by Liv Rider
“Look, if you’re not into horror movies, you’re not into them. There’s movie genres I'm not into.” He’d tried his best with some critically-acclaimed drama movies, and he’d liked a couple of them, but he’d never enjoyed them. If he put a movie on, he wanted to be entertained.
“It’s not that, I’m trying to remember if I’ve even seen a movie from beginning to end lately.” Parker was still frowning.
“Too busy with work?” he guessed. He was starting to feel sorry for the other man.
“There’s always something. My inbox is probably filling up right now.” For a split-second, Parker looked tired, but then he gave Cameron a bright smile. “Never mind that. What movies would you recommend for a beginner like myself?”
Part of him wanted to ask about Parker’s work and the stress he seemed to be under, but wasn’t that way too personal for a first date? Parker was a grown man. He didn’t need Cameron worrying about him. If Parker wanted to know more about horror movies, Cameron would stick with that. “Okay, but this is all my opinion. If you ask another horror movie nerd for recs for beginners, you’ll get a different list.”
“I’m only interested in your list,” Parker told him, “provided it’s not too long.”
Cameron laughed, grabbing one of the napkins. “I’ll stick to three titles, then, since you’re so busy.”
He’d written down three titles when Parker took out his phone and swore. “I have to go.”
“Already?” He shouldn’t feel as disappointed as he did. He’d be seeing Parker again tonight anyway.
But sitting here and talking about horror movies with Parker was so easy, as if they’d done it loads of times before. It didn’t matter that Parker hadn’t seen a horror movie in his life. He asked questions about the movies Cameron had written down, which were Psycho, Evil Dead 2, and The Exorcist, and the ones Cameron mentioned but didn’t write down, like Friday the 13th. Cameron wanted to recommend him a couple of different movies, hoping there was at least one Parker liked. Evil Dead 2 and Friday the 13th were both horror movies where a bunch of college kids were menaced in the woods, even though the menace itself was very different. He’d been talking about monster movies and werewolves when Parker had mentioned needing to go.
“Yeah.” Parker sounded equally disappointed, taking the napkin from Cameron reluctantly. “I’m sorry. I completely lost track of time.”
“That’s all right. I can recommend you more movies tonight, if you’d like.” Cameron patted Parker on the shoulder, aiming for casual, but then he felt the hard muscle under his hand, and he couldn’t help but run his fingers down the curve of Parker’s bicep. Was it his imagination, or was there a slight shiver at his touch?
Parker swallowed. “I think this is enough for now.” He folded the napkin and put it in his pocket. “You said five o’clock, right?”
He nodded, pulling his hand back and glad he wasn’t the only one thinking about seeing each other again. “Yeah. Don’t be late.”
“I’d never be late to see you.”
The vehemence with which Parker said it surprised him and made his stomach squirm happily. Parker’s clear interest in him was both wonderful and kind of weird, since they’d only just met.
“Let me just pay my share.” Cameron took out his wallet, about to open it when Parker reached out to take his hand.
“My treat.”
It was such a simple touch, but Cameron stared down at Parker’s hand wrapped around his own. It felt right in a way that was hard to describe. It was the pleasantly cool sensation of water on a hot day in summer. It was safety and comfort and things he shouldn’t be feeling just because someone he’d just met was accidentally holding his hand. He managed to tear his eyes away from their joined hands, but that was worse, because now he met Parker’s gaze.
Parker was smiling at him, his eyes warm, and Cameron wondered if Parker was feeling as confused and overwhelmed as he was.
“Cameron.” Parker leaned closer.
There were only inches between them now, and Cameron’s heart was racing. He knew he was getting flustered again, feeling hot all over, lust pooling low in his stomach. “Um,” he managed, leaning in as well.
Parker’s eyes darted down to his lips for a second, then he leaned even closer, smiling a little.
The sudden buzzing of Parker’s phone started them both, making Cameron sit back and let go of Parker’s hand.
Parker swore under his breath as he denied the call. “I have to go. I’m sorry.”
