Page 11 of A Haunting at Keystone Manor

“It quite literally is the point,” I retort. “I appreciate the sentiment. Thank you. No one has ever wanted to do that for me before.”

“You’re stuck with me, buddy. There’s no getting rid of me now. Thank you for telling me all that. I’m here to listen any time you want to talk.”

“Me too,” I say, suddenly wanting to know more about him as well. I want to ask him something about his life, but words get stuck in my throat. I can’t let myself get close to this boy. I’m too aware of his hands resting gently on my waist, the look in his eyes as he watches me. He makes me feel like a teenager again, and I don’t know what to do with that.

I stare at him until the song ends then step away, and he lets me go. I’ve shared more with him than I meant to and I’m feeling too raw at the moment to stay in his presence.

“Thank you for the dance.” I move away before he can pull me back into his orbit.

“You’re welcome. Goodnight, Jake,” he calls out as I leave him without a glance back.

Chapter eight

Feelings

Alex

I need a drink. I’m still reeling from everything Jake told me, and I don’t know what to do with it all. I want to kill Andrei and bathe in his blood. He said Andrei didn’t hurt him, but he couldn’t look me in the eyes while he said it. Not that he would want to tell me his deepest secrets, he doesn’t even know me, but I want to change that. I want to kill his father too, for being a dick, and stand in between him and everything that wants to come at him. I know it’s ridiculous to feel that way about someone I’ve known for such a short time, but it is what it is. When I first realized I was a ghost, I thought I’d never be able to talk to anyone ever again. It felt like a fate worse than death. Jake being here has given me a sense of hope I haven’t felt in a while.

I check in on Kayla. She’s leaning over the desk, scrolling through her phone. The guests must have turned in for the night or gone to find an actual party, because I don’t see anyone. I only had eyes for Jake tonight.

“I’m going to marry that man,” I tell her. She doesn’t respond. It’s a good thing she can’t see us. If she knew Jake was here I’d probably have to beat her away from him with a stick.

“Okay, good talk. I’m headed to bed. See you in the morning.”

***

When I walk into the lobby the next morning, I see Brandon taking down the remaining decorations and organizing pamphlets on the desk. He gives me a small wave. “Hey little dude, what’s up?”

I look around to make sure Kayla isn’t in earshot. “Brandon, you have to be careful about talking to me when Kayla or a guest could overhear.”

“10-4. Sorry about that. I keep forgetting that I’m the only one that can see you.” He looks around and lowers his voice. “So, did you have a good time last night? Hook up with a certain ghost?” He waggles his eyebrows.

“Ugh, I’m not discussing my relationship with you. Get back to work, that’s what I pay you for.”

“You don’t pay me, little dude.”

I wave a hand. “How’s your book coming along?”

“It’s good. I’m almost done with it, finally. This place is amazing. My head feels so clear. I’ve gotten more done here than I have in months, you know?”

I don’t know, because I’ve seen him do nothing with his free time but get high, but I don’t say that. I begrudgingly admit that he’s a good worker. I need to have him slip Kayla a note about a raise.

“When is your psychic friend supposed to be here? We need to start making headway on this case.” The other day I stared at a crack in the wall for four hours. Four. Hours. I need something to do. I’ve been feeling a bit more confident in my investigative abilities since I had Brandon switch the channel on the front TV to the true crime network.

I’m a detective now, baby.

“He should be here by the end of the week.”

“Perfect. How do you guys know each other again?”

“Oh, we were roommates.”

“In college?” I inquire. I didn’t know Brandon went to college.

He dodges my gaze, scratching the side of his nose. “Um, not quite. Southern Pen County Jail?”

“Oh my god. Is that a question?” We’re doomed. “I need to find Jake. We have a few things to discuss. Get back to work, I don’t pay you to sit around.”