by Darien Cox
“Come on!” Marybeth said. “You guys see each other every day. Stop hugging and let’s go check out the House of Pain.”
Elliot met Nolan’s eyes. Nolan hung back with Myles, the two of them watching the display warily. Myles, seeming compelled to come to the rescue, tilted his chin at Elliot. “We were just about to check out the House of Pain. You guys in?”
“Tyler’s not,” Elliot said, shoving Tim Patterson off him. “He thinks if he goes in a haunted house some ten-year-old’s gonna shiv him.”
Tyler threw his shoulders back. “I’m not afraid. I just said it could happen. I can handle it.”
They all headed down the street of oddities. Christian and Tim, clearly the most intoxicated, cackled like schoolboys and taunted the zombies and vampires they passed by. When they reached the House of Pain, Nolan’s hand rested on the back of Elliot’s neck. “Hey,” he said softly in Elliot’s ear. “Sit this one out with me? I need a break.”
“Sure,” Elliot said. A shiver ran down his spine at Nolan’s gentle touch.
As the group filtered into the dark castle with its screaming demons on the door, Tim looked back. “Nolan, you coming?”
“I’m gonna sit this out. You go ahead.”
“Oh come on!” Tim strode over. “It’s dark in there.” He grinned drunkenly at Nolan. “You can hold onto me if you’re scared.”
In Elliot’s mind, he reached down Tim’s throat, ripped his tongue out, and beat him to death with it.
“You go ahead,” Nolan repeated. “I need to talk to Elliot for a minute.”
Tim wrinkled his nose at Elliot. “Why? Why you always want to be with Elliot, huh? He’s so…cranky.”
“Walk away, Patterson.” Elliot gave him a charming grin. “Or I’ll show you just how cranky I can be.”
Tim raised his hands and backed away. “Oh, fiiine. Scuze me for living.” He stumbled then turned around and disappeared inside the darkened doorway.
“Why is everyone so drunk?” Elliot asked.
“There were drinks at the pub first.” Nolan let out a long breath and rubbed his temples.
“You okay?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go for a walk.”
They walked in silence for a time. When they reached the concession stands at the end of the stretch, Nolan stopped and bought two fried doughs, handing one to Elliot. “Come on,” he said.
Elliot followed, having no idea what their destination was until they crossed over into the field where the cars were parked. When they reached Nolan’s truck, he dropped the tailgate and sat down. “Sorry, I just needed to get out of there.”
“No problem.” Elliot stood before Nolan, trying to appear casual. He took a bite of fried dough then wiped powdered sugar on his jeans. “What are you doing with Tim?”
Nolan made a sour face. “Trying to keep his hands off me.”
“He looked ecstatic to be with you,” Elliot said snidely. “Like he finally won first prize.”
“Yeah, well he’d have better luck if he didn’t get so sloppy.”
A fist tightened in Elliot’s gut. “Better luck with you?”
Nolan had just taken a bite but stopped chewing, eyes on Elliot. He swallowed. “Would you care?”
“You don’t need my permission.”
“What are you doing with Tyler?”
“Just ran into him.”
“So it’s not a date.”
“With Tyler?” Elliot chuckled. “Uh, no. I have no interest in fucking one of Ogden’s cyborgs.”
Nolan set his fried dough aside and wiped his hands together. He avoided Elliot’s eyes. “You heard from Ogden?”
Back to small talk. Okay. I can do this. “Not a word. You?”
Nolan shook his head and licked his fingers.
Silence dragged on. Elliot ate his fried dough, pretending to be interested in the moon. Finally he decided enough was enough. “Nolan?”
“Yeah.”
“You ate a donut at JT’s. And now you’re mainlining powdered sugar. So let’s talk about it before you lose your girlish figure. What’s bothering you?”
“Okay,” Nolan said. “On a scale of one to ten, how badly have I fucked things up between us?”
Elliot swallowed hard. He tossed the rest of his fried dough onto the ground. “That’s what you think? You didn’t fuck anything up. We’re good.”
“Elliot, we’re not good. You said you’d be honest with me. Always. So quit fucking around and tell me how I can fix it. I can’t lose your friendship.”
