Page 48 of Fastlander Fallen

“Because the sons my uncles sired weren’t dominant enough to hold the throne. I was born…different. My dad was the youngest of his brothers, and was not supposed to be in line for the throne. He was being pushed up the ranks of power because of me, and what I was supposed to be, but I wasn’t…I wasn’t what our people wanted. My mother wasn’t one of us.”

“So you’re like a hybrid shifter. Tell me more.”

He snorted. “Uuum. That’s a story for another day, friend.”

“Oh, right. Totally, friend. Are you ready for my update picture?”

“Born ready. Send it to me.”

“Whoo, I like when you get all bossy with me.” She cleared her throat. “As friends, of course.”

God, she was so damn cute. She liked him bossing her around? She would be fun in the bedroom.

A picture came in, and his eyebrows reached straight for his hairline. Damn. She was wearing skintight dark blue jeans over a pair of nude-colored heels, and a sleeveless red satin shirt that was tucked in. Her hair was halfway up and messy up top with a clip, but the bottom layer had crisp curls in it. Her makeup looked pretty.

“I’m still curling my hair. I do it in layers. I figured I would explain that since you don’t have sisters, and probably know nothing about women.”

“I know they apparently like bacon instead of flowers,” he joked.

“You heard that part?”

“I hear everything.” He poured a second cup of coffee into his thermos and screwed on the lid, then grabbed his keys and headed out. “Truck’s going to be loud, hold on.”

“I thought you rode a motorcycle.”

“Not all the time.” The engine roared to life, and her voice came on in the truck.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed my car, but I’m also doing pretty well for myself. It’s a Subaru Outback I’ve named Gertrude.”

He laughed as he pulled out of the driveway and headed down the road. “I saw her. Super nice.”

“How long does it take you to get to work?”

“Usually about twenty minutes, but I’m not going there today. My boss has someone covering for me and Captain while we’re in the interview process. There’s nothing to do for Gunner until later though, so Boss-Lady is sending me and Captain to scout out a possible location for the new Moosey’s Barbecue.”

“The same Captain I watched you brawl with?”

“Yep.”

“Well, that won’t be awkward.”

He laughed and told her, “It’ll be fine. I’m good at defusing situations like that. Captain will be fine. We may bleed a little to get there, but we’ll work it out.”

“So violent.”

“I forget you’re human sometimes. I could see how that could seem violent to you.”

“I mean, it’s actually pretty hot, in a friendship way, that you can fight. Are you headed toward Laramie?”

“Yep. I’ll be on the highway in five. What are you doing today?”

“Self-care day,” she said. “I’m running on copious amounts of coffee and adrenaline right now.”

“Adrenaline, why?” he asked.

“Because I’m talking to my new bestie.”

“Oh, God, you really like talking about friendzones, don’t you.”

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