Page 25 of Ancient Obsession

“I’m glad. Everyone deserves to have a safe space to live.”

A moment of silence, then Robin said, “Will you text me if you start feeling weird?”

“Absolutely. You do the same.”

“I will.” Robin got out. They leaned down and said, “I’m totally going to send you stupid memes, though.”

“Not at all surprised or upset by that.”

Robin laughed and pushed the door shut. They ran up to the door and once Oliver saw they were safely inside, he pulled away from the curb. As he headed for home, he ran his right hand up and down his denim-covered thigh.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Dave was watching TV in the living room when Oliver got home. By the time he’d paused the show, Oliver had already dropped his bag in the middle of the floor and hurried down the hall. The bathroom door closed, and Dave started his show again. Oliver must have needed to go pretty bad. When the shower started up, he second guessed himself.

The shower went on much longer than usual. Dave turned off the TV and got up. He picked up the bag and set it on a kitchen chair. He opened a bottle of cabernet sauvignon, grabbed two glasses, and gave them each a heavy pour. When Oliver finally emerged in a cloud of steam, his hair wet and face red, he smiled at the glass waiting for him on the table.

“Did you just split the bottle between us?”

“Not entirely. Seemed like maybe you could use it.”

Oliver dropped onto the couch beside him. He put his head back and closed his eyes. “Fuck.”

“I take it things didn’t go as you’d hoped? Was there even a mummy?”

“Oh, there was a mummy.” Oliver gulped wine. “All wrapped up tight and creepy.” He shuddered slightly and rubbed his right hand up and down the leg of his shorts.

“Okay, you’ve gotta tell me what happened.”

As Oliver related the events of the evening, Dave’s eyes grew steadily wider. Once he’d finished, Dave scooted up close and gathered him against his side.

“I’m sorry, babe. About all of it. You were excited to get video, and you couldn’t do that. You got sprayed by some ancient bag of dust. And you accidentally touched the mummy.”

Oliver shuddered against him. “I touched the mummy.”

After a brief hesitation, Dave had to ask. “What did it feel like?”

Another shudder. “The bandage was gritty and kind of stiff. Like really dirty laundry, you know?”

“Yeah, I know. With five brothers, four of us who played football, I absolutely know.”

Oliver looked up at him. “Who didn’t play…” Understanding hit, and he nodded. “Grant.”

Dave chuckled. “You got it.”

“That tracks.” Oliver snuggled in close again. “The worst part was feeling the bone underneath.”

“Oh, babe…”

“I know.”

Dave tightened his arm, and they sat in silence together for a while. Oliver was the first to yawn, but he caught it right after.

“Ready for bed?” Dave asked.

“Carry me?”

“We’ve both had too much wine to try that. Come on.”