The Haunting Crush (Mesa Boys #4)

Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

K ai strolled hand in hand with Conner to his BMW, waiting at the curb, with May following. He looked up between a mixture of pines and palm trees at the starry night sky, then at Conner’s car, lit by low, landscape lighting. Having a family dinner hadn’t been so bad after all. It wasn’t normal, but it wasn’t terrible, either. He stopped at the car.

“So, I’m dying for you to tell me what happened in your ghost investigation.” May widened her already large brown eyes.

“I think we talked to dad.” How would she take it? Kai watched her reaction.

She dropped her mouth open. “Are you serious? Why do you say that?” She grabbed his arm.

“A man’s voice came through on the spirit box. He said my name, and then Shizhé’é.” Kai bit his lip. It was still hard to believe.

Her eyes shimmered as she brought her hands to her mouth. “Oh, my God.”

Kai wrapped her up in a tight embrace and glanced at Conner.

Conner wrinkled his brow, placing his hand on Kai’s back .

“At one point he said love you on the box.” Kai shut his eyes, biting back tears. He wouldn’t mention the whole two spirit thing. He was sure that last message was for both of them.

Her shoulders shook with a sob. “Kai, I wish I could remember him.”

“Yeah, I barely do.” The memory of his father’s death flashed through Kai’s mind. He shut it away. He should be strong for her. “Anyway.” He patted her back and released her.

She swiped at her eyes and choked out a sharp laugh. “That’s really fucking awesome. I wish I could have been there to hear it.”

Conner hooked an arm around Kai’s waist.

“Guess we should have recorded it.” Kai nestled into his side. “It would have been really cool if you were there.”

She glanced from Kai to Conner. “But you had Conner with you.” She grinned.

Kai gave her a shy smile. “Yeah.” He never would have been able to handle it without Conner.

“We also figured out the mystery of the Ashbrook Wash ghost.” Conner offered her a wide grin.

“You did? What was it?” She lifted her brows.

Kai peered at her. “You know about that?”

“Sure, some guys in my grade at school used to go looking for it.” She touched Conner’s arm. “So?”

“So, it’s a very tragic story. Turns out she was a teenage mother who buried a still born premature baby on the side of Kai’s house. She couldn’t leave the wash until the baby was properly buried. Or at least that’s what we found with the medium in the séance we performed.” Conner gazed at Kai.

“The police are still investigating.” Kai took a deep breath and caught his gaze. Once that was over, he could move back into his own house.

“Wow, that’s terrible.” She furrowed her brows, covering her mouth. “The poor girl. Does that mean the Ashbrook Wash ghost is gone? ”

“According to the medium, yes.” Conner thinned his lips. “It’s really sad...”

“Very sad.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe you guys even brought in a medium.” She smirked at Kai. “And you got my scaredy-cat brother to sit in on a séance.”

“Hey.” Kai slapped her arm. “I’m getting better with that.”

Conner kissed his cheek. “I was with him.”

“Well, I’m glad he has you, Conner.” She cocked her head, grinning. “You know my brother had a crush on you in high school, right?”

Conner glanced at him. “Yeah. I think we both had crushes on each other. Too bad I was too chicken to do anything about it.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You did? But weren’t you with?—”

“Yes, he was with Paige.” Kai rolled his eyes. He was done bringing Paige up. “Anyhow, we need to get going.”

“Sure.” She touched Kai’s arm. “Hey, I’ll be around until Sunday. I know you work, but maybe we can figure something out.”

“Yeah.” Kai smiled at her. “Tonight... wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

“Maybe mom’s getting soft in her old age.” She chuckled.

“I can hope.” He bumped Conner’s side. Dinner was over and it was time for their bourbon on the balcony. “Let’s go.” He released Conner and hugged May, then stepped to the car.

Conner gave her a quick embrace. “Bye, May. It was nice meeting you.” He freed her.

“Nice to meet you, too.” She waved. “Take care of my scaredy-cat brother.”

Conner sniggered. “I will.”

“Shut up,” Kai said.

Kai waited on the outdoor couch under a brown blanket, watching the fountain spray high into the night air in the center of the park. A sliver of moon hung over the far-off shadows of mountains. He’d done it, he’d taken a guy home to meet his mother, and it didn’t end in an argument or tears.

