Page 59 of Claimed By the Mothman

“Here we see the rare Goldie Flynn in her natural habitat—drunk, disoriented, and attempting to merge with the floor.”

Carol and Dev had claimed the velvet love seat, their legs comfortably entwined. Carol’s head rested on her husband’s shoulder as he stroked her arm in slow, sleepy arcs. The fireplace glowed low and steady.

Hollis and Sig had disappeared into the kitchen. Nell wasn’t sure when that happened. She was definitely drunk now. She took another slow sip of wine, letting it sit on her tongue before swallowing.

Across the room, Ezra leaned in to whisper something into Goldie’s ear. She laughed and swatted at him with a lazy hand.

Nell didn’t notice Jem until the woman was already there, easing down beside her with practiced grace.

“Don’t kill me,” Jem said, voice low and easy.

“I make no promises,” Nell slurred.

The two sat in silence. From the kitchen came the sound of soft clatter, a faint hiss of steam.

“I didn’t expect him to come,” Jem said at last. “I really didn’t.”

Nell kept her eyes on the fire. “I did.”

“Did you want him to?” Jem glanced sideways, gentle.

Nell felt the words in her chest before she found them in her mouth. “I didn’t want him tonot.”

Jem nodded, slow and sure, like that made perfect sense.

“He was sweet,” Nell said, surprised by the sound of her own voice. It came out softer than she expected. “To Goldie. And with Carol and Dev. Even Ezra.”

Jem smiled, a quiet curve of understanding. “That’s the trick with the real ones, isn’t it? They’re not just who they are with you. They’re still them everywhere else.”

Nell’s throat tightened. “I just feel like…” She trailed off, chewing on the words like they were too large to swallow. “I missed the part where I got todecideanything. It’s not fair.”

“It’s not,” Jem agreed softly. “But it’s also… notnothing.”

Nell stood, swaying slightly. “I should go,” she said carefully, trying not to slur.

Sig appeared at her side, Standing at the edge of the light like he wasn’t sure he belonged in it. “I will walk with you,” he said simply.

No one said anything, but everyone watched. Nell lifted her chin. “Okay.”

Jem hugged her goodbye like she was trying to slip an apology into her bones. Hollis kissed her cheek and murmured, “You’re tougher than you think.”

Then she and Sig stepped out into the hallway.

—

The quiet in the hallway felt too deep. Like the building itself was holding its breath.

His hand was on her back, and she tried not to register it in the fifteen second walk from Jem and Hollis’ apartment to her apartment door.

“I’m fine,” Nell said when Sig steadied her. “I’m just full of lamb, and regret, and many glasses of wine that lied about their strength.”

They reached her door, and she fumbled in her bag for her keys, swearing under her breath. Her balance wasn’t exactly optimal—she swayed, bumped the door frame with her hip. His other hand caught her elbow, gentle and steady, anchoring her before she could really stumble.

A soft, embarrassed giggle escaped her. “You were more social than I thought you’d be,” she said, still digging through her bag. “Charades. Cleaning the kitchen. Who evenareyou?”

The keys slipped from her fingers with a clatter.

He crouched smoothly and retrieved them, his fingers brushing hers as he placed them back in her palm.