putting on a fashion show. So… why are we growing roots in the shoe store?”
Shepherd jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Waiting for the kid to decide.”
Wyatt tried on a pair of mirrored sunglasses from a standing rack. “I think he decided.”
We both turned.
Hunter balled up his fists and smiled from ear to ear. His shoes were neon pink with sparkly butterflies on the sides. His heels weren’t tucked all the way into the shoes, which were clearly too small for a boy his age.
The salesman noticed us looking and came to investigate. “Those are for girls. Are you a girl? Of course not. If you go over to the little-boys’ section, you’ll see the blue and green sneakers. Let’s put these back in the box before you get them dirty.”
Shepherd’s entire body went rigid. He stepped up to the salesman and squared his shoulders. “Box up those sneakers in his size or I’ll put you in a box.”
“Sir, those don’t come in a larger size.”
“What other colors you got in his size of that shoe?”
Roger huffed and scanned the shelves. “White, purple, and… No, that’s it. Just white or purple.”
“Butterflies?”
“Yes. But they’re little-girl—”
“Get them. Now.”
Roger snapped his mouth shut when he caught the volatile look on Shepherd’s face.
On the verge of tears, Hunter stepped out of the shoes and hung his head.
After the salesman left to run his errand, Shepherd sat down on a bench next to Hunter. “You wear whatever you want, little man. Stupid rules are for stupid people.”
Wyatt tucked his sunglasses inside a sneaker on display. “I once went through a phase of wearing an earring in my right ear. I had so many guys hitting on me. Maybe the penny loafers didn’t help, but I was in fashion.” He shrugged at me. “It was the eighties.”
When the salesman approached Hunter with the shoeboxes, Shepherd got up. “What’s your point?”
“It doesn’t mean he’s gay.”
Shepherd swaggered up to Wyatt, his voice low and dangerous. “So what if he was? Think I care?”
“I’m just saying you can be straight and play with dolls.”
“Or maybe you can be gay. Like I said, he’s my kid. He can wear whatever the hell he wants and grow up to kiss whoever the hell he wants.”
I rocked with laughter. “You say that now, but just wait until he brings home a Vampire.”
“Or a shoe salesman,” Wyatt added.
“Or a dominatrix,” I said, raising my bag.
Shepherd sighed. “You two knuckleheads wait outside while I pay.” He turned on his heel and barked at the salesman, “We’ll take both. And get him the blinking ones he was wearing earlier.”
Hunter’s eyes lit up when he realized he was going home with the shoes. As Roger gathered up all the boxes and tissue paper, Hunter ran to Shepherd and wrapped his arms around his middle. Shepherd’s gloved hand rumpled the little boy’s black hair.
As soon as Wyatt and I reached the balcony outside, I set down my bags and rested my arms on the metal rail. Weekdays weren’t very crowded, but I still enjoyed watching people going about their normal lives.
Wyatt tucked in the rest of his vintage green T-shirt with a Centipede game logo on the front. “Malls used to be hot spots, but that was before your time.”
“I’m surprised this one is still around since most of them are closing.”
“Not in Cognito. Immortals are the only ones keeping these places alive. We’re nostalgic and like to hold on to relics from our past. One day when you’re older, you’ll understand.”
“Whatever you say, grandpa.”
Wyatt watched a man trying on a hat down below. “Immortals do a lot of shopping here, and a few of them own some of the little stores. Like that arcade I was in. The owner’s a Shifter who was once a pinball champion. I guess you’ve never heard of pinball.”
I turned my gaze at a tall blond man walking jauntily toward the food court on our right. Did he have golden eyes? A Vampire smiled up at me from the jewelry shop on the first floor.
“Quit eavesdropping,” I muttered. “Mind your own damn business.”
He feigned a look of surprise before steering his black eyes away.
“Immortals, huh? No wonder everyone looks like zombies,” I said.
“I’m just bummed they shut down the cookie shop. Everyone’s trying to be healthy,” Wyatt said, making air quotes with his fingers.
“I think I just saw Niko by the glass elevator.” I picked up my bags and headed left.