Page 60 of The Ghost of Ellwood

“I don’t need bodyguards.”

“Too bad.”

We loaded three boxes of books into the back of Shane’s SUV. The last box would go in my car.

“Just have to go inside for a second,” I said, after shutting the car door. “Go ahead and drive over there. I’ll follow.”

“Okay. Don’t be late. This evening is too important.”

“Shane, I’m not five. I understand, okay?”

They got in the SUV and drove off.

Carter scoffed. “I can’t believe you were ever with that pretty boy. Those muscles are just for show, right? Dude was panting carrying that little box.”

“Thatlittlebox is holding thirty or so hardback books.”

“Big deal.” Carter rolled his eyes and looked at the front door. “You going to see Theo?”

I nodded. “He hasn’t talked to me since yesterday, but I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.”

“Cool.” He shifted his weight between his feet. “I’ll stay out here. Don’t want to make things more awkward.”

I was glad Carter wasn’t being a douche anymore. I knew he still didn’t understand—maybe he never would—but he was trying.

The door creaked as I opened it and stepped inside the manor. Theo hadn’t only ignored me since yesterday; he hadn’t shown himself at all. I worried maybe this was it; that he was gone for good.

“Theo?” My feet echoed on the hardwood floor as I went farther in. “I’m about to leave and wanted to say bye. I…” I ran a hand over my carefully fixed hair, seeing no signs of him. “We really need to talk. I hate us being at odds.”

He appeared in front of me, and I yelped.

“Apologies,” he said, but he looked pleased with himself. “I don’t like it, either. You’ve become the only thing in my pitiful existence that I look forward to.”

“Then why are you pushing me away?”

I expected him to say something like, ‘It’s for your own good,’ or something similar. More of the same shit he’d told me for the past week.

He surprised me.

“Because I’m a coward, Ben. You said it yourself.” His form flickered as he strode over to the window. “The last time I loved a man, I was killed for it.”

My knees gave out, and I caught myself on the stair railing. He’d just admitted he was killed, and for loving Harvey of all reasons. I’d suspected he had been murdered. Having him confirm the suspicion, though, made me feel sick.

Pull yourself together, Ben.

“Well, playing off your humor,” I said, moving toward him. Humor was easier right now. Better than the grief in my heart. “You can’t be killed for it again. I mean, you’re already dead.”

Theo arched a brow. “Did you just joke about me being dead, Ben? That’s both morbid and cruel.”

“I learn from the best.”

“Indeed.” He smiled, though it appeared strained. “How do you feel? I watched over you last night. Checking for any signs of fever.”

My throat tightened. “I feel better.”

With a shaking hand, I reached for him. When he stepped into my embrace and put his arms around me, my stomach fluttered. His lavender scent, the coolness of his skin—I’d missed it. He’d rejected me for so long, fighting against me.

Now he was…no.