Page 23 of Heat Clickbait
The words hit deeper than expected, and I felt Nova's fingers find mine, a silent support that didn't intrude on the conversation.
"I need to process more before I can talk about it properly," I said finally.
"Take your time. I'm not going anywhere." Her voice warmed. "But when you're ready, I want all the details. For science."
"For gossip, you mean."
"That too. I'm only human." She paused. "Well, technically I'm a digital fox, but you get it."
"Speaking of, how's the streaming going?"
"Deflection! Classic Callie." But she went with it. "Good. That ASMR series you suggested is doing numbers. Turns out people really want a fox girl to whisper about sound engineering at them."
"Because you make it weirdly soothing."
"It's a gift." Another pause. "Seriously though, you good?"
I looked around the nest, at Milo's concerned hovering, Ghost's silent support, Crash's chaotic energy, Blitz's protective presence, Nova's steady strength.
"Yeah," I said, meaning it. "I'm good."
"Then I'll let you get back to... whatever it is you're doing."
"Eating," I said as Milo pushed another plate toward me. "Lots of eating."
"Good. You always forget when you're stressed." Her voice went stern. "And Callie? Next time something this big happens, maybe don't wait three days to call?"
"I promise."
"Liar. But I love you anyway."
"Love you too, Z."
After I hung up, the nest felt oddly quiet. Five pairs of eyes watched me with varying degrees of concern.
"That's Zia," I said unnecessarily. "She's..."
"Your real friend," Nova finished. "Not just an industry connection."
I nodded, throat tight. "One of the only people who knew me before. When I was nobody."
"You were never nobody," Milo said firmly, and I felt the conviction through our bond.
"She seems protective," Ghost observed quietly.
"She is. She once chased off an Alpha who was harassing me at a convention with nothing but a wireless mic and determination."
"I like her already," Crash declared. "Anyone who threatens violence for you is good people."
My phone buzzed with a text.
Zia: Forgot to mention. Luke says hi. Yes, THAT Luke. Yes, I know his editor. No, I won't give Michelle his number. She needs to work for it.
I laughed, showing Nova the message. "She knows everyone in the industry. It's actually terrifying."
"Useful though," he mused, already probably calculating networking opportunities.
But that was future Callie's concern. Right now, surrounded by pack and knowing my best friend was still my best friend despite everything, I felt something settle in my chest. The outside world was still chaos, but my inner circle, the people who actually mattered? They were solid.
