Page 114 of Seer
I heard him talking to Lloyd, debating how to get me to my apartment since I was apparently covered in blood. I was happy to let them deal with all that.
Cal moved around as he dug out his wallet and told the human to take his business card and he’d talk to him tomorrow and explain everything. The guy—oh, that must be Mia’s boss—promised to delete the security camera footage from tonight.
Cal said, “Thanks, but will that send any alerts to your corporate office?”
The guy snorted and said, “No, the system’s ancient. It’s all saved locally on a hard drive. I’ll just get one of the industrial magnets from aisle 13 and delete everything.”
I lifted my head and studied the guy, whose name was escaping me. “You have good problem-solving skills.”
He grinned, his eyes twinkling. He didn’t have magic, but he could still sparkle.
“I should. I was in the Army for twenty years, and I might not love this job, but it’s certainly taught me even more about logistics and management.”
I smiled at him. “My mom wants to retire.” I put my head back down on Cal’s shoulder.
“Uh, that’s nice for her?”
Cal’s chest moved up and down. “I’ll tell you about that tomorrow too.”
Someone helped Cal lift me and carry me to the car bridal style. I wanted to make a joke, but my eyelids were too heavy for my lips to form the words.
Cal put me in the passenger seat and kissed my cheek as he pulled the seat belt across my lap.
The rear door opened, and Cal had a long argument with Ms. Jackson since she wouldn’t fit in the car in her dragon form. He was also very good at problem-solving. I relaxed into the seat.
A minute later arms lifted me out of the car. But it was Lloyd, not Cal. I struggled a little, and managed to get out, “Where’s Cal?”
A soft blanket was tucked around me, and Cal put his hand on my face. “I’m right here. I overdid it on arm day today, so Lloyd offered to carry you to the apartment.”
“Huh,” I muttered. I didn’t want to put my head on Lloyd’s shoulder, but my neck still hurt, so I gave in and did it anyway.
Lloyd said, “It’ll take time before you can be apart from each other for very long.”
My stomach growled.
“The pizza’s on its way, Greg,” Cal said. His voice was so sexy, all rumbling and low.
Lloyd laughed, and Cal said, “I like your voice too, Greg.”
A minute later we were in the apartment. Cal took the soft blanket away. I protested, but he said, “I’m putting it on the couch so you can sit here until the pizza arrives. Then we’ll get you a shower and go to bed. Okay?”
I grunted, but Lloyd set me down on the blanket as promised.
Ms. Jackson jumped up beside me, now in a tiger form that was larger than their former panther form. They licked the side of my face, then they wrinkled their upper lip and coughed.
“I’ve got it, Ms. Jackson. Here, drink some of this.”
I opened my eyes to see what he was giving me, but he was holding a bowl out for Ms. Jackson instead. They lapped at the water briefly then sat down on the couch next to me.
The sound of my jerk neighbors playing video games came from next door, and I scowled. They should be quiet so I could sleep.
Cal took a dish cloth from his shoulder and dipped it into the water bowl before wiping my hands and face with it. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and I made a noise of appreciation.
Cal froze. “Am I hurting you?”
I scrunched up my face. “No. Sexy.”
He blinked. Then he smiled. “Okay. I think you’re sexy too.”
