Page 74 of First Kiss with a Mothman

“My cousin can rot in the underground world, for all I care.” He reaches for another pizza, and I stop myself from handing it to him. It takes him a few moments, but he nabs the food eventually. “The things she said about you. About all monsters.” Arie shakes his head in disappointment.

“I took the liberty of showing the clip to Dean Yaga,” Owen says. “I apologize if that’s overstepping, but…”

“She pulled a gun on us,” Arie says, finishing his sentence.

“But she pulled a gun on us,” Owen echoes, and Clay nods. “Even if she gets a plea deal for throwing your uncle under the bus, there’s no way she’s coming back to Creelin University.”

“Thank you, Owen.”

“Hey, we’re not the ones who got kidnapped,” Owen says. “You still feeling alright, Mort?”

I nod and rub Arie’s back. “Clean bill of health from the hospital. Maverick said there are some test results that will take some time, but right now, I’m lucky my lungs are okay.”

“Dude, what frat brother hasn’t had blood work and lab tests after a rough night?” Caleb taps the back of his palm onto my knee. “That’s practically a fraternity requirement!”

We all laugh lightly, and I’m glad my best friend is trying to find levity in the situation. “Speaking of our frat,” I say, turning to my boyfriend. “Arie, would you like to stay with me, here, for the rest of the semester? And um, during the holiday breaks, you can…” My pulse pounds when I realize what I’m doing―I’m asking my boyfriend of not even a month to move in with me, indefinitely, in front of our friends. Apparently I have no chill in the relationship department.

“Wouldn’t it cost me more to live here?” he asks.

“I pay for at least half the rent of this house. But if you leave the dorm next semester, you could use that money to live here.”

“Huh.” Arie beams at me. “My room does get kind of lonely. And with all this kidnapping drama…”

“Yes! It’s for…for safety reasons!” My cheeks burn up. Meanwhile, Owen, Clay, and Caleb stare at us in what can only be described as joyful silence.

“Mmm…under one condition,” Arie says.

“What?”

Reginald squawks at us and glides to the floor near Arie. He throws up a piece of crust and the bird catches it with ease. “Reginald gets his own spot near the window.”

I snicker and lean forward. “Done deal.” Arie kisses me, and it’s like no one else exists.

“Aww,” Clay coos, reminding me that yes, other people do exist.

“I guess we’ll be seeing more of you, Arie,” Caleb says. “Despite how grotesquely cute you two are as a couple.”

We all laugh, then Clay says, “Speaking of cute couples, what’s up with you and Matt?”

Caleb bristles, and now I’m laughing harder. My best friend regales us all on his bet-turned-real relationship while Arie cuddles closer to me. It’s one of the best group hangouts I’ve had in, well, ever.

Arie’s presence makes me thankful to be alive. No one else has brought this light into my life, and I don’t see myself ever feeling this way about anyone else.

A few days later, we’ve moved all of Arie’s stuff into my attic room. There are some belongings he had at his home that we’ve come to pick up, so I make him swear to me we won’t spend too much time at his house.

I literally got kidnapped by his family three days ago, so I’m not exactly thrilled to go back to his mom’s place. For obvious reasons, I don’t trust his family. Allegedly, his uncle and cousin are being detained, but his mom made bail.

As I load up the last of his suitcases into the trunk of my ride, I notice a familiar car pull up into the driveway―Arie’s mom. My pulse picks up, and I turn to face the woman who was complicit in chloroforming me. It’s broad daylight, so hopefully, if Miss Baker tries anything, there will be witnesses.

“Arie, baby!”

“Mom?” Arie quickly dashes forward and in front of me. It’s sweet of him to come to my defense, but right now, I want to protect us both.

“Ooh, my baby boy.”

“Don’t come any closer!” The firmness in his voice makes his mom stop in her tracks.

“But, Arie.”