The Mystery of Nevermore Read Online Free Page B

little too old for tar on the stairs and BB guns.”
    Neil wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and I got comfortable in his embrace. It was nice to be enjoying the evening together and not fighting about stupid shit. Neil must have been thinking the same thing, because he leaned close and kissed the top of my head.
    “Hey,” he murmured.
    “Hey, what?” I responded, looking up. Believe it or not, my vision was considerably better in the dark. Neil’s finer details were easier for me to see here.
    “Why don’t we hightail it out of here?”
    “To where?” I laughed.
    “The next room over.” Neil leaned forward, setting our glasses on the coffee table before getting to his feet.
    I stood, taking Neil’s offered hand, and let him lead me into our cramped bedroom.
    He stopped to put my bag against the wall and shut the door.
    “Afraid someone will see?”
    He paused before turning to look at me. “To keep the cold air out, Seb,” he corrected in that voice I’d come to learn as the Sebastian, you’re being irrational tone. I did not like it, because he used that tone on me whenever a discussion of his sexuality reared its ugly head.
    Neil reached out, grabbed my waist and the back of my head, and kissed me hard. He tasted a little sweet and a little bitter, which about summed up our relationship. He had lost his suit coat and tie since arriving home, but I quickly helped with the remaining shirt and trousers. Neil was busy tossing aside my slacks and sweater when he laughed against my mouth.
    “What?”
    “You dress like a grandpa,” he whispered.
    “I like that sweater.”
    “It’s older than you.”
    “I’m not trying to win a fashion contest.”
    Clothes shopping was stressful for me. Department stores were so bright, and there was apparently a concept of clashing colors . My idea of adding new options to my wardrobe was heading out to secondhand shops with Pop, letting him grab a dozen items in dark colors he says won’t hurt anyone’s eyes if I mix and match, then we’re out in ten minutes.
    “We’ll get you a nicer sweater,” Neil said, kissing my neck.
    “I like that one,” I replied.
    “It’s from Goodwill.”
    “So? I don’t need some three hundred dollar Ralph Lauren sweater when that one does a fine job of keeping me warm,” I said defensively.
    “Are you done, Sebby?” Neil asked, pulling back to stare at me. “Do you really want to argue right now?”
    I didn’t, of course not. I was sick of fighting, tired of every conversation ending in one of us getting frustrated with the other. Staring at Neil in the near dark, a familiar and awful thought came to mind again.
    I wasn’t what he really wanted.
    It was stupid shit like the sweater. What did it matter if I wore something a little frumpy? He wanted to have me wear something chic and fashionable, like the damn car.
    “Seb?”
    I shook my head, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed Neil, trying to get back into the mood.
    When was the moment our relationship turned?
    He pushed me down onto the bed, kissing and sucking down my chest and stomach.
    When we moved in together, maybe.
    I was turned onto my belly, and the snap of a bottle preceded a warm, oily finger pressing into me.
    When had I grown so defensive? So bitter and resentful toward my partner?
    Neil’s hands were on my hips, raising me up before he pushed in roughly.
    I gritted my teeth as he started thrusting.
    I didn’t like who I had become.

Chapter Two
     
     
    “WE’RE EXPERIENCING record snowfalls for New York City in December,” the meteorologist on television said the next morning.
    I sat at the little table just outside the kitchen, watching the TV screen from across the room while eating a bowl of Lucky Charms and drinking coffee from my Cheshire Cat mug. When hot liquid was put inside, the cat on the outside vanished, leaving only his grin. It’s the most curious thing!
    “—thirteen inches overnight, with an expected ten to sixteen more