A single soul, p.8
A Single Soul, page 8
Matt snorted. “Meow.”
I shrugged unapologetically.
He just laughed, which was a relief. Didn’t do much to keep my pulse in a safe range, but it was still good to see some humor breaking through. I hated how stressed he was right now.
I shifted in my chair. “Well, um, now that we’ve zhuzhed up your wardrobe…” I grinned. “Time to put it into action, right?”
He peered at me suspiciously. “Put it into action… how?”
“Any chance you want to try a club?”
Matt stared incredulously at me. “A club? Like… a dance club?”
“No, honey. A country club.” I rolled my eyes. “Yes, of course a dance club.”
He blinked a few times. “Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?” He gestured at himself. “Look at me!”
Oh, he didn’t have to tell me twice. I never missed an opportunity to look at him.
“Matt.” I tsked. “You’re the kind of guy who turns heads in clubs.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Why? Because half the people there think someone’s dad just walked in?”
“More like someone’s daddy.”
Matt tilted his head, eyeing me as if I’d lost my mind or spoken in Martian.
I laughed, nudging him under the table with my foot. “Dude. You’re hot. And the club I go to, there’s plenty of guys there who are in their thirties and up. It isn’t a college bar.”
He pursed his lips. “That, um… That really doesn’t sound like my scene.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And running out the clock before Andras and Raziel are visible 24/7 is?”
He winced. Then he slumped in his chair and sighed. “Oh God. I’m going to a club, aren’t I?”
“Yes, you are.” I nudged him again. “Come on! It’ll be fun!” Even if it’ll be absolute torture for me, especially if you and some rando start making out on the dancefloor and— I cleared my throat. “Tell you what—try the hookup apps this week. Put yourself out there. See if you have any luck. And if you don’t reel anyone in by Saturday night?” I grinned and sing-songed, “Then we go dancing!”
Matt looked at me like I’d suggested we go get drug-free root canals for funsies. But little by little, he seemed to surrender to the idea. He didn’t warm up to it, but he didn’t fight it.
“Okay. If I don’t have any luck, then…” He let his currently unoccupied shoulders sag. “Then I guess we’re going dancing.”
I grinned triumphantly, but beneath the surface…
Oh, holy hell.
What did I just sign up for?
“I’m telling you,” Andras declared. “Make. It. Sluttier.”
Naturally, that had Raziel ranting and raving yet again about how respectable and dignified was the way to go. They shouted back and forth, waving arms and wings, while Matt pinched the bridge of his nose and probably imagined tasing both of them.
I lowered my phone, which I’d been using to get some photos for his various profiles. We’d been at this for all of twenty minutes in Matt’s living room, and he looked absolutely miserable, which definitely didn’t do his photos any favors.
Then… inspiration hit me.
I cleared my throat. “Hey, I’ve got an idea.”
The angel and demon turned curious looks on me. Matt watched me, his face screaming of desperation to get out of this situation.
I motioned toward the windows. “The lighting outside is perfect. Maybe if we go over to that park behind the movie theater, we can get some better shots?”
Matt lifted an eyebrow. “It’s, um… It’s usually a little crowded this time of day, isn’t it?”
“On a Sunday afternoon? Absolutely.” I shrugged. “But I’m sure we can find a spot up against the trees or something.”
He studied me. Then understanding seemed to dawn, and for the first time since we’d returned to his apartment, something like relief filled his expression. “I’ll get my keys.”
Five minutes later, we were in the park along with dozens of people, dogs, and bicycles. There was noise and activity coming from everywhere, and we both nearly got run over by children and bikes as we crossed over to the hedges surrounding the park’s garden.
And despite all the activity and moving hazards, Matt already seemed a million times more relaxed than he’d been in the apartment.
“It’s a little chaotic out here,” I told him, “but I figured being out in the open with people, you wouldn’t have to deal with… you know…”
He pushed out a breath and rolled his unoccupied shoulders. “It was a great idea. Another minute or two, and I was going to…” He pursed his lips. “Hell, I don’t know what I was going to do. But the flyswatter was sounding more and more tempting.”
