Page 118 of Shadowman

It’s almost innocent; charming, and sexy, but also sweet. I think he’s flattered.Good call on the nickname, mate.

“Uh-huh.” I bite my lip. “My warrior.”

The way he’s gawking at me is squeezing the air out of my lungs. Call me crazy, but there’s a sparkle of intrigue in his deep eyes that seems more than friendly. I could be imagining it…Alright, I almost certainly am.But still, it’s clear that he’s not opposed to this…Us.

Doing whatever it is we’re doing.

I want to scoot closer, but I’m afraid of scaring him off. I get the impression he might startle easily.

“Which Turtle do you think I am?” My head slopes. “No, wait, don’t tell me. Michel—”

“Leo,” he barks over my guess. “I think you’re… Leonardo.”

I’m taken aback. I’veneverconsidered myself to be Leo, hence why my best friend in the world—my imaginary friend who’s far flakier than someone with that name should be—is Leonardo.

Leo’s the level-headed one. Theleader. He’s an amalgamation of the other three; all of their best traits wrapped into one.

I could never be Leo… I’m not good. I’m a fuck-up. A hot bloody mess.

If ever there was a time formyLeo to show back up, it’d be now. But he doesn’t. He’s still not fucking here, and because of it, my vulnerabilities are weaseling their way to the surface.

I need to change the subject. Like now.

“I’m pansexual,” I grunt, raspier than I want to be. “Though, I’ll admit, I haven’t had many actualrelationships…” My mind flicks to Alice, but I shake it away. “You don’t have to tell me your secrets, Byron. But if you ever wanted to open up to someone…” I swallow hard. “I wouldn’t mind being that person. In fact, I think it could be just the thing to breathe somelifeinto this life sentence.”

Into me.

His lips part, eyes locked on mine, conveying his obvious uncertainty. In this moment, I can see it, feel it,recognizeit. His burden… The secrets he’s holding on to areburyinghim. Like cinderblocks he’s refusing to let go of, even though they’re sinking him in quicksand.

No one truly knows you, do they, Byron Kang?

The mound of his throat dips, and he whispers, “What if I… don’t know how?”

His fear is palpable, yet his tone carries yearning. As much as I’d love to shuck him open like an oyster to get the gorgeous pearl I just know is inside, I don’t want to make him more uncomfortable than he already is.

After all, I understand where he’s coming from.More than he realizes.

I’ve clung hopelessly to my secrets. Purposefully kept my demons locked away inside me, for fear that letting them out would show the world what I truly am.

A monster, hiding in plain sight.

So rather than pressing the matter, I grab my gift basket and begin digging through it for something to keep this night from becoming a drag.

“I have an idea.” I take out a bottle of black nail polish and shake it. “Let’s play two truths and a lie.”

His brow furrows as he watches the bottle in my hand. “What’s that?”

“Nail polish.”

“No, I mean what’s two truths and a lie?” He smirks.

“Oh, it’s a game,” I explain. “You tell two truths about yourself, and one lie. Normally, the other person has to guess which is the lie… But we don’t have to do that part if you don’t want to.”

He’s staring at me, mesmerized.

“It’ll be like confessing your secrets without confessing them. Preserve the mystery.” I wink.

He forces a scowl, but I can tell he’s instantly intrigued by this concept. Straightening, he nods. “Okay. You go first.”