"I see."

Jack didn't like Benoit's contemplative tone. It painted a much more troubling picture for Augie than he'd intended. He wanted something along the lines of time out and a slap on the wrist, not possible mutilation. Maybe a kick in the balls, but a broken neck was probably equivalent. "Please don't chop his head off. He's a loser, but, uh, yeah. I'm really torn on this whole thing. Like, I get it. I cyberstalk 'cuz I'm a little freak, too. On the side. Sometimes. I found Augie's death certificate this morning and the house he grew up in. I'm sorry."

"Oh, Augustin. I thought I'd taught you better." Benoit sighed and slowly shook her head.

"Maybe Kieran's his own brand of catnip," Jack offered, "so being smart goes right out the door. Am I just as bad?"

"Have you broken any laws in your endeavor to reunite with him?" she asked with a small smile.

"Uh, public records are public?" Jack laughed nervously and set his cup down to focus on grabbing the cake. That would be safe to hold and keep his hands busy. "His ghost invited me inside to eavesdrop on an argument. Does that count?"

"His ghost?"

"Resident ghost? She's nice." Taking a bite from the cake, he felt like he could get through the rest of the conversation with no problems. He could even come back and be subjected to more new teas and cake.

"More tea?"

Jack nodded and watched as Benoit filled his cup. He glanced around the room, half expecting to see a creepy doll, but only finding shelf upon shelf of books and knick knacks. A cozy fireplace, comfy chairs, too many books to go through in one night… All that was missing was a certain vampire. "Out of curiosity, are reading parties a thing?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand." Benoit busied herself with taking a bite from her own cake as she thought. "Harold and I would sit for hours reading beside one another. So, yes?"

It was close to what he envisioned, and he was already halfway there with watching movies on the couch with Kieran. He stared at his empty plate in dismay before setting it down to grab up the teacup once more. He'd said dumber things in front of Benoit, and she'd taken it all in stride. He hoped she wouldn't judge him too harshly for his romantic little fantasy.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"What about someone reading a book aloud to another someone? Actually comprehending the book is optional." Despite the extra warmth from the fire, Jack knew his face was bright red. He could only hope that Benoit wouldn't call him out on it and tease him. "I have a very specific image in my head. It goes with old-timey pictures of people gathered around someone reading."

Benoit nodded to herself as she looked away. "You are correct, dear Jack. O'Byrne draws a certain type to himself."

"Pathetic loser?"

"I would not wish to insult you by grouping you with others who happen to have the same interests," Benoit tightly replied.

Jack nodded and stared at the cup in his hands. "No, I know what I am. I mean, I shouldn't give us another chance, but I kinda cut it short the first time around," he said quietly. "And then I jumped at dating Augie to kinda get over Kieran, and he used me to make Kieran jealous, but he didn't know we had history, so that was weird."

He looked up, caught Benoit's contemplative gaze, and looked away. "He suggested a threesome when I broke up with him. Because I didn't wear body spray."

"Hm." She nodded and looked past Jack.

He quickly looked over his shoulder and saw nothing. "I have problems, and I like to make them worse."

"So it would seem. I'll have a word with Augustin."

"Sorry." He hadn't meant to shatter her view of her pseudo-son.

"The fault lies with him, and I've been blinded by my own affection," she admitted with a heavy sigh.

"It's not just him. Kieran needs to get off his ass and tell Augie there's no chance of getting back together," Jack said with more venom than he'd meant to. He cleared his throat and sipped at his tea. "Candy's advice. And I agree with her. I trust Kieran, but not Augie."

Benoit set her half-finished cake aside and waved to the doorway. "Beauregard?"

"Yes, madam?"

Jack flinched into himself at the sudden voice from just behind him. He looked up to see the butler standing off to the side, looking just as stern as ever.

"Would you be so kind as to fetch Augustin?"

"With pleasure," Beauregard said lightly as he nodded and quickly left.

"Oh, dear." Benoit touched her fingers to her lips and shifted her eyes to Jack. "I've been worse than I thought. I do apologize for any trouble he has caused."

Jack shrugged. "Coulda been worse. He coulda done more than, uh," he circled a finger around his temple, "nudging and suggesting I forget he fucked up."

"I suppose, but his actions so far are doing him no favors, I assure you."

Jack shifted in his seat and sunk further into it. He could just make out Augie's voice down the hall, jovial and much too nonchalant. "When you talk to him, he knows me as Kyle," he whispered.

Benoit nodded in approval. "You're learning. Good."

image [https://i.imgur.com/eZY0YUq.png]