I snorted. “I can still Amazon Prime the electric one.”
“Might not be a bad idea.” He glanced at me with a lopsided grin. “I’ll pay you back if you order me one.”
“Hey, don’t threaten me with a good time. I won’t even make you pay me back as long as I get to zap one of them.”
The way he laughed almost made me stumble. He’d been understandably wound tight all day, and seeing him break through that and laugh like he did when we were hanging out and relaxing? Oh my God. Shame I didn’t have my phone up in that moment. That photo would’ve had so many people swiping right that it would probably crash all the apps.
I muffled a cough and gestured at the hedge. “Think this will work for a backdrop?”
Matt paused to give it a look, and he scanned the rest of our surroundings too.
While I was hardly God’s gift to photography, I recognized beauty when I saw it. And in that moment, as a ray of warm, late afternoon light landed on the side of his face while his gaze was fixed on something, Matt was absolutely gorgeous. I might’ve missed that moment of unrestrained laughter breaking through like the sun piercing a storm cloud, I was fast enough to get my phone up and focused this time.
The snap of the camera turned his head, and he peered at me. “What?”
“Nothing.” I shrugged, pretending my heart wasn’t suddenly and inexplicably going way too fast. “Just, uh…” I gestured with my phone. “Not every photo you use needs to be posed, does it?”
He furrowed his brow as his eyes flicked toward the phone. “Do I get to see it?”
I wasn’t sure why I hesitated. Because I was afraid the photo would give something away? I was an idiot. Face inexplicably burning, I pulled up the photo and showed it to him.
He leaned in, oblivious to his body heat brushing against me, and he looked at the screen. “Oh. Man. That is a good picture.” Now he was the one blushing. “I, um… Maybe I’ll use that one.”
I smiled, hoping he took it as friendly and maybe a touch shy, and not even a little bit because I had some seriously mixed feelings about the possibility of this photo attracting the man of his dreams. I was happy to help him, but—
God, stop it, Cory. He’s not interested. Just help him find a man and then go find one for yourself.
That sounded like a great idea.
First things first…
I gestured at the hedge. “So, right here?”
“Sure. Yeah.” He stepped toward it. “Just, um right up against it? Or…?” He inclined his head and raised his eyebrows, clearly waiting for me to give him some instruction.
“There is good. Or… Hmm. Maybe a little to the…” I gestured to his left. He took a half step to the side, shifting out of the direct sunlight and letting a softer shadow slide over his face. “Perfect.” I brought up my phone. I debated stepping closer for a better composition, but I wasn’t so sure I could handle that right then. Instead, I stayed put and zoomed in a little.
Cowardice, thy name is Cory.
Matt watched me. Or, well, the camera. His expression was stoic—the kind of look I’d have expected in a portrait for his law firm’s website—but with an undercurrent of nerves. As if he wasn’t quite sure what to do with his face.
“Maybe this would’ve been easier if we’d stayed in your apartment.” I looked at him over the phone and smirked. “With Andras yelling at you to look sluttier.”
That got exactly the effect I’d hoped for—a bright, unrestrained laugh.
Snap. Snap. Snap.
Christ, you’re beautiful.
Matt rolled his eyes, and even as he started to pull himself together, he was still smiling.
Snap. Snap. Snap.
The smile fell a little, and he cocked his head. “What?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re taking pictures already? We’re not even… like…” He gestured as if he couldn’t find the word.
“Hey, you want them to look natural, right? Nothing looks more natural than candid.”
He held my gaze, studying me as if he’d just learned something about me and wanted to tug at the new thread. “I didn’t know you were into photography.”
“I mean, I’m not, like—” Snap. Snap. “I’m okay at it, I guess? But I’ve never done much with it. I can just tell a stiff-looking, unnaturally posed photo, you know?”
