Page 14 of Wrong Number, Right Lion

Stephen washed up his mug and leaned against the sink. “What are you afraid of?”

That he’d leave and I’d never see him again.

“I’m going, but I suggest you consider what I’ve said.” He picked up his keys and left, the door banging behind me. He strode past Kalen without acknowledging him and drove off.

Thank gods he’d gone ‘cause he was annoying me. I wandered into my makeshift office but sat staring at the blank computer screen. Hours passed and I buried myself in my work, but a question continued popping up in my head. What if I did ask Kalen, and did I want to know the answer?

I crept into the kitchen because some of the floorboards squeaked, and I peeked out the window. Kalen was headed this way, and I squatted on the floor, hoping he hadn’t seen me.

“Arlo, are you here?”

8

KALEN

I wasn’t sad to see the man leave. Not in the slightest. And he might not know that I was a shifter or what a shifter even was, but he must’ve sensed I was a threat on some level because he didn’t come anywhere near me. He came across as the type of guy who would go out of his way to get me riled up again.

He did slam the house door and the car door and glared at me as he backed out, so it was safe to say he still wasn’t a fan of mine.Same, buddy. Same.I did, however, prefer his temper fit to another confrontation, and it was safer for him. It was getting harder and harder to keep my lion from at least showing through my eyes, if not through my claws or my scent. If he’d come over to be a dick again, I’d have had to leave or risk him seeing things he shouldn’t as a human.

I’d made two complete rounds looking for nails without getting a single nail before calling it done. I’d keep the magnet pole in the car and try again tomorrow, just to be safe. But I was feeling pretty good about the cleanup.

After securing it in the trunk, I went back into the house to let Arlo know that I was leaving for the day. I wasn’t sure how badthings had or had not gotten with his boyfriend, but from the way he was staring at the door as I walked in, I suspected it was for sure not sunshine and roses. But also… I couldn’t quite read his face. Was he scared, disappointed, tired?

“Hey, I just wanted to let you know the roof is done. If you wanted to come out and see it.” I slapped on my happy face, acting as if I hadn’t even met his boyfriend.

“I trust you.” He very much didn’t sound like he did.

“Okay, I can send you pictures.” Trust me or not, he’d need those for the insurance company.

“It’s fine.” Which never, ever, ever, in the history of ever, meant it was fine. Not a single time.

“And I did the best I could with the nails. I don’t think there are any left, but maybe just be a little cautious until I check it a few more times. If you’re going out barefoot.”

He didn’t meet my eyes the entire time, instead looking at the spot right above me.

“It’s a muddy mess. I won’t be out there without shoes.”

Something was definitely wrong. What did that man say to him? Now I wished he had come over to me so my lion could scare him.

“Hey,” I took a couple of steps closer, and when he didn’t move, I decided it was safe to cross over the rest of the way to him. “Is everything okay? For real? You just seem… off.”

He closed his eyes and took a few breaths before answering me. “Why did you help me?”

Yep, this was 100% that guy’s fault. Whatever he had said had Arlo doubting my sincerity. Crap.

“Because you called me. And you needed help.” It was the truth. Sure, he was my mate, but I couldn’t think of a scenario where I wouldn’t have stepped up. Not with a message like he left.

“That’s what I thought. I don’t understand.” He cracked his eyes open. This time I could read them… fear. But not fear of me or the beast he might be sensing within me. No. This was fear of my answer, and I didn’t quite understand the question.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… it’s not because… because you’re interested in me?”

Oh. Did that mean he felt it too? Please let it be that he felt it too. But also, it could be that liking him was a bad thing and admitting it would get me kicked out. Given he had a boyfriend, I opted not to answer the question, but instead let him know my intentions as much as I hated them.

“Listen, I promise you, I’m not trying to intrude on your relationship.” As much as I wished it didn’t exist.

“My relationship?” He tilted his head to the side.

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