“Surely Brother Al would have checked for that,” I said.
“Brother Al is five centuries old and can’t even use Google,” Eddie said.“Trust me, this is going to be a big fat nothing burger.Have you eaten?”
“Yeah,” I said.“Speaking of burgers.I stopped and got something on the way.I’m not going to lie.It’s really nice not having to buy food for you.Didn’t think that would be a bonus, but I’m hardly spending anything.”
“You had… onions, bacon, those local pickles.I can smell it from here.”
I froze.“Way to make me feel sexy,” I said.
“No, it’s a good smell,” he said.“You have to understand—humans, oh.Not just any humans, of course.But you.You have such an array of aromas.Good ones, bad ones.It reminds me of being human myself.Sometimes I miss the idea of human food.Just digging into a greasy piece of meat.”
“Have you tried?”
“Yes.It’s functional, and I can in a pinch.But I pay for it for days.The digestive system’s not what it used to be.I prefer a more liquid diet anyway, though I will splurge on some vanilla ice cream now and again.Something about the dairy proteins—it’s easier on my system.”
“That’s weird,” I said.
“Yeah, but that’s why you love it,” he said.“Come here.Strip out of those clothes.”
“I will, but come in and shut the curtains.I don’t want an audience.”
He did so, and I slowly unzipped my dress, slipping my shoes off near the bed.He was behind me, kissing my neck, hands roving up and down, unsnapping my bra—
There was a jangle of keys, and the front door opened wide.Eddie and I stood there frozen, on the spot, watching as Vic came in, whistling, with a paper grocery bag.
“Hey, babe,” Vic said, calling from the kitchen.“I brought some stuff—saw this Korean recipe from Maangchi, looked like it was right up your alleyway.”
“Vic,” I said.
Eddie said nothing, but I could feel him tense up behind me.
“Hang on, still unloading,” Vic said.There was some rustling in the kitchen.He popped his head around the corner and saw us.He didn’t seem to blink twice.“Hey, Eddie.”
“Hey, Vic,” Eddie said.His voice sounded dangerous.
“Don’t mind me.Y’all finish up.I’ll just be in the kitchen cooking.”
“Vic,” I said.“I’ve already eaten.You know, today was Eddie’s evening.”
“Oh, I know,” he said.“But you know, I figured we were all moving past that scheduling thing, right?I mean.You and I were supposed to have movie night next week, but you know.Hockey tickets are just so rare.It’s not like there’s a whole season played here every year.”
“Can you give us some privacy?”Eddie said.
“Oh, I’m sorry.Am I not respecting your boundaries?”Vic’s voice was arced in the end.
There was a flicker in the air—Eddie’s warm hands on my shoulder were gone, and Eddie had slammed Vic into the wall by his throat.Vic laughed, his glasses dangling from his nose.
“Now you want to get mad and physical,” Vic said, and he pushed his glasses back up with a finger, seeming casual about it.“Let go of me, Eddie.You know how this would play out.”
“Guys,” I said.“Stop it.NOW.”
“I’ll stop,” Vic said.“If Eddie starts paying attention to the schedule.”
“You’re being an asshole,” Eddie said.
“Yeah, well, you’ve been pretty fucking rude,” Vic said.“You don’t let go of me, I’ll summon a black hole to suck you right into the Netherworld.”
“Vic, Eddie.STOP THIS,” I snapped.