A cell phone rang from inside the apartment. Kai turned around. The sliding glass door was still open. He’d forgotten to shut it.

Conner placed his cell phone to his ear. “Hello?” He stopped at the dinette and set their glasses of bourbon down.

“Can’t tomorrow. I’m out of town.” Conner looked out toward the balcony.

Kai twisted around, facing the park. Was Conner going out of town this weekend and didn’t tell him?

“Maybe. Yeah, I’m at a conference right now. I should be back this weekend.” Conner chuckled.

What the fuck? Why was Conner lying about where he was? He pinched his lips.

“I don’t know. I might have to uh, see my parents this weekend,” Conner said. “Yeah, I’ll let you know.” He released a sharp laugh. “Talk to you later. Bye.”

Kai gnawed his lower lip. What was that all about? Should he ask? He fingered the blanket. They were boyfriends now, he had a right to know what was going on, didn’t he?

Conner stepped onto the balcony and slid the glass door closed. “You left this open?”

“Guess so.” Kai took a deep inhale. He had to say something.

Conner took a seat beside Kai and handed him a glass of bourbon. “So, how are you feeling after?—”

“Who was that on the phone?” Way to blurt it out. He thinned his lips.

Conner peered out over the park, then sipped his bourbon. “Lucas.”

Kai’s gut clenched. He wasn’t sure what to think about that. Lucas had never liked him. Lucas was the asshole who’d bullied him the most. “So...”

“So, I’m going out with him and Ben on Saturday night.” Conner clenched his jaw. “I mean, you work, right?”

An ache grew in Kai’s chest. Why did it hurt to hear this? “Where are you going?” He watched Conner closely.

“A club in Scottsdale.” Conner glanced at him, then stared out at the park. “That’s all right, isn’t it? I mean, it’s okay for me to see my friends on the nights you work, right?”

“S-sure.” Was he going to get his bottle service and VIP treatment when he was out with Ben and Lucas? Would it be just like old times? He knew what those clubs were like. Women got into the VIP lounges for free to keep the guys happy and everyone was dressed to kill. Would Conner decide the life he’d left behind was better than this one and go back? The ache in his chest grew. “Why are you doing this?”

Conner gulped hard. “Doing what?” He drank a gulp of bourbon and hissed. “I’m not doing anything, Kai. I’m just going to hang out with my friends. I haven’t seen them since...” He glanced at Kai. “Since we hooked up.”

Now we’re a hookup? He didn’t like this. Not one bit. He knew exactly what was going on. It was the same thing that was going on in Sedona with the girls, the same thing that went on with Brent and Eric during the investigation. When was he going to come out? He could at least start with his friends. “You don’t want to admit to them that we’re together, do you.” He glared at Conner.

Conner’s breath caught. He stared at his bourbon, sitting in his lap, pouting. “I’m sorry, Kai. It’s too soon for me. You know how they are. I can’t tell them yet.” He sniffled and rubbed his eyes.

Damn, he is closeted as fuck sometimes. Conner had been understanding about his mother—maybe it was time for him to be understanding about this. “Okay, but at some point, it’s going to come out whether you want it to or not.” He wrapped an arm around Conner’s shoulders and kissed his cheek. “It’s okay. I’ll wait.”

“Thanks. Maybe I’ll break it to them on Saturday. Okay?” Conner gazed at him and kissed him on the lips. “I love you, Kai. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, I know.” He sipped his bourbon. “I love you, too.”

Kai rolled onto his side on the bed, dozing lightly. Warmth pressed up behind him. Something hard poked at his backside. He woke, but kept his eyes closed. Light caresses skimmed up his chest, then plunged to his groin, placing soft strokes over his cock. Feathery kisses shivered over his neck and shoulders. A soft, hungry moan sounded behind him.

“Kai...” Conner’s breath quickened. He whispered, “I need you.”

“Mmm...” Kai rocked his hips back, his buttocks meeting with Conner’s solid cock. In a mumbled voice, he said, “You want it again?”

Conner freed a ragged breath, kissing his neck with more intensity, stroking faster. “I dreamt about you.”

