“So, not as bad as I thought it would be, but yeah. Weird.” My heart breaks a little at how he finds basic human kindness weird, but I don’t think I should mention that right now. “The players seem cool, at least for now. Who knows what they’ll be like when Patrick isn’t there.”
I think from everything he’s told me I already have a pretty good idea of what they’ll be like, but if I’m wrong, then I already have a few tricks up my sleeve ready to go.
Speaking of.
“I want to show you something.” I take his hand and pull him—or he lets me pull him, the giant—out of the closet, the bedroom, and into my office.
I left one monitor running for exactly this purpose.
I drag my extra chair over to the desk and push him to sit, then gesture at the feeds of various social media platforms.
“I created an algorithm to monitor the general online opinion of the Demons and of you, so we can stay on top of it. It should send alerts when things are getting dicey, or like there’s bigger discourse than normal. This way we can check in before things escalate beyond containment and plan a solution if that’s what we want.”
Leaning in, he’s not looking at the monitor but right at me, his soft, fond smile free and easy.
“And all I did today was be driven around and shake some hands.”
“This took as much effort as what you did, though,” I point out, not to be an asshole or cocky, but stating a fact.
Instead of saying anything to that, he leans in for another kiss that I readily reciprocate, and then clears his throat when he pulls back. Clearly he’s shifting back to serious topics now.
“I appreciate you doing this, and telling me about it. It’s a great idea, obviously. You’re so smart, angel.” It’s a bit ridiculous that I flush with satisfaction at his praise, but it’s short-lived.
“I just want to make sure we have a way to figure out exactly what we need to deal with.”
It must be the right thing to say because he kisses me again, this time lingering longer and giving me lots of ideas that make me want to pull him back into the bedroom.
I almost fall off my chair when he pulls back, completely focused on the kiss, on him, but his words make me plummet back to earth.
“I want to talk to Tucker tonight.”
I’m nodding before I can process it. “Yes, of course. You want to talk to him first, right? Should we call him or have him come over?”
He opens his mouth, a horrified look set on his face.
“No, no. If anyone sees him here the night before a game and takes a picture or posts about it, it could be a nightmare.”
My stomach coils with the need to reassure him.
“He can come in through the basement and no one will see him.”
But Lex shakes his head.
“No, let’s just call him.”
“Okay, let me text him first.” If there’s one decorum rule I live by, it’s to not cold-call people, except in emergencies.
I think carefully about the wording, knowing I’m going to make sure these messages are deleted but still...
Eli:
Need to check in about that favor. Can you talk?
I look back up at Lex.
“Don’t worry, these messages will be deleted.”
He nods.
