Fourteen
Rhett
Calix did sleep over that night. After exploding light bulbs and all, we just slept. Still, it was very nice. Calix was warm and cuddly, and I enjoyed having him in my bed very much.
Also, not sure if it was because of his talk with the ghosts earlier or if it was his presence keeping them at bay, but nothing woke us in the middle of the night. No strange sounds, no banging, none of that. Just beautiful, peaceful sleep.
I needed this to be a regular thing.
Calix and I showered together. A long shower, if you know what I mean. Damn, I loved that man’s hands. He put down some kind of protective barrier first so I didn’t blow out the bathroom light, too, which I appreciated. Rather hard to get in the mood if you’re worried about glass flying at you.
Eventually, once the water started running colder, we pulled ourselves out, put on pants, and meandered down to the kitchen. Since I was the host, it being my house and all, I took charge over breakfast.
“Cereal? Oatmeal?”
“Oatmeal would be great. I’ll start the coffee.” Calix wandered over to the coffee maker, as comfortable here as he would be in his own apartment.
I really loved that he was.
Oatmeal didn’t take long to make, and we sat at the bar to eat our breakfast and down our caffeine.
“So…Rhett. How do you feel about my mom coming over today?”
I swallowed the coffee in my mouth before replying. “That would be awesome. I really want someone who can communicate properly with the ghosts.”
“For sure. I think she might be able to help with your abilities, too. My mother’s a walking encyclopedia for everything magical.”
I was a little more hesitant to agree to that, but honestly? After what happened last night? I’d rather not have more electronic things exploding while trying to get my game on. That just seemed a poor life decision. “Sure.”
“Okay, let me call her.” Calix put his spoon down, got his phone out, and called.
His mother answered after only a couple of rings. “ Hi, honey !”
“Hi, Mom. Uh, you got a second?”
“ Only if you’re going to talk about your date .”
Calix gave the weary sigh of a child used to his parents’ antics. “Said date is sitting right next to me and you’re on speaker.”
She gave a happy squeal. “ Oh, date went well, then ! Hi, Rhett .”
Should I be concerned she knew my name…naw, I was going to roll with it. “Hi, Mrs. Brown. Can I ask a favor of you?”
“ You absolutely can .”
“Um, my house is very haunted. I just inherited it from my great-aunt, and I don’t know what to do.”
Calix chimed in. “Here’s the thing. He inherited Ruth Fairchild’s house.”
There was a startled intake of breath and a lengthy pause.
“ Oh. My. God. You’re Ruth Fairchild’s nephew ?!”
That reaction told me a lot and yet nothing at the same time. “Uh. Yes?”
“ Oh my god ! Okay, I’m coming over right this second. Calix, text me the—wait, you’re in the house, aren’t you ? Ruth’s house ?”
“We are, yeah.” Calix looked as confused as I felt.
“ Then I’ll be there in fifteen minutes .” The call abruptly ended.
I looked at Calix. He looked at me.
“So…your mother knows my aunt well, I take it?”
“Better than I thought she did, clearly.” Calix rubbed a hand over his forehead, expression utterly perplexed. “I get the feeling I do not have enough coffee in my system for the conversation we’re about to have. Want another cup?”
All things considered? “Yeah. Please.”