As Kai’s cock hardened with Conner’s touch, he curled the corners of his mouth. “Let me guess, a wet dream?” A jolt of pleasure shook through him. He gasped.

“Yeah.” Conner thrust against the crease of his buttocks. “I woke up before I came, though.” His body shuddered and he released a deep groan.

“Good.” He twisted to face Conner, biting his lip. “I’d rather you save that for me.” He slicked his hand with saliva, then rubbed Conner’s seeping cock, swirling pre-cum over the tip, devouring his mouth in intense kisses.

Conner whimpered, thrusting into his palm, pumping Kai’s shaft with erratic jerks of his hand .

As sensation buzzed inside him, he licked down Conner’s neck and bit at an earlobe.

Conner groaned. “Fuck, Kai. I’m close.” His body quivered. “Go fast and hard.”

Kai opened his eyes, taking in the pure lust in Conner’s gaze, the swollen, parted lips. He quickened the pace of his hand and watched. He’d never tire of seeing him come.

As Conner closed his eyes, his brows wrinkled, and he raked his teeth over his lower lip. His cock hardened further, and his body shook, cum spurting up between them, harsh gasps erupting from his throat.

Fuck that’s hot. “Oh, shit.” As Conner continued pumping his shaft through it all, a surge of sensation pulsed Kai’s cock and waves of delicious orgasm coursed through his body, shooting his cum to mix with Conner’s. As it calmed, he took heavy breaths. He thought back over the evening. He’d jerked Conner once and gave him a blowjob before bed already. Damn. “Shit, Conner. How many times can you come in a day?”

A lazy grin quirked Conner’s mouth and he rolled to his back. “With you, or normally?”

Kai freed a short chuckle. “Okay, with me.”

“I’m not sure. I don’t think we’ve hit that limit yet.” Conner shifted to his side, looking him over, then kissed his lips. “No one has ever turned me on like this.”

“So you keep saying.” Kai smiled, wiped his hand on the sheets, then placed it on Conner’s cheek. “Someday, we should spend the whole day in bed and see what that limit is.”

Conner grinned. “Maybe this weekend.”

“Yeah, maybe this weekend.” Kai kissed Conner’s cheek.

Kai, wearing his work attire, strolled to the POS terminal and clocked in. He was one more shift away from having two days off and boy, did he need them after this week .

Bryce came up behind Kai. “That was cool of Conner to get his pastor to bless our house.” He clocked in at the POS.

“Yeah, now that we’ve done the sage again, blessed the house and the police are gone, we can finally go home.” Kai looked out over the restaurant, thinking through what needed to be done before the dinner rush came.

“I’m going home tonight. I’m not waiting for the game camera footage. I mean, John said the ghost should be gone now.” Bryce sighed. “I need to get out of my mom’s house.”

“Yeah, that has to be hard.” Kai touched his arm. “Thanks for doing that, though. You know, letting me stay at Conner’s alone.”

Bryce gave him a sly grin. “You deserve it. I’ve never seen you so happy.”

That was an unusual comment from Bryce. Kai narrowed his eyes at him. “You’re not going to give me shit about it?”

“No. I got sick of watching you pine over Conner.” Bryce laughed.

“I wasn’t pining.” Kai scoffed. There was the typical Bryce.

Bryce took a step toward the kitchen, then stopped. “Oh.” He tapped Kai’s shoulder. “I forgot to tell you. The police sergeant called me. He said he can’t give me specifics, but the girl that was abducted used to live in the house next door. Not our house. Back then, our house wasn’t even built. So they think the baby was buried there when the land was empty.”

“So, the Ashbrook Wash ghost girl never lived in our house?” Kai cocked his head.

“Yeah, it’s funny no one found the remains when they were building the place.” Bryce scratched his head.

Kai shrugged. “Well, maybe it moved when that big storm came through. Who knows?” A shiver tickled up his spine. “All I know is I’m glad it’s over.”

“Yeah, me, too.” Bryce drew a deep inhale. “Get to work.” He slapped Kai’s arm.

Kai chuckled.

Kai dried a wine glass with a white towel, scanning over the mostly full bar.

