Page 80 of The Curse of Redwood

“Go for it,” I said with a smile, before continuing on my way.

The reminder that Halloween was just around the corner made me think about Zeke. It was the one day of the year when he could leave the mansion. I wanted to take him to a bookstore, then out to a nice dinner. Anywhere he wanted to go.

The trickle of excitement dissipated when I remembered Philip. Would I even be in any condition to go anywhere on Halloween? I felt great at the moment, with only a slight ache in my head, but what if I got worse? What if Philip took me over even more?

The thought brought me back to reality. It was why I needed to tell Taylor and Ben everything. I couldn’t work through it on my own. Not anymore.

If there was one thing I knew for certain, it was that everything would be different after today.

Chapter Fifteen

Taylor sat in a booth against the window, a cup of coffee in front of him as he watched the people pass by on the sidewalk. The waitress approached him and refilled his mug before moving on.

“Hey,” I said, once at the booth.

He smiled up at me. “Hey, man. Have a seat.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Ben too,” I said, as I sat across from him.

“No shit?” Taylor’s grin widened. “I don’t mind at all. Before he gets here, though, do I look okay?”

“Dude, Ben’s in a relationship,” I responded with a snort. “You could be lying naked in front of him, and he still wouldn’t give you a second look.”

“Wow. Harsh.” Taylor poured cream into his coffee before adding sugar and stirring it. “Who’s he dating?”

No need to give him too many shocks in one day. I’d let Ben be the one to decide if he wanted Taylor to know or not.

“I can’t say, but maybe he’ll eventually tell you.”

“Is it you?” he asked, narrowing his hazel eyes.

“Hell no. We’re just friends.”

Taylor nodded and took a drink.

“What’s it matter to you anyway? I thought you had the hots for Callum.”

“I do,” he answered, the smile returning to his lips. “But he’s not into me I don’t think. It’s cool, though. Doesn’t mean I can’t check him out. The boy’s good eye candy.”

I smiled at the ease in which Taylor admitted that.

“Why are you smiling?” he asked.

“It’s just awesome to hear you talk about it like it’s no big deal.” I looked over as the waitress approached to ask what I wanted to drink. “Coffee, please. Could we also get another one? Our friend will be here soon. Oh, and some hazelnut creamer.”

“You got it,” she said, before heading toward the kitchen.

“Shit,” Taylor said under his breath. “There’s Ben. How does he always look so hot?”

Ben caught my eye and walked through the café toward our booth. His bangs were fixed in a messy style, and his sweater hugged his upper body in a way that used to make me drool. Taylor, apparently, drooled enough for the both of us. He couldn’t take his eyes off the guy.

I suspected he was mainly drawn to Ben because of his fanboy nature. Ben was his hero in a way. Add Ben’s good looks on top of that, and anyone would be smitten.

“Good morning,” Ben said, as he reached us. He slid onto the seat beside me just as the waitress returned with our drinks. Once she left again, he nodded to Taylor, then looked at me. “You going to tell us why we’re here?”

“I’m doing good. Thanks, Ben,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You’re so awesome to ask.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s too early for your smart mouth, Carter. I haven’t had coffee yet.”