Page 73 of Heatwaves

“Lila’s been especially worried about him. She doesn’t like to talk with me about the four of you, but most of what she’s mentioned has been worrying about him. She didn’t like the way he shut down.”

I scoff. “None of us like the way he shut down, but there’s only so much we can do.”

Wyatt holds up his hands. “That wasn’t an attack against you. I don’t doubt that you’re doing what you can for him. I was more telling you, so you know she’s still thinking about you—still worrying about you.”

“She’s worried about me?” Ty’s voice startles us, our heads snapping to face him. His eyes are still hazy as he stares unblinking at Wyatt.

He nods. “She is. I can tell it’s eating at her.”

Ty continues to hold Wyatt’s gaze, the corner of his mouth ticking up for a moment before falling away. He doesn’t say anything else as he turns to stare blankly up at the TV on the wall.

“That’s the first time we’ve heard him speak since the day Lila sent us packing,” I tell Wyatt, but I keep my eyes on Ty. Hope rises in my chest.

Maybe this will all work out, and we’ll be able to convince Lila we’re truly sorry—that we want to spend the rest of our lives with her.

And the incubus, I guess.

“I’m glad you brought him. Maybe hearing the plan will help pull him out of wherever he’s hiding away.” Wyatt’s voice cracks, causing me to flick my gaze to him. He’s watching Ty asif his heart is breaking for a man he doesn’t know. He blinks and forces a smile as our eyes clash. “Take care of him. I’m sure you know he’s hurting, but I’m not sure you realize just how bad it is for him. He’s losing himself.”

“H-how,” I stutter, staring at the other man.

A self-deprecating smile spreads across his lips. “All everyone ever remembers about incubi is that we feed on sex. The thing everyone forgets is desire isn’t the only thing we can read. We can feed off every emotion anyone can feel. Sexual desire is just the easiest and most fulfilling. I try to block out other people’s emotions as much as I can, but there are some people who feel something so strongly, it’s impossible to ignore. Ty’s sorrow is almost overwhelming.”

Fuck.

My eyes flicker back to Ty, who shows no indication he’s heard what we’re talking about. I know he’s hurting, but the way Wyatt is making it sound, it’s so much worse than that.

“There was a flicker of hope when I mentioned her being worried about him, but his sorrow swallowed it whole before it had a chance to take hold. Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s clear he loves you and you love him.”

With that, Wyatt pushes to his feet. He glances at Ty again, pain written on his face as tears fill his eyes. He shakes his head and by the time he meets my gaze again, all of those emotions are gone—almost as if they’d never been there before.

“Thank you, Wyatt.” I hold my hand out, smiling when the other man shakes it. “We knew we needed to do something, but we didn’t know what. Unfortunately, we don’t know Lila as well as we’d like to—something we’ll remedy as soon as she allows us to—so your help is just what we needed. You’re a good man. One I’ll be happy to call a co-mate when the time comes.”

“Same with the four of you,” he says, squeezing Oliver’s shoulder as he nods at Aidan. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, but she’s worth it.”

The three of us watch him leave before I glance between Aidan and Oliver. “We can do this.”

“We have to do this,” Aidan confirms. “Because he’s right. She’s totally worth it.”

“Yeah, she is,” Oliver adds, and I’ve never loved my pod more than I do right now.

We might be a little broken and more than a little fractured, but on this, we agreed. We’d do anything to win Lila’s forgiveness.

I’m buried in a mound of paperwork when my phone rings, startling me. I blink at it for a few seconds before realizing it’s Haley.

“Yes, Haley?”

“Sorry to bother you, but lunch was just delivered for you.”

Frowning, I tilt my head even though I know my assistant can’t see me. “That’s weird. I didn’t order anything. Did you?”

“Nope. It wasn’t me. I was just getting ready to come see what you wanted me to order when they dropped it off.” Haley seems just as perplexed as I am. “It’s from that Chinese place you love. I checked, but there isn’t a note or anything.”

“Hmmm…Well, I’m not going to let it go to waste. Bring it into my office?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll bring it in just a second. There’s a call I need to answer first.”

I roll my eyes when she hangs up without another word. I wonder who’s ordering me lunch. I guess it could be one of my parents? Or maybe Wyatt? That seems like something he would do. After all, he knows how easy it is for me to forget to eat when I get lost in my work, but that’s part of the reason I hired Haley. She always makes sure I eat.

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