Page 42 of Cider
“I’ve been around since the dark ages.” Jack sat down at the bottom of the tree, the snow cradling him as he continued to pet me. “I’ve seen the horrors that this world has to offer. Humans being the worst.”
I watched his expression. He looked haunted. My tail flicked along his cheek, bringing his attention down to me.
His lips softened, curling up. “I know I’m not nice. I don’t want to be. Titus is one of the few beings in this world that I get along with on occasions. Then you just appear in front of me. All curves, sass, and laughter. My heart’s desire. I panicked.” His index finger scratched just behind my ear. “What I said to you, both times, was cruel, and for that, I’ll be trying to make up for it for the rest of our lives, if you’ll keep me close.”
I licked his palm. He’d more than made up for his assholish ways. I could feel his sincerity.
Jack glanced up at the sky. “It’s starting to get late. Why don’t we head back? We can get the other two up and we can roast marshmallows at one of the fire pits outside on the patio.”
I yipped excited at the prospect but I let him hold me the way back to the room. I was comfortable and content to stay exactly where I was.
I’d be okay with my mates, no matter what came my way. I knew that now.
Chapter 21
The two days off seemed to fly by. I spent it mostly naked with my mates. The sex was hot. It was great. We cuddled, we laughed, we played video games.
Turns out, Titus could kick both Billy’s and my ass at most of the video games we all played. Jack refused to play. He said it was because technology bugged the shit out of him, but I think he just didn’t want to admit that he’d never actually played before.
I’d gotten a few updates from Igor. She’d been following Samuel since I’d sent her the text with the go ahead. She said that he was a disgusting human. His eating habits reminded her of a starving rabid racoon.
The only thing that she’d noticed that was out of the ordinary, was that he seemed to be able to answer questions before they’d even be asked. Every time.
I’d agreed with her that it was suspicious. For all that we knew, Samuel presented himself as human. He was certainly as greedy as a human. His uncanny creepiness aside, there was nothing outstanding about him. There was no obvious giveaway that he was anything but a standard human.
Quinten had texted me a few times. The delivery of supplies from Titus’ guy had arrived. It came at the right time. Quinten said he was down to just one gallon of my cider. I’d be making a ton when I opened the store the next day. Good thing Igor was going to come by to help in the front while I worked in the back.
“Why don’t you just come to our house for a few days?” Billy had his head in Titus’ lap. He’d already packed up his things last night. “You said this place practically runs itself, right?”
I watched as Titus offered a comforting smile to Billy. “I did say that.” He played with a stand of Billy’s hair. “I accept your invitation.”
My stomach fluttered. I squeezed Jack’s hand. “You’re coming, too. You can commute to work with me.”
Jack was flipping through his phone without his other hand. “I thought that was a given.”
“Good.” I pushed our shoulders together, laying my head on his chest. “It’s alright that you’re grumpy, you know? We don’t care.”
He set his phone down before stroking my hair. “I’ll get better with you. Probably Billy. Not Titus. Titus is a dick.”
I choked on my laugh as they both simultaneously flipped each other off. I think that meant future fights for dominance and I was here for it.
My phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number so I let it go to voicemail. Not more than five minutes later, the same number called again. This time I answered.
“Hello?” I sat up, away from Jack but kept our hands together.
“Hey, it’s Igor.”
I looked at the number that had called. “Igor? This isn’t your cell phone.”
“No,” Igor yawned. “It died on me. This is an old pay phone. Can’t believe it actually works. I’ve only seen them in old movies.”
“That’s interesting? Igor, what’s up?” If I didn’t get her to focus, she’d keep rambling. Jack raised a brow at me but I shook my head at him.
“I think I found out how Samuel got your secret recipe.” Igor started whispering into the phone, like she wasn’t alone. “When will you be back at the shop?”
“You found out? That’s great! We’ll leave now! I’ll call Quinten and he can have Lys meet us in the shop. See you soon?” I hung up and stood. “Guys! We need to go! That was Igor. She thinks she figured out how Samuel messed with my cider!”
Billy sat up as Titus leaned forward.
