Page 67 of Ancient Obsession

“I might poke around campus a bit. See if I can find a trail or some indication of where the mummy has been hiding out.”

“Want company?”

“I don’t want to get you in trouble.” Oliver glanced at them. “Everything okay at home?”

“You mean at her home?” Robin’s expression darkened. “She reminded me of that several times last night.”

“She’s worried about you.”

“She’s not my mother.”

“That doesn’t matter. I don’t have siblings, but Dave’s got several brothers, and even though they fight on a regular basis and tease each other mercilessly, they’re all extremely protective of each other.” They were quiet for a couple of steps. “You’re still staying there?”

“I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

“I’m sorry. That sounds tough.”

“It is what it is. I mean, I get it. They have two young daughters, and they don’t want the cops to search their house or have strange people come around and ask a bunch of insane questions.”

“Has that happened?”

“Not yet, but after seeing you on the news last night, she got kind of freaked.”

“I get it. It’s a pain in the ass.”

Robin stopped walking and pointed. “Hey, is that Dave?”

Oliver followed Robin’s line of sight. Dave waited in the parking lot, wearing a backwards baseball cap, fitted blue t-shirt, and khaki shorts. He leaned against the car, his hands braced on the hood behind him. Oliver stopped, his breath caught in his throat. Then he registered the matching poses on either side: Cody in aviators and a blue Critter Catchers polo, and Demetrius in a white one. Both wore cargo shorts and work boots like they'd left a job to come lend support.

The three of them were causing quite a stir across the quad.

“It is him. And he’s brought reinforcements.”

He continued toward the parking lot, Robin beside him. When they were a few yards away, Dave saw him and smiled. He pushed up from the front of the car, Cody and Demetrius following. When Oliver reached them, Dave pulled him in for a strong hug.

“Hey now,” Cody said. “PG-13.”

“It’s just a hug,” Demetrius said. “Leave them alone.”

“They’re attracting a lot of attention, and there’s plenty of campus security out here who might want to blow off some steam.”

Dave ended the hug and glanced over his shoulder at Cody. “Good point, but also a complete buzzkill.”

“Cock blocker,” Oliver added.

Cody grimaced. “Don’t use that phrase.”

Oliver caught Dave’s eye. “Why did you bring them?”

“We’re here for support,” Demetrius said, moving in to hug Oliver.

“We came to support my soon-to-be brother-in-law,” Cody added.

“Um, hi, I’m Robin.” They held out a hand to Demetrius. “I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Demetrius.” He shook with Robin. “I’m married to this guy, who I think you’ve met.”

“Robin and I are old pals.” Cody held up a fist and Robin bumped it. Oliver repressed an eye roll.