Page 36 of Dark Obsession

“So, you were so afraid of going in the house alone, you knew if you didn’t go in at that exact moment, that if you’d taken sixty goddamn seconds to grab something from the tackle box, you wouldn’t have gone.”

Demmy drew in a breath, chest puffed out, hands in fists at his side. “Yes.”

“I…”

Cody didn’t know how to finish. He had no idea what he wanted to say. It all boiled down to a few important things. They had to be smarter than the things they were hunting. They had to work in tandem, as a team. They had to have each other’s backs. Shaking his head, he stood with his hands at his sides. “I have no idea what to say. What if there had been more than one vampire inside? Huh? Or another zombie? Hell, someone was probably out there watching you do all of this, and those marks were a warning. Do you realize that? Fuck!”

Sitting again, Cody turned so he was in profile to Demmy, unable at that moment to make eye contact. His heart pounded, and he could feel his pulse in his fingertips as he stared at the floor. The AC kicked on and the air around them cooled.

Demmy drew in a breath and slowly let it out. “I know this is an emotionally charged topic⁠—”

Cody let out a harsh bark of a laugh.

“And we’ve both got a ton of trauma built around all of these monsters we’ve taken on,” Demmy finished. “I know that.”

Cody watched him push his desk chair around to place it right in front of his own. Demmy sat and put a hand out, palm up. Cody had done the same to him across their table the night before. That felt like weeks ago now, and like it had happened between two entirely different people. After a moment, Cody finally released his tight grip on the arm of his chair and took Demmy’s hand. He felt the stickiness as their sweaty palms connected.

“I will admit I was foolish today.”

“Only foolish?”

Demmy momentarily tightened his hold enough to pop one of Cody’s knuckles. “Foolish and any other adjectives you want to add.” When Cody opened his mouth, Demmy quickly said, “Mentally, and to yourself.”

They both grinned reluctantly. Cody studied him, noting the shadows beneath his eyes, the slight droop of the lids, and the tiny lines at the corners. He knew Demmy wasn’t sleeping well. Neither of them was really getting good sleep. Which in Cody’s mind meant they needed to be even more cautious about investigating things on their own.

“I was there, and it was the middle of the day, and I took the opportunity to check things out. Now we know for sure at least one vampire is back in town. And from now on, I will at least text you where I am and what I’m thinking of doing.”

“I’d prefer you have me meet you.”

“You know, I would prefer that, too. I feel safe with you. I always have.”

Cody tightened his grip. “I would tear this world apart to keep you safe.”

Demmy’s eyes widened slightly, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. It took him a few moments until he spoke again, and when he did, his voice was low and rough. “I know. And I would do the same for you.”

“I know.” Cody kept hold of Demmy’s hand but leaned forward in the chair. Demmy moved in as well, meeting him halfway for a slow, soft kiss.

“I’ve almost lost you so many times,” Cody whispered.

“We’ve almost lost each other.”

“We have to be smarter about this stuff. We have to. We’re not amateurs making it up as we go along anymore.”

“I know.” Demmy lifted his free hand and cupped Cody’s face. “And you’re right.”

Cody kissed Demmy’s palm. “What now?”

“I’m pretty hungry, if you are.”

“Have you met me?”

Demmy laughed and gave him another quick kiss. “I have definitely met you. How about Margie’s and then home to watch TV?”

“Yeah, all right. If we have to.”

Demmy started to pull back, but Cody maintained his grip, keeping him in place.

“I love you, Demmy.”

Demmy’s expression softened, and his smile, though small, looked genuine. “I love you, too.”