Page 68 of Black Hollow: Awakening

“I don’t know. I’ve always dreamed of getting away from home,” Liam replied, and then, as if it were nothing, lay down on Will’s bed.

Will looked at him in amusement.

“Do you share a bed with your brother, too? Is that why you’re so drawn to other people’s?” he teased.

“No. But I have shared it with a few people, and it wasn’t the worst experience under the sun,” Liam replied, giving him a wink.

“You don’t say?” Will said, bursting out laughing.

He sat down on the edge of the bed.

“How are things with the Surfer?”

“Better. Much better.”

“See? A little jealousy is the best motivator.”

“I wonder why.”

“Because people only start to appreciate what they have when they have to face the prospect of losing it.”

They talked on. It was lighthearted. Easy. Liam’s sense of humor resonated with Will. They hadn’t spent much time together, but he’d grown to like his company.

“…and that boyfriend of hers…” At some point, they were shamelessly gossiping.

“I’m sorry, who?” Liam snorted.

“Her boyfriend. Jerry.”

“Jerry is not her boyfriend.”

“He was yesterday, at least that’s how she introduced him to me.”

“Then he won’t be tomorrow. That’s how Norma is. She’s not cut out for steady relationships.”

“You say that like you’re jealous,” Will said provocatively. “Aren’t you by any chance on her impressively long list of ex-boyfriends?”

“No,” Liam replied, looking proud of himself.

“I’m sure she’s just looking for the right person. In the end…”

“Shh,” Liam said suddenly, shooting up into a sitting position.

Will fell silent, frowning.

“What is it?” he whispered after a moment.

Liam put a finger to his lips, once again signaling him to be quiet.

“Did you lock the door?” Liam asked. “After you let me in?”

“Yes,” Will answered immediately, because it was the obvious answer. Of course he locked it, he wasn’t an idiot! Except… when he started to think about it, he really couldn’t remember the moment he turned the lock. He’d been surprised by the unexpected visit, they’d gotten to talking, then he’d hung up his jacket… God. “I’m not sure. Why?”

Liam stood up.

“What’s going on?” Will asked, his panic rising.

“Nothing.” Liam had lost his usual casual tone. He sounded serious. “Stay here and wait until I get back, okay?”