The Man Who Has No Soul (Soulless 1)

Twenty-Three

Deacon

We went for a hike in the morning before it got too hot.

I carried the pack with water, food, and a first aid kit so Derek could run around and enjoy the scenery.

We spent the day looking at plants, flowers, and searching for animal tracks. He picked up a couple rocks he liked and put them in his pocket.

By the time the sun was in the center of the sky, it was time to head back. I was a healthy man, still young, but that kind of exertion was fatiguing. Even Derek was a bit tired, not running around anymore, sticking to my side at a leisurely pace.

“I’m hungry.”

“You want a snack? I’ve got stuff in the backpack. Or we can wait until we get back.”

“What are we going to eat at the cabin?”

“Leftover pizza.”

“Then I’ll wait.”

We headed back to the cabin, making it there an hour later. We both scarfed down some pizza, because even I was too tired to cook, and then we hopped in the shower before getting back into bed for an afternoon nap.

When I woke up, I slipped out of bed without waking him and went downstairs. I intended to do some work, but then I realized I hadn’t brought my laptop or any of my things. I hadn’t even thought about it because Derek was the only thing on my mind.

So, I went outside and sat on the porch, watching the water reflect the moving sun, the air cleansing my lungs because it was so pure.

Then someone knocked on the door.

I went to the entryway and opened the door, hoping to see Cleo.

But it was my brother.

I stared at him, unsure why he was there.

“Hello?” He chuckled then invited himself into the house. “Where’s Derek?”

“Taking a nap.” I shut the door.

“He seems too old to take a nap.”

“We hiked for six hours.” I went to the fridge and grabbed him a beer. “I thought you had to work today.”

“It was slow so I left early.”

I assumed he would take advantage of that by taking Cleo to Coney Island, but I didn’t ask about it. “You want some pizza?”

“Nah. Not hungry.”

We went to the patio, taking a seat in the chairs and looking out at the lake.

Tucker was quiet for a long time, his ankles crossed, his beer always near his lips.

There was a slight breeze, so the leaves in the trees moved slightly, turning the landscape into a nature soundtrack. There was a boat on the other side of the lake, small and hard to see, and it seemed like there was a single person inside it, spending the day fishing.

I was eager to continue my work, but I also never wanted to leave this place. I was glad Cleo had told me it was on the market.

Tucker turned to me. “Cleo broke things off…”

I directed my gaze back to him, seeing the disappointment in his eyes.

“I took her home last night, went inside her apartment, and things started to pick up…but then she said it wasn’t right.”

I didn’t know what to say.

He drank from his beer.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I think it’s for the best anyway.”

“I thought you liked her.”

“I did. But then it became really obvious…”

What became obvious? I couldn’t follow the conversation.

He held my gaze, looking me straight in the eye. “You’re the one she wants, Deacon.”

I stared at him blankly, my heart picking up in speed, my chest becoming tight. “Did she say that?”

“No. But it’s pretty clear.”

“How is it clear unless she says it?”

He sighed quietly. “I know this is hard for you to understand, but trust me on this.”

I continued to stare.

“I’ve been seeing her for over a month, and all we’ve done is kiss, which she was fine with. But last night, it was going somewhere…and that was why she ended it. Because if something happens with me…then nothing could ever happen with you.”

I didn’t want to picture Cleo getting hot and physical with my brother. It made my bones ache.

“If she slept with me, she would ruin any chance she has with you.”

“Why?”

“Would you want to be with a woman who’d already slept with your brother?” he asked incredulously.

I looked away.