Beth poured beers at the taps, then lifted her chin at him, her focus beyond him.

He turned around.

Brandon stepped through the high-top tables, wearing a black shirt and jeans, then took a seat at the bar. “Hi, beautiful.”

Shit, not tonight. “Hey, Brandon. What can I get you?” He set the wine glass on the cooler.

“How about one of your delicious mojitos?” Brandon let a coy grin work over his mouth. “And do it the right way.” He winked at him.

“Sure.” Kai perused the bottles in the speed well, finding the ones he could flip, then set about making the drink, twirling the bottles in the air, pouring liquid into the shaker on the drip rail, then shaking it and slapping the mint before giving the drink a shot with the soda gun. As he gave Brandon his best smile, he twirled the napkin at him, then set the drink on it.

A few claps rang out in the restaurant.

Kai widened his smile. “Menu?”

“Yes, please.” Brandon sipped his drink. “This is great, as usual.”

Kai grabbed a menu off the stack on the island and set it down in front of Brandon.

Brandon grabbed his wrist. “Where’s your big player tonight?”

With a huff, Kai yanked his hand back. “He’s not a player. He’s my boyfriend.”

“Really.” Brandon slid his phone out of the front pocket of his jeans and opened the interface.

Kai furrowed his brows. “What are you doing?” Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

“I have something to show you.” Brandon swiped across the display, then tapped it. “Here, take a look at this and tell me that’s not him.”

“Shit.” Kai snatched the phone from him and peered at it. The lower half of a man’s face displayed on the screen, a pointed nose, generous lips, and an inch-long scar under the left eye. His gut wrenched. His breath caught. My scar. The one I love so much. There’s no mistaking it. “What the fuck is this? You taking pictures of Conner now?”

“It’s his profile picture, Kai. Swipe to the right.” Brandon gave him a smug grin.

He gulped over a lump in his throat. Can’t be. This must be a mistake. He swiped. Text displayed on the screen.

Only interested in quick hookups. Bottom. Willing to do?—

Kai tossed the phone on the counter. He refused to read any more. It didn’t mean anything. “So, he used gay hook up apps. Lots of guys do, right?” He glared at Brandon. “If you can see his profile, you must be on there, too, right?

“Yeah, but I don’t have a boyfriend. Why wouldn’t he shut it down if you two are together?” Brandon lifted his brows.

“Maybe he hasn’t had time to.” Kai’s chest tightened. It had been weeks. Why was Connor still on there? Was Conner with his friends right now, or having a hookup tonight? He picked up the towel, staring at the back bar. He hated feeling like this. It hurt.

“Kai, it’s not the only one. He’s on several.”

Tears stung his eyes. “So? What are you trying to say?” He clenched his jaw. Nausea balled up in his gut. He forced himself to face Brandon. Between his teeth, he said. “What are you trying to say?”

Brandon widened his eyes and held up his palms to Kai. “Hey, if I’m in a relationship with someone, that shit stops. Know what I mean? ”

Beth walked down the bar and placed her hand on Kai’s shoulder. “Hey, what’s up?” She glanced at Brandon, then focused on Kai. “You okay?”

His breath hitched. “I’m not okay.” He sniffled. He couldn’t break down at the bar if that was where this was going. “I need to go outside for a moment.”

“Sure.” She patted his back. “You go, I got this.”

He swiped at his eyes, then plodded through the kitchen and out the heavy, gray metal door, into the breezeway. “Fuck.” Pain wrenched his chest. He paced up and down the cement walkway, fisting and opening his hands. There had to be an explanation. This had to be how Conner had gotten experience with guys while still dating Paige. But that meant he was cheating on her. Or did they have an open relationship? Or had this all happened in the brief time after they broke up?

He growled and continued pacing. Why was Conner so secretive about everything? The memory of the allegation at The Alamo flashed into his mind. I told him I thought hookup apps were creepy. That was why. It had to be. But why the fuck did he still have active profiles? If he texted Conner right now, would he even text back? If he was hooking up with some guy, probably not. He slid the phone out of his back pocket and opened the text interface.

Kai

Hey, where did you end up?

He watched the interface, gulping hard. Delivered showed under the text, then, Read 6:57 PM . Dots flickered at him. He rubbed his nose and sniffled.

