Page 37 of Hollyhocks

I don’t think he knows he has someone in his life that would doanythingfor him. No barrier exists that could stop me when it comes to protecting him.

“Ah, fuck it. Could be worse,” he talks to himself—which I notice he does more frequently than not.

It’s cute. I like it.

I sit my elbow on the middle console, holding my chin in my hand as I watch him.

“I could be dead,” he begins to list how it could be worse on his fingers. “I could have gotten into an accident.” He lifts another finger. “I could have ruined someone’s car somehow and then I would have had to pay for it. I could have an STD.” He shivers from the thought.

I curl my lip at him, wanting him to watch his mouth before I fill it with my tentacles.

“And that couldn’t have happened because I haven’t had sex in years. Not that I’d ever tell anyone but my doctor that.”

Oh, Doe Eyes. I fucked you so hard last night, you came twice.

I do love that he hasn’t been with anyone else in a while. Although, I still need to snag that list from his nightstand, so no exes pop up in our future.

I bet they will.

They always do.

“I could have fallen down the steps or burnt down my house,” he continues. “I mean, a sudden new birthmark isn’t bad. I’m alive. I’m well. I deserve ice cream after the morning I had, but I need coffee first. Coffee ice cream?” He ponders for a moment, wrinkling his nose when he decides against it. “Absolutely not. Coffee doesn’t belong in ice cream.”

I have to cover my mouth to stop myself from laughing at him.

“I’ll just go to Demi’s Diner. I’ll walk down when I get to the shop.” His phone rings, cutting off his conversation with himself. He presses a button on the steering wheel to answer, “Hey, Rhett. What’s up?”

Rhett is his friend, if I remember correctly. He is also a monster. I’m curious how he is a monster in broad daylight, and no one says anything about him. Is the town okay with beasts like me? Am I hiding for no reason?

“How did your doctor’s appointment go?” Rhett asks through the speaker.

I cover my ears to mute the sound of his voice.

I don’t like it.

“Oh, fine. She thinks it’s a birthmark that popped up or something. Nothing serious.”

She doesn’t know how serious I am. She will when I’m done with her.

“See? I told you everything was fine. What are you doing now?” Rhett asks.

“On my way to the garage. I have tires I have to change and usually those aren’t urgent, but the wires are showing. I’m not sure how this person was able to drive to the shop. The tires had to be sparking against the road.”

A heavy sigh sounds from his friend. “Well, it’s a good thing you found that urgent. I would have said too bad so sad. Alright, well, I just wanted to check-in. I might swing by the garage too. Mickey is getting sick of me hovering. I think it’s almost time. My beasts feel it.”

Beasts.

He’s more than one. How? How is that possible? I thought I was the only one like this.

“That’s great, Rhett!” Fitz cheers, pumping his fist in the air. “I’m so excited for you. I can’t wait to meet them. Do you or Mickey need anything? I can bring it. Any time of day or night.”

“I appreciate it. Right now, we are good, but I’ll let you know if that changes.”

“Alright, sounds good. I’m pulling into town now. I’ll see you later if you’re coming to the shop.”

“See you later.” Rhett disconnects the call just as we come to a stop at the same red light where I met the man who died in that horrible car accident.

Tragic.

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