Twilight: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 3

bridge. Fitful sunlight
pierced through the clouds overhead, sparkling
diamond-like on the surface of the clear flowing water
and bringing out a rainbow of colors in the rocks below.
The bare branches of oaks and birch hissed and rattled in
a sudden burst of chill wind. The air smelled of water,
earth and leaf mold.
“Hey, Sam.”
Looking toward Dean’s voice, Sam found himself
staring into a camera lens. “Dean…”
“Say ‘cheese’.” Dean snapped a picture before Sam
could object, then lowered the camera, eyes sparkling
and a smug smile on his face. “Gotcha.”
Sam shook his head. “Don’t waste pictures on me,
Dean. Save it for the job.”
“Hey, this is my personal camera, not one of the
BCPI ones. I’m gonna fill up all my memory cards with
pics of the three of us and the gorgeous view, just like a
tourist.”
“Oh, well, that’s all right then.” Pushing away
from the bridge’s wooden rail, Sam crossed to the far
bank with Dean beside him. Lex and Bo were already
several yards ahead, deep in conversation. “Hey. Take a
picture of Bo.”
Dean looked at Bo, then back at Sam. “You mean a
pic of Bo’s ass.”
Sam shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Maybe, my perfectly toned rear end. You want
pics of your man’s admittedly fine ass. Don’t even try to
bullshit me.”
Laughing, Sam nudged Dean with his elbow.
“Okay, yeah. Can you blame me?”
“Not hardly. That’s one smokin’ hot scientist
you’re fucking.”
“Actually, he’s the one doing the fucking.” The
second he said it, Sam winced. No way was Dean going
to let that go without comment.
Sure enough, Dean’s jaw dropped open and he
stared at Sam as if he’d sprouted a few extra limbs.
“What? You mean to tell me Bo hasn’t bottomed for you
yet?”
Sam hunched his shoulders. His cheeks burned.
“Well, no. But not everyone bottoms. You know that.” “Yeah, I know, but…” Dean pursed his lips and
plucked at the zipper of his bright yellow jacket. “I
know for a fact that you like to top, at least sometimes. It’s been, what, a couple of months now. I just think he
should’ve let you fuck him by now.”
“He’ll let me know when he’s ready,” Sam
snapped, sounding harsher than he’d intended. “I’m not
going to push him.”
“I’m not saying you should.” Dean glanced at him
from under the blond-streaked fringe veiling his eyes.
“Sorry, Sam. I didn’t mean to upset you. You know me,
always shoving my foot in my mouth.”
Feeling contrite now, Sam laid a hand on Dean’s
shoulder. “And you know me, always getting defensive
for no reason. Sorry.”
They smiled at each other, and Sam felt better. At
one time, not so long ago, he’d wished he could love
Dean, because it would be so much easier than loving
Bo. Now, with the perspective of time, Sam was glad he
and Dean had been able to remain friends in spite of everything that had happened between them. He treasured Dean’s friendship every bit as much as he
treasured Bo’s love.
From the curve of the trail ahead, Bo turned and
called to them. “Y’all okay back there?”
“Translation: hurry the fuck up,” Dean muttered. “We’re fine,” Sam answered, biting back laughter.
“Just stopped to take a picture.”
“Well, come on. We have a long way to go.” Bo’s
words were short, but his tone was mild, and Sam saw
the indulgent shine in his eyes.
Sam smiled, warmth washing through him as it
always did when he looked at his lover. “We’re
coming.”
Settling his heavy pack more firmly on his
shoulders, Sam picked up his pace. Soon enough, he and Dean caught up with Bo and Lex, and the four of them struck out for the top of the mountain.
    The hike to Sunset Lodge took just over four hours. The trail grew narrower and steeper the closer they got to the top. It wound back and forth like a rocky ribbon across the face of the mountain. Dean stopped every time the trees opened up to take pictures of the breathtaking view. Below them, patches of fog shrouded the leafless forest. Ahead, a ridge of rock and broken firs grew closer with every step.
    Dean let out a whoop when they rounded a huge shoulder of stone and the rugged path leveled out into a wide lane strewn with wood chips. “Oh my God, I thought that hike was gonna kill me. Lex, please tell me we’re there.”
    Laughing, she dropped back to walk beside him. “Yes, Dean, we’re here. The Lodge office is just up the path.”
    “Excellent.” Thumbing on the camera hanging around his neck, Dean