Chapter 27

“Does what bother me?” Evan asks, flashlight in hand and swab in another.

“Being stared at all the time,” Rene says.

“Curious kids don’t really bother me. And I’ve been stared at by adults before. Mainly when I was on dates,” Evan says, clearly being careful in case they’re overheard, but Rene knows what Evan is saying: that people stare at him when he is out with other men.

“The kids don’t bother me, either, but adults should know how to behave,” Rene grumbles.

Evan steps down from the chair and stumbles a little. Rene puts a hand out and catches Evan, being careful not to let his hands linger, and he’s surprised by how much he wantsto linger. Not just because of the fact Evan is human, but because they haven’t known each other long. In some ways, Evan is a stranger to him, but the chemistry between them is undeniable.

“Adults should know better about a lot of things, but they still do them.” Evan shrugs, and it’s hard to tell if he’s bothered by it or not.