Page 19 of Just in Time
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The walkto town wasn’t that long, really. But it was made longer by the route we had to take and the heat hanging thick in the air. Seriously. Why was it so hot? This was making me long for the chilly wind we’d left in the present.
We finally made it there, though, stepping into the building that felt wrinkled and waterlogged in the thick heat. The beaded floor creaked under my feet as we followed Indy around as he grabbed milk, eggs, oatmeal, bacon and a bag of cornmeal.
He paid cash for everything, with us hanging back. Brody was staring at the ceiling like he didn’t want to look at anyone. And it struck me as odd until I realized he didn’t want to look at anyone he knew.
He likely knew the middle-aged owner of the general store. The one who was spitting tobacco juice into a glass soda bottle. And the older lady sweeping the porch and waving at Indy as he left, paper bag in his arms as he walked over to a truck parked across the street. “This is mine,” he said, waving us over. “Door’s unlocked.”
I let Brody climb in first, even if it meant I was squished against the door when we finally started driving.
“You coulda let her sit there, man…” Indy said with a smirk.
Brody’s eyes narrowed at the suggestion.
“Whoa, nothing funny, I promise…” Indy continued. “Just cuz… you know… she’s smaller than you… might be more comfortable… but I mean, it’s okay if you’re… you know… wanting to do what you’re doing.” The longer he spoke, the more awkward he sounded, even going so far as to shift in his seat to get further away from Brody.
I reached over and squeezed Brody’s leg. He glanced over at me and I raised my eyebrows, hoping he’d translate my subtle body language into the ‘cool it before you make him wreck the truck’ that I wanted it to be.
He sighed heavily and nodded once, seeming to get my drift.
“She likes the window side,” Brody said slowly. “Gets hot.”
“Ah, cool cool. I get that… specially sandwiched between a couple of shifters, amiright?” He grinned widely and I could almost swear I saw Brody shiver. “That window works, if you need to roll it down, sweetheart,” Indy said.
The nickname rolled off his tongue like he’d said it over and over again.
It made my toes curl in my shoes. Same way it did when Brody called me ‘sugar’.
He was the one to grip my hand this time.
“Thanks,” I said softly, reaching for the handle. I cranked it around and around, and the window went down, the breeze from the moving vehicle cooling my face, which was running kind of hot with all this talk of sandwiched between shifters.
A shifter sandwich.
With me filling.
I bit down on my bottom lip.
Stop it. Stop. He’s a filthy murdering shifter psycho.
We rode in the car for about ten minutes or so, I tried to remember of all the turns we made, but I lost track after three or so.
But soon, we were pulling into the dirt driveway in front of a very poorly kept, but actually very nice home.
It was clean inside, but the outside could use a good pressure washing.
We were directed to a side room off the main living room. It had what looked like a hide-a-bed sofa inside, as well as a TV. A really old TV, even by 1987 standards.
“The couch unfolds,” Indy said, gesturing vaguely at the thing. “I can help you tonight if you want. I gotta jet for now. I have a pack meeting, but I can help you pull it out before I go.” His eyebrows twitched as he stared directly at Brody.
I rolled my eyes as I realized just what it was.
A challenge.
“I think I can handle a hide-a-bed,” Brody said, his voice low and growly again.
I had to admit, that growly voice did things to me. Mostly because the only time I’d ever heard it before now was in the bedroom, usually coming from between my legs as he did things with that mouth that I’d be too embarrassed to relay in polite company.
My eyes flitted to him, his shoulders square as he attempted to make himself as big as possible. Placing himself between me and Indy, who was grinning that crooked smile, eyes flashing at what he probably saw as a fun conquest.
“Guys…” I said, my voice raspy and low. “Take it outside if you’re gonna measure ‘em…”
I didn’t expect Brody to accept my terms. I expected him to let Indy off with a warning growl and that would be the end of it.
But thatwasn’tthe end of it.
He simply nodded, taking a step towards Indy, who backed out the door and left the room.
Brody followed and I was left to either figure out the fucking hide-a-bed on my own or follow both of them outside.
