Page 20 of Coven of Corpses

“Hi.” Cody’s smile was dimmer than usual, but looked genuine.

“Hi. How did things go at the surprise storage unit reveal?”

He grimaced slightly and gulped tea. “About as you’d expect. It’s packed with boxes and plastic bins and furniture and clothes.” He shook his head. “All these years I could have been going through that stuff and cleaning it out a little at a time.”

“What can I do to help?”

Cody gave him a tired smile. “Exactly what you’re doing right now. Putting up with my family and me, sitting there looking handsome and calm and sexy as hell.”

“Yeah?” Demetrius leaned back in the booth and shook his shoulders loose. He looked away, then tried for an overdone sexy expression before looking back at Cody. “Are you saying I’ve got the rizz?”

Cody laughed. It was big and loud and sounded like the Cody from years ago. Demetrius hadn’t expected such a big reaction, and he was glad he hadn’t been seriously trying for sexy—well, not really. Hearing that big, booming Cody laugh lit something needy and carnal deep inside him.

It had been much too long since they’d had sex. When was the Bower tribe scheduled to leave town?

“You know, I could be offended,” Demetrius said, feigning hurt.

Cody reached across the table and grabbed his hands. “You know I love you.”

His hands were big and warm and a little rough. Demetrius smiled. “I do.”

“Good. So, you’ll know this comes from a place of love when I tell you to never, ever say the word ‘rizz’ again.”

Demetrius scowled and pulled his hands free. “You’re putting restrictions on what I can say?”

“Not overall, just that one word.”

“That’s not fair.”

“It’s for your own good.”

“How is it for my own good?”

Margie came up to the table. She stood by Cody and put a hand on his shoulder. “Hi there, big and tall. How are you?”

“Hi Margie.” Cody smiled up at her. “I’m doing okay, thanks for asking.” He glanced over at Demetrius, then looked back at her. “Let me ask for your opinion on something.”

“Oh, for the love of Spam and crackers,” Demetrius muttered.

Cody gave him a frown. “Have you been talking with Jugs?” He looked at Margie again. “Can Demmy here pull off using the word ‘rizz’?”

“Oh, you two.” Margie gently slapped Cody’s shoulder, gave it a squeeze, then looked between them. “If anyone here has the rizz, it’s me.”

They all laughed at that.

“Okay, boys, what’s for lunch?”

They ordered grilled chicken salad for Demetrius and a roast beef sandwich for Cody, and Margie headed for the kitchen.

“Your plan backfired,” Demetrius said. “She didn’t agree with you.”

“No, she avoided answering the question and made it out to be a joke because she didn’t want to hurt your feelings.” He took another long drink of tea. “Just because that new store in town has ‘rizz’ in the name, it doesn’t mean you should say it.”

“Rude, but understood.”

“Just trying to save you from embarrassing yourself.”

“I get it.” Demetrius ducked his head to catch Cody’s eye. “Seriously now, how’s it going?”