“At least you’d have somewhere to stay tonight.”
Elias let out a long breath. “I swear this is just my luck. I want to go home—homehome. Moodie is on my shit, the electricity is acting up, this door is trying me, and I haven’t eaten since that stupidscone this morning, so even my own stomach isn’t loyal. I have yet to be shown a drop of this Southern hospitality everybody’s always talking about,” Elias raged. “Of course, this city block is powered by hamster wheels, but for some reason, this door is made out of reinforced fucking steel!”
Kai choked out a short laugh but quickly stifled it.
The way Elias spoke was entertaining; everything was so urgent, and he took every little thing so personally.
Elias rubbed his chest a few times. “What are you going to do?” he asked Kai, completely ignoring the fact that he’d just thrown a full-blown tantrum.
“I feel like I got to go back or my parents will make one of those T-shirts that has my face in the clouds,” Kai replied. “What areyougoing to do?”
“I’m going to kill time until this place opens.”
Kai was instantly conflicted. On one hand, Elias could most likely protect himself and make it back home in one piece on his own. Yet, Kai didn’t feel right about leaving him there. He wasn’t from the area, and Kai wouldn’t even walk his friends home without waiting to watch them go inside. There was no way in hell he’d be able to get on a bus and travel forty-five minutes away from Elias and be able to sleep soundly that night.
He sighed; there was only one decision.
“I’ll stay with you,” Kai said, in a way that didn’t invite argument. “We can split a hotel or something.”
“Are you trying to get me alone?” Elias teased, his demeanor shifting into that charm that had almost tricked Kai. Almost. “Is that why you followed me here?”
“Followedyou? Aren’t you embarrassed saying stuff like that?”
“Youshould be embarrassed,” Elias retorted, folding his arms overhis chest. “How’d you even know I was going to be at the concert?”
Kai’s chin jutted back in disbelief. “I got there almost a full hour before you did. What kind of logic is that?You’rethe one who boughtmyticket. Didyoufollowmehere?”
“Now, how was I supposed to know it was your ticket? And I didn’t even get to see any of the concert, so I want my money back.”
“That’s your late ass’s fault.” Kai pointed a finger. “The concert was canceled for me, too, you know,” he shot back. “And you’re talking like I’m the one who told you not to eat all day. Or like I had something to do with the electricity. You weren’t complaining when you were trying to jump into my arms.”
Elias had a meme-able expression on his face. He squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. “I don’t like the dark. Especially in a place that big. Hold it over my head if you must.”
“I’m, like, a foot taller than you—I don’t think I have a choice but to hold it over your head,” he said, taking a step forward to close the gap between them. Kai bit his lip. After a thoughtful pause, he asked, “What will you do if I don’t stay?”
Shifting uncomfortably on his feet, Elias replied, “Probably sit at the bus station and wait. You know I don’t like the dark, especially alone. I need a big strong man to protect me.”
Kai looked all around in an exaggerated manner. “Is the big strong man in the room with us? Because I know you’re not talking about me.”
“Of course I’m talking about you. Don’t act like you didn’t save my life back there.”
“Why not?You’reacting like I didn’t. Did you even say thank you?”
Elias looked up at him, his gaze shifting from round and curious to playful and teasing, with a half-lidded allure—a transformation so seamless it should be studied. “Thanks.”
Kai put distance between them, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “Don’t…don’t look at me like that, okay?”
“Why?”
“You know why.” Kai waited for Elias to respond with an apology, an explanation, anything. But when the only sound was their breathing, Kai let out a deep sigh. He threw his hands up in surrender and began to walk away. “Forget it. I’m going home. Good luck! I hope you make it to work tomorrow. If not, it’s been nice knowing you.”
“Wait,” Elias said with a sudden desperation. “Stay.”
Kai had never actually planned to leave, but the look on Elias’s face made him feel guilty for even joking about it.
“Fine,” he relented.
They looked at each other for a moment until Elias’s warm brown eyes seemed to startle, their quick movements betraying a sudden awareness that he had ventured into vulnerable territory. He did an about-face and started marching away, his bucket hat pulled low over his eyes. “If you insist on staying, you’re taking me to dinner, and you’re paying for it,” he said over his shoulder. “And if I see a piece of kale or anything made out of tofu on or around my plate, I’m calling Homeland Security.”