Conner

Having dinner at a Thai restaurant. I have to bring you here next time. It’s really good.

God, I’m so stupid. Nothing sounded out of the ordinary. Why didn’t he trust him? Maybe Conner hadn’t thought to turn the profiles off. Maybe it just slipped his mind. Conner couldn’t have met up with anyone since they started dating—they were together all the time. They’d have to talk about this later. He drew a deep breath, wiped his eyes, and walked into the kitchen of the restaurant. He’d let Beth take Brandon’s order and deal with him the rest of the night.

Kai sat on the outdoor couch, wrapped up in a brown blanket, glass of bourbon in his hand. He looked out over the park, watching the glow from a full moon shimmer off the lake. The fountain wasn’t running. It was too late. He thought back. This was his third glass of bourbon. He held it up and tilted the glass, watching the liquid ripple. Conner was still out. He picked up his phone, resting in the folds of the blanket and held it to his face. It read 1:17 A.M . He opened the text interface and read the messages.

Kai

When will you be home? I’m off work.

Kai

Where are you?

Kai

It’s late. Are you okay?

The messages were all delivered, but none of them read. Could something have happened to him? Pain pierced his heart. This wasn’t like Conner. Something must have happened. Should he start calling hospitals or something? What if he was hurt?

A white Mercedes coupe drove up the avenue and stopped below the building .

He set his bourbon on the glass tabletop and stepped to the red railing, then looked down, bending over it.

A woman wearing a tiny red dress and heels got out, her dirty-blonde hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. She jogged to the passenger side of the car and opened it. “Conner, we’re home. Time to get out.”

Kai’s heart lurched. “Fuck.” He grabbed his chest. “No...” This wasn’t happening. It wasn’t what it looked like. Conner was still friends with Paige, right?

She reached in the car and yanked on an arm. “Conner, you have to get out.”

“Fuck this.” Kai dropped the blanket, flung the sliding glass door open, raced through the front door and took the stairs two at a time, his heart pounding against his breastbone, his breath coming in quick pants. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he sprinted to the street.

Conner’s arm was wrapped around Paige’s shoulders, his head hanging forward. Slurring, Conner said, “Take me to bed.”

Kai halted, staring at them.

Paige’s gaze caught on Kai. She dropped her mouth open. “Kai? Kai Nez? What are you doing here?”

“Kai?” Conner lifted his head. “Fuck, Kai.” He wrenched his arm free from her shoulders and stumbled toward Kai. “Baby, take me to bed.”

“Baby?” Paige furrowed her brows. “What’s going on here?”

Conner threw his arms around Kai’s shoulders. “I missed you so much.” He nuzzled Kai’s neck.

What the hell am I supposed to do? He’s fucking outing himself. He hooked an arm around Conner’s waist. “Boy, he’s uh, drunk, huh? He even called me baby.” He freed a strangled laugh.

Conner laid his head on Kai’s shoulder.

She blinked a few times. “What are you doing here?”

He had to think quick. “I had some problems at my place, and I work across the street.” He pointed at the restaurant. “ Conner was nice enough to let me stay here for a few, uh, nights.” He gave her his best forced smile. “I uh, was just on the balcony upstairs and saw you pull up. I figured you could use some help.”

She placed her hands on her hips, then looked them up and down. “Okay, well?—”

“I’ll take care of him. Don’t worry.” They needed to leave. Now. He turned them both around and walked Conner to the stairwell. “Bye.” He waved behind him.

As they trudged up the stairs, a hot knot tightened in his chest. Fucking Conner had been out with Paige all night. Was that why he didn’t text back? Was he too busy looking at her to look at his fucking phone? He reached the top of the stairs and opened the door, led Conner into the bedroom and tossed him on the bed. This feels fucking familiar.

Conner held his arms up. “Kai, come lie down with me.”

“No.” He’d get him undressed and then go to sleep. It could wait until morning. He scowled and slid Conner’s shoes and socks off, then knelt on the bed, his knees on either side of Conner’s hips. He unfastened his jeans.

Conner propped up on his elbows, a lopsided grin spreading over his mouth. “Are you going to suck me off?

