I gulp and study my hand on the door.“Don’t ask questions you know the answers to, Lulu,” I say, voice barely above a whisper.
“Explain it to me like I’m naïve.”
“I wanted to help take out the monster, but instead I was put on fog duty.Not exactly the best use of my time,” I say in a facetious tone.
“You know that’s not what I’m asking, Taz.”
I finally look at him; his brown eyes filled with concern make me want to crumble into bits.“Then what is it?”
“You saw an Other Side portal.”He pauses, and I have to resist the urge to dive into his arms.“It…enchanted you.”
“No, it didn’t.”
“You almost went in.Why else would you do that?”
“You know why!”I exclaim.After storming out of the car, I slam the door shut and power-walk toward the bookshop.
“Taz, get back here!”Luther gives chase, but I don’t stop.
“Why, so you can lecture me, Mr.Big-shot-lead-agent?”I spin around and walk backward.He strides up to me, intent in his eyes, and I’m glad no one’s around to listen to us hash this out.
“What do you mean?The Other Side pulled you in; it had to.You wouldn’t consciously do something so dangerous!”
“Oh, you know all about what I would and wouldn’t do, don’t you!”I throw up my arms.“I walked in of my own accord.But you bloody stopped me, so congratulations!”When I reach the door, I spin back around and fumble with my keys.
“Taz, would you talk to me!”
“There’s nothing to say.”
He spins me around, and I’m trapped, leaning against the shop door.“Taz, going into that dark dimension is a death wish!”
“And I knew that!”I shout in his face, touching his chest.“But you know I have to risk it!”I push Luther back and step forward.“You’re the only one I’ve told about my reasons!I thought you’d understand.”
“I understand that you think it holds what you need, but putting yourself in danger?That’s insanity!I can’t have you going near the Other Side!”
“What do you care?”I’m nearly shouting, standing in his space.“You’re afraid I’m going to make the Union look bad?”
“Of course I care, I don’t wanna lose you!”
His words, loud and unapologetic, echo through the night sky.While we both catch our breaths, I take a step back.
“Luther…my brother, he’s…”
“I know,” he replies, looking down at his hands.“Taz, you told me you remember the moment your brother got sucked into a rift of his own making.”Where is he going with this?I don’t even breathe as Luther continues, “I get now why it hurts to remember that.Because I felt the same way when I saw your hand reaching for that portal.”
My heart feels like it drops out of my chest.How could I have been so selfish?The last thing I want is for anyone else to go through that and be burdened with that memory.I love my brother, but does that mean Luther…
After a long pause, I step forward and gently take his chin so he’s looking at me.“Thank you, Luther.For talking me down from making a mistake.”
He smiles, and I press my mouth to his.It’s a slow kiss, no ramping up for sex, just the two of us, living in this difficult moment.This might be the sweetest kiss I’ve ever had, not that I’m willing to admit that yet.
Luther doesn’t want to break my heart, but he doesn’t want to lose me either.There are so many hurdles we have to face, but it’s possible I can trust Luther to get me through them.After all these years, he might be the one I can lean on, the type of man I need.
CHAPTER 15- TAZ
A WEEK GOESby in peace, with Luther and me going on coffee dates and occasionally having sex.It’s a good time dating him, and any awkwardness about almost touching the Other Side is pushed away for now.I’m not letting any disagreements ruin the best relationship I’ve ever had.Serious debates are for later; right now, we’re having fun, still growing together as boyfriends.
I’ve never been in love before, but the way he makes me feel has me thinking we’re in it for the long haul.
