Page 3 of Not All Himbos Wear Capes

BUTCH

Well,that’snot what I was expecting.

My latest spreadsheet on Dr. Antihero had just been completed when my phone dinged for what felt like the millionth time. It had been going off all day, making me question two things. One, why exactly I’d created a Bangers profile in a 4 am moment of weakness, and two, how the heck to turn off notifications for the app before I lost my dang mind.

I’d long given up on answering either question, yetsomethingmade me tap my screen to see who the latest incoming match request was from.

Xander, 31

He/Him/Yes, Daddy

World Domination

Enjoys fried chicken, reality TV, and long walks on the beach to bury bodies. Is also not in the mood for your bullshit.

The last line made me snort, even as I quickly peered around my cubicle to make sure management at Biggs Enterprises hadn’t noticed the disturbance. Biggs himself wasn’t in his office, which meant he was gone for the day or enjoying sex in the copy room with his secretary.

Note to self: Wipe down the copier before using it next.

Sarcasm aside, what really caught my attention about Xander’s profile was his face, especially his eyes. They were brilliant amber—like shards of gold reflecting the sun—and something about the color paired with the particular cut of his jaw…

Do we know each other?

I shook my head with a quiet laugh. Bangers was a dating app for normies, and although the occasional supe discreetly joined for casual encounters, it was highly unlikely that I knew anyone on here—especially a human like this one.

And I’m sure I would have remembered him.

It wasn’t until the chime rang for closing time did I realize two more things. One, I’d been staring at Xander’s face for a good 20 minutes, and two, I had originally created a profile seeking women only.

I wasn’t necessarilyopposedto the idea of dating a man—I’d just never done it before. Actually, dating in general wasn’t something I dabbled in very often, since defending Big City took up most of my time.

Well, that and filing my reports.

To most people, I probably appeared to have a fairly easy life. I grew up as the son of two of the most decorated superheroes in modern history, which meant I was destined for fame myself.

My impressive powers manifested at a young age, but I insisted on joining my peers at Superversity, despite being told I didn’t need to attend. Once I was there, I worked my tail off—often choosing to study over socializing—and graduated early. I never wanted it to be said that I hadn’t earned my place.

Not that anyone would dare speak badly of me.

I was Big City’s golden boy, the savior of mankind, the beloved superhero publicly known as Captain Masculine.

Yeah, my life looked pretty easy, but the truth was that I hated everything about it. For all the benefits I’d enjoyed simply for being born, there was only one word to describe this privileged existence of mine.

Sucky.

I sharply inhaled, realizing I’d justthoughta word that was dangerously close to…a swear.

I’M PRACTICALLY A VILLAIN!

Hurriedly shutting down my computer, I gathered my things and prepared to leave, hoping Biggs didn’t reappear to witness the guilt surely written all over my face. Not only had I checked my Bangers profile on company time, but then I had ungrateful thoughts that would shame my family for generations.

I should delete Bangers before things get any worse.

My trembling finger hovered over the delete app button, but I hesitated. Despite my deeply ingrained instinct to ‘do the right thing,’ I couldn’t bring myself to let this go.

Just one date...

Knowing a flight would clear my head, I quickly headed for the roof. Securing the head-covering mask I wasrequiredto wear everywherein public, I shot home faster than a speeding bullet, landing on my penthouse balcony, and accepted Xander’s match request before I’d finished kicking off my boots.