Shadowing My Dreams (Haunted Hearts)

Chapter 17

17

Jack

W hen your world has been turned upside down, you either thrive or drown. I had turned into an Olympic fucking swimmer! My world was brighter than it ever had been. And I owed it all to the bitchiest ghost in the fucking world. Without him, I would never have met Arch. Without him, who knows if I would have slid back into my old ways.

Dying changes you, I guess. It made me a better man. Archie made me want to stay that way. Weeks – it had only been weeks, but it felt like my entire life – my new life, anyway. The old version of me had been put away like a book you never wanted to read again. I had fun, but I also knew how lonely it had been. Now, my life hummed with a newfound energy that inspired and motivated me.

I felt bicoastal at the moment. Archie and I house-hopped between our two houses every night. I also provided him a little muscle with his job. That was the biggest shock of all to my system. The things I had once feared so much were now almost like a craving. Seeing the world through Archie’s eyes had expanded my own view of life and death – of the good that can come of helping another when thye were in need. That included ghosts.

Thankfully, any ability I might have once had disappeared when Isaac, the very gay ghost, left my house for good. I hadn’t seen anything since then, but I now knew that humanity didn’t walk this planet alone. The dead were also here, and I had a boyfriend whose entire purpose in life, besides loving me, was helping those spirits find peace.

He was amazing. He was beautiful, and he was all mine. I was his. A synergy that had changed both of us forever. I couldn’t imagine a life without him. How dull and dim it would be.

I gathered my stuff and threw the small duffel bag over my shoulder. A knock on the door made me chuckle. I walked over and opened the door to find my best friend standing there, grinning from ear to ear.

“D! What’s up, man?”

“You headed out?” He pointed to my bag. “I didn’t think you’d be going to work this late.”

“Not my work,” I chuckled.

His eyes widened. “Got it. I have news to share.”

“Yeah, what is it?” I stepped onto the porch and pulled the door shut behind me before locking it.

“You have time for dinner or a drink?” He ran his hands over his head and shifted his feet.

“Sadly, no. But I’m walking that way if you wanna join me.” I pointed towards Santa Monica Boulevard.

“Cool.”

I slapped him on his shoulder gently. “So, what’s up? I haven’t seen you for a little bit. Have you… uh… been busy with someone?”

“Not just someone, bro.” He laughed. “Maurice and I finally had a real breakthrough. “He decided that he was being a dick.”

“Really? Well, it’s about time.” I nodded, already knowing what was happening.

“Yeah, seems like he got some texts from a friend of mine telling him all about love.” He frowned and grabbed me by the arm. “That could have gone poorly, you know?”

“Yet, it didn’t. I didn’t really do much of anything at all except tell him about me and Archie and the power of giving yourself over to love. That was all.”

“Thank you, J. We’re not moving in together, but… We’re back, baby.”

“You’re welcome, Daveed. God, this sunset is going to be stunning tonight. I’m glad that it’s finally started to cool down, though. Even the leaves are beginning to fall.” We walked in silence for a bit.

“You and ghost boy… er… Archie is… I’m glad that I hired him. I mean, your ghost is gone, and you seem so happy.”

“I am. I know it’s only been a few weeks, really, but I love him, D. I can’t imagine a life without him now.”

“You two are perfect together. Even I can see that. I’ve never known you to be so… carefree and light. How are you feeling now?”

“Are you asking if I can still see ghosts? No. It’s a little weird. I kind of miss it. I shouldn’t, but I do a little. Having that connection like Archie has to them – to be able to help them, it’s noble.”

“It still scares the fuck out of me. If the house says get out, you do what?”

“Leave,” I chuckled. “Now, I… It’s different. I'm not as scared of it as I was before. Besides, I have Archie.”

“That you do. Speaking of…” He nodded towards the corner where Archie stood with his hands in his pockets and a light sweater thrown over his shoulders.

I grinned as we approached my very handsome boyfriend. He looked both ways before crossing the street, looking like a million bucks. God, he was so beautiful to me. I opened my arms as we approached, and he ran into them, wrapping me in his own.

“Hi, boyfriend.”

“Hi, boyfriend.” He giggled.

“You two are too fucking cute. Would you two like to go to dinner with me and Maurice this week? He really wants to meet you.”

“Sounds great,” Archie replied happily. “I can’t wait to finally meet him. So does that mean…”

Daveed nodded. “Yep. Seems that since meeting you, Jack here has a way with words of love.”

“I know.” Arch grinned and kissed me on the cheek.

“What are you two up to?” Daveed looked at us. “Is it date night?”

“I have a new client and apparently a new assistant,” he said proudly, taking my hand in his.

“It’s a poltergeist,” I added.

“Isn’t that the kind of ghost that… uh… moves things and causes… Isn’t that dangerous?” Daveed’s eyes grew wide. He worried, and that meant he was the best of friends. I was lucky.

“Someone’s in need, bro. I’m not letting Archie go in there alone.”

“I am shooketh,” Daveed laughed. “Aren’t you scared?”

“No, bro. I'm with Archie. Ready?” I looked at my love and felt my heart fill with him.

“Let’s go.”

We had a family to help and a spirit to show the way home.

My life was fulfilled.

THE END