2. Riley

2

RILEY

Earlier that day.

Riley pulled his Honda Pilot into the space in front of the efficiency apartment rental at the Fox Hollow Lake Motel. The motor lodge looked like it had been around since the 1960s but was well-maintained and refreshed. In summer, Riley guessed that the motel's stretch of beach was probably as popular as the view.

From here, he could look across the ice and glimpse the Victorian hotel where he would be playing, on the other side of a public beach and the seaplane dock.

What the hell was I thinking, coming here in the dead of winter?

It wasn't the first time Riley had questioned his sanity, and might not be the last.

Yeah, yeah. Crazy ex, fresh start, leave the past behind, yada yada.

Tate, Riley's ex, was bad news. They broke up months ago, but Tate kept "coincidentally" popping up too often to be random. Riley had stayed with Tate far too long before making a break, and Tate hadn't taken it well. Privately, Riley suspected that Tate wasn't just an asshole—he fit the profile for a psi-vamp, someone who could feed on the energy of the people around them.

Recovering was a process, a journey Riley knew he was still making, but he'd made a lot of progress. He hoped that the work he had signed up for with the Fox Institute would help him heal in the ways time alone hadn't.

A friend from Ithaca referred him to the Institute's director, Dr. Rich Jeffries, and put in a good word. Jeffries had been intrigued with Riley's lack of psychic ability. "Nil," he had called it, or "psychic immune." It wasn't just that Riley didn't have psychic abilities of his own; he was also naturally difficult for other psychics to read or influence. Being a ‘nil' didn't sound sexy. But it did explain why Riley's friends with paranormal gifts always said that being around him was "calming."

Jeffries got funding for a research study, since nils were rare, and offered a three-month package including a rental efficiency and a stipend, plus a job being the resident musician at the hotel, with the chance to earn extra from side gigs. Riley jumped at the chance to get away from Jamestown and put as much distance between himself and Tate as he could and still stay in New York.

Snowstorms and bad roads should make it harder for Tate to look for me if he has any idea where I've gone. I hope I never see him again.

He had promised himself he would go boy-sober, at least for a while. Getting over Tate took time. Tate didn't go gracefully, and Riley swore he'd spotted his ex in places he had no reason being, stalking him.

It hurt to think he had been "food" to Tate, not a partner. Looking back, Riley suspected Tate had seduced him to have a ready source of energy, not for love. That bothered him even more than the breakup. Riley still hoped to find the right guy but knew he'd be gun-shy for a while.

Riley had read all the "find your true love" horoscopes. As a creative and spontaneous Gemini, he knew that his "ideal" zodiac match was a headstrong and passionate Aries. According to the stargazers, he and his Aries would hit it off with lots of quality time and playfulness, having soulful conversations with plenty of casual physical affection and great communication.

Maybe someday. So far, his prior relationships hadn't delivered on those measures, regardless of his ex's sign. Maybe Mercury was in retrograde or something.

He sighed and started to unpack. All his clothes, his guitar, amplifier, recording equipment, and keyboard fit in the back of his Pilot. Anything that didn't fit, he had sold or given away since he wasn't planning to return to Jamestown.

It isn't much, he thought, looking over the suitcases and boxes. But it's mine.

Steve from the front office met him at the door to the unit. "I think you'll like this one," he told Riley. "You've got a nice view of the lake, for what it's worth once it snows. Parking right in front. You're not likely to need the AC anytime soon, but the heat works great. On good weather days, you can get delivery from a couple of places in town or drive to the ones who don't. If it's really horrible outside, you've got a fridge and microwave. Slow cookers, coffee pots, popcorn makers, and an air fryer are allowed; just try not to set anything on fire."

"I promise to do my best to avoid that," he told Steve. The other man was about Riley's age, with tawny hair and light brown eyes.

"If you need anything, there's someone at the desk in the office until ten at night. After that, we answer the phone for emergencies, but otherwise, we open at nine in the morning," Steve told him.

"This looks perfect," Riley said. The interior of the room echoed the mid-century modern exterior, with teal curtains and bedspread, a star-shaped wall clock, Danish-style furniture, and other period accents. The "kitschy-comfort" vibe felt comfortable and soothing.

