“It’s a little sex negative,” Jem said.
“For real,” Kazen said.
“And a little judgmental.”
“I don’t understand what’s happening here,” Tean said.“I’m the victim!”
“Also,” Jem said, “we’re here to talk to you about Brennon Lee.”
Shock ran across Kazen’s face like clear water before freezing into a mask.
“Someone killed him,” Jem said.Kazen’s expression didn’t change.“But you already knew that.”
“Well, yeah.Everybody knows.But I don’t know why you want to talk to me—”
“Nah,” Jem said.“You can save that part.His wife already told us about you two.”
For a moment, the set of Kazen’s face suggested absolute refusal.Then he shook his head and muttered, “Fuck.”
“Want to tell us about it?”
A flush started in the hollow of Kazen’s throat and moved rapidly up.
“Or,” Jem said, “we can make this official.”
Kazen went perfectly still.A second ticked past.And then another.Tean could practically hear the calculations.Then he ducked his head.“Uh, can you, like, give me a minute?I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Nice try,” Jem said.
“No, like—I was getting ready for this guy.”His hand drifted behind him, as though reaching for something, and he shifted his weight.“Come on, are you going to make me say it?”
“Go take your plug out or whatever,” Jem said.“And get on Grindr or Prowler or whatever and cancel your hookup.But if you try to run, I’m going to catch you, and I won’t be so nice next time.”
Kazen gave a nervous laugh and padded down the hall.A moment later, a door shut, and there was a grating sound Tean couldn’t place.Then water began to run.
“Weed?”Jem said.“Or pills?”
“What?”
“His stash.Or whatever he’s freaking out about.”
“Uh, I don’t know.I guess weed.I hope so, anyway.”
“Do you know what’s going to be awkward?”Jem said.
“This.Everything about this.”
“This isn’t awkward.I thought it was kind of cute when he thought you were his hung, sexy daddy.”
“It wasn’t cute.”
“It was sweet, though.”
“It wasn’t sweet at all.”
“At the time, I was feeling kind of murder-y about it, but you have to admit it’s kind of hot how jealous I got.”
“No, it wasn’t.You were supposed to help me!”