He seemed to consider that. “Okay, I can see that. But I’ve seen what you post on social media. You’ve got a better eye than I ever will.”
Warmth rushed through me that I tried my damnedest to ignore even as I took a couple more photos of him looking relaxed but interested. “Thanks,” I said. “I’ve, um… I’ve done it as a hobby off and on over the years. Haven’t had anything printed in a long time, though.” Snap. “Maybe I should do that.”
The smile that brought out of him—oh, my God. Snap, snap, fucking snap.
“You should,” he said softly. “I’d love to see them if you do.”
I could only imagine the look on my own face right then. If the heat in my face and the flutter in my chest were anything to go by, I probably wasn’t being subtle about anything.
Shame he wouldn’t see it or do anything about it if I wrote Matt, I want you across my forehead, but I shook that thought away, and we continued with our impromptu photo shoot.
As we went on, I tried to stay upbeat and enjoy this moment with my friend. Deep down, though, it was hard to ignore the miserable feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Because I couldn’t forget what we were doing. Why we were here. What Matt hoped to accomplish with my help.
I really, really hoped the photos, the new clothes, and the rejuvenated profiles helped Matt find someone. I hoped he texted me to say, “Don’t worry about Saturday night!” and I wouldn’t have to follow through with taking him to a club.
Because while I was committed to doing and being whatever he needed…
I wasn’t so sure I could handle that after all.
Chapter 10
Matt
Spoiler: I did not have any luck on the apps that week.
As Saturday night rapidly approached—we were down to hours now—I kept trying, just on that off chance I stumbled across the right guy to save me from a night of clubbing. My lack of success wasn’t for lack of effort.
It also wasn’t for lack of… well, “help” might’ve been a generous way to describe it.
“Does he bring his own paper bag?” Andras pointed his tail at a Grindr profile. “Or d’you have to give him one?”
“A paper bag?” Raziel scoffed. “My dear, now who isn’t reading the briefings? It’s called a condom, and it’s not made of paper, it’s made of—”
“Not for his willy,” Andras retorted. “For his feckin’ face.”
That got a startled gasp out of Raziel. “Well… That’s just not very nice, is it?”
At that, Andras had flown off my shoulder so he was in Raziel’s view, and gestured wildly at himself as if to say “Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?” Then the demon returned to my shoulder and flopped down unceremoniously.
“Ow!” I shrugged a little dislodge him. “You have got the boniest ass, I swear.”
Andras whapped me with his tail, so I brushed him completely off my shoulder, earning me a satisfied yelp and some swearing. He landed on the other couch cushion, so he wasn’t any worse for the wear, but he sure was mad.
“What the fuck?” He flew back up, snapped his wings next to my ear, and sat down dramatically again as he muttered, “Wanker.”
“I’ll do it again,” I warned.
He huffed. “Just swipe left and keep looking.”
I rolled my eyes. I did end up swiping left on that guy, but not because of his looks. Physically, there was nothing unattractive about him. I was trying not to be too shallow anyway—even with guys I might only hook up with—but really, I had no idea what Andras’s issue with him was. I just wasn’t into the guy because he sounded like a pretentious dick.
The next profile was more to Andras’s liking, but of course, Raziel disagreed.
“Look at the background of his photos!” The angel clicked his tongue. “Look at… Do you want someone who takes selfies in front of piles of laundry? And… my God, young man. Wash the dishes once in a—”
“He ain’t looking for someone to do his washing,” Andras said. “Long as he’s got clean sheets, who cares?”
I rubbed my forehead. Would “I have a headache” be a valid excuse to bail on tonight? Because it wouldn’t be a lie.
“Quit perving on his housekeeping,” Andras groused, “and look at those abs! That arse! And a mouth like that is probably great for—”
“Andras.” Raziel was just outside my peripheral vision, but I swore heat rose beside that shoulder. Was he blushing that hot? “There is more to a man than just—” He sputtered a bit. “Yes, he’s pretty, but the background is unattractive.”