"I know you said you were studying with the Institute and playing at the hotel, but try to have a look around. Fox Hollow has a lot going on in the winter," Steve said. "Those of us who live here year-round are good at making our own fun. If you start at the library, they usually have a good idea of what's happening. The Institute offers a lot of stuff for fun too. It's a friendly place. Don't be a stranger."

Riley knew it would take a while for him to get comfortable and stop looking over his shoulder, but he appreciated Steve's nudge.

"Thanks," he said, surprised at the extra time Steve took to help him feel welcome.

"No problem. Just tell Liam at the library what you're interested in, and if it exists in Fox Hollow, he'll get you connected," Steve told him.

Riley decided to leave the unpacking for later and drive around his new town before it got dark. Fox Hollow had one main road that curved past the lake. He drove to the left and took in the big hotel, seaplane dock, beach, and movie theater, spotting a couple of restaurants as well.

A turn to the right revealed a few more shops, the grocery store, library, police department, a diner, and a frozen custard stand with a sign promising to return in the spring.

Then he spotted the comics store and knew he was going to like it here.

A bell over the door jangled when Riley walked inside. The converted house held racks of comic books, shelves packed with everything from lunchboxes to Funko Pops, a big section on the back wall with a sign proclaiming "Manga," and another wall of anime DVDs.

I know one place I'll be spending my money.

"Hi! Welcome to The Book Bunker. Can I help you find anything?" A slender, red-haired man popped out from behind one of the racks holding a stack of comics Riley guessed he had been shelving.

"Oh, give me fifteen minutes, and I'm sure I'll want to buy everything," Riley confessed. "Great store you've got here."

"Thanks. My partner and I run it. I'm Madden." The quick-moving redhead made Brandon think of a squirrel, and he wondered if Madden was a shifter. Riley had a friend back in Jamestown who believed shifters were real. And Dr. Jeffries had said that Fox Hollow was a safe haven for psychics and shifters. If Tate could be a psi-vamp, why couldn't shifters exist? It was just a lot to take in. Though if Riley had met any, they hadn't let their secret slip.

"I'm Riley. I'm new in town. Just getting my bearings."

"Oh! You're going to love it here. Let me show you around the store, and then I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the merchandise or the town," Madden said.

"That would be great. Thank you. I literally just got here today," Riley admitted.

"Good thing. There are storms coming. I bet everyone's told you that, right?"

Riley chuckled. "Just about. People seem worried."

Madden's face switched among several expressions in a second. "Maybe not worried as much as very cautious," Madden said. "When we get a big snowfall, we can be cut off from the outside for days. Cell phones generally stay up, but some folks keep landlines just in case. People have generators because electricity can go out. The biggest thing is having food and plenty of blankets to stay warm."

"Thanks for the tip. The weather here is definitely different from the southern part of the state," Riley replied.

"Have you been around the town yet?" Madden looked eager to share. "You've got to stop at the Bear Necessities coffee shop. My friend Jack is the baker there—his donuts are to die for. For a small town, we've got great food. Can't go wrong with the Full Moon Diner. We've got a brewery and a frozen custard stand, and the bar at the Fox Hollow Hotel has great wings."

"Sounds like you're happy here." Riley hoped Fox Hollow would work its magic on him.

"Love it! Elias and I moved here from Pittsburgh. The weather is colder, but the people are fantastic," Madden swore. Riley suspected that the red-haired man only functioned at full intensity, which was charming.

I'll have to ask Dr. Jeffries how to tell who is and who isn't a shifter. Do they have a secret handshake?

If Madden picked up on Riley's lack of psychic connection, it didn't show. Given the town's history, Riley wondered if he would become a curiosity as those with abilities wondered why he was psychically "mute."

"Your store has an awesome selection," Riley remarked, looking around. "And a big manga section."

"People in Fox Hollow love to read," Madden said. "That's why our library is such a hub of activity. We have decent Wi-Fi—it's been a community priority—so downloading e-books isn't usually a problem unless the power or the towers are out. But lucky for us, folks here also love paper books. You can still read them with a candle in a bad storm, which I guess you wouldn't need for an e-reader." Madden shrugged.

