Chapter 6

Eli had beenon edge all week. His emotions were frayed. He couldn't concentrate. He liked men.

The first glimpse he had of Parker after admitting this to himself confirmed it. As Eli arrived for the lunch shift, he found Parker leaning against the back wall of the diner while talking on the phone. The big man's stance was casual, his arms bent in a way that caused him to flex, but not excessively. It was hot.

Eli wasn't appreciating Parker's build compared to his own, as some sort of ideal he hoped to be, which he'd often told himself was what he'd been doing when he'd checked out guys in the past. No, he just liked looking at Parker because he was attractive.

As Eli walked by, Parker flashed him a smile. Eli's stomach swooped.

This would be a disaster.

Eli was waiting tables with Luna that day, a woman in her thirties who'd moved to Moonlight Falls a decade ago. She was the other kind of townie, less common and more perplexing in Eli's opinion. Luna swore she'd been drawn to Moonlight Falls, first coming here as a tourist and then falling in love with the place.

"Nowhere else has ever felt like home," she explained to Eli. "I'd have loved growing up here."

Luna had a faint magical ability—as she described it—which she displayed by sweeping a few stray leaves out the front door with a spell. Moonlight Falls did seem to have a higher rate of people with magical ability in the population than was typical, and quite a few of those people seemed to stay in the town their whole lives, even if they hadn't been born here.

Maybe someone needed to study Moonlight's magnetism and see if it had any merit. But if magic drew people, why was Moonlight Falls the only place where people with these beliefs seemed to congregate? There should be cultish little magical towns all over the place.

Eli was occupied with organizing the pie display on the counter as Luna looked after their first few lunch customers. There was a single piece of cherry left, as well as pumpkin, so Eli moved them to share a stand with a partial apple pie, making room for more full pies.

He ducked back into the kitchen. "Can I grab a cherry and a pumpkin for the front?"

"Sure thing." Parker wiped his hands on his apron and headed for the fridge. It was just the two of them in the kitchen, a small radio playing on low in the corner.

"Here you go." Parker handed over two pies wrapped in cling film. Eli turned to go, but Parker caught his arm. "Hold up." He ducked back into the fridge, returning with a cake box.

Eli put the pies on the pass-through and reached for the box. "What's this?"

"Open it." Parker bit his lip like he was trying to hold back a smile.

Eli opened the lid. Inside was a fluffy pile of cream. Blue cream. It was on top of a pie, of course, but this time it was baby blue, not navy. "You made this?" Eli asked dumbly.

"Yeah. Way less of a mess this time."

Eli huffed a laugh, but it got stuck in his chest. Why had Parker made him a pie? It gave him warm, gooey feelings, making him feel special. "Thanks, Parker." He looked up at the man.

Parker wasn't smiling. He seemed serious but affectionate. Maybe. Eli wasn't sure. "Hope this blue pie is as good as the last one."

"I'm sure it will be." Eli shifted uneasily, looking back into the cake box. Was Parker thinking about Eli as the kid he'd been back then? The reminder made their age difference seem unimaginably vast. It was a good thing Eli wasn't expecting his crush to go anywhere. "Think my mouth will turn blue this time?"

Parker shook his head. "I tasted some of the cream, and the mess was way less diabolical. You're good." Parker's gaze seemed to linger on Eli's lips.

Eli couldn't help nervously pulling his bottom lip between his teeth. "I should wait until after my shift to try it."

"Huh?" Parker looked up. "Oh yeah. Of course." He took the box back and returned it to the fridge. "I was going to give it to you later but couldn't wait, I guess."

"Um, right."

Eli knew he was being awkward. He'd reacted to the pie like it was a gift from someone who might like him back, not from his brother's best friend, who was just being nice. Had Parker noticed? Hopefully, he'd assume Eli's behavior was due to general social stumbling. Eli had never been the smoothest guy.

He hurried back out front to uncover the fresh pies and put them in the display case. He needed to replenish the coffee and roll some cutlery. There was plenty to do, and he probably wouldn't need to go back into the kitchen before his break. He needed to keep his distance from Parker. Get used to his new feelings and then get over them.

"You should come to dinner tonight,"James said to Eli for at least the third time that Sunday.

Eli didn't stifle his groan. "I'm not in the mood." He tried to hide behind his laptop screen, but James continued to eye him from the other end of the couch.

