Page 31 of The Bull's Head

The urge to say something was on Callum’s tongue, but he bit it back and instead chose to nod toward the clothes. “Think we should get dressed?”

That made Teddy grin. “We definitely should. I’d like to take you out today, if you think you’re up to it.”

After years as a bull stuck in this hellhole? “Yes, please.”

“Then if we get the okay from Dr. Hamilton, we’ll head into town. It’s not a big place, but there are a few shops I found that might be of interest.”

Byk snickered. “Let me guess. They sell sweet things.”

Teddy ducked his head, but not before Byk noted his red stained cheeks. “Man, only just shifted back, and you’ve already got my number.”

There was so much to enjoy with Teddy. He might look imposing—and he was—but there was also a sweetness there. Honestly, Byk couldn’t see him as a bodyguard, because he couldn’t imagine this gentle giant hurting anyone.

Teddy smacked Byk lightly on the thigh. “Get dressed. I want to see your new clothes.”

After he moved the tray to the center of the bed, Byk stood. He looked at the clothes they’d brought him and pulled out a shirt that spoke to him. It was split down the center with two different colors, blue and red.

“Interesting choice.”

Byk shrugged. “It reminds me of my bull. Blue is placid, but red is more aggressive. Like, you know, don’t wave a red flag at a bull kind of thing.”

The fact that he had a body to actually wear clothes made it so much better.

Watching Byk touch everything was more fun than the trip, at least for Teddy. He had to put his hands on every piece of fabric they passed, sometimes mumbling comments about how soft they were, or how they didn’t seem to be sturdy enough to actually wear. When he spotted a teal blue sweatshirt, his eyes lit up.

“Like that?” Teddy asked.

“It’s my favorite color” came the hushed reply.

“And will it fit you?”

“Well, it says it’s three XL, so yeah.”

But Byk was nowhere near big enough for this sweatshirt. Not anymore.

“Byk? That won’t fit you. You’ll swim in it.” Teddy put a hand on the ribs he’d seen sticking out as Byk dressed. “Right now, you’re probably closer to a medium, or maybe even a small.”

The pink lip jutted out, and Teddy could see the shine in Byk’s eyes. This trip had been a mistake. It reminded him of things he couldn’t have or maybe never did. Teddy reached for a trembling hand.

“Hey, I?—”

He spun, and his eyes narrowed. “Who the fuck are you?”

The words were spat with such vehemence that it caught Teddy off guard. He reached for Byk again, but this time he was shoved back and ended up on the floor, barely missing one of the displays.

Byk’s fingers curled into a fist. He bent and grabbed Teddy by the front of the shirt. “Don’t fucking touch me, faggot!”

It so shocked Teddy, he didn’t even consider defending himself when the first punch landed on his cheek, just below the eye. Around him, customers were scrambling to get out of the way. Teddy continued to lay there as Byk hammered his face. When he finally let Teddy go, he snorted, stood, and wiped a hand over his hair, then strode out of the store.

Teddy got to his feet and pulled the phone from his pocket. He tapped Mal’s name and had only a moment to wait before he answered. “Something’s wrong with Byk—Callum,” he rushed out. “He acted like he didn’t know me, and then he….”

“He what?” Mal demanded.

Even though he had to say it, Teddy didn’t want to. “He tried to beat me.”

Mal growled. “I’m on my way. Tell me where to go.”

Teddy told him the name of the store. “I have to find him.”

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