinner would be perfect. Seven, okay?”

  That caused Kofi to snap out of the daze he’d fallen into. He inhaled and nodded. “Right… Talk about the trip.” He took a few steps back, putting the desk between himself and Osaki. After another long stare between them, Osaki vanished and Kofi felt as if he was breathing again after an eternity. His whole body trembled. Fire surged through his veins and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so aroused. He also felt ashamed and he couldn’t understand it.

  “All you need right now is time away. It’ll be fine.”

  But even after he finished up at work and hurried to the grocery store, he still didn’t believe any of that.

  Chapter Five

  The next day, things were no better. Kofi still felt as if he were swimming upstream in a rough river. He grabbed a banana and his things for the gym. He played a quick game of basketball with Carter then made his way back to the offic
e. When he saw his schedule, Kofi almost cried. Still, he settled into his day and was so exhausted halfway through that he was glad when a few things fell through. He called Christophe to see if they could meet instead of waiting for the weekend. Christophe agreed, so Kofi gathered his things and stopped at the front desk to hand over the outgoing mail for the day.

  His next stop was by Ciro and Carter’s place to talk to them for a little while, buying time while Christophe could get his errands done.

  “You’re waiting for Christophe? What for?” Carter asked.

  “He’s going through some stuff right now and is even thinking of putting school off for a year,” Kofi replied, sitting in an overstuffed chair.

  “He can’t do that! Do you know hard it is to go back after not going for a while? There has to be something you can do, right?”

  Kofi nodded. “That’s why I want to meet and talk with him.”

  “Well, if there’s any way I can help, you know I’m game.”

  “I know,” Kofi replied.

  Ciro entered the room and suddenly Kofi felt like the odd man out. He excused himself to grab some water in the kitchen. Halfway there he stopped, breathed, then returned to the living room. “I have to go,” Kofi announced.

  “Already?” Carter asked. “You just got here.”

  “I did not mean to interrupt your brother time,” Ciro added. “I was just…”

  “It’s fine. I have a late lunch thing anyway. I’ll call later.” Kofi left with Carter calling after him. He knew he was leaving in a bit of a huff but he couldn’t help it. Lately he always felt like a third wheel with them around. Taking a breath, he tossed himself behind the wheel of his sports car and sped from the driveway. In the rearview mirror, he saw Carter standing on the top steps staring after him. Kofi felt like a tool. He should have just stayed at Carter’s until it was time to go meet with Christophe. The truth was, no matter how hard he tried, he still felt out of his depth when he was around Ciro and Carter. They were so much in love that they only had eyes for each other. He couldn’t fault them. The thought that someone loved Carter so desperately made Kofi’s heart soar. He just didn’t like being alone.

  Since he was too early for his meeting with Christophe, Kofi made a left turn just two streets away. He parked and made his way through the line of cars. He sat by himself and watched the time. When it was time to meet Christophe, he drove the five minutes it took to get to Cinti’s, a small café that seemed to be the toast of the town. While he waited, he ordered one of their signature Berry Explosion drinks and texted back and forth with Carter, who was worried about him.

  “Sorry I’m late.” Christophe sounded tired as he fell into the seat across from Kofi.

  Almost instantly, their waiter appeared at his side.

  “I’ll have what he’s having,” Christophe said.

  “You look exhausted.”

  “Yeah. Had to cover someone last night then had to run some errands for Mom. My aunt visited this morning but I wound up having to throw her out. Mom cannot be stressed right now and she was aggravating Mom. I really don’t need all of this because I have a fight later.”

  “Any chance you can cancel?”

  “No. The last thing I need is for them to think I’m a coward. This fight is happening, tired or no.”

  The waitress brought his drink and left them alone again. Christophe took a sip then eased back in his seat.

  “What did you want to talk to me about?”

  “This whole business of taking time off school is a bad idea.”

  Christophe nodded. “I agree. It’s just I can’t afford everything right now. The doctor put Mom on more meds and I really don’t know how that’s going to work…”

  “Listen.” Kofi moved his drink out of the way and rested his elbows against the table. “You’re studying architecture, right?”

  Christophe nodded.

  “My brother is an architect. He runs one of the biggest firms in the city. What if I talked him into starting a scholarship? You can be the first recipient—that way your schooling is covered and you can work for me in the office part-time showing houses. I will pay you a base rate and split the commission on any house you show that gets sold.”

  Christophe’s eyes widened. “That’s like… Your houses are multimillion dollar properties, and don’t I need a license?”

  “Only if you’re selling. I’m allowed to have an assistant who doesn’t have a license. You just can’t handle any of the paperwork and stuff like that. So, what do you think?”