“That’ll never happen, don’t be ridiculous. We’re friends. We’ve always been friends. We’ll always be friends. Seriously, we’re fine.”
“Really?”
“Really. I was just taking some time to think. I decided it’s not a big deal. We can get past it. I won’t be weird anymore. Clean slate. Tabula rasa. Okay?”
Nolan nodded. “Okay.”
“Good.”
Nolan grinned. “Good.”
“Because we can’t have it both ways. Right? Don’t you agree? It’s ridiculous even thinking about it.”
“What’s both ways?”
“You know. Be friends. And also be something else. Doesn’t work that way.”
Nolan remained silent.
“Because look at us now. All fucking awkward and shit? This isn’t us! I mean what the hell, Nolan. This isn’t us. We need to just….be us, you know?”
Elliot told himself to shut up, but couldn’t seem to stop talking. And the more Nolan remained silent, the more Elliot babbled.
“Because we’ve never had a problem, you and me. Right? Barely ever got into an argument. And Nolan, come on, you know I argue with everyone. But you and me? We’re compatible.”
Nolan looked confused, his brows pinching. “Yeah. We’re compatible.”
“But look at us now. Standing here having to discuss this shit. It’s a sure sign not to go down that road. We haven’t even kissed yet and there’s all this awkwardness and having to assure each other that we’re all good and still friends and what is that bullshit? That’s not us, Nolan.” He shook his head. “That’s not us. Right?”
Nolan sat on the tailgate, swinging his legs, just staring at Elliot.
“What? At least say you agree.”
“Yet?”
“Huh?”
“You said we haven’t kissed. Yet.”
Elliot sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “You know what I mean. Hypothetically.”
“Hypothetically.”
“In a hypothetic scenario, Jesus, Nolan, you know what I mean.”
“A hypothetic scenario.”
Elliot stepped closer to Nolan and pointed a finger in his face. “Stop repeating everything I say.”
Nolan laughed. “So…you want to move past it.”
“Right. It’s a good thing, too. That we’re moving past this. You’d be high maintenance, I can just tell.” Elliot grinned. “That’s a joke. See? I’m joking.”
“I’d be high maintenance in our…hypothetical scenario. Where we kiss.”
“Yeah. In that scenario. Which isn’t gonna happen.”
“So you’ve thought about it.”
“Nolan.” Elliot shook his head.
“Sounds like you’ve thought about it in some detail.”
“Yes, I’ve thought about it. That’s how I came to these conclusions. You told me to be honest, so I am. We can move past it. You agree, right? Now can you just drop it already?”
Suddenly Nolan’s legs caught Elliot around the thighs and tugged him closer. Elliot bumped into the tailgate and he gasped.
“I don’t know,” Nolan said. “Can you just drop it?”
Elliot grabbed Nolan’s shoulders to steady himself. His heart pounded as he looked into Nolan’s reflective brown eyes, a stirring in his groin. “Let go of me.” He couldn’t get enough air suddenly. “What are you doing?”
“Exploring the hypothetical.”
Dizziness threatened
as all of Elliot’s senses lit up in a surge of surreal, sensual pleasures. The cool, scented night air. Nolan’s muscled shoulders under his palms. The look of longing in Nolan’s eyes. His scent. His closeness. “Why are you doing this?” Elliot whispered. “I just said we can move past it.”
“You’re forgetting I know you, Elliot.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Elliot could barely concentrate on Nolan’s words, hyperaware of his strong legs holding him hostage.
“You’re not sure you want to just let it go. That’s why you keep asking if I agree with you. Part of you is asking if I still feel the same way. If I’m still looking at you differently. As more than a friend. But you’re afraid to ask. Afraid of what I’ll say. Afraid I’ll say no. And afraid I’ll say yes.”
“You are fucking with my head, you asshole,” Elliot whispered, weaving slightly. “I can’t think straight.”
Nolan grabbed Elliot’s leather jacket with both hands and gently pulled him in, pressing their foreheads together. “Elliot, it’s okay.” Nolan’s voice trembled. “We’ll always be okay. Just kiss me.”
