Love, Like Ghosts: A Bay City Paranormal Investigations Story

clung to the first one like an oily film. Around the vision of the dark-haired young man, however, Adrian felt a sadness so sharp and immediate it almost brought tears to his eyes.
Cassius. His name is Cassius.
    Adrian had no idea how Lyndon had imparted that knowledge to him, but he felt the truth of it deep in his bones. The question was, why had Lyndon shown him these things?
Whatever had happened to Lyndon Groome, there must be more to it than what the stories said. Adrian swore to himself that he’d learn the truth, and put Lyndon’s spirit to rest.

Chapter Six
    Thursday night arrived before Adrian was ready for it. He stood in front of Winston Hall at six fortyfive, knees knocking and heart thumping so hard he thought he might throw up.
Never mind that he’d spent three whole hours that afternoon exchanging smiles and heated glances with Greg as they went about their work at Groome Castle. Never mind that they’d walked to Greg’s dorm together only an hour and a half before, talking like old friends the whole time. It didn’t matter. The dynamic between them had officially shifted from “hanging out” to “on a date”, and Adrian had never been more nervous in his life.
When the front door swung open, Adrian nearly jumped out of his skin. A group of three girls and three boys spilled out into the night air. Adrian managed a smile and a nod when one of the girls gave him an odd look. She rolled her eyes.
Adrian waited until the group rounded the corner of the building, then pressed the intercom button beside the door. “Can I help you?” a girl’s voice lilted.
“Yes, I’m here to pick up Greg Woodhall.” Adrian sounded much calmer and more confident than he felt. Now if only some of that fake confidence would work its way inward.
“He’ll be right out.”
Was it his imagination, or did the girl on the other end of the intercom sound amused? “Okay, thanks.”
“Sure. Have fun!”
She is definitely laughing. Adrian stared at the intercom in bemusement. Before he had more than a few seconds to puzzle over it, however, the door flew open and Greg bounded out.
“Hi, Adrian.” Greg walked over and stood beaming at Adrian. “Wow, you look amazing.”
Adrian’s cheeks flushed. He smiled at the appreciative gleam in Greg’s eyes. “Thanks. So do you. Carolina blue’s a perfect color on you.”
“Thanks.” Greg gave Adrian’s jacket sleeve a tug. They descended the steps together and headed toward Raleigh Street. “Thank Christ for the gay fashion gene, huh?”
Adrian laughed, his nervousness evaporating. “I’m afraid I missed out on that one.”
“What? No fashion gene?” Greg clutched at his chest in feigned shock. “How the hell do you dress yourself?”
“Maybe you haven’t noticed, but normally I don’t bother.”
Greg shot him a fierce frown. “You’ve been running around naked and I didn’t notice? Shit, I need to get my eyes checked.”
Snickering, Adrian pushed the button for the “walk” signal at the intersection. “You know what I mean. I’m hardly fashionable most days.”
“Point. Not that it matters. You could wear a trash bag and still be the hottest guy in the room.” Greg plowed on before Adrian could let that process enough to embarrass him. “So how’d you put this smokin’ outfit together? Luck?”
“This old thing?” Adrian ran a hand down the front of his deep burgundy silk shirt and snug black pants. “My brother picked out the shirt. Said it brought out my coloring.”
“Is your brother gay?”
“No.”
“What? A straight boy with good fashion sense?”
“He says he picked it up from shopping with girls. Which kind of makes sense, since he’s been a serial monogamist since eighth grade.” Adrian grinned at Greg as they crossed to the other side of the road. “Who knew you had all these preconceived notions about straights and gays?”
“Hey, everyone needs a flaw. This is mine.” Greg stuck his hands in his jacket pockets and heaved a long-suffering sigh. “It’s tough being almost perfect.”
Adrian snuck a sidelong glance at Greg’s ass, which looked far more than almost perfect in his formfitting dark gray pants. “Almost.”
The smoldering look Adrian got in return made it uncomfortable to walk, but he didn’t care. It was worth it to be able to stroll through the cool fall evening with Greg by his side and know that, for tonight at least, he could have Greg all to himself.
They reached Top of the Hill with five minutes