"It seems like you've had a tough week." James's brows knit together in concern. "You've been quiet like you're stressing. Do you want to talk about it?"

Panic flared in Eli's chest. "Not really."

James nodded stiffly as if Eli's brush-off bothered him, but he didn't want to admit it. He frowned. "Maybe getting out of the house will help. You've been cooped up since your last shift at the diner."

Eli had backed out of the hike yesterday, claiming he had to work on background research for his thesis. "I don't want to invade your friends' lives, that's all."

James gave him a confused look, forehead wrinkling. "You're not. Parker and Hazel are your friends too. That's why they invite you to things."

Hearing that was a surprise. It felt good, like maybe James had a point and the others didn't include him because he was an obligatory extension of his brother. But he was trying to avoid Parker. Eli feared his crush would become obvious to everyone now that he'd acknowledged it. And he was afraid of his feelings growing, especially after the pie incident.

"I can stay here tonight if you want," James offered. "There's frozen pizza, and we could play a boardgame." He gave Eli a hopeful look.

Shit, the guy probably just wanted to spend time with him.

A familiar guilt settled in Eli's chest. "No, I'll come to Parker's with you. You're right. I should get out of the house. We can do pizza tomorrow." Eli wanted to make the most of his time with James and didn't want his brother to give up time with his friends just because he was being difficult.

He should talk to James. He'd understand all of Eli's confused queer feelings, but Eli wasn't ready to share. In the meantime, he had to do a better job of hiding how unsettled he was. He didn't need James worrying something major was wrong when it was just bi panic.

It wasn't the end of the world, even if Eli felt like his whole life had blown up.

James made macaroni and cheese to take over to Parker's, and Eli helped. Well, he mostly hung out in the kitchen and tried to act normal to reassure his brother he wasn't stressed while James cooked. But James seemed mollified, so Eli counted it as a win.

He didn't feel any more confident about going to Parker's by the time they left the house. Eli was officially nervous. It was as if he was going on his first-ever date, even though he'd been on plenty and this wasn't even a date. It wasn't anything. Parker didn't like him back. Which was a good thing. He and Parker wouldn't work together, and nothing in the world would change that.

When Eli and James arrived, Parker and Hazel were on the back patio. Everyone took the same lawn chairs as the week before, so Eli settled in next to Parker.

"Missed you on the hike," Hazel said by way of greeting. She sounded genuine, not like she was hassling him.

"Sorry." Eli gave her a strained smile. "Next time, I'll be there. I just had to focus on work this weekend." The second part was a lie, but he meant it when he said he'd join in next time. If Hazel was including him because she actually wanted to spend time with him, as James had suggested, then he didn't want to push her away.

"Sometimes work takes priority," Hazel agreed. "It's pretty cool you're studying the vein here."

Eli could admit it was cool when he allowed himself to forget why he preferred to avoid Moonlight Falls. He let the others talk, focusing on the fire. He avoided looking at Parker but didn't think he was being obvious. The flames swayed in the wind and Eli shivered.

Parker nudged his shoulder. "We can head inside if you want."

Eli was forced to look at him. "Am I the only one who's cold?"

"Yes." Hazel didn't hesitate to call him out.

"It's because we're just sitting around," Parker said in Eli's defense. "Why don't we go in and play pool or something?"

Hazel's eyes gleamed. "Great idea!"

"Not you." Parker frowned at her. "And not for money."

Hazel pouted. She was impossible to beat, or so Eli had heard. "Fine." She huffed. "It's a good thing I'm looking after the grill tonight, or I'd make you all pay for being sore losers."

Parker got up, shaking his head at her. He paused, looking down at Eli. "You coming?"

"Um." Eli didn't want to. Or he did want to, and that was the problem. "We can't just make Hazel cook for us while we all go inside."

"I'll stay," James offered. "Though I'll play the winner when you're done."

With no other option, Eli stood and followed Parker inside. Off the kitchen, in what might have normally been a dining room, Parker had a pool table and dart board set up. His living room was at the front of the house, along with, Eli assumed, his bedroom. He'd never been in any of the private spaces in the house, but then why would he have been? He'd never see Parker's bedroom and that was fine.

Eli picked up a pool cue. "You only wanted to play with me instead of Hazel because you think you'll win, right?"

