Reunion: A Ghostly Gay Halloween Romance by Declan Rhodes

Author:Declan Rhodes [Rhodes, Declan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

“If you don’t mind me saying, you look exhausted. You didn’t—did you?”

Kevin slid a Jack and Coke across the bar to me with an expectant grin on his face.

“Sheesh—who do you think I am? No, I didn’t. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be fun, but I’m a professional. You know that.”

“You’ve also got a man that turns your crank right under your nose. I’m just saying I probably wouldn’t have your fortitude. Temptation is a wicked thing.”

I sipped the drink. Since we were close, Kevin always gave me a generous pour. I needed it before heading home to Jake. Something to take the edge off before I saw him again. I would linger at the bar long enough to have any hint of intoxication wear off.

“He will make a great catch for someone, but he needs to get over losing the ex.”

“It’s hard,” said Kevin. “Don’t rush him. You’re his host, and maybe a friend—nothing more, remember?”

After a heavy sigh and another sip, I repeated, “Nothing more.” I knew that was unlikely to be the case, but I had to keep Kevin on my side.

He served another customer, and when he returned to me, he asked another snarky question, “How did his cheek feel?”

“His what?”

“Oh, come on. I know what you do. If they respond the least bit in the positive, it’s like this—“ Kevin reached across the bar and touched my cheek with two fingers. They were ice-cold from handling glasses and drinks.

“Yikes! I hope my hands didn’t feel like that to Jake.”

Kevin chuckled softly. He was handsome, too, when he was in a good mood. He had a compact, fit, 5-foot 8-inch body with a blocky head and military buzz cut. Once upon a time, I considered asking him for a date, but I realized friendship was the better path over time. If he’d had a lousy night working, he was like a snarling little badger.

“No, you’re all gentleness and sincerity, and I’m a working man. I’m confident your fingers were warm and soft.”

“Aww, you don’t need to take potshots at me. I thought you were my friend.”

“That was hardly a—and damn, it’s the sweetest thing to see you when you’re annoyed. You can barely hold onto the mood. I always see laughter bubbling away just beneath.”

Kevin was right. Unless something dreadful happened, I found it difficult to stay upset with anyone. I remember when I was a kid. I’d get angry with somebody in the family and shut myself alone in my room. I insisted I would never talk to anyone ever again. Fifteen minutes later, I’d show up in the kitchen asking for a cookie.

While I took two more long sips from my drink, I watched Kevin polish two clean glasses and place them in a rack below the bar.

“Can I ask you a question in all sincerity? Don’t bite my head off about it. I mean it as a realistic query.”

I was wary. Kevin sometimes led up to a complicated and challenging question related to the meaning of life with similar qualifiers.

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