"I haven't had a chance to read manga for a while. Can you suggest some series to get me started again?" Riley didn't want to admit that he stopped reading manga because Tate teased him mercilessly, not because he lost interest. Over the last few months, Riley had done his best to reconnect with the things he loved but set aside because of Tate, and it felt like reclaiming himself.

"Come this way," Madden said dramatically, walking backward and making "follow me" gestures. "I'll lead you right to the Dark Side."

Madden knew his stuff. Riley was impressed as Madden suggested series after series, able to give a good synopsis and make comparisons.

"How's the TV reception up here?" Riley asked.

"Most people have satellite," Madden replied. "Streaming works—except when it doesn't. I wouldn't count on sitting out the big storm watching TV."

"What's your favorite show?" Riley was pleased to have found someone who shared his interests.

"Other than the anime I mentioned, we watch a lot of mysteries and Korean dramas. But my go-to show is Paranormal. You know—the one where the two guys travel all over hunting monsters? That's actually how Elias and I met. I write fan fiction about the show, and Elias read my stories, and we ended up connecting in real life. Crazy, huh?"

Riley shrugged. "I've heard crazier. It's nice to have things in common with a partner."

He couldn't help thinking about how he and Tate shared very few interests, and Tate often made fun of him where their fandoms diverged. Taking back those interests felt defiant.

"If you ever want to hang out, we have RPG—Role Playing Game—nights on Tuesdays. The games change each week. Mostly tabletop. Some of our regulars also run video game campaigns and open up for new members. We'd love to have you come try it out," Madden offered.

"Thank you. I might do that once I get settled in." Riley appreciated Madden's effort to bring him into the community.

"Mico and Jack are regulars. Jack's the one who makes the donuts," Riley said. "With Elias and me, that's generally four, and we sometimes get a few more. It varies week to week."

Riley had to admit that the game night sounded fun. When he wasn't studying or involved in the research program—or playing at the hotel—it could be a good way to meet people and make friends.

His scholarship currently covered three months, with the option to renew. Riley couldn't help hoping that he could parlay the opportunity into something permanent. Despite the weather warnings, he liked what he had seen of Fox Hollow and had never met a friendlier group of people.

Riley brought his purchases to the counter, and Madden rang him up. "Here's a schedule for game nights and the other events we have scheduled." Madden slipped a sheet into the bag. "Come back soon! Don't be a stranger!"

Riley promised to return and headed back to his car. He had initially been worried that playing music at a hotel restaurant in the dead of winter would mean thin crowds and poor tips. But everything seemed to suggest Fox Hollow residents worked hard at staying connected and being social.

Happy with his purchases, Riley drove back to the hotel and tried to squash the nervousness in his belly over his new gig.

The Fox Hollow Hotel faced the lake, a four-story Victorian that looked more polished than the log cabin style Riley had expected. He vaguely remembered reading that wealthy people from smoky cities came for the fresh air back in the 1900s and left behind upscale cottages and lodges.

Riley parked the Pilot and took a deep breath before he cut off the ignition and got out. The brisk wind off the lake jolted him awake after the warmth of the SUV.

He jogged up the steps, noting the wide porch and rocking chairs that would be prime spots for lake watching in good weather, and hurried into the lobby. An old-fashioned wooden check-in desk sat to one side, with groupings of couches and armchairs on the other, clustered around a large fireplace with a roaring blaze. Cozy rustic chic, he thought, appreciating the welcoming atmosphere.

"Hi, I'm Riley Henderson—the new musician," he told the man behind the counter. "I'm supposed to see Dennis Todd. He's expecting me."

"Welcome to Fox Hollow," the desk clerk replied. "Please have a seat in the lobby. I'll let Mr. Todd know that you're here."

Riley walked around the lobby looking at the landscape paintings of idyllic forest scenes and tall mountains. The Victorian furnishings looked comfortable but durable—not as fancy as a city hotel.

He stopped in front of the stone fireplace. Its heat forced him to stand six feet away and warmed him quickly.

"Riley?"

Riley turned to see an older man striding toward him. He wore a sweater over a collared shirt and khaki pants with Keen boots.