  “Not having to worry about paying for school would be great,” Christophe whispered. “And having a job like your assistant would give me plenty of money to take care of Mom and save a little something for a rainy day. But…”

  “This is not a handout, Christophe. I know how you are when it comes to that. You will be working for every penny.”

  “And think of how great it would look on my résumé to say I’m associated with the Olabasu brothers?”

  “I don’t know about all that.”

  “Are you kidding?” Christophe leaned in. “I haven’t heard a bad thing about you or Carter. I’ve been in the architecture world for a while now. Even your competitors are impressed.”

  Kofi smiled. “There were people in our lives who helped us when we were starting out. Without them, Carter and I wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are. This is a way of paying it forward.”

  “Then I’d be a fool to let this opportunity go by,” Christophe replied with an extended hand. “I accept. But I will have to give notice…”

  “You let me worry about that. You need to go home, tell your mom the news and prepare for tonight.”

  Christophe grinned. “I’m nervous but I think I’m ready. This guy is tough. I’ve been preparing—working out.”

  “Well, that’s good. Just make sure you take a little quiet time beforehand too.”

  “You know, you’re not the first person to tell me that.” Christophe said.

  “Okay, how about some grub. Then we see you later?”

  Christophe nodded and Kofi waved his arm to the waiter. Throughout lunch, the two talked about their upcoming working relationship. It was good for Kofi to be around a human for a chance and not have a Greek god or a Shiver popping out of thin air into his office or home. He wondered what he was thinking hiring Christophe at that point. He wasn’t sure how the young man would take to the news of Hades watching Yankees baseball in the living room, but Christophe needed help. There was no way he could continue the way he was before burning out. By the time lunch was over, it was well past three in the afternoon. He waited until Christophe left before paying the bill and heading back home.

  Walking into the living room to find Hades and Hercules was no longer a shock. Since they didn’t need doors or keys, it just seemed like an everyday thing. Hercules was jumping up and down screaming at the television while Hades had his eyes covered.

  “Um… Guys?” Kofi called.

  “Shh! Shh!” Hades shushed. “Hercules is about to lose this match.”

  “Are you two gambling on horse races in my living room? That’s not cool, man, not cool.”

  “Humans do it!” Hercules replied. “No! No! No!”

  Kofi shook his head and left the two of them there. He knew it was pointless having a conversation with them at that moment. Instead, he checked the kitchen to make sure that Adrestia hadn’t gotten to his potato chips. There was one bag left so he grabbed it and climbed the stairs.

  He spent the next little while talking to the HR department at his company to get Christophe off the security payroll and onto his. He could tell people had questions but he didn’t care. Christophe was a good guy and if he could help him, Kofi would.

  * * * *

  The air in the room was electrifying, to say the least. Some people were screaming their adoration for a fighter while others were chatting happily among themselves. Osaki could smell blood—old blood that had long since been shed in the
venue. It was carnage they’d cleaned up, but he could still tell that it was there. He walked through a narrow passage with Kofi, Carter, Ares and Hades, and they took their seats in the second row.

  It didn’t take long for the others to wander off, leaving Osaki alone with Ares. He remained silent, watching the people around him. He never liked crowds on the best of days and, though they were all humans, there was something unsettling in the air.

  “You are quiet.”

  Osaki chuckled. “I am sorry, my friend. You must remember—all of this is new to me.”

  “You mean the crowd?”

  Osaki nodded.

  “I am surprise you are not accustomed to it by now. Olympus is not exactly known for its privacy.” Ares looked around. “But I understand what you mean.”

  “So you feel it too.”

  Ares patted Osaki’s back. “There is always something in the air—some kind of impending doom. There is always something threatening to wipe this beautiful little planet out of existence but we have always managed to intervene. The best way to get on with living and to make sure the humans move on with their lives is to not be paranoid about it.”

  Osaki didn’t speak. He rested his elbows on his thighs, clasped his fingers and leaned forward. Ares’ words rang true but they didn’t settle the unease inside him. The people around him grew louder and all he could do was sit back in his seat as the others returned with food and drinks. He declined any snacks but the lights dimmed before Carter could voice the question Osaki knew was coming.

  “Are you okay?”

  Humans asked that a lot.

  “Ladies and gentlemen—are—you—ready?” The voice boomed around him.

  The room erupted into screams, whistles and barking. Osaki shook his head and stood as everyone else did and he even managed to applaud. He turned to Kofi and found that he could barely look away. One match ended in a knockout, the second ended in a chokehold, and soon Christophe’s match was next. Kofi surged to his feet when Christophe was announced. Instantly, jealousy reared its head inside Osaki, but he didn’t have time to feel that way for long because the trouble he’d sensed earlier pulsed stronger through him.