by Sean Michael
Payne looked over one of his shoulders, then the other. “Tell me there’s not, like, a demon on my back.”
Will shook his head immediately. “God no.” Had there been a demon on Payne’s back he could actually see, at least a little screaming would have been involved. “You’ve got a great ass.” Dammit, he’d said that out loud, hadn’t he?
“Oh. Uh. Thank you. I mean, that’s nice.”
“Sorry. Inappropriate, I know.” He shook his head. God, what was it about Payne that turned him into an idiot? At least now he wasn’t being an idiot and an asshole.
“It’s still nice to hear. Sometimes I wonder if I’m invisible.”
“Well, you work on your own here at the house, right? All alone for all intents and purposes?” Will thought that kind of thing would drive him crazy. He didn’t mind his own company now and then, but day in and day out he’d probably bore himself to death. He liked having friends to talk to, to hang out with.
“Yes. Telecommuting, the wave of the future. Ghosts, the… wave of the past?”
“Not if they’re affecting you now they aren’t.” Will knew he didn’t want to work in an office, but he couldn’t imagine working from home alone all the time. Even if he was hanging out with people in the evening, he couldn’t see how the days would be anything but a grind.
Payne sighed again. “I was making a joke. Trying to, anyway.”
Damn, he’d done it again. “I’m sorry. Honestly.”
“I know. I mean, it’s not the time, right?”
“It’s probably the perfect time for joking. Keep things light.” They were trapped in Payne’s room by a beady-eyed ghost or demon or whatever. Who knew what the right thing was?
Payne sat on the edge of the bed and curled his legs under him, ignoring the TV and Blu-ray remotes on the bedside table. “Tell me about how you got into this?”
Will was about to ask if Payne really wanted to talk when they could be watching a movie, then he thought better of it. Why not tell Payne about it—it would pass the time.
“Blaine, Jason, and I met in the seventh grade.”
“You guys were just kids!”
“Yeah, we were. We thought we were on top of the world, though. And when Jason’s dad bought him a video camera, we knew we were kings. Jason couldn’t figure out how to work the thing, but I soon sussed it out and became our main cameraman.”
“So is that what you went to school for?” Payne asked, rearranging the pillows on his side of the bed and leaning against them.
“Oh, I only went as far as high school. We were going to be the Ghostbusters for real.” He grinned. They’d been so optimistic back then, so sure they were going to have a TV deal. So very young. At least they all loved what they were doing, even if the TV thing hadn’t happened yet. “What about you? You went to college?” The guy had to have if he was an actual librarian, right?
“I did. I have two master’s degrees.”
“Two? That’s a little bit greedy, isn’t it?” He hoped Payne figured out he was teasing. They didn’t have a good track record with that at the moment.
“Well, I used yours.” Payne winked.
Oh, good one! “Touché. So were you always a nerd?”
“I’ve always loved books, yeah. I mean, I keep thinking I’ll write a novel one day when I retire, but I love research. I love putting things in order.” Payne became animated as he talked about his work.
Will was glad Payne hadn’t taken the word nerd as an insult, because it hadn’t been meant as one.
“That’s cool. I mean so not my bag. Although if it’s about ghost hot spots, I will do a lot of research and enjoy the reading, but for that to be my whole life….” He shook his head. Honestly, he didn’t have the patience.
“I know it sounds boring, but it’s very satisfying. To put a piece of information somewhere and know I can retrieve it whenever I need to.”
“Sure, sure. And it’s a good thing we all find different stuff interesting and fulfilling, or everybody would want the same jobs and there’d be nobody to do everything else.”
“Right. Exactly.” Okay, that was a sweet smile.
“You want another drink? Some beef jerky?” He could totally get up and raid Payne’s stash some more. Especially as they’d need munchies for the movie. Or at least he would. He didn’t know Payne’s movie snack of choice yet. His was actually popcorn with lots and lots of butter, but that wasn’t on offer here.