Elliot’s breath came in short huffs and he closed his eyes. He lifted a trembling hand and ran it along the stubble of Nolan’s jaw. “This is nuts.” He chuckled softly and opened his eyes. “This is insane. We’re not doing this.”
“Why not?” Nolan released Elliot’s jacket and his hands moved to his face.
“Because.”
“Because why?”
“This is nuts,” Elliot repeated in a whisper.
“I don’t care.” Nolan leaned in and nudged his lips against Elliot’s before easing back again. “Kiss me.”
Elliot went completely still. He didn’t lean forward, but he didn’t pull back. Nolan unclasped his legs and released Elliot, perhaps waiting to see if he’d retreat. But Elliot couldn’t move. He’d forgotten to even breathe.
Tentatively, Nolan stroked Elliot’s face. He leaned in. A quick, gentle press of lips, and Elliot released his breath. His heart felt about to bust through his chest. Nolan studied Elliot for a reaction, his expression raw and questioning. He brushed his lips over Elliot’s again, then eased back away from him.
Elliot teetered forward, following Nolan’s lips like a magnet was pulling him, unable to stop the movement. Nolan breathed a shaky sigh when their mouths made contact again. Elliot was stiff, but when Nolan’s lips pressed harder and a hand wrapped around the back of his neck, he softened.
Then Nolan was kissing him. Really kissing him. He held onto Elliot’s head with both hands, roughly gliding his lips over Elliot’s, warm tongue entering his mouth. Elliot gave in to it. His palms slid over Nolan’s shoulders and wrapped around his back.
Nolan’s throat vibrated with a deep moan, beard stubble grazing the flesh around Elliot’s mouth as he kissed him again and again, deeper, harder. He tasted…perfect, felt perfect, and Elliot responded like he’d never been kissed before now. Not like this. Not like he was drowning and didn’t care to save himself.
I’m making out with Nolan.
That single thought caused an uncontrolled reaction as Elliot laughed into Nolan’s mouth and stumbled back.
Nolan frowned at him, lips swollen.
Elliot tried to stop the laughter, but he couldn’t, wheezing with it. He held a hand up. “I’m sorry,” he said between giggles.
Nolan chuckled. “Okay. Not the reaction I was hoping for.”
Elliot wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m laughing. Actually I do know why I’m laughing. Because it’s you.”
“Oh. Thanks, El.”
“No, not in a bad way. Just…it’s you and I kissed you!” More laughter bubbled up. “I fucking kissed you.”
“Was it that bad?”
“No!” Elliot said, the laughter trailing out of him. “No it was fantastic. Oh God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh like that, in that moment. It just…happened.” Elliot let out a long breath.
Nolan hopped off the tailgate and moved toward Elliot. “Fantastic?”
Elliot’s grin slid away when he realized what Nolan was about to do. He opened his mouth to protest, to ask Nolan to let him catch his breath. To give him a moment to stop the world from spinning too fast. Then Nolan was on him, taking him in his arms. His mouth slammed down on Elliot’s and the world spun in double time.
Elliot groaned and swayed. All his resolve disappeared as he melted into it, his tongue eagerly meeting Nolan’s, allowing him to work his mouth open wider. Nolan sucked Elliot’s lip as he slowly retreated from the kiss.
Elliot closed his eyes, panting. “Shit,” he whispered.
“Still think it’s funny?”
“Not so much.”
“Good.” Nolan’s soft lips were on him again, tongue probing, tender and skillful kisses.
Elliot’s phone was making noise in his pocket, an annoying and insignificant sound at first. Lost in Nolan’s kiss, it took him a moment to recognize the unique tone. He pulled his head back. “Nolan.”
Nolan grabbed Elliot’s face and kissed him roughly, again and again like he was starving for him.
“Wait,” Elliot said between kisses. “My phone.”
“Ignore it.”
“Nolan—”
Nolan’s hands slid down and gripped Elliot’s hips, pulling them against him, and for one moment Elliot forgot his phone. Then he forced himself to get a grip and pushed back, unraveling himself from Nolan’s arms. “My house alarm.”
Nolan stared at Elliot with drowsy eyes. “What?”
Elliot slid his phone out of his pocket, eyes widening. “My silent alarm.” He looked up at Nolan. “Someone’s breaking into my house!”