"No, not at all." Parker grinned. "I thought you could use the practice. Really, I'm doing you a favor."

"Ouch." Eli tried to feign hurt, but he was smiling. He liked Parker teasing him.

Parker set the white ball in place. "Want to break?"

"Not really."

Parker shook his head, but not like he was annoyed. He took the shot. And yep, he looked good bent over the pool table.

Eli tried to stop checking Parker out, but it was really hard not to. Part of him wanted to lean into it now that he knew why he was looking, but this was so not the time or the guy to do it with.

None of the balls went in, so Eli took his first shot. He didn't spend much time considering which ball to aim for. He was too distracted, so, of course, he didn't get one in either.

Parker sunk his next shot, claiming stripes, but his second shot was a near miss.

"Oh, too bad," Eli teased as Parker's face fell in disappointment.

The man's lips turned up in a grin. "Still beating you."

Eli's face heated. He worried his blush would be visible and ducked his head, quickly taking his turn. His aim was so bad that he barely grazed the white ball with the tip of the cue.

Parker came around the table. "You've got to take your time aiming."

"Really? I had no idea that was how this game worked."

Parker nudged him with his elbow. "Smart ass."

Eli made a face and stuck out his tongue. What the hell was he doing?Why had he done that? It was so weird. But Parker didn't seem to mind.

Eli tried harder on his next turn, considering the table. He needed to get at least one ball in before Parker won. He found a shot he thought he could make and leaned down to line it up.

"You're aiming low."

Eli looked up from the white ball. "What?"

Parker set his cue to the side. "Here." He reached out and adjusted Eli's wrist so the cue his hand supported had a better angle.

Eli's skin prickled and he stopped breathing. Parker hadn't stepped away from him. They were still nearly touching. Eli stared at the skin on his wrist where Parker's fingers had been.

"You have to actually take the shot, Eli." Parker sounded like he was holding back amusement.

How long had Eli been frozen there? He readjusted his grip on the cue.

"See, your wrist dropped again." Parker repositioned Eli's hand, steadying the cue. He was behind Eli, bending over him so he could reach Eli's outstretched arm.

Eli's pulse sped up. The proximity of their bodies made his thoughts run wild. He liked Parker looming over him. Liked hearing his voice close to his ear. He liked the subtle touch of Parker's hand on his wrist and wished it was more.

Eli hit the white ball, and by some fluke, it hit a solid into one of the pockets.

"Nice." Parker patted his shoulder.

Eli was burning up. Suddenly, being outside in the cold didn't seem so bad. It would be better than this.

He missed his next shot.

As he watched Parker take his turn, Eli's thoughts shifted. He imagined bending over the pool table, imagined Parker's hands coming to rest on his hips rather than simply touching his wrist. He wondered what it would feel like if they were naked. If Parker touched him and pressed his hard cock against him.

Shit. Eli shouldn't have been thinking like that. The image alone had his dick perking up. He could not get an erection right now. It would be mortifying.

He told himself Parker would never be attracted to him like that, and it wasn't hard to believe. Parker had never shown any interest in him. He'd never consider Eli that way, even if he knew Eli wasn't straight.

"You okay?" Parker's voice drew Eli out of his head.

"Yeah." He rolled his eyes, thankful his arousal had died. "I just know I'm going to lose."

"Don't look so broken up about it." Parker ruffled his hair, sending chills racing all over Eli's scalp. "We can do best out of three. This is just a warm-up."

"Sure." Eli reached up and patted his hair, pushing it out of his eyes.

He had no idea how he was going to survive if Parker kept touching him. Even though the gesture was friendly, not flirty, Eli couldn't stop his body from reacting. It was like his senses were in overdrive.

They finished the game and started another. Eli put in more effort, hoping Parker wouldn't feel compelled to help him adjust his hold on the cue again.

Despite nerves making his heart race, Eli had fun. They were laughing a lot, which was good. It helped Eli cover his awkwardness.

"We should do this again," Parker said after winning his third game in a row.

Eli put his cue away. "There's always next Sunday."

"Yeah." Parker scratched his stubble-lined jaw. It seemed like he was about to say something else, but nothing came.

Eli was relieved when he and James finally said goodnight and headed out the door at the end of the evening. He needed to get home and take some me-time to sort through all the thoughts he'd been trying to ignore.

