Page 16 of Spike

SPIKE

I could feel their gazes on the three of us even as we exited the roadhouse, and I didn't let my guard down for a single second.

Still, I couldn't shake off Juan's disappointed and cold gaze.

When he and Katherine saw me by Austin's grave, Juan assumed I would bring nothing but trouble, and in a way, he was right. Well, it didn't matter now.

I focused on Gray, who stopped in his tracks and stared at a battered black sedan, his, I presumed.

He mentioned his car breaking down while he was trying to get to the Dirty Stallion, I recalled.

Before I could offer Gray a ride, Nitro grabbed me by the shoulder, and I looked at my very angry best friend.

"What were you thinking, Spike?" Nitro demanded.

"I wasn't," I admitted.

"That's the problem. You always act before you think,” Nitro pointed out.

"A lecture, here of all places?" I asked, a little irritated. "We aren't even in the clear yet."

At those words, Nitro looked over his shoulder. A couple of Juan's bears had exited the roadhouse and were loitering by the door.

Both shifters had their guns with them and I had a feeling they weren’t shy about using them.

"We'll discuss this once we're back home," Nitro said, walking over to his Harley.

"Can't wait," I muttered under my breath.

"I really couldn't apologize enough for everything that had happened," Gray began, but I raised a hand and he quieted.

"Gray, I don't regret stepping in," I told him, searching his eyes. "You're worth the trouble."

Gray let out an unexpected laugh, easing any tension between us.

"You don't even know me," Gray said. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

"I'd like to know more about you,” I said, making my intentions known.

Gray blushed a little, and at that moment, he looked so cute I could eat him right up. What was this strange fluttering in my stomach?

My heart raced a little faster when I spoke and looked at him. Was I... into Gray?

Romance should be the last thing on my mind right now. I focused on the problem on hand and tried picturing myself in Gray’s shoes.

"You should stay with family and friends, keep off radar a little while, until Jack forgets all about you," I said.

"I..." Gray began, hesitated. "My dad died five years ago. Being on the road so much, I don't have any time to make friends. I'm basically on my own."

The confession seemed to shame him. Reflex made me put my arms around him and pull him close in a hug. Gray didn't pull away; he simply let me embrace him.

This was real nice, I thought. Gray gripped my t-shirt, saying nothing for a few seconds. Maybe it had been some time before anyone held him like this.

"I have an idea. Why don't you stay with me for a little while? At least until the heat clears?" I asked, suddenly struck with inspiration.

"With you?" Gray asked rather tentatively.

Then, I remembered how he got into this mess in the first place—Jack offered him a bed and warm food, but he had strings attached.

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