Smoke & Mirrors by Charlie Cochet Page A

sometimes. You obviously got too close to the edge.”
    “Uh-huh. Funny how it happened the night I accidently deleted the season finale of your favorite show before you could watch it.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    Dex gasped. “Oh my God, you did push me off on purpose!” There was a rustling noise, followed by the muffled sound of Sloane laughing his ass off.
    “I can hear you!”
    The laughter intensified. He’d clearly moved his hand away. “Sorry.” Yet he continued to laugh. He was so not sorry.
    “Laugh it up, fuzzball.”
    “I am. You know how much self-control it took for me not to laugh when you hit the floor? I thought I was going to pee myself!”
    Dex waited as Sloane’s laughter eased into a very attractive snort. “Are you done?”
    “For now.”
    “Is that why you called?”
    “I called because I missed you.”
    “Aw.” Dex melted into the couch cushions. “Well played, sir. Well played.”
    “Am I off the hook?”
    “Not on your life, but aw .”
    “It was worth a try. How about if on my way home from work, I bring you home something tasty and unhealthy?”
    Dex pretended to think about it. “It better be really unhealthy. Like over five hundred calories in one sitting.”
    “Deal.” When Sloane next spoke, his voice was gentle and laced with concern. “How are you feeling?”
    “I’m good.” It was the truth. He was surprised he hadn’t had any nightmares, but he supposed there was still time. Actually, now that he thought about it, he hadn’t dreamed at all. “I’m gonna watch some TV, just veg out for a while.”
    They talked a little more as Sloane finished his coffee break. It was a somewhat quiet day with no callouts for Destructive Delta as of yet. Somewhere behind Sloane, Ash said it was because Dex wasn’t there to attract all the crazies.
    “Tell him to bite me.”
    Sloane relayed the message before returning to the phone. “He made a little heart shape with his fingers. Isn’t that sweet? I think he loves you.”
    “Fuck off. I didn’t do that,” Ash growled somewhere over Sloane’s shoulder, making Dex chuckle.
    The two tussled, and Dex smiled at Sloane’s laughter. It was so good to hear. The sound always made Dex happy.
    “Your boyfriend is a dork, and so are you,” Ash called out before the office went quiet.
    Sloane chuckled.
    “I better go. Sparks wants us in Sparta for training. Rest up, okay? Love you.”
    “I love you too. Stay safe.”
    “I will. Talk soon.”
    Dex said his good-byes and hung up. He tossed his phone on the cushion and flopped onto his side, his head hitting the pillow. He stared at the blank TV screen. Why did his body hurt so much? He frowned. His head was fuzzy too, and his stomach felt empty. How could he be hungry? He’d eaten just a few hours ago. Wait, now he remembered. He’d felt sick this morning after Sloane left. He’d even thrown up. He must’ve lain down after he was sick and fallen asleep. No wonder he felt weird. Maybe he was pushing himself too hard. He kept telling Sloane he was okay, but maybe he was trying to convince himself as much as Sloane. Rest would be good.
    He was about to close his eyes when he caught movement reflected in one of the framed photos on his mantle. It was one Tony had taken of him with his parents at a park. Swallowing hard, Dex stared at the photo but didn’t move. The shape was so dark it was almost black. It stalked like a Felid. It almost looked like one. That wasn’t possible. It got closer, and an icy chill went up Dex’s spine. Fuck. His gun was locked in its case upstairs in the drawer.
    Slowly, he stretched his legs out on the couch and readied himself. He sprang to his feet and spun around, only to find the house empty.

Chapter 4
     
     
    DEX WAS ready for a fight.
    He listened intently. Nothing. The house was quiet. His eyes had to be playing tricks on him. Dex ran a hand through his hair. Was he going crazy? He could have sworn he’d seen