Alistair, who enjoyed calling Noah a spoiled brat and praising him in the same breath, who took pleasure in both humiliating him and reminding him of his endless potential, and who had saved his life twice at the risk of his own. He’d given Noah loyalty, compassion, support, and affection. These were the gifts that could not be replaced and carried no price tag, and he felt silly now for being upset over not having his favorite hair gel.
He could always buy more hair gel.
He couldn’t buy another Alistair.
Smiling, Noah let go of the suitcases and slung the duffel bag over his shoulder, continuing downstairs.
“Hey!” Junior called out. “You, uh, forget somethin’?” He pointed to the suitcases.
“Nah.” Noah smiled. “I don’t need them.”
“Whatever.”
Outside, Alistair was waiting by his car with Erasmus. Crybaby and Mace had rounded up the volunteers, and there was lots of talking and pointing toward the garage. They were no doubt plotting the various details of having to dispose of two dead bodies.
One was his uncle, no longer missing and very definitely rotten, and the other was Landon, much fresher but with a large hole somewhere in his head.
If he counted Medina, that now made three people who had been murdered here.
Noah tried not to think about that, and he greeted Alistair with a kiss. “Hey.”
“Mm, hello.” Alistair smiled, and he gave Junior a short nod.
The nod must have meant something because Junior appeared relieved and immediately headed back into the house without a peep.
Noah frowned, wondering what that was all about.
“You all right, my boy?” Alistair cupped Noah’s cheek.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” Noah leaned into Alistair’s touch. “I mean, I think. I don’t know exactly. I’m just, uh, ready to go. I got my stuff.”
“That’s it?” Alistair was clearly surprised to only see the duffel bag.
“Yeah. It is.” Noah grinned sheepishly. “I maybe sort of had this epiphany about what really matters to me? And that maybe I shouldn’t have made such a big deal about having my fancy stuff because it’s stupid and selfish and I’m leaving all that shit behind me. Like literally, I just left it all back there because I don’t need it… And well, I figured what really mattered to me, what’s important, was down here waiting for me.”
“Why, dear Noah.” Alistair smiled, and there was a hint of pink peeking out from beneath his beard. “I’m quite touched.” He quirked a brow as he took the duffel bag. “So, what’s in this bag then? I imagine it’s something quite valuable to have made the cut after you decided to abandon all your worldly possessions, hmm?”
“Hair gel.”
“Ah.”
“I know I’ve been a stuck-up jerk about always having the best stuff, and Iknowit doesn’t matter, but… it’s myfavoritehair gel.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Like, ever.”
“Progress, all the same.” Alistair waved at Erasmus. “Erasmus, if you’d be so kind. Thank you.”
Erasmus wordlessly took the bag and put it in the trunk of the car.
“So.” Noah nodded toward Crybaby and the others. “All of that is being… taken care of?”
“Yes,” Alistair replied. “Try not to worry yourself too much. I promise everything is going to be fine.”
“Like, how fine? Like, can I have a funeral for Patrick?”
“It may take the authorities some time to release his body once he’s officially found, but yes. You will be able to make funeral arrangements.”