He did have a point. While I tried not to judge guys based on the backgrounds of impromptu selfies, those backgrounds could tell a story. Or raise red flags. Like the one a few profiles ago who’d carelessly—or deliberately, I couldn’t decide—taken a photo in front of several items that screamed white supremacist. I had, of course, swiped left on him, but not before sending his profile to a sorcerer friend I’d known since law school. They wouldn’t hurt the guy or anything. They wouldn’t do anything illegal. They were, however, an expert troll who would happily catfish the guy until the end of time, wasting his time and keeping him occupied. He wouldn’t be anyone’s problem as long as their endless repertoire of profiles kept leading him on.
Ethical? Eh, I didn’t lose any sleep over it. Fuck Nazis. Or, well, don’t fuck them. Catfish them instead.
I continued perusing profiles until a shirtless pic didn’t just catch my eye, it made my brain skid to a halt. The broad shoulders, the narrow waist, that ass—oh. Hell.
I wasn’t the only one who thought so.
“Ooh, look at the arse on that one,” Andras said.
“My, my, he’s certainly pretty.” Raziel sighed. “Pity we can’t see his face.”
I swallowed, which took some work, since my mouth had gone dry. They were both right, but I didn’t need to see his face. I’d have recognized that bind rune tattoo on his left shoulder from a mile away. One look at that familiar, simple black symbol unlocked a memory from a couple of years ago.
“I had a health scare when I was in my twenties,” Cory had told me while we’d cooled down after a workout. “My grandfather—he believed runes were powerful, and after we knew everything was fine, he suggested getting this one. For health and vitality.” His soft smile had made my pulse jump. “He got one with me.”
“You made sure the artist wasn’t a trickster, right?” I’d asked, fighting the almost irresistible urge to run my fingers over the smooth lines.
“Are you kidding?” He’d scoffed. “You think I’m going to risk Loki himself doing my tattoo?” He shook his head. “God, no. I went to a non-magic artist. I’m not stupid.”
No, he wasn’t. I was, though. I’d made a deal with the fae, and that deal had me slamming face-first into my attraction to him at every turn.
Attraction. Right. Because that was clearly all this was.
I shook that thought away. Curiosity and maybe a smidge of masochism had me scrolling through his profile and everything he’d written. Not just reading the words, but hearing his voice in my ear as if Cory were sitting beside me and whispering all his desires right to me.
“I’m a top,” I could hear him saying in a sultry purr. “Also I won’t be mad if you want to make out instead of watching the movie.”
It took all I had not to groan with frustration. I was never going to be able to concentrate on another movie in Cory’s presence again. He liked to make out instead of watching? Really? Fuuuck. And of course he was a top. Of course he was. I’d known that for a long time. But the reminder didn’t do much for maintaining my sanity.
And the profile went on.
“I don’t mind hookups or friends with benefits. If there’s potential for more, I’ll probably take a while to warm up to an actual relationship—once bitten—but if you’re patient with me, we could really be something. If not, we can still have some fun.”
I closed my eyes and exhaled. It was heartbreaking how cautious Cory was when it came to love. I didn’t blame him, either—his last two exes had been real pieces of work, and I was pretty sure everyone in our social circle had celebrated when they’d gone. Cory had joined in with the first one; good riddance to bad rubbish and all that. The second… Well, he’d been utterly crushed. We’d all done what we could to support him and help him get through it, all the while quietly wishing the doors had hit that asshole on his way out. After how he’d treated Cory, after how he’d left him, that fucking dickhole deserved to be miserable like someone who’d crossed a fae.
“Would it be wrong to tell one of the fae that Max insulted their family?” Kayla had asked after one party where Cory had been a shell of himself. “Put him on their collective shitlist?”
“Absolutely not,” I’d said through gritted teeth. “But if the fae find out we lied…” I’d grimaced. So had she.
