Page 139 of The Haunting of Lockton

I hadn’t told him yet about Julian’s and my decision to stay. I planned to tell him tonight though, once I got him alone.

As the episode ended and the screen went dark, Valentina rose from her chair and clapped. “Brava, boys! Absolutely splendid.”

“Thank you.” Julian stood and flipped on the overhead lights before tipping his head to the room. “I appreciate all of you being here. Ivy Grove is a beautiful town with a rich history, and it’s been a real honor getting the opportunity to do this.”

I kissed the back of Paxton’s hand before standing up as well and exaggerating a bow. “What he said.”

More chuckles.

Julian stepped over to his laptop, which had been used to stream the episode, and clicked a few times. “And now, it’s posted for everyone else.”

“A cause for celebration,” Val said, beaming. “Time to feast, my darlings.”

Miguel rested his hand on her lower back and smiled at her like she was the sun as they walked down the hall. Seeing couples so clearly in love used to cause a twinge in my chest, but not anymore. I’d finally found my own person. My own happiness.

Tables lined the wall in the breakroom with various types of food set up buffet-style. Barbeque weenies were kept warm in a large crockpot with extra cheesy mac-and-cheese baked in a casserole dish beside it. I piled both onto my plate before helping myself to one of everything Paxton had cooked.

“Feeding a small army?” Paxton studied my plate that was stacked sky-high.

“Yep. And I’m gonna go back for dessert after these rations are consumed, soldier.”

His nose crinkled as he smiled. That smile turned a bit sad. “I wish Alan could be here.”

“Me too,” I said. “But we can tell him about it when we get back. I’ll be sure to tell him about you blushing too.”

He rolled his eyes.

Madison rushed over to the first table, dragging Jason along with her. He didn’t seem to mind being dragged around, though, as his eyes did that crinkling thing. He was a good-looking guy,standing around six foot three with a buzz cut and dark brown eyes.

After we all had our food, we returned to the main room and scooted chairs closer together to eat. Taylor and Julian sat with us. I smiled at my brother’s plate. It was almost as full as mine. Once his strength fully returned, he’d probably go back to eating like a bird. But it was a small victory for now.

Jason worked construction and talked about a new building project. “Not as exciting as your work,” he then said to me. For such a big guy, he seemed kind of shy. “Abandoned buildings creep me out.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Madison said. “Which is why I stay on the bus and motion to it from a safe distance. I mean, did youhearthose voices on the recorder thingy? And how that door slammed shut?” She shuddered. “How you guys didn’t run away screaming, I’ll never understand.”

Paxton and I exchanged a small smile.

Very few people would ever know the truth behind our investigation at Lockton Asylum. My brother being possessed by the ghost of a murdered witch. Samuel Howard’s soul being destroyed, resulting in dozens of ghosts finally knowing peace and moving on. Roy and Owen’s love story that ended too soon in life but would never truly die as they enjoyed an eternity of sunsets together.

Once we’d finished eating, I grabbed Paxton’s hand and led him from the main room.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“Somewhere quiet.”

A shadow passed over his face, and his fingers tightened around mine. He didn’t say anything though. He just let me lead him down the hall and through the curtain separating the museum from the rest of the shop. The noise of the party faded as we ventured farther into the museum, hand in hand.

“Remember this?” I asked, stopping beside a display case along the wall. “The first day we met, you came in here. And I found you.”

“Because you’re a stalker.”

I exhaled a laugh and brought him closer, cupping the side of his neck. There was very little light in the room, but I saw him just fine. Saw the planes of his face, the little dip in his upper lip, and his porcelain skin, which was just as smooth as it looked.

“I’m not ready for this, Skyler,” he said with a tremble in his voice.

“Ready for what?”

“For you to say goodbye.” Paxton turned his cheek into my palm and closed his eyes. “That’s what this is, right? You and Julian are leaving now that it’s over, and you wanted someplace quiet to break the news to me.”