“Hot. Humid. Awful. And in the end, pointless. I really hate the ‘my daughter is carrying alien spawn’ cases. There hasgotto be a better way of handling teenage pregnancies. Some filter to toss them out before we even go. You’d think an ultrasound would work, but no, the director wants us to run a full battery of tests.” Walker sighed. “But at least that one’s over. Tell me you need help.”
Before Bryce could decline her assistance, Walker’s phone buzzed. She huffed and shook her head. “Looks like you get to keep the glory for yourself. Bonnell is already summoning me.”
“Good luck.”
“Yeah, you too,” Walker said, though she was distracted by her phone as she walked away.
Bryce went to his office along the back wall. He flicked on the light, and immediately turned it back off when he heard a distinctive hiss. An alien invasion might be preferable to the lump curled up on his couch. It would certainly be less wrathful.
“Got your eyes covered?” he asked.
“No,” Alex snarled. He readjusted on the couch, actually sitting up and pulling his hood down far enough to cover his eyes. “Okay.”
Bryce turned on the light again and entered his office. Closing the door was routine, especially when Alex was hiding inside. He sat down at his desk. “You should have stayed home.”
“That was only going to lead to more vomiting and staring at the walls. At least here I have something to focus on. Besides. We have a case. I can’t let Celia outdo me.”
“She didn’t flood her brain with a tidal wave of psychic interference.” Bryce pulled out his laptop from the drawer and finally took a good look at Alex.
The circles under his eyes were dark, like he hadn’t slept for about three days. He wore a unicorn sweatshirt, complete with ears and a horn on the hood, and an image of a leaping unicorn with a rainbow coming out of its ass. It read, “I’m a fucking ray of sunshine!”
At least his sense of humor was intact.
“You could’ve tried looking professional,” Bryce said.
“Says the man walking around with a hard-on. What’s with you? You’re emoting,” Alex returned. Then he frowned and rubbed at his temple. “You’re horny? Wait, ha, ha. I’m the horny one today.” He flicked the unicorn horn on his sweatshirt.
Bryce’s erection wasn’tthatnoticeable. He had to be emoting more than usual or Alex’s sensitivity was up. Whatever the cause, Bryce didn’t like Alex knowing how he felt. “You should really be at home. Or go to my house. Guest bedroom has clean sheets.”
“Want to work,” Alex said. “And stop dodging the question… Dodgy McDodgerson.”
“If I tell you, will you meditate and find some balance?”
“Fine,Dad. Take the fun out of my day,” Alex grumbled.
Bryce sighed. Admitting the truth to Alex would make his feelings more real. Unfortunately, Alex already knew something was going on, and Bryce didn’t like he was that obvious. Mistakes happened when he let emotions cloud his thinking, and he was already on the verge of making too many.
Calling Jesse, even texting him, would be a colossal mistake. Bryce needed to ghost him and delete his number. Maybe go as far as block it, but he didn’t want to.
Alex had an expectant look and ignoring him wouldn’t make that go away. The quicker Bryce gave in, the faster he could move on with his day.
“I ran into Jesse at the museum,” Bryce said. “And he kissed me.”
“Was it a good kiss?”
“Does that matter? He and I aren’t compatible.”
Alex frowned. “Uh, aren’t you extremely compatible though? I felt the way you felt about him after the date. That was intense. And really hot. And kind of haunting me, so don’t you dare ignore hot FBI guy just ’cause the relationship wouldn’t be easy.”
“Try impossible. Not only has he brought Celia a case, he’s currently working our new case and doesn’t know it yet.”
“What’s a little professional rivalry? Could lead to extra-hot sex.”
That wasn’t the cold shower thought Bryce needed to keep his desires in check. “He believes in conspiracies and paranormal phenomena. What happens when he finds out what I do?”
“Okay, I can see how there’re a few problems.” Alex scowled more. “But if you can’t make it work with him, then how are any of us supposed to get involved with anybody?”
“David’s married. You were at his anniversary party last month.”
