Page 14 of Scrap Metal & Love Reforged

Not a shock to find out.

After we closed our tabs, we headed out. The night was cool, but not unpleasant. I stowed my hands in my pockets and fidgeted with my phone. Bluehaven was busy tonight, people coming and going in all directions. Women passed, wearingshort party dresses. Groups of men lingered outside the bars. I felt a shiver of displacement, as if I were an imposter and didn’t belong.

As I took the lead to the junk shop, I glanced at Seth from the corner of my eye. He seemed completely at ease, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. “So, what do you do?” I asked.

If anything. Seth’s primary occupation was probablybeing rich.

“I’m an actor,” he replied.

“That makes sense.”

Seth furrowed his brow and glanced at me, his eyes questioning. “Does it?”

“Well, sure, you’re a—”

Very attractive man.

“—wealthy. It makes sense that you’d be something like that.”

Seth laughed. “Oh, I don’t even break even on the acting. It’s a money pit. My grandfather's money, and his grandfather before him. So, old money. I didn’t do a damn thing to earn it.”

“Must be nice,” I muttered.

Seth opened his mouth like he meant to say something, but then, closed it without another word.

Chapter Six

Troy

Seth navigated shops full of twisted metal, piles of antiques, and rolls of fraying carpet, with surprising grace. His enthusiasm never wavered, and he greeted every little find with bright-eyed enthusiasm. It was…endearing, the way he acted as though I was the most important person in the world. I couldn’t help but look at him out of the corner of my eye, which meant—unfortunately—that I hadn’t looked for potential junk components as much as I wanted. But I couldn’t really bring myself to feel guilty about it. Maybe Godofdiscord and Skye were right about a few things. Hanging out with Seth was nice. Pleasant, even.

“How long have you been in Bluehaven?” Seth asked.

I shrugged. “Few years.”

“Oh. And your wife?”

“My wife?” I echoed, confused.

Seth raised an eyebrow. “Skye? She isn’t…?”

I snorted. “She’s mysister. And besides, I—”

I nearly said, “besides, I’m gay.”

Seth’s eyes searched my face, but whatever he found, I couldn’t tell. “Well,” he said lightly. “She’s a gorgeous woman, if you don’t mind me saying so. You must have very good genes in your family. You’re not bad-looking either.”

“Do you want her number?” I asked dryly.

Seth’s eyes flickered towards me. “Nothers,” he said, voice low. “Someone else’s.”

My pulse quickened. “Like…?”

Seth sighed. “You're hard to read,” he admitted. “Perhaps, you might tell me what you’re thinking.”

I let my gaze wander over him. He was handsome, almost too handsome.

My fingers twitched with the urge to curl into his hair and pull him to me. I forced down the lump in my throat.