Shannon stopped and looked at me, eyes wide. “But, when we talked you said-”
“I talk a lot of shit sometimes, but today is not one of those times,” I replied.
Rusty’s eyes darted between me and Shannon, a look of apprehension coming over his face.
“I think you like me right me back, too,” I pressed on, heedless of the outcome.
Shannon’s response was to fling himself forward, mashing his lips hard against mine. I kissed him right back, returning his passion. When we broke apart, we just stared into each other’s eyes, panting.
“Well, shit,” Henry said.
“That was fucking hot,” Rusty said. “But now can we go get breakfast before it’s too late?”
Flustered, Shannon stepped back. I blushed, suddenly aware that we hade made it to the edge of the boardwalk and we were being stared at.
“We’ll talk about this later,” I promised Shannon.
He nodded, his expression happy. I hoped he still looked like that once I got around to telling him the truth about myself. If I was allowed to, I amended.
Bbbeeelllloooovvvedddd.
The whisper held a hint of wistfulness within it. I didn’t reply, but within me, the Old One’s response left me feeling hopeful. Perhaps I would be allowed Shannon, at least for while I was here, and he’d be safe.
The bell over the door jingled as we entered the diner. Mornings it did breakfasts then, from lunchtime onwards, the menu was mostly burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Though you could also get a grilled cheese with a side of tomato soup, that’s what Rusty brought me while I was in bed recovering. It had been the best comfort food ever, almost as good as when my mother made a pot of her chicken noodle soup. That had just been leftover scraps chicken boiled off the bones, a stock cube, and some spaghetti noodles tossed into a pot, but it had been heaven to me as a small boy when I’d suffered from a cold.
The bite from the early autumn morning chill dissipated as the warmth washed over us. My cheeks stung from the sudden change, but it was a welcome feeling. On impulse, I grabbed Shannon’s hand as we entered, tugging him towards an open booth in the back. I slid into the seat, Shannon not letting go as he took his place beside me. Smiling, I looked over at him. His cheeks were pink, as were the tips of his ears, but I was willing to bet it wasn’t all because of the cold. Taking their places across from us, Henry began to tease us with a grin, Rusty joining in. “River and Shannon, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-”
They were cut off by the voice of a very amused looking waitress. “And what can I get you, boys?”
“Coffee to start, please,” I replied.
“Same,” said Shannon.
“I’ll also take coffee, but I’d like a side of orange juice with it, please,” Rusty said.
“Chocolate milk for me,” Henry said.
“Okay, I’ll be back with these in a minute. You boys look over the menu and I’ll take the rest of your order shortly.”
I reached over and took the laminated menu sheets out from behind the mini jukebox on the table. I handed one to Shannon first, then Rusty. There were only two menus, so we had to share.
“What do you want, baby?” I asked Shannon, the endearment slipping out. I’d seen him put away more than that at the school cafeteria.
He smiled faintly, his ears pinking up, even more, confirming my earlier guess. The blueberry waffles with bacon look good,” he said, pointing to an entry. Two waffles made with blueberries, choice of syrup, and topped with whipped cream. It came with three strips of bacon.
“Is that going to be enough?”
He glanced away. “With the coffee, that’s already over five bucks.”
“That’s not what I asked,” I told him gently. I reached over and took his chin. “You’re mine, and I take care of what’s mine, okay? What’s good having money if I can’t use it to benefit you as well as me?”
He licked his lips. “Okay. Ah, that really will be fine, but can I have an extra side of bacon with it? And a fried egg?”
“Want any juice?”
“Nah. I’ll just have a refill on the coffee if I need it.”
“Okay, then.”