"Mr. Todd?" Riley stepped forward and shook his new boss's hand.

"Did you have any trouble getting here?" Todd asked. "You have good timing—there are storms coming our way, as you've no doubt heard."

Riley chuckled. "It's been mentioned once or twice."

"Did you get settled in? Dr. Jeffries said he had you set up over at the motel. We thought that might allow you some distance and privacy rather than staying here, and they have efficiency apartments," Todd said with the enthusiasm Riley was coming to consider a hallmark of Fox Hollow residents.

"I dropped off my stuff at the motel, and I'm heading to the grocery store after this," Riley assured him. "It won't take me long to settle in."

"Good to hear. Let me give you a tour, and you can ask me whatever you want to know. Have you seen Jeffries yet?"

Riley shook his head. "No. I have an appointment with him in the morning to go over my classes and the scholarship."

Todd nodded. "He'll have the paperwork for the work-study position here as a musician. We're very excited to have you entertaining with us. The crowds at this time of year aren't the largest, but people value the chance to get out of the house and congregate—assuming the roads have been plowed. You'll also be working with Tyler Williams. He's the assistant manager. His family owns the hotel."

As Todd showed him around the hotel, Riley felt himself falling a little bit in love with the historic building. The public rooms all had a comfortable Victorian décor, period-authentic without the excesses of the time. High-backed velvet couches and chairs in the lobby, an intricate mantle over the fireplace, and lots of pine wainscoting gave an upscale feeling while still fitting the "rustic chic" vibe.

"We have three restaurants here in the hotel," Todd told him. "Our main dining room and our bar are where you'll play most of the time. There's a patio eating area and outdoor bar, but they're closed most of the winter unless we're having a special event, like the snowmobile race."

The main restaurant was a white tablecloth kind of place, with a nice view of the lake through huge windows. That contrasted with the main bar, which had a massive barback and carved wood counter that sported a brass footrail. Sconces and another fireplace made the area feel cozy and hunt-club-style luxurious.

"We aren't packed in the off-season, but we do have a mix of guests and locals that keep us busy," Todd told him. "Especially when the snow makes people want to stay close to home."

As they walked around the hotel, Riley felt his enthusiasm grow. He enjoyed playing in more intimate settings where his acoustic guitar and keyboards could shine. While people would be going on with their meals and conversations as he played, Riley knew live music added an important element to the experience.

"And of course, if you're approached by people to play for private events, that's perfectly okay. We just ask that you not accept gigs with other hotels in a twenty-mile radius. We want to keep you to ourselves," Todd added with a smile.

"That's completely understandable." Riley thought the terms were very reasonable, especially since the job had been arranged by the Institute to augment his stipend.

"That's the tour," Todd said as they returned to the lobby. "Have you gotten the lay of the land yet for town? Fox Hollow does a good job of having the basics people need close at hand. That's especially nice during the winter when no one wants to drive to a big box store for necessities. Plenty to do, too, for the nights you're not playing or studying."

"I'm really excited to be here." Riley hoped he wasn't gushing. "It'll be fun getting to know people." And maybe I'll meet someone. It could happen.

"Come in an hour before your set to get everything in place," Todd said. "You're the only musician, so we can leave your amps and big gear set up. That way you don't have to break it down each time and haul it back and forth. We'll make sure it's safe."

That took a worry off Riley's mind since he had pictured himself manhandling speakers in knee-deep snow.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Riley shook Todd's hand.

He left with a spring in his step, excited about what he had seen. That meant just one more stop before he went back to the motel and settled in. Riley planned to stay in tonight, leaving exploring for another day when he wasn't tired from the drive. He figured he would find something on television, and if not, he had plenty of books on his e-reader and some paperbacks in his duffle. The new books he got at the comics store were going to the top of his pile.

Fox Hollow Grocery didn't look fancy from the outside, but as soon as he stepped inside, Riley felt amazed by the sheer variety of items the store stocked. He grabbed a cart and began working his way around the aisles slowly, looking for the items on his list and making mental notes of what he might need to buy in the near future.