Cameron nodded, still feeling flustered as he licked his lips. He didn’t miss the way Parker’s glance flicked down. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“I can’t wait.” Parker reached out for him again, his fingers brushing the back of Cameron’s hand.
The gentle touch seemed to go straight to Cameron’s cock. He looked from their hands into Parker’s dark eyes, heated with desire, and his mouth felt dry. “Me neither. We can, um, discuss horror movies?”
“Sure.” Going by Parker’s suggestive smile, he seemed to think that ‘discuss horror movies’ was code for ‘making out without phones to disturb us.’
Cameron was going to put his own phone on silent tonight, that much was for sure.
“How did your date go?”
Cameron didn’t answer Stacy’s question immediately, focusing instead on putting in his white lenses. He was going to spend the evening in the graveyard again. “He’s coming here tonight.”
“It went well, then. Good on you.” She punched his shoulder gently.
He smiled, getting up from the chair. They used a room upstairs in Ted and Dorothy’s house for getting ready, and he couldn’t hog the mirrors or the makeup longer than necessary. He’d get something to eat first, then come back to finish the rest of his makeup and hair. He was already wearing the rags for the zombie costume, and he noticed Stacy was wearing a long, white dress.
“You’re going to be Samara?”
“Seven days,” she hissed, reaching for him with one hand, fingers stretched as if she was about to grab him.
He could already imagine her with the black hair covering most of her face. “You’ll do great.”
“I hope so. I’m not looking forward to doing all that crawling, though. But your date must’ve gone well if he’s coming back tonight. Was he disappointed he didn’t get to have lunch with a zombie?”
Cameron laughed. “I don’t think so, no.” Just the memory of Parker’s hand on his own sent heat down his spine.
“I still say he’s a weirdo,” Stacy told him as they went down the stairs, passing others who were going upstairs to do their makeup. “Anyone who meets someone who’s dressed as a zombie and decides to ask them out has to be a weirdo in some way.”
“Agreed.” Parker was definitely a weirdo in some way. So far, in the best way.
Stacy gave him a look as they headed for the back door. “Oh, you like him a lot, don’t you?”
He wished he was already wearing his zombie makeup so Stacy wouldn’t see his cheeks redden. “Yes.” He didn’t entirely know why, but he definitely liked Parker and wanted to spend more time with him to figure it out, and why wasn’t it five o’clock yet?
“Well, then I can’t wait to meet him too.”
He froze in the doorway. “Wait, what?”
Dinner was served in the smaller barn. As Cameron sat down at a table with Stacy, they were quickly joined by Michael, who was also already in costume.
“Playing Jason Voorhees?” Cameron nodded at Michael’s overalls. Anything was better than talking about Parker.
“His date is coming here tonight,” Stacy said.
“What date?” Michael asked.
“What scare tactics are you going to use?” He knew his attempt at changing the subject was pointless, but he had to try.
“Some guy asked him out on a date last night,” Stacy explained, ignoring Cameron, “while he was still dressed as a zombie.”
“Sounds like a weirdo.”
“That’
s what I said.”
“Could be worse, though,” Michael continued, ignoring Cameron’s glare. “He could’ve been dressed as a clown. You should definitely avoid dates with people who ask you out when you’re dressed as a clown.”
“Thanks for those words of wisdom,” Cameron muttered. “Anyway, you don’t get to judge, didn’t you and Andrew meet at a Halloween party?”
“That was different. He was dressed as a vampire, and everyone knows vampires are irresistible.”
“And zombies, apparently.” Stacy grinned at him. “Or is flirting your new scare tactic?”
“I didn’t even flirt with him in the Maze! I just scared him the way I did everyone else.”
“Weirdo,” Stacy said firmly, but she smiled. “Just like you.”
