After Vertigo by Amanda Meuwissen

Author:Amanda Meuwissen [Meuwissen, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction
ISBN: 978-1-64405-622-6
Publisher: DSP Publications
Published: 2019-08-19T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

EVERY TIME Ben thought he was okay, he’d close his eyes and picture half of him missing from being bisected by one of Pulse’s portals. Professor Tech was scary but more calculating. Charity had almost been entertaining. Vortex had a darkness to her, but Ben hadn’t gotten close.

Pulse, on the other hand….

His threats weren’t idle. He meant them. He followed through. He would kill Ben once he no longer found him useful, and Ben didn’t even know how he was being useful. Why had he ever thought he could be a vigilante?

“Ben. Look at me.” Grey’s voice was gentle as it coaxed him to look up. He was so handsome in his tux.

Grey had brought him home. Ben didn’t remember giving his address. Maybe Beverly or Tony had, or maybe Grey simply knew.

Tony and Beverly had their own damage control to deal with, but they’d all heard what happened to Ben with Pulse, and after Tony vowed vengeance and Beverly helped Ben get control over his breathing, they’d asked Grey to take him home to lie low.

Didn’t they understand there was no lying low from a teleporter?

“Benji, you’re okay,” Grey said in assurance, crouched in front of him. “I won’t let him hurt you. Now come on, I promised Tony and Beverly I’d take care of you. Tell me what you need.”

“I-I, um….”

Grey reached to put his hands on Ben’s knees.

“Don’t.” Ben flinched, startling Grey. “I’m sorry, but p-please don’t touch me right now.”

“Okay.” Grey held back dutifully.

“Tea. Could you make me some tea? I-I have an electric kettle in the kitchen with several teas near it. One of the caffeine-free, please.”

“Of course.” Grey zipped away and was back in seconds. “Water’s heating up. What else?”

“Gideon,” Ben said, “can you find—”

She dug her head into his arm, already on the sofa with him, and while it made him start at first, he relaxed once he reached for her.

“Come here, dear. That’s my sweet girl.” Petting her always calmed him. She knew what he needed and how to curl up and just be until his pulse and breathing normalized.

“Can I sit?” Grey asked, gesturing beside Ben. It was strange having him use such kid gloves when he was usually so bold.

“Yes. I’m truly sorry. I don’t mean to be such a mess.”

“He threatened you,” Grey said with a touch of bite to his words as he slowly sat next to Ben. “You have a right to freak out. Don’t apologize. It’s my fault.”

Ben looked at Grey as he stroked Gideon’s fur, finally starting to feel better. “I thought I was the blackmailer in this relationship.”

Grey smiled, but it was short-lived, replaced by his more recently familiar somberness. “Yeah, but it’s still my fault.” He clenched his eyes shut and took his own shuddery breath. “I didn’t take this seriously enough, how much attention it would put on you. I just figured it would be fun and maybe give me a chance to….”

“To what?”

“Make up for a few things.”

The kettle announced its completion with a loud click.

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