“I’m good, thanks.” Payne grinned over at him. “I’m sorry you’re stuck here, but it’s so much nicer to not be alone.”
It must have really sucked to be alone for Payne to be this happy to be stuck in here with Will. Although honestly, he was being nice now. Hell, he was feeling much more like himself.
“All part of the service.” He winked.
Payne chuckled. “Man, you got the rough assignment.”
“I don’t know. At least we’re on this side of the door from where the scary eye is. The guys are on the same side as it is.” And there still wasn’t any noise outside of the room. What had happened to the others?
“Yeah. Yeah, I get it. None of the workers saw a demon, though, right?” Payne offered.
“Very true. I’m sure they’ll be fine.” This was their job after all.
“Did they bring… salt? Silver?”
“Uh. No. We believe in communication. Besides, demons aren’t real.” Only ghosts. But maybe ghosts who could be evil enough one might think they were demons. They did carry holy water with them, just in case.
“How do you know demons aren’t real?” Payne asked.
“Because they aren’t. I’ve never seen one. Never seen anything that couldn’t be explained or wasn’t a ghost. They aren’t real. Nasty ghosts? Evil ghosts? Sure, but not demons.” Will refused to believe demons were real, and that went double now that there was a ghost outside of the room who had creepy, beady eyes.
“Huh. Okay.” Payne shrugged, smiled. “You’re the authority.”
“Yep. Now how about we watch this cartoon of yours and see if the antithesis of our ghost problem will release the door.” Lots of cheer to counter the boo factor.
“I hope so. I really do.” Payne reached out, squeezed his hand. “Thanks for being here.”
He turned his hand around and linked their fingers together, squeezed back. “Ditto. I wouldn’t want to be in this situation alone either.”
They sat there holding on to each other’s hands. It was weird and strange and oddly comforting.
7
Payne tried not to let on how worried he was, how scared he was, how much he wanted to just curl up in the center of the bed and hide. Given that Will wasn’t staring him down, he must be doing okay. The movie was helping a little—what with all the songs and good overcoming evil. Will’s hand wrapped around his helped as well. At least he wasn’t alone this time.
The movie ended, and Will got up, stretched, and walked casually to the door. Payne pretended he hadn’t noticed, that he didn’t know what Will was doing and wasn’t waiting for the results with bated breath. Will grabbed hold of the doorknob, turned it and tugged. Nothing happened. Growling, Will pulled harder and still the door didn’t open. Damn. Looked like they were still stuck in here.
“Fucking thing,” muttered Will.
“I tried taking the screws out of the hinges, but it didn’t make a difference.” The door was well and truly stuck closed.
“How did you get it to open last time?” Will asked.
Payne shrugged. “I didn’t do anything. I just tried it at one point and it opened.”
“No shit? That’s crazy. This is crazy.” Will grabbed his phone again and shook his head. “No fucking bars—no wonder I didn’t get an answer to my texts earlier. Do you think it’s the good ghost or the bad ghost that’s locked us up in here?”
“I don’t know how you’d know. I don’t even know how you’d tell them apart.”
“I have no idea. I guess it depends on what kind of shit is happ
ening on the other side of the door. I mean, if it’s bad stuff, maybe the good one locked us up in here to keep us safe. In which case I’m pissed for the guys. On the other hand, if it’s the bad ghost, I’m not sure what they’re trying to accomplish. I mean, we have food and entertainment, even a bathroom. Despite being stuck in here it doesn’t feel malevolent, although that beady eye did, I can tell you that much. But it could be that the good ghost is protecting us from that thing? That would be something a grandmother would do, wouldn’t it? Even if she was a ghost. Blaine’s the one who can communicate with them, so he’d know better than me who’s who. I’m just making guesses.”
“I can’t communicate with any of them.” Communication in person wasn’t his thing. Electronically? He was fine. Ghosts fell under the in-person column. Even if they weren’t really people anymore.