Nolan’s jaw dropped. “Why didn’t you say so?”
“Your tongue was in my mouth.”
Nolan grabbed Elliot’s arm. “Come on. I’ll drive you.”
Chapter Seven
When they hopped in the truck, Elliot said, “Should we call Myles?” His heart was pounding anew, panic taking place of his previous arousal.
Nolan leaned over and pulled a handgun out of the glove compartment, setting it on the seat between them. He tore out of the parking lot. “Nothing the sheriff can do that I can’t.”
“God damn it.” Elliot punched the dashboard. “Better be just some village punk.”
Nolan hit the gas and they sped along the edge of the lake so fast Elliot was jostled in his seat with each bump in the road.
“Please don’t kill us on the way there. It’s dark out.”
“I won’t kill us. Might kill whoever we find at your house though.”
“Great.” Elliot glanced at the gun. “Then you’ll go to jail and I can visit you and slide donuts through the bars.”
Dust kicked up as Nolan took a hard right up the dirt road that led to Elliot’s house. They skidded left into the driveway, the truck sliding half onto the lawn, then Nolan braked hard, forcing Elliot to slap his hands down on the dashboard. They both looked up at the house. “It’s dark,” Nolan said. He grabbed a flashlight from the back and handed it to Elliot. Then he pulled another from under the seat and picked up the gun. “Stay close to me. Let’s go.”
They scurried up the walkway. “Shit,” Nolan said. “Maybe it is just kids getting revved up for hell night. Someone broke your front window.”
Elliot looked up and spotted the shattered window, his heart hammering. “You sure we shouldn’t call Myles?”
“You’ve got top secret information in that house.”
“That’s all in a secure room with a combination lock. Doubt anyone could penetrate it.”
“Fuck Myles, we’re not calling him. It’ll take him too long to get here and he’s been drinking tonight. I want to see if they’re still in there. Let’s go.” Nolan moved up the steps and tried the knob. The door opened. He looked back at Elliot. “You lock this?”
“Of course I did.”
Nolan stepped inside and flicked a light on. Elliot
followed. Desk drawers had been rifled through. Shit all over the living room floor. “Ah crap. Someone’s been in here,” Elliot said.
They moved to the kitchen and found more drawers askew. Once they went from room to room and found no one, they crept upstairs. Elliot’s office door was still secure. His bedroom appeared untouched. No one in the bathroom.
“Guess they never made it upstairs,” Nolan said. “They probably went out the back door when they heard us come in. Whose car is that in the driveway?”
Elliot’s eyes widened. “Shit! Kelly.”
“That young DJ chick?”
“She’s in the basement, doing her radio show.”
Elliot ran down the stairs, out the door, and around the house to the studio entrance. He was barely aware of Nolan’s heavy footfalls behind him.
When they burst into the room, Kelly was sitting there with headphones on, feet up on the console. She looked up and pulled the headphones off, her black hair getting caught on them before she cursed and pulled it free. “What the fuck, Elliot! You scared me.”
Elliot glanced behind him, glad to see Nolan had hidden his gun. “You okay, Kelly?” Nolan asked.
She got up and walked toward them. “I’m fine. Why?”
Elliot looked at Nolan. “I’m gonna give her the night off then walk her to her car,” he said softly.
“I’ll go look around the house more.”
“See you in a minute.”
Nolan left, and Elliot turned to the young woman still glaring at him. “What is happening, you freak?”
Elliot forced a smile. “We saw a bear near the property. It took off, but just checking on you.”
Kelly brushed her disheveled hair out of her face. “A bear? That’s it? A fucking bear. This is Singing Bear Village. There are bears everywhere. Why are you freaking out?”
Elliot walked over to the console. Saw that Kelly was playing some punk music for the Singing Bear masses. He switched to a playlist set to run until midnight with no stops. “I’m giving you the night off. You can go home.”
She stormed over and grabbed her purse. “First you tell me I have to work tonight. Then you call and tell me you changed your mind, that you’re taking my shift. Then you call back and tell me to come in because you decided to go to some haunted house. Now you want me to leave again? Are you stoned?”