Cameron smiled back, but his stomach wriggled nervously at her words. Parker asking him out last night was weird, and despite what Stacy said, they weren’t alike at all. He’d also spent some time googling him that afternoon, but hadn’t been able to find much. It was like the Parker Blackburn who lived in Lewiston barely existed. All Cameron had been able to find was a website for a local environmental charity, Shifting North, that listed Parker Blackburn as the chair of the board. The website had last been updated four years ago, there was no other contact information or an agenda, and he hadn’t been able to find out more about Shifting North either, except on other outdated websites.
That was kind of weird, and not in a fun way.
Parker arrived ten minutes after five, and Cameron, who’d been hanging around the entrance in a manner he hoped looked casual, was relieved to see him.
Watching Parker get out of his car sent another jolt of need through of him. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Parker gave him a quick smile as he locked the doors to his Audi. He was still wearing the same suit he’d worn at lunch, and it still had the same effect on Cameron’s brain. The jacket emphasized his broad shoulders, and there was something about the buttons being all done up on that perfectly starched shirt and the perfectly knotted tie that made him want to see Parker all disheveled and rumpled.
He could think of a few fun ways to do that….
“I wish I’d been able to get here earlier.” Parker strode over to him.
Cameron’s palms were sweaty as he looked up at Parker. It really was unfair how attractive he was. Would it be weird if he took Parker on a private tour of the Maze of Terror?
Well, not the entire Maze. They could stop in the Friday the 13th room and test those bunk beds. Or maybe Cameron could simply push Parker up against one of the walls in the Evil Dead room for a thorough kiss. Assuming those thin walls would hold.
He wanted to find out.
“Yeah, me too.” He found himself leaning closer. Going by the look in Parker’s eyes, he didn’t seem to care that Cameron was already wearing his white contacts.
Cameron was sure Parker had been about to kiss him when suddenly Parker looked over Cameron’s shoulder and frowned. “Who’s the welcoming committee?”
He turned to see what Parker meant and started. “Ah.” Stacy was standing only a few feet behind him. She had completed her makeup, and the fairy lights above her only made her look even creepier. “Parker, meet Stacy.”
“Don’t mind me.” Stacy smiled as she shook his hand, but if she meant for it to be reassuring, it failed. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Only good things, I hope.”
Stacy just kept smiling, and Cameron was sure she knew exactly how creepy she looked. “Why don’t we all go and get something to drink?” he suggested.
“Is Everett already here?” Parker asked.
“Yeah, he’s in the farmhouse,” Cameron replied. The other man had arrived while Cameron and his friends had been busy eating. After finding out, Cameron had gone back into the farmhouse, but the door to the living room was shut and listening at the door was impossible with all the people walking up and down the hallway.
“How long do you think that’ll take?”
“I don’t know, but he can’t stay in there forever. Do you want dinner? There’s still some pasta left.” The food was meant for the people volunteering at the Fest, but there was usually plenty left over.
It came with the risk of more of his friends asking questions about Parker, but hopefully Everett would leave the farmhouse soon and distract everybody.
“What room are you in tonight?” Parker asked as they walked, Stacy trailing a little behind them.
“Graveyard again. Should be fun.”
“I’m sure you’ll scare lots of people.”
“Is that what he did to you last night?” Stacy raised her voice. “Scare you?”
Parker was silent for a moment, looking at Cameron. “No. Surprise me, yes. Scare me, no.” His tone was more serious than the teasing question required.
Cameron smiled back, feeling his stomach squirm again. “You definitely surprised me too.”
“Good.”
He had to tear his eyes away from Parker’s warm, brown ones. He wished he could get some time alone with Parker to talk to him, but he still needed to finish his makeup before the Maze opened. Besides, Parker was here to find out more about Everett. He wasn’t just here for Cameron. Although, going by the way Parker had been looking at him….
They entered the smaller barn again, which was louder and fuller than before. The reason why became obvious pretty fast.
“That must be him,” Stacy muttered, and Cameron nodded.
He recognized Nick Everett from the picture he’d found online, but even without that, it was obvious who the stranger next to Dorothy Wilson had to be. The older woman was walking around the barn with Everett, whose dark hair was even now styled perfectly, and his polite smile still looked it came out of tooth paste commercial. They stopped at dinner tables, Dorothy gesturing at Everett, who was wearing a long coat over his business suit, and he shook hands and chatted briefly with people before Dorothy moved onto the next table and group of people.
