Page 99 of The Monster I Am
I turn my head slightly to look at him, painfully aware how ridiculous we’d look if someone walked in and saw us right now. Our noses are inches apart, my body hunched over his as I play big spoon with our heads cuddling. “Give me the information, Beckett.”
“Fineeee,” he exclaims with a sigh. “Elliott McIntosh, twenty-four. Originally from the West Coast but moved here two years ago after his parents separated. Currently lives with mommy. He’s been at the coffee shop for eighteen months.”
He pauses and I wait. Tai doesn’t say anything, a sly grin slowly spreading across his cheeks.
“And?!” I gesture, hitting him softly in the back of the head. “What else do you have for me?”
Tai jumps, rubbing his skull. “Ow! Control yourself, you heathen. What more do you want? Social security number? Blood type?”
“If that’s what it takes.”
“Well, I have them,” Tai grunts. “But I need to knowwhat specificallyyou want me to find.”
Ever since meeting Elliott when I collected Bexley from work, I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that he’s a bad apple. Yes, yes. I’m certain it is that pettyjealousythat was so-lovingly pointed out, but that’s still not going to stop me from sussing this guy out and making sure Bex is safe around him.
I straighten up, taking a step back from Tai. “Criminal history, disgruntled ex-girlfriends—anything that could mean Bex is in harm’s way.”
Tai nods, typing away. “And if there’s nothing sinister? We accept it and move on?”
“No.”
He chuckles at my quick reply. “I saw that coming. Alright—leave it with me.”
Ry:I did something. Forewarning: You’re going to be mad.
Bex:Hello to you as well. Wonderful. I leave you unsupervised for one day and already you’re becoming a loose cannon. What did you do, Astor?
Ry:You’ll find out tonight. The three of us are coming over. Also you’re going to need a bigger bed.
Bex:Now I’m definitely suspicious. Does this surprise involve dick? Because I’ll need to stretch beforehand.
Ry:Unfortunately, no. But I’m not ruling out fucking you until you pass out again. I’m planning on staying the night. Tai is adamant he is as well. Which in turn means Hunter will set up camp not to be outdone.
Bex:Well it is Tai’s turn tonight. You’re impatient.
Ry:Funny. Tai said the same thing.
I’m vaguely aware that my hand keeps drifting to my pocket every thirty seconds, checking that the laminated paper is still there. I could probably set a timer to it.
The Lawless Dragons tickets are firmly stuffed in there, ready for me to whip out and surprise Bex.
She may very well harm me for this as well. But I’m also confident she’s going to be excited. Plus… it’s a present. She can’t possibly hurt me over a gift.
I know how much she hates me buying things for her, but that’s just how I love. It’s actually pretty sickening if I dwell on it too much. If my mother hadn’t been sent away, maybe I’d be better at this—know the right way to be a boyfriend. But unfortunately without her, the only way I’ve ever been shown affection is in the form of money.
Idiot me assumed that it was normal, that every family was as isolated as mine. Galas and evening events, flashy credit cards, and expensive vacations were the highlights—and lowlights—of my childhood. That’s only when my father had the patience to be around me. It was minimal, of course. Dinners where staff or guests were also present so we didn’t have to interact. For the longest time, I enjoyed it. What teenager wouldn’t? I wanted for nothing and had everything I had ever dreamed of.
Until I realized the dream was just a concept planted in my mind, and eventually the flashy, materialistic things started to dull.
Honestly, Imayhave gone a little overboard. Like most other tickets in this day and age, they were sent digitally after I purchased them online. But where’s the fun in that?
The idea of Bex hanging it on her wall with her Lawless Dragons posters brings me a level of joy that I haven’t felt since I was a little kid.
I start tapping my pocket more frequently when I enter the spotless office. Maybe Bex is right—we’ve been conditioned too much to always be suspicious. This feels justified though.
I’m man enough to admit I’m being a bit overbearing and psychotic about the whole Elliott situation. But searching through my father’s office? Totally valid.
Especially after Hunter found those encrypted files on the Dean’s computer. It could be nothing, but I’m willing to bet it’ssomething. Just like my gut is telling me there’s probably more here.
