Unearthed (The Dungeon Black Duology 1)

“Geez,” Max razzed “You’re such a pyro.”

“Yeah.” Kevin laughed. “A real menace to society.” His eyes met Max’s, and that time they lingered. “This is nice,” he mumbled. “Hanging out with you like this. With, you know, no parents around. Or the need to climb out a window.”

Max frowned with a sigh. “I’m sorry I’ve been so stuck around my house this summer. Ever since my dad died during his tour overseas… Mom’s just really seemed to need me around.”

Kevin stiffened and shook his head. “No, I totally understand. She’s got it rough now, and depends on you for stuff.”

Max nodded and looked down. “Yeah. Dad made me promise before he left to be strong for Mom until he got back. Guess I’ve been doing an okay job ‘cause she’s always telling me lately that I’m her rock.”

“Doesn’t surprise me. You’re made of tough stuff.”

“I try to be, anyway.” Max dug into his pocket and pulled out his key chain, intending to put Kevin’s lure on its ring.

Kevin leaned in close to watch him work. “Hey, you carved another one. Nice. You’re getting better.”

Guess he spotted the other item attached to Max’s keys.

Max chuckled and leaned against Kevin, too. “Why? ‘Cause you can tell what it is this time?”

“Uh huh.” Kevin grinned. “Unless that’s not really a cow.”

Max cracked up laughing and shoved him away. “It’s a bear, you asshole. God. Don’t talk to me.”

Kevin flopped onto his back, laughing just as hard, then turned to lay on his side. “Just kidding, Max. I could tell what it was. And it’s awesome, but… why’d you carve a bear?”

Max smiled and shrugged. “Probably ‘cause my mom’s always calling me one.”

“For real? How come? You get mean when you’re mad?”

Max chuckled, idly fingering the tiny animal. “Yeah, I guess I kind of do. But she swears I’ve got the spirit of one, too.”

“Ah. Like me and that otter you made.”

Max laughed. “Yeah, kinda like that.”

“So? Spit it out. How’s your spirit like a bear’s?”

Max puffed out his chest and crossed his arms, donning his best chieftain accent. “Great strength and courage. Guardian of the world. Self-preservation very strong.”

Kevin snorted. “You sure you weren’t birthed from a comic book? Kinda sound like Batman to me.”

Max grinned and dropped down next to Kevin. “Yes. I’m sure. I’m a big, stupid bear, but I could kick your otter ass any day.”

Kevin laughed. “That’s it. I’m trading in the otter. I want a dang upgrade.”

Max rolled onto his side and propped his head in his hand. “And what animal do you think represents you best?”

Kevin eased back onto the blanket and stared at the sky. “I dunno,” he finally murmured. “Kinda feel like a bird.”

“A bird?” That surprised Max.

“Yeah. But one that’s grounded.”

Max’s smile faded instantly. “You mean, it can’t fly?”

“Yeah.” Kevin frowned. “Like it’s got a broken wing. Or maybe it just never learned how.”

Ah. Max got it. Completely understood. Kevin felt that way because of his parents. Which made total sense. They were way too overbearing. And Kevin was way too meek.

As if suddenly embarrassed for feeling sorry for himself, Kevin cleared his throat and sat back up. “Wow. That hadn’t sounded so stupid in my head.”

Max sat up, too, and put his hand on Kevin’s back. “Just four more years, Kev. And then we’re eighteen and out of here. Off to college and out from under your parents’ tyrannical rule.”

A smile tugged at Kevin’s lips. “My bird analogy was that obvious?”

Max shrugged. “What can I say? You’re as transparent as a glass window.”

Kevin snicker-snorted another laugh, then turned to meet Max’s eyes. “I can’t wait to leave here. With you. To college. I can’t wait to be out on our own.”

“Yeah.” Max nodded. “Freedom at last.”

“You have no idea. It’s exhausting having to be their perfect son. I don’t have the energy for it anymore.”

Max touched his head to Kevin’s. “Then lean on me. I’ll be strong for you, too, Kev. I promise.”

Kevin’s gaze drifted slowly over Max’s face, pausing to linger on Max’s mouth. Max’s heart sped back up, instantly enraptured. Not thinking, he swallowed and licked his lips. Which, to his dismay, quickly snapped Kevin out of it. Kevin blinked, lifting his eyes back to Max’s. Max held them intently, not sure what he was waiting for, but definitely knew he was waiting for something. Or maybe hoping was the more accurate word. But again, for what, he wasn’t sure.

Kevin’s lashes fluttered, then his eyes slid higher. “Your hair,” he murmured. “In the sun like this, it looks more red than brown.”

Kevin was checking out Max’s hair?

Max absently ran a hand through said hair and gave another little shrug. “Yeah. Irish blood. Compliments of Dad.”

Kevin smiled a little. “But you don’t look Irish. Don’t even have any freckles.”

Max made a face. “What? Yeah, I do. Got ‘em all over my shoulders.”