The Nines (The Nines #1) Read Online Free

in more ways than he’s willing to admit. He seems to be just as persistent as I am. We might be here all night, with me staring at his outstretched hand, if I don’t take it.
    I’m surprised at how soft his hands are. He’s a little gritty and rough around the edges. I guess I expected his hands to be a bit coarse too. Unfortunately I don’t feel as much of a spark between us as I want to. It might not be fair, but I think I’ve already put Hector in the friend zone.  
    The night air is brisk and I feel a bit chilled without a jacket. When a shiver rolls through me Hector immediately notices my discomfort.
    “You’re cold?”
    “A little.” I try to hide the fact that my teeth are chattering.
    “I’m sorry I didn’t bring a jacket. I could put my arm around your shoulder. Just to make you feel warmer.”
    I narrow my eyes at him. “Just to make me feel warmer? You’re sure that’s the only thing on your mind.”
    “Definitely not.” He laughs. “But I promise I’ll be a good boy.”
    When his arm drapes over me and he pulls me close I do feel a lot warmer. And Hector smells nice, like fresh soap with a hint of spicy cologne.
    I really want to like Hector. I imagine the fun we might have going on double dates with our roommates. But the chemistry just isn’t there. In the back of my mind I’m still afraid of anyone finding out about my past.
    “If we turn down Second Street instead of Third we’ll run into Macedonia. That’s where everyone says that guy who wears the mask lives.”
    My heart starts to beat a little faster just thinking about the possibility of seeing him. I’m not sure why but I feel a small rush of excitement surge through me.
    Hector’s right. I am starting to get obsessed with him. I’m not even sure what’s fueling my fascination.
    The quiet block is lined with older, but well maintained, craftsmen style homes. The setting is almost idyllic. Like something you’d see in a movie that indicates an All-American middle class neighborhood.
    All of the houses are dark except for the house on the corner with the kitchen light on. It is Friday night so maybe the other homeowners are out like we are.
    “Do you think that’s the house?” I point to the corner house with the light on.
    “That would make sense. It doesn’t look like anyone else on the block is home. And he did order a pizza.”
    When I come to a sudden stop right in front of the lighted kitchen window Hector doesn’t have much of a choice but to stop with me.
    Much of the rear of the house is obscured by the large bushes that surround the back yard. The little I can make out through the small window seems very—well—ordinary for lack of a better word. Not that much different than the kitchen in my parents’ house.
    I notice Hector’s eyes darting around nervously. “We probably shouldn’t be peeping into his house.”
    “I’m not peeping. I’m just observing.”
    “Maybe we’d better go.”
    “Do you know anything else about him?” I whisper to Hector even though there’s absolutely no one else around to hear me. Somehow I feel like I’m disturbing the silence.
    He shakes his head. “Not really. Someone told me they thought he was a student, but that seems strange, doesn’t it? He’d have to take all of his classes online if he doesn’t leave the house.”
    I know that some of the students who hang out in the psychology student cyber café take classes online. I make a mental note to do some digging when I get back to my dorm room.
    “Let’s see what the front of the house looks like,” I suggest, and head off before Hector can stop me.
    “Okay.” Even though Hector agrees, he sounds hesitant.
    The front of the craftsman has nothing to distinguish it from any other house on the block, which is a little disappointing. A streetlight illuminates the front porch and yard so I can see the place is well maintained and obviously cared for. The lovely plantings make me wonder if we really do have