Page 42 of A Furry Thing Called Love
“Everything I said was true,” he says not so quietly.“Dad is trans and had me himself.I don’t care about that.But I do care about being traumatized because my parents make sex jokes!”
“You’re the one that asked me if I took my T regularly enough, and was very interested in my future surgery plans,” Luka tells him as he takes a seat next to the teen.“Because, and I quote“I like being the spoiled only child.”You were worried we’d have another baby and replace you, or some dramatic shit.”
Callum shrugs.“It’s true, though.”
“Okay, but can we not scare Arlo off?”Denver says as they take their seat.“We’d like for him to come back.”
“What about me?”Jordan protests.
“We’re related,” Luka informs him.“Which means you’re stuck with all this.”
“I’d apologize for this,” Rory says as he brings in the food.“But well, this is actually them behaving.”
“Oh please,” Luka says.“As if you didn’t contribute to this.”He waves his hand at Callum.
Rory smirks.“I’m the innocent one.”
“Bullshit,” Graeme says, taking the seat on the other side of Callum.“You’re the reason he is the way he is.”
“Pot meet kettle.”Denver points at Graeme.“You’re quieter, but still sassy as fuck, Grae.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Valery sighs and leans over Jordan to talk to me.“Really, if you need to run, tell me now, because it’ll only get worse from here.”
“No, I love it.”And I really do.It reminds me of my family.Well, of me and my sister.And…I didn’t realize how much I needed that sense of normalcy.
It’s perfect; they’re perfect.I will never not be grateful for Jordan and him wanting to share his family with me.
Reaching under the table, I grab his hand, squeezing it tight, hoping it says some of the words I can’t speak aloud…at least not yet.
Chapter22
Jordan
“Didyou know that king penguins are the second largest penguin species, and have been recorded as able to dive up to three hundred meters while foraging?They’re also one of the least endangered species there is, with increasing numbers compared to their counterparts,” Callum imparts as we walk to the Bird’s World exhibit, where there are different habitats for various species of birds.
“They don’t even have penguins here,” Luka reminds the teen gently.
“Yet,” Callum shoots back.“They’re expected to come in the spring, and I amsoexcited!”
“Are you going to do something with animals in the future?”Arlo asks.
Callum shrugs.“I’m not sure.I have an aunt who’s a vet.I don’t see her often, but I’ve been to her clinic before.It’s interesting, but I don’t know if my heart could handle having to take care of the really sick ones, ya know?”
“That makes sense.I don’t think I could do it, either.”
“How’d you know you wanted to be a dog trainer?”he asks me as he holds the door open for Arlo, so he can push himself through into the exhibit building.
I shrug.“I had a few dogs growing up, and I was the only one really interested in them.I fed them, cared for them, and trained them.It was a lot of fun, and I realized I got along with dogs far more than I did with people.I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m not a complete introvert like Luka, but sometimes, animals are easier.”
“I’m not that bad,” my cousin protests.
“Only because Den and Da won’t let you be,” Cal says with a wide grin.
“I should leave you here,” Luka tells him.“You’ll fit right in with your precious gorillas.”
“That’s not a threat.”