“Nah, me neither. I’m just the cameraman, equipment manager, and sometime researcher. Blaine’s the one who’s got the gift.”
“Oh, you said the research word. Be careful,” Payne teased.
“Oops, did I turn you on?”
“Right, like you wouldn’t just turn me down.” He might find Will attractive, but he wasn’t into being rejected.
“Turn you down for wh—oh! Right. Honestly, I meant it as a joke—a double entendre.” Will tilted his head before shrugging. “And you never know.”
Payne snorted and went to find another movie. What if he was stuck in here forever this time? It was good not to be trapped by himself this time, but he hadn’t laid in that much food, and he and Will were making short work of it. Another movie or two and there’d hardly be anything left. If they got out—no, when they got out—he’d have to remember to restock. It had happened once before, so he wouldn’t be surprised if it happened again. He didn’t want to be caught without food in that case.
Will’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Of course, I think it’s more of a matter of you not being interested, eh?”
Seriously? Will was going to put that on him? He’d never had a chance to decide whether or not he found Will attractive. Which, for the record, he did, despite the fact that until they’d gotten locked up in here together, Will had been a growly jerk. “You’ve been really clear that I’m not… that you’re not interested.”
“I know I was an ass. I don’t know why. You’re totally my type, but from the moment we met….” Will frowned. “I don’t know. It really wasn’t like me. I’m the easygoing type.”
“Maybe it’s chemistry. It happens.” People found people attractive all the time only to find out they had zero chemistry together.
“It’s weird because now that we’re locked in here, it’s like I’m seeing you with new eyes. I can’t explain it, but I wish we’d only just met.”
“It’s fear, right?” They only had each other to cling to, so Will’s earlier ire at him had faded. Wasn’t that it?
“You think I suddenly think you’re hot because I’m scared?”
“You think I’m hot?” He wasn’t fishing or anything. He was trying to figure out how this guy who’d been so mean could think he was hot.
“Yeah. Like I said, you’re totally my type.” Will shook, his entire body getting into the move. “It’s like I’m seeing you for the first time. Ever since we got locked in here.”
That made the whole “it’s because we’re in here” thing more logical. Which was too bad because he thought Will was hot too. Although maybe that also came from Payne’s bedroom. Wouldn’t that be a hoot—if they could have this whole relationship right here in this room that didn’t exist anywhere else in the world?
Will interrupted his thoughts again. “Anyway, yes, you’re hot.”
Payne blinked at Will, then his face warmed. “Thanks?” What did you say to that? Especially if it might have been some magic in the room itself. How embarrassing if he said too much, only to find the attraction gone when—if—they got out.
“You’re welcome. Do you mind if I have more food? It feels like we’ve been stuck in here for hours.”
“I don’t mind at all. It’s here for emergencies.” And God knew this was an emergency. Besides, it had been several hours at the least, depending on how long he’d been out before he woke up.
“You think we’re going to be stuck here for two days like you were last time?” Will asked, opening a bag of chips.
“I hope not. Your guys will surely think of something before then.” At least he hoped so. He hoped they weren’t hurt or stuck somewhere themselves. There was no way to tell.
Will pursed his lips. “I’m not sure they even know there’s a problem yet.”
“I’m not either. I don’t even know if time is really moving for them. None of the workers had missed me at all.” Which either was because time moved at a different pace, Payne actually was invisible, or the workers simply hadn’t noticed he wasn’t around. Of course, the most likely of those three scenarios was the last one.
“Well, that’s really fucked up.” Will shook his head and had a few chips before continuing. “I guess we can watch another sing-along movie to keep our spirits up.” Will’s eyes went wide, and then he started to laugh. “Pun not intended, which is a shame because it was a great one.”
Payne blinked; then he started laughing too. That really had been funny.
And wow. A few hours together and they hadn’t killed each other or even snapped at each other, and Will was being civilized, complimentary even. Payne would almost say that he was having fun.
