Page 28 of A Shared Mind

“Again, I’m sorry. I can’t really give you a plausible explanation for why I disappeared. If I explained it, you’d think I’ve lost my marbles. I know Eve told you I went to St. Louis to visit my parents, but you know that’s not true, don’t you? You saw me at Willow Creek Cemetery, so you know where my parents are buried.”

Clay sat back in his chair and stared at me. “So, why did you ask her to lie?”

“It was a ridiculous idea, especially knowing you knew it was a lie. I’d like to explain it to you, but I don’t think you’ll believe me if I tell you.”

No way would he believe I was possessed by a spirit—or was he a demon? Hell, I still didn’t believe it.

Clay smirked. “Try me, Justin.”

Our drinks were delivered, along with cornbread and honey butter. “Thank you,” we both responded in unison.

Clay grinned as he shifted the basket of cornbread toward me. “I have a pretty good imagination. Why don’t you explain it to me?”

I kinda snorted. “I like you, Clay. I’d like to go on an official date with you, but I won’t push for it. If I tell you what’s going on with me, I’m afraid you’ll run for the hills. No joke.”

Clay chuckled. “An official date? Can’t we call this an official first date?”

His request surprised me. “Uh, yeah. I mean, I’d love to call it an official first date.”

“So, you were in St. Louis? Why, if I can ask?” Clay’s smile was sweet, though nervous.

Answering honestly was going to make me look like I was off my rocker, but I couldn’t lie to him. “Yeah. St. Louis. It was for a weird reason, though. I mean, I’d love to say I’m still sane, but I’m not sure if that’s the truth anymore.”

Clay stared at me for a moment. “I’m a little lost, Justin. We all have moments of temporary insanity, I believe.” His grin gave me comfort.

“Hi. I’m Glenda. Can I get you an appetizer?” The server who interrupted us was a cute blonde girl with a big smile.

“Should we get the burnt ends?” Clay asked as he held a finger up for the server to give us a minute.

I nodded in agreement.

God, he was exactly the kind of guy I’d love to have in my life in a more permanent way, but why would he give a shit about me when my behavior had been so damn strange since the moment we met? Hell, I’d already lied to him—well, through Eve—but I’d admitted the lie to him. Could he trust me after that?

I’ll tell him. I’ll explain things to him. I dare him not to believe me.

God, that was all I needed. Fucking Ramon to take over and tell Clay the truth about what the hell was going on? The man would have me hauled away to a mental facility before I could take control of my own body!

When the young lady delivered our appetizer, she grinned. “I’ll give you some time to look at the menu. No rush.”

We opened the menus, but I didn’t glance at mine. Instead, I studied Clay. He was absolutely incredible person, and I wanted to know more about him.

“So, my shit is a mess, but is there anything you might want to share? What have you been up to?” Deflection was a strategy. Not a good one, but a strategy nonetheless.

Clay chuckled. “Mostly wondering about you. The rain stalled my sorghum harvest, which is fine because it has a longer harvest season, but I had time to sit and stew on you, and I’ve determined you’re a puzzle I really want to solve. You’ve intrigue me, and when I’m intrigued, I become a dog with a bone.”

Oh, man. He’s a smooth talker.

And just when I was enjoying the quiet in my head and the thoughts of the man next to me, Ramon opened his pie hole. My desire to strangle him increased exponentially.

“I’m n-not really that i-interesting.” Yeah, the nerves were back and so was the stutter.

“See, like that,” Clay said, issuing a thoughtful smile. “You were perfectly fine when you got here, but after I mentioned how much I was interested in you, you got nervous and the stutter you usually control popped up. I promise you, Justin, nothing you tell me will make me less interested in you. We all have idiosyncrasies, but they set us apart from other people. I’m open minded, and I really want to know why you’re so on edge.”

“S-sorry. I—”

Suddenly, I was blind again. Fuck you, Ramon.

“Okay, time for a shot of truth. I’m Ramon Blanco. You can look me up if you want. The kid found me on the internet.