The smell of baking bread tempted him from the bakery, and the produce aisle was remarkably fresh, considering the season. Riley wasn't planning on cooking any fancy dinners with his minimal kitchen, but the meat counter offered mouth-watering options. He picked up basics—peanut butter, jelly, bread, lunch meat and sandwich fixings, chips, coffee, and a few other staples just in case he really did get snowed in.

A couple of frozen entrees and small pizzas got added to the cart, next to a case of beer. He had brought a few fifths of whiskey with him and figured he would have time to figure out where the nearest liquor store was before his stash ran low.

Where do they keep the microwave popcorn?

Someone bumped into him, and Riley looked up—and up. The dark-haired man was at least three or four inches taller, with broad shoulders. Dark brown eyes widened as their gazes met.

Riley registered a couple of things in those first few seconds. The stranger was handsome, probably hid an amazing body beneath his parka, and had the prettiest eyes Riley had ever seen.

"Sorry." The stranger sounded adorably embarrassed.

"No problem," Riley stammered. "Do you know where the microwave popcorn is?" he blurted.

Tall Guy told him, and Riley thanked him, not sure how to carry on the conversation he wanted to have while standing in a grocery aisle.

Smooth move, he berated himself. That was the hottest guy I've seen in a long time, and all I could do was ask about popcorn?

Then again, it's a small town. I'm likely to see him again.

Aargh. And he'll remember me as "popcorn man."

Riley felt a surge of excitement as Tall Guy lined up behind him in the checkout lane. They chatted about the town and the weather. Riley admitted that he was new but didn't mention the gig at the hotel.

"I'm a wilderness guide." The man passed Riley a card. "I'd be happy to show you around or just answer questions."

"Thank you." Riley pocketed the card. The clerk asked for his credit card, Riley paid and the moment passed.

"See you around," Riley said as he finished at the counter. There didn't seem to be a way to continue without being awkward, so he walked away, wishing he was smoother with the pickup lines.

Then again, he gave me his card.

Once Riley got in the car, he looked at the card. Brandon Davis, Wilderness Guide. Hikes, overnights, fishing, canoe trips. Call for rates, followed by Brandon's phone number and email.

I'm not really an outdoor jock. Would a guy like him be interested in a guy like me? Then again, they say opposites attract.

Riley thought about Brandon as he returned to the motel and unpacked his groceries. He liked men who were taller and solidly built. The dark eyes and floppy hair were sexy in a slightly dorky way.

Just because he gave me his card doesn't mean he's gay or interested. He might just see a new potential client.

Still, Brandon ended up behind Riley in line and started up the conversation again, making sure to pass along his contact information. Riley decided to take it as a good sign and see if he ran into Brandon again soon.

Riley tried out the diner and enjoyed their excellent meatloaf. He couldn't help but look around for Brandon but didn't see him. Riley felt restless when he went back to the motel and flipped through the channels on the television, but nothing caught his attention, and he was too jittery to read.

He sprawled on his bed and slipped a hand down his pants, wrapping his fingers around his cock. Riley was already half-hard just from thinking about Brandon, even though he only had those few moments at the grocery store.

Deep voice. Tall. Big hands. Bet he's proportional. I wonder if I could see his moose knuckle in tight pants. Hmm. I like the sound of that.

Those shoulders…yummy. It would be nice being with someone larger for a change. I can deal with being the little spoon.

Riley's hand moved more quickly, slicked by the pre-come he leaked picturing the body that might have been concealed by all those layers.

He's a wilderness guy, so I bet he's got a fantastic body. Nice pecs, solid arms, great thighs.

Riley couldn't explain the zing he felt when their hands met, but he figured it was probably static electricity—although he wanted to think it was a touch of fate.

Wonder if he tops or bottoms—or switches? Hope he's vers. I'd love to have him every which way.

After a long day and the tension of arriving in a new place, Riley's orgasm crested much more quickly than he wanted, carrying him over the top and fountaining over his fist.

Happily sated, Riley wiped himself off with his T-shirt and collapsed onto the bed.

So much for boy-sober. Still, there's no guarantee he's actually interested. Or that he really bats for my team. Or that we'd have anything in common aside from attraction. But I'd sure like to find out.