Page 101 of Secret Shifters Next Door

I clenched my jaw as I turned to him. “Really? You’ll be the big bad dude? I’ve done fine without you the last fifteen years, and I think I can take care of myself for the next three months. Why don’t you act like I don’t exist? That shouldn’t be hard for you, since you’ve done exactly that since that night in the parking lot.”

He didn’t even flinch. He simply stood there and crossed his arms, looking tired. That actually pissed me off more than anything. He didn’t even seem to care. It was childish, but I’d wanted my words to sting, to hurt, to bring him just an ounce of pain. Even when I was trying to hurt him, I couldn’t.

Without another word, I turned away from my brother and Steff and stomped back toward my new house. Kellan called for me to stop, but I ignored him. Suddenly, home sweet home didn’t seem so sweet. In fact, it was the very last place I wanted to be.

SIX

STEFF

It was all I could to keep the smile off my face when she stormed off. April had always had a fiery temper. So passionate and intense. It was one of the things I’d always loved about her. But she’d hit the mark, though. It made me feel like shit to hear her say what she’d said, but it was all true. I couldn’t let the truth hurt me. I’d already tortured myself for years going over and over all the scenarios.

“Keep your eyes to yourself, Steffen,” Kellan growled, snapping me out of my thoughts. “I hate to ask you for anything, much less for help.”

My shoulders sagged. “Kellan, I don’t mind?—”

He held up a hand, cutting me off. “We aren’t getting into it. Like I said, I don’t want your help, but if it means she’s safe, then I’ll sleep better. Even if it means someone like you is watching out for her. If shit goes south, I’d like to know someone’s around who can handle themselves.”

I frowned, trying to figure out what he was talking about. “Is April in some kind of trouble?”

Kellan tilted his head and glared at me. He searched my face, like he was trying to figure out if I was fucking with him. Finally, he said, “Are you being serious right now? You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“Do you even have a TV, Steff? Seriously?”

I did, in fact, have a TV, but I really only used it to watch sports and maybe to stream the occasional movie. Part of the reason I rarely watched it was that it seemed like I couldn’t go more than thirty minutes without seeing April on some commercial or doing a randomhot-girlguest spot on a sitcom or something. I’d pretty much given up watching regular TV. The way Kellan was acting, though, it made me worry. He seemed freaked out about something.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Kellan. Does it have something to do with why April came home?”

“Oh, Jesus. Look, I don’t want to get into it. If you don’t know, then that’s good. April will be happy. It’s her business, and her choice to tell it. I’m not gonna run my mouth about it. Can you please just watch out for her? If you see anyone weird hanging around her house or something, take care of it, okay?”

Still confused, I nodded. “Okay, yeah. I can do that. I promise.”

Kellan sighed and glanced away. Aiden was running around between my yard and April’s, my dog, Bently, chasing after him and playing with him. Aiden laughed and waved a stick for Bently to grab.

I gestured toward Aiden. “I didn’t even know you had a kid.”

“Well, that tends to happen when you don’t talk for fifteen years. It makes sense that you wouldn’t know.”

There was so much I wanted to say, but I didn’t know where to begin. I’d ruined more than my relationship with April. I’d broken friendships I’d thought would last a lifetime. Guilt washed over me again. Hell, the last few days had been one long guilt trip.

“Aiden, time to go,” Kellan called. “We need to tell Aunt April goodbye.”

Aiden’s whole body slumped. “Aww, can’t I play with the dog more?”

“His name’s Bently,” I said, grinning.

“Bently? I like that name.” Aiden ran his hands down the dog’s sides.

Kellan sighed in vague irritation. “No, bud, we need to go.”

“Aiden, anytime you come visit your aunt, you can play with Bently. Sound good?” I hoped it sounded to Kellan like the olive branch I wanted it to be.

“Oh, neat, that’s awesome. Thanks, Coach.” Aiden hugged Bently, then sprinted toward April’s house.

Kellan had pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and was scribbling on it. Before I could ask what he was doing, he thrust the paper at me. “Here. That’s my number. If anything happens with April, I want you to let me know. Got it?”

I took the number and nodded. “Yeah, man. Anything for…” I’d almost saidfor a friend, but stopped myself, instead adding, “for April.”

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