He put The Secret Life of Pets on this time, and they watched it, munching away at his store of chips and cracking open a couple more drinks.
“Another?” Payne asked when the credits came on.
“Sure.”
“How about The Emperor’s New Groove? It’s an oldie but a goodie.” And he hadn’t seen it in a while.
“Oh, I know that one!” Will grinned. “Why have we even got that lever?”
Payne laughed. That wasn’t the exact quote, but it was close enough, and he wasn’t going to prove how big an animated movie geek he was by correcting Will.
“My favorite thing about that movie is that Kronk makes his own theme music.” Will grabbed another soft drink.
Payne put the disc in the Blu-ray player and got it started, grabbing the bag of M&Ms as he returned to the bed. He was definitely going to need to restock.
When The Emperor’s New Groove was over, Will got up to use the facilities. Payne had to admit, he felt less safe with Will on the other side of the bathroom door, which was crazy, but there it was. He cued up Sing while he waited for Will to come back.
What if Will didn’t? What if he got stuck on the other side of the door so they were both locked in separate rooms? Would he be able to hear Will if he called out? The longer it took for Will to come back, the more he worried that they were indeed stuck each in their own room now, and the anxiety of it built like a weight on his chest.
Then the door opened, and Will came out and closed the door behind him. “I hope you don’t need to go in the next few minutes. There’s something evil in there, and it’s got nothing to do with ghosts, but the fan should take care of it soon. If you know what I mean.”
Payne laughed, but secretly he was relieved. He didn’t know if he wanted to close that door between them again. “I’ve got another movie cued up. It’s another animated.” He hoped Will didn’t mind. He, for one, was appreciating the light tone.
“That’s cool. They’re nice and easy.”
And not threatening or scary. But Will didn’t say it, and neither did Payne. No matter how much they were both probably thinking it.
Before coming back to the bed, Will went to the door and tried it once again. It didn’t open, and he shook his head. “Crazy. I mean, it’s been a long time for them to not come and check on us.”
Payne shrugged. He didn’t know what to say.
Will joined him back on the bed, sitting back against the pillows. “At least you’ve got a comfortable bed an
d plenty of entertainment. The Cokes and munchies aren’t bad either.”
Payne was still simply grateful he wasn’t trapped on his own again.
Will shifted slightly, and their shoulders touched. Like the hand-holding earlier, it was comforting.
This time during the movie, Will kept glancing at the door. Like now that he’d checked it and remembered it again, he couldn’t let it go. About halfway through a song-and-dance number, he went over and tried the door once more. It didn’t open, and Will sighed before returning to the bed, sitting close.
“I’m sorry. I could try to fall asleep. I even have some sleeping pills.”
Will blinked at him. “How is that going to help us get out of here?”
“I don’t know. I saw a horror show once where the doors opened when they knocked one of the characters out. So if we need a volunteer, I can do it.”
“Well, you were passed out when I brought you up here and the door locked while you were still passed out. I don’t know if that means you being passed out makes a difference one way or the other, but I can tell you I’d rather be locked in here with you awake than not. That was freaky.”
“Oh good. I really want to be awake.” The idea of being out of it while this weirdness went on freaked him out a little, though he would take one for the team if it unlocked the door. Not that being stuck in here this time was all that bad. Will was good company.
“Awake it is.” Will said the words decisively. “I’m not even going to offer to be unconscious. Not because of you but because of the ghosts.”
“We’ll keep each other company, right? Play cards.” As clearly the movies were no longer holding Will’s interest. Maybe Will just didn’t appreciate singing pigs.
“Yeah. Play cards, watch bad movies, and eat you out of your treasure chest.” Will leaned over to open the chest at the end of the bed, his T-shirt slipping up to expose his midriff.
Payne averted his eyes, trying not to look. This was not appropriate. Will seemed oblivious, shifting and stretching a little more, his ass turning toward Payne. How could Payne not look at that?
God, he was a perv. He’d hired these guys. They were his employees for Pete’s sake.