He hurried to James's truck and almost didn't notice the shade. He stopped short just in time.

The shadowy beast was hovering near the passenger door. It cocked its head at Eli and James. Before the thing could come any closer, James clicked on his shade-light and shone it in the beast's face.

The shade hissed and dodged away. James used the light to shoo it to the side of the yard. "Come on." He jerked his head, indicating Eli should get in the truck.

The shade watched them drive away, hovering near Parker's mailbox.

"That's the third one I've seen in town in barely two weeks," Eli said as they turned the corner, leaving the shade behind. "Four, if you count the one who ruined my recording box."

"Yeah, it's a fair few," James agreed, though without much concern.

Shades were more commonly found in the woods. They came into town, but Eli didn't remember it happening so regularly when he'd lived here.

They drove in silence. Eli couldn't help looking in the rearview mirrors, checking the road behind them. He swore he saw a shadow pass in front of the streetlight they'd just driven by. Another shade, or the same one following them? Both scenarios seemed unusual. Shades didn't usually seek out human contact.

At home, Eli bid James goodnight and hid in his room. Solitude felt like a relief. It wasn't that late, but he stripped off his clothes and got into bed, leaving the lights off. He lay still for several long minutes, listening to James moving around upstairs.

Pushing away the thoughts he'd had while playing pool had only been a temporary solution. He hadn't wanted to think about sex around other people, but now he was alone, and there was no reason not to.

His face heated and his dick hardened as he let the image of Parker bending him over the pool table flood his mind. Fuck. He really shouldn't be thinking about Parker. Eli wanted to fantasize about what it might be like to have sex with a man, but he didn't need that man to be his brother's best friend.

He imagined a generic hot guy, who maybe had a similar build to Parker, and tried to picture himself bent over a bed, but the fantasy lost some of its appeal.

Eli opened his eyes. He should just go to sleep. But he couldn't. He wasn't tired, and his cock was begging for attention. He let out a frustrated noise, shoved the covers off his body, and pulled his boxer briefs down. He wrapped his hand around himself and gave his cock a few firm tugs.

In his mind, Parker was behind him at the pool table again, pulling his underwear down. Eli imagined the strong grip he'd felt so many times on his shoulder squeezing his ass. He let out a strained whimper, alone in his darkened bedroom.

Shit, was he really doing this? If he jerked off to this fantasy, would he be able to look Parker in the eye the next time they saw each other? Eli decided that was a future-him problem and grabbed a bottle of lube from his bedside table drawer. He could be reckless for once.

Eli returned a slick hand to his cock. He stroked himself lazily as he mentally replaced his hand with Parker's. He imagined hot breath in his ear, the scent of the cologne Parker had been wearing that night, and hot kisses pressed against his neck, trailing down his back. What would Parker's kisses taste like? How would it feel to kiss him as he jerked Eli off?

Eli stilled his hand. He was getting close already. Maybe it was because he hadn't gotten off in a while. Or maybe nothing had ever turned him on like the thought of Parker's hands on him, the bigger man's cock pressed against him.

Eli released his cock and let his fingers explore lower. He tugged on his balls before dipping his fingers between his legs. He'd fingered himself before, but this time as he traced his rim, he imagined a cock pressing against his hole. He squirmed in the sheets, trying not to whimper.

A little more lube and Eli pressed a finger inside himself. Shit, it felt good. How big would a dick feel inside him? What if it was Parker's dick?

The idea sent a jolt of lightning through him. Eli fucked himself with his finger as he imagined Parker pounding into him. He added another finger and found his prostate. Fuck, he wanted more. And he didn't want it to be just any guy filling him. He wanted the big, serious man he'd known for years. He knew Parker would take good care of him, fuck him exactly how he needed.

He massaged his prostate, wishing it was Parker's dick finding his sweet spot. Pleasure built in his body, and a couple of hard tugs on his cock later, Eli came all over his fist, moaning as his orgasm stretched out. What kind of sounds would Parker make in bed? Eli wanted desperately to find out.

When he finally stopped coming, Eli was breathless and sweat prickled his brow. He pulled his fingers out and lay there, blissed out, eyes closed, lube all over his hands and the sheets. It was the best orgasm he'd had in years.