Pretty much everyone was eying the two of them, and Cameron would bet his last paycheck that every table was talking about Everett amongst themselves.
He turned to Stacy. “I hope he goes through the Maze tonight. We can give him a good scare.”
“How? Are we going to tell him there’s been a massive stock market crash?”
“I was thinking more along the lines of spilling fake blood on him and his precious suit,” Cameron replied. “Lots of fake blood.”
“Let’s not do a Carrie,” Stacy said. “Or anything that risks us having to pay his dry-cleaning bill.”
“It wouldn’t have to be a complete Carrie. Maybe half a Carrie. A quarter Carrie?” Cameron tried, but Stacy shook her head.
“What’s a quarter Carrie? A teacup of blood?” she asked.
“More like a big coffee mug.” Although compared to a bucket of blood, that still wasn’t big enough.
“What’s a Carrie?”
Cameron’s head snapped to look at Parker, and Stacy frowned at him as well. He knew Parker didn’t know a lot about horror movies, but Carrie was a classic.
“You’ve never seen Carrie?” he asked, just as Stacy asked, “You’ve never read Carrie?”
“It’s a book by Stephen King,” Cameron added, when Parker just looked more confused. “Please tell me you’ve at least heard of him?”
Parker glanced at him, then at Stacy before meeting Cameron’s eyes again. “I think I have?”
Now Stacy looked at Cameron like he’d suddenly grown two heads. Cameron ignored her. “It’s about a girl who gets bullied at school and during prom she gets a bucket of pig’s blood poured all over her,” he explained, “and then she kills everyone in revenge.”
“With her telekinetic powers,” Stacy added. “Every teenage girl’s dream!”
“Right,” Parker eventually said, still sounding confused. “I think I agree that that’s a bad idea to do to Everett.”
“Spoilsport,” Cameron muttered.
Cameron was sure that the way the three of them were neatly lined up a few feet away from the door looked anything but casual. Dorothy walked over to them, and Cameron noticed Nick looking Parker up and down.
There was a brief flare of jealousy that Cameron knew was ridiculous and no doubt unnecessary, but he still edged a little closer to Parker anyway, letting their fingers brush.
“I see you’re ready for tonight,” the older woman said, nodding at Stacy and Cameron.
“That makeup is very good,” Everett told them, then looked at Cameron. “You haven’t finished yours yet, have you?”
“I don’t need makeup to scare people.” Cameron glared at him.
“But it does help!” Stacy added.
“This is Nick Everett.” Dorothy gestured at him as if they hadn’t already figured it out themselves. “He’s the gentleman we mentioned last night.”
Cameron hated the friendly way Dorothy introduced Everett, as if he’d bought the farmhouse out of the pure goodness of his heart. He was up to something. Cameron knew it. “The one who bought the farm.” He looked Nick up and down pointedly. “Maybe it’s me, but you don’t look like much of a farmer.”
Everett let out a laugh. “You’re right, I’m not.”
“He really isn’t.” Dorothy laughed as well, then looked at her watch. “Oh, I’ve got to get back to Ted. You’ll be all right on your own?”
“I’ll be fine,” Everett assured her. “I’ll come and find you later and we can go over those reports.”
Dorothy nodded, giving them all a friendly smile before leaving.
“Reports?” Cameron demanded.
“Yes,” Everett replied, “reports.”
That told him exactly nothing. “Why did you buy the place if you’re not a farmer?” Cameron continued. “If it’s the view, there’s farms with nicer views on the other side of the city. Why don’t you go and look?” He heard Stacy sigh next to him. He knew it’d been the wrong thing to say before he’d even finished saying it, but he couldn’t help it. Nick Everett looked as annoyingly smug in person as he did in his pictures, and Cameron still couldn’t believe the Wilsons had decided to sell the farm to him. Anger and frustration boiled inside of him.
