Page 70 of The Haunting of Lockton

“Then it shouldn’t be this hard to tell me.” His behavior was mind-boggling. “Enough with the cryptic shit, and tell me what the hell’s going on.”

“I can’t.”

“Are you harboring an escaped criminal or something? Or maybe you’re in with the cartel and he’s your lackey?”

“You’re honestly asking if I’m a drug dealer?” He snorted under his breath.

“I’m glad you find this funny. Since my theories are so damn amusing, why don’t you spare me the shit and tell me the truth?”

“I’m not sure if I can trust you!” He released my hand and swept it through the front of his hair. “Okay?”

I felt like I’d been sucker punched. “You can’t trust me.” I nodded to myself and took another step back. “Good thing we kept this casual, then. Less messy when it ends. Thanks for letting me sleep over.”

I turned toward the same doorway I’d entered through.

“Are you leaving?” he asked with a frailness to his voice I hadn’t expected.

“I don’t know what the fuck is happening, Paxton.” I glanced at him over my shoulder. “You’re being shady as fuck. And one thing I don’t do is play mind games. It’s best if I leave.” A dry laugh tore through my throat. “But that’s fine, right? Because we were just two guys having fun. Nothing serious.”

Yeah, this was exactly why I didn’t bother with anything more than sex. Why it was better to lock up my emotions and prevent anyone from getting too close.

“Sky… wait.”

I kept walking.

But then came to a sharp stop when I rounded the corner and nearly collided with a man standing in the hall.

“Please stay,” he said in the same gravelly voice I’d heard earlier. He was taller than me by three or so inches and had a head of dark blond hair that was combed back. One strand had slipped from the hold and hung beside his brow. His eyes were a vivid, velvety blue that reminded me of sapphires. “The two of you shouldn’t fight because of me.”

What stood out the most was his clothes. Why was he wearing a World War–era military uniform?

“Al,” Paxton said, joining us in the hallway. His eyes were wide. Panicked. “What are you doing?”

“Fixing this,” the hot blond told him before looking at me. “I’m Alan Prior. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Paxton’s told me a lot about you.”

“He has?” I was… confused. I glanced between both of them, that confusion amplifying. Alan politely smiled while Paxton looked like he was about to throw up. “Hate to say he hasn’t said a word about you.”

“I suppose he wouldn’t have,” Alan responded. “He can be awfully protective of me.”

“Protective of you?” My gaze raked him up and down. Along with his height, he had toned muscles and broad shoulders thatfilled out his uniform well. He looked like he could take care of himself with no trouble.

However, the more I stared at him, the more something felt… off.

“Alan, don’t,” Paxton said.

“You like this boy,” Alan responded. “And you rarely like anyone. I can’t just stand by and do nothing while this falls apart. Not if I can help the situation.”

“Boy?” I asked. “Dude, we’re like the same age.”

Alan ignored me and kept staring at Paxton, as if waiting for permission. In a softer voice, he then said, “Come on, Pax. He’s already seen me. The truth is halfway out.”

Paxton focused on me, his earlier anxiety still at the forefront. “I want to trust you. I really do.”

“Trust me with what?” I asked. “What the actual fuck is going on? I don’t—”

Alan disappeared. Just fucking vanished.

My words broke off, and my mouth hung open, like the hinge of my jaw was broken. Much like I feared my mind was broken too. Because that couldn’t have just happened, right? I stared at the spot he’d been standing, trying to process.