Page 63 of Surge of Ice

He looks like an unhappy toddler as he goes to his dresser and pulls out clothes. It’s far too amusing to watch him struggleinto a white button-up shirt and slacks. He doesn’t know what to do with the buttons, so I show him, and then he’s off, dressing on his own, grumbling every step of the way.

When he’s done, he gives me a frustrated look. “Good?”

“Socks and shoes too, Sport.”

He dramatically throws himself back on the bed. “Now, my toes must be concealed? Are they like mini-penises in this new society?”

I laugh and go to his dresser, throwing a pair of socks at him. Then I choose one of the pairs of shoes that sits nearby and bring it over to him. “It’s just the way we do things. Now, shoes. We don’t want to be too late.”

He does as I ask, but struggles so much with the laces that I eventually kneel down and do them for him.

“You, Aydan, have always taken good care of me.”

I look at him in surprise. “Have I?”

He nods. “I was never sure what to do or what to say, but you were sure enough for both of us. I missed you.”

Standing, I try to hide my embarrassment. “Put the badge on. It’s the only way you’ll get the elevator, or any of the doors, to work without us with you.”

He does as I tell him to, but kneels down where the cat is hiding in the corner. “My little Miu, I shall return soon. Do not miss me too much.”

In return, the cat growls at him.

He looks up at me. “I am growing on her.”

I don’t know what he sees that I don’t, but I’m not sure that cat will ever be the fluffy companion he thinks she’ll be. The thing is, I don’t know if he’ll care. I get the feeling he’ll keep loving her, no matter how much she growls and hisses.

I head for the door, and Zane follows. We’re walking down the hall when he says, “Are you still mad at me for being with Sam?”

I glance back at the marks she left on his neck and feel my jaw clench so hard it pops. “I’m not happy about it.”

“That I expected,” he says with a nod. “As long as you do not hate me.”

I feel uncomfortable. “I… think you two could have waited longer.”

“Understood, but you do not hate me?”

My thumb rapidly pushes the elevator door, even though I’m not sure it does anything. “I don’t hate you.”

Suddenly, his head rests on my shoulder. Not sure what to do, I freeze up. This isn’t amanthing to do. Men don’t just sit with each other like this. He has to know that, right?

“I have missed you, my friend.”

I duck out from under his touch. “Got it.” Then I clear my throat.

The elevator arrives, and we get on without a word. Every time I glance over at Zane, weird thoughts move through my mind. He looks less wild and out of place in clothes. His face still looks like hell from us punching him though. The strange thing is, he doesn’t even seem upset about us punching him.

What’s with this guy? And do I kind of… respect him?

I don’t know.

Everyone else is already in the room, crowded around the table. Sam is sitting in the middle of Granger and Evander, so Zane and I take the big chairs, one of which is new, then look up at Dr. Duncan and Dr. Abigail. Instantly, I get a bad feeling. Neither scientist looks happy.

Dr. Abigail combs back her dark graying hair with her fingers and seems to study us for a minute before she starts talking. “There have been some… developments this morning.”

“What kind of developments?” Evander asks, instantly in “boss mode.”

Dr. Duncan turns to the TV and switches it on. The brown dragon and the salmon-colored dragon dominate the screen. We see footage of them blazing fire over streets and burning buildings while people run in terror. The images aren’t just from Oceanview. They seem to be attacking several different towns.

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