Page 27 of Heatwaves

Ten years.

We were gone for ten fucking years, and the entire time, all we could think about was getting back to Lila. It’s not like we had much of a choice in leaving or staying away. There are so few people in any of the realms who know what we did to save the world—or worlds, I guess. I don’t even care about that, except when it comes to Lila.

There was always going to be a chance she moved on while we were gone, and I almost wish she had. I hate knowing that she was here on her own, and based on how she reacted to us, she’s not over what happened all those years ago.

We hurt her, and I hate it—even if it was out of my control.

“Are we going in or are we going to sit in the car for her heat?” Oliver asks, sticking his head between the seats to glance between me and Aidan.

Shoving his head back, I sigh. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

Once I’m out of the car, I realize Ty has made no move to climb out. Of all of us, he’s the one who’s had the hardest time dealing with being away for the last ten years. We’rethisclose to losing him to a depressive state. If Lila sends us away, I’m afraid it’ll be the last push he needs. But if we don’t at least try, then won’t that be worse?

Fuck.

I just don’t know what to do for him, and it’s driving me crazy. He’s pulled away from all of us over the last few years, and I just don’t know how to bring him back into the fold. I don’t know how to fix him. I don’t know if I can.

He hasn’t been intimate with us for nearly two years. It hurts, but it’s not something we’d ever pressure him about.

Squeezing my eyes shut against the tears threatening to pool in my eyes, I take a deep breath before moving to his door and opening it. “Ty?”

He blinks up at me, his eyes a little unfocused behind his glasses. “Hmmm?”

“We’re here, Ty. It’s time to get out of the car, baby, so we can see about helping Lila through her heat.”

“Right.” He hums before pushing out of the car. Instead of pausing next to Aidan and Oliver, he passes by them, heads straight up to the door, and rings the bell.

“Fuck,” I curse, slamming the door and rushing after my pod mates as we hurry to follow Ty.

We make it to the front door just as it opens, revealing a very naked, very attractive tattooed man. He’s at least as tall as Oliver, a few inches taller than my six-foot height, lithe, and packing muscles in just the right places with blond hair shaved close to his head on the sides but long and floppy on top and a heavy five o’clock shadow. He practically oozes sex as he glances around at the four of us. It doesn’t help that his cock is huge and erect—and tattooed.

Damn.

“Can I help the four of you?” Even his voice is sexy as sin. Who the hell is this guy?

Ty clears his throat, pushing his glasses up. “We’re looking for Lila.”

The man hums. “And you are?”

“Ty Williams. These are my pod mates—“

“Aidan, Carter, and Oliver. I know who you are. Now, tell me why the hell you’re at Lila’s house.”

Oliver snorts. “Are we really supposed to have this conversation while your very impressive cock is on display?”

He glances down, shrugging. “Yes.”

“Who the hell are you?” I snarl now that I’ve managed to stop checking out the man before me. Who is he to Lila, and why is he naked in her house? I don’t think he’s a whale shifter. He doesn’t have the right vibe. We’re not like land shifters who can often scent someone’s species. Our whales don’t have a sense of smell, so we’re practically human in that sense.

The man smirks. “Wyatt Dunn. Incubus and Lila’s best friend. Now that you know who I am, how about you answer my question?”

“We weren’t sure that Lila would have anyone to help her through her heat because of what happened when she realized we were there.” Ty’s words are quiet as he refuses to meet Wyatt’s eyes. “It’s our fault she didn’t meet anyone, and we don’t want her to go through it alone.But since you’re here, I guess she doesn’t need us.”

“Does Lila often sleep with her friends?” I snark, hating myself as soon as the words are out of my mouth.

“Considering the fact that her other friend is a female whale shifter—no. Things are different between the two of us. Not that I need to explain myself to the four of you. After all, you were the ones who abandoned her ten years ago.” Wyatt scoffs, shaking his head. “Let’s not get into that right now. As far as her heat goes, I don’t know if I can do it on my own. I’m only one man, after all. We’ve never done a heat with just the two of us. It would be easier on both of us if you joined, but that decision will be up to her.”

The four of us stand there in silence for a moment before Aidan takes a step forward. “Does that mean…”

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