“Fuck, no.” He shook his head, clenching his jaw. This was just perfect. Conner was so drunk he had no clue what was going on. As he tugged Conner’s jeans down his legs, he glanced up.

Conner’s hard cock jutted up from his boxer briefs. “Come on, Kai. I’m so fucking hot for you right now.”

He released a harsh exhale. “No, Conner. Not tonight.” He wouldn’t be swayed. He tugged Conner’s jeans off his legs.

Conner dropped to his back. “Fine.” He rubbed his hand over his swollen cock through his briefs and moaned, rocking his hips.

Kai jumped on the bed, seizing Conner’s hand, hovering over him on straight arms, peering into his face. Conner really had no fucking clue. “Stop it. Look at me, damn it.”

As Conner’s gaze caught on Kai’s, his face went slack. “A-are you mad at me?”

“Yes, I’m fucking angry as hell.” Which was worse—Paige taking him home, the app profiles, or all the fucking worry he’d been through tonight? He glared at him, then sat on the bed and drew up his knees, his arms wrapping around them.

Conner rounded his eyes. “Why?” He came up to sitting and raked a hand through his bangs. “What’s wrong?”

“For starters, you didn’t text me back and I was worried as fuck about you.” Kai rested his head on his arms. This was so messed up. He shouldn’t be talking to a drunk. It wasn’t worth it. He knew better.

“Kai, I’m sorry. I-I didn’t see?—”

“Why, because you were with fucking Paige all night?” He punched the bed. “Fuck.”

Conner flinched.

I have to stop before I bring up the app profiles. That was better left to the morning. Kai breathed deeply. He needed to calm down, and Conner was in no shape to listen to anything. He probably wouldn’t even remember tonight. He stared at the wall. “Let’s not talk about this right now. Let’s just go to sleep. We can talk in the morning when you’re sober.”

“I’m pretty sober right now.” Conner swallowed and looked around the room. “I-I need some water.” He climbed off the bed and left.

Kai squeezed his eyes shut. What should he do? This discussion should wait. But he’d already said so much.

Conner entered the room with two open bottles of water, wearing only his black button-down shirt and boxer briefs. He handed a water bottle to Kai. “I told you I was still friends with Paige.” He gulped the water down. “I’m sorry I didn’t see your texts. ”

“Okay, well, you told me you were going out with Ben and Lucas. You didn’t say anything about Paige.” Kai sipped the water, keeping his gaze on the gray and white striped duvet.

Conner sat on the bed. “You’re jealous.” He placed a hand on Kai’s knee.

He grimaced. “Why wouldn’t I be? You two were together forever. You only just broke up. You got shitfaced with?—”

“Nothing happened.” Conner crept next to him and draped an arm over his shoulders. “I love you, not her.” He kissed his head. “I swear it. We’re just close friends now, that’s it.”

Kai scoffed, rubbing his forehead. “But she doesn’t know about us.” Nobody in Conner’s world knew about them.

Conner let loose a long exhale and removed his arm from Kai’s shoulders. “You need to give me time.”

The scent of alcohol floated in on Conner’s breath. Kai focused on him. Was he really as sober as he said he was? Probably not. This was pointless. “Let’s just go to bed. Okay?”

Conner frowned. “We shouldn’t go to bed mad at each other. My parents always said that.”

And at the rate we’re going, will I ever meet them? “I’m not really all that mad anymore. I mean, there are some things we need to talk about, but not now.” He climbed off the bed and went through the apartment, shutting off lights, clearing his head, then walked back into the bedroom.

Conner lay on his back, under the covers of the bed, watching Kai.

Kai undressed, shut the light off, then made his way under the covers, lying on his back next to Conner. Hopefully, he could go to sleep now and wouldn’t lie awake thinking about this all night.

Conner rolled onto his side, nuzzling into Kai’s neck, wrapping a leg and arm around him. “All I wanted all night was to be with you like this. I didn’t want anyone else.”

“Yeah, okay.” Kai kissed his head. Then why didn’t he come home sooner or check his text messages? He shook the thought from his mind. He needed sleep first. Then he’d see how everything felt in the morning.

“I love you, Kai.”

“Love you, too.”