Love, Like Ghosts: A Bay City Paranormal Investigations Story

out in a slow, steady stream. “Okay. Let’s go before I lose my nerve.”
Adrian gave Greg’s hand a quick squeeze. He popped the trunk, then opened his door and climbed out into the sharp chill of the Alabama December evening. Sean enveloped him in a bone-crushing hug before he could even shut the car door behind him. Laughing, he wrapped both arms around his brother and clutched him tight.
“It’s great to see you, bro,” Sean declared, his voice suspiciously shaky in Adrian’s ear.
Adrian swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. He remembered vividly how much it had affected him to see his family again when he first came home for the holidays freshman year. This was the first time he and Sean had seen each other since August.
He patted Sean’s back. “Great to see you too, Sean. Videochats just aren’t the same, are they?”
“No way.” Sean drew back. His wide smile remained firmly in place, but the faint redness edging his eyes gave him away. He held out a hand to Greg, who walked up at that moment. “You must be Greg. I’m Sean, Adrian’s brother.”
“I know.” Greg grasped Sean’s hand and they shook. “It’s nice to meet you, Sean.”
“You too.” Letting go of Greg’s hand, Sean moved toward the trunk of Adrian’s car. “Come on, I’ll help y’all get your stuff inside. You must be worn out after that long trip.”
“Ten hours.” Greg trailed Adrian and Sean to the back of the car. “And Adrian wouldn’t even let us take a real lunch break.”
“We stopped at Krystal.” Reaching past his brother, Adrian heaved his suitcase out of the trunk. “That only took fifteen minutes. If we’d gone to a sit-down restaurant, we’d still be on the road right now.”
Sean laughed. “Get used to it, Greg. Adrian inherited the tyrannical driving gene from our dad.” He lifted Greg’s suitcase and a bag stuffed with presents and stepped back. “Adrian, you can get that last bag, can’t you?”
“Sure.” Adrian grabbed the large backpack containing odds and ends that hadn’t fit anywhere else. “Greg, will you shut the trunk for me?”
“Yeah.” Greg pushed the trunk closed. He reached for the suitcase Sean held and frowned when Sean swung it out of the way. “Hey, I can carry my own stuff.”
“Obviously. But you’re our guest.” Sean strode toward the porch, throwing a grin over his shoulder. “My mom would kill me if she found out I let a guest carry his own bags in.”
Greg glowered. Adrian leaned over and kissed his cheek. “He’s right. Our mom’s kind of weird about stuff like that, and one of the neighbors would definitely tell on us. But my hands are full, so could you grab my keys and lock the car for me, please?”
“Yeah.” In a shockingly sudden move, Greg grabbed Adrian’s hair with both hands and kissed him hard. “Thanks for that.”
Adrian grinned. “You’re welcome.”
The shine in Greg’s eyes made Adrian’s heart thump hard against his sternum. He followed Sean on wobbly legs. Behind him, the car door slammed. Greg caught up to him just as he got to the porch stairs. They climbed the four shallow steps together.
Just as Sean reached the front door, it swung open. Adrian’s father stood on the other side. His face broke into a wide smile. “Hello, boys. Come in.”
He stepped back. Sean walked into the hallway that ran from the front door to the back. Adrian followed, with Greg beside him. The spicy scent of chicken gumbo permeated the room, making Adrian’s stomach rumble. The minute they were inside, Adrian set the bags on the floor at the foot of the stairs and swept his dad into a hug.
“It’s good to have you home, son,” his father’s voice rumbled against the side of his head. “I’ve missed you. Sam and I both have.”
Adrian’s eyes stung. He swallowed against the lump in his throat. “Me too, Dad.” He pulled back and reached for Greg’s hand, drawing him forward. “Dad, this is Greg Woodhall. Greg, this is my father, Dr. Bo Broussard.”
“Please, call me Bo.” He held his hand out, smiling. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Greg. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“It’s great to meet you too, sir. Um, Bo.” Greg shook the offered hand. He seemed much more at ease than he had in the car. Adrian doubted anyone but him would’ve noticed the too-wide eyes or the rapid pulse fluttering in Greg’s throat. “Thank you for inviting me here for Christmas, I really appreciate it.”
“We’re happy to have