What Hides Inside: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 2

careful we need to be today,” Bo said. “I don’t want any of us to be the next missing person.”
“We stay together,” Andre added. “No matter what. Cecile, you and I are going to have to keep our senses open. Maybe we can feel a change in energy or something before the portal opens. And Sam—”
“Sam can do the same,” Bo interrupted, his voice stern. “We need all three of you.”
Rising to his feet, Sam walked over to stand in front of Bo. “I’m going to try to actively sense the portal, and see if I can figure out a way to close it for good. I won’t try to communicate with whatever’s on the other side unless I have no choice. But, Bo, if that portal opens, I’m going to do what I have to in order to protect us all. Do you understand?”
Bo’s throat worked. He turned away, heading into the back room. “It’s about time to go,” he called over his shoulder. “Let’s get our gear together and hit the road.”
The tension in Bo’s voice was obvious. Glancing around as the group scrambled to gather their equipment, Sam saw Dean watching Bo with sympathy in his eyes.
“He’s worried about you,” Dean murmured, hanging back from the rest of the group as Sam walked up behind him.
“I know.” Leaning closer on the pretense of picking up a pen from Andre’s desk, Sam whispered in Dean’s ear. “You’re a bold, bad man, Dean. Thank you.”
Dean grinned ear to ear. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Sam felt that loopy smile curving his lips again. “We’re together.”
Letting out a little squeal, Dean squeezed Sam’s arm. “Sam, that’s great! I’m so happy for y’all.”
Sam had no chance to reply, as David and Andre emerged from the back room at that moment, carrying bags of equipment. Glancing at Dean’s hand on Sam’s arm, David raised his eyebrows and grinned.
“Dean, you and Sam can get the rest of the stuff,” Andre said as he brushed past. “Come on, I want to get started.”
Sam hurried into the back room, with Dean behind him. Cecile and Bo stood in the back corner, talking in low tones while Bo rummaged through an equipment drawer.
“You two can grab the radios and flashlights.” Cecile hefted a duffle bag onto her shoulder. “Andre, David and I have everything else.”
“Sure thing.”
Sam watched as she left the room. As soon as they heard the sound of the front door closing, Dean rushed at Bo and threw both arms around him in an enthusiastic hug. “Oh my God, Bo, I am so happy for you and Sam. This is fabulous!”
“Um. Thanks.” Bo patted Dean’s back, giving Sam a what the fuck? look over Dean’s shoulder. Sam bit back a laugh.
Letting go of Bo, Dean stuck both hands in his jeans pockets and grinned. “Sorry if I embarrassed you, but I love to see the star-crossed lovers get their happy ending, you know?”
“Dean, you’re a hopeless romantic,” Sam observed, picking up the canvas bag containing the radios.
“It’s what makes me so damn lovable.” Grabbing the bag of flashlights, Dean started out the door. “If y’all want to have a quickie before we go, I’ll keep the others off your back, just say the word.”
“Thanks, but I think we should probably get going,” Bo said dryly. “Dean? We’d like to keep this to ourselves for now, so please don’t say anything to anyone else.”
“My lips are zipped,” Dean promised.
Looking amused, Bo scooped a package of flashlight batteries out of the drawer and dropped them into his backpack. As they followed Dean out the door, Sam slipped an arm around Bo’s neck and kissed him. Bo’s lips parted under his, tongue darting briefly into his mouth.
“I like being able to do that,” Bo whispered with a smile.
Sam nuzzled Bo’s cheek. “Me too. Come over to my place tonight?”
“No.”
Sam blinked. “No?”
“No,” Bo repeated. “Come over to mine. I’ll make you dinner.”
“Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse. It’s a date.”
“Good.” Turning his head, Bo kissed Sam’s palm, then drew away. “Let’s go. The others are waiting for us.”
They headed out of the office, and Sam locked the front door behind them. Climbing into the SUV with Bo and Andre, Sam thought about the night before, and the night to come. Memories and anticipation brought a smile to his face. He focused on those pleasant thoughts and tried not to consider too closely what might happen at the school.
    The South Bay High courtyard was still cordoned off with yellow police tape when the group arrived. Mr. Innes