Page 128 of My UnTrue Love
Bill made a disgruntled face, not loving that. Hehadjust vowed to do better, though. And the crying teenager wasn’t much of a rival, now that his coyote-form had retreated. And Luke was a distraction from Clem’s own fears. And he liked that she cited him as a reason her world was safe again. He supposed she could give Luke two minutes of attention, before he dragged her back into his embrace.
Bill sent Hank an aggrieved look, just so someone could acknowledge he was being downright magnanimous.
Hank rolled his eyes, not impressed with Bill’s restraint. “Clem, I gotta take your full statement about what happened.”
“In a sec.” She stopped next to Luke. “I’m going to hug you now, okay?”
“No, that’snotokay…” Bill began, but Clementine was already wrapping her arms around Luke’s waist.
Well, shit. Bill looked towards the ceiling in a silent bid for patience. He hadn’t promised to bethisGood.
Luke froze, like he’d never been hugged before. Probably he hadn’t. Coyotes weren’t big into physical affection, and theysure didn’t let their women hug other coyotes. The kid didn’t know how to react. His hands jerked away, scared to touch her. His red-rimmed eyes slashed over to Bill.
Bill waved a resigned sort of palm. “You might as well just hug her back. We’re not gonna get nowhere until she has her way.”
“Pretty much the Bunyon family motto.” Hank concurred.
Luke’s brow compressed. “Yeah, alright.” He muttered with completely fake reluctance. His arms carefully moved to encircle Clem, gauging how much pressure to use. He must’ve figured it out, because he let out a long sigh and his whole body seemed to relax around her. The kid topped her by a foot, but he just about melted into her smaller body.
“Thank you.” Clem said against Luke’s chest. “You were my hero today.”
He tried to shrug that aside, but it was hard for him to pull off “cool and unaffected” when he was all but cradled in her arms for comfort.
Bill’s mouth curved, watching another heartless coyote get tamed.
“Clem’s gotta way with teenage boys.” Hank said softly. “She had me and my brothers wrapped around her finger within a day of moving in. Seems like it will be the same with your brother.”
“Brother?” Clementine repeated in confusion. “Who? Luke and Bill?”
“That’s the impression I got.” Hank looked at Bill. “You didn’t know about him, I take it?”
“Nope.” He jerked his chin towards Luke’s face. “I once seen a picture of my pa, when he was a boy, though. Now that I think on it, Luke’s got his looks.”
Luke’s expression was agonized. “I look like him. But I’mnotlike him.”
“Hell of a coincidence that my long-lost sibling moved right next door to me.” Bill mused.
Luke flinched at the sarcasm, not letting go of Clem.
She sent Bill a chastising look over her shoulder, because he was being mean.
He arched a brow, because he was right and they both knew it.
She wrinkled her nose, because he should just be happy to know he had a little brother.
Bill shrugged, because they’d have to see how it went.
Her eyes narrowed.
Bill sighed.
Fine.
“I’m gonna guess Hop put you up to it, for some reason.” He speculated, helping the kid out with the story, because his compassionate mate silently asked him to. “Can’t imagine why he’d bother, since he’s gotta know that I don’t want to reunite with his deadbeat ass.”
“You’re a successful musician.” Luke eased his death grip on Clementine to look Bill’s way. “Pa always wanted that for himself. He can’t stand that you’re getting the chance that he didn’t. He saw you on the internet and just about lost his mind.”
“It amazes me that anyone would follow you on the internet.” Hank scoffed at Bill.
