Page 57 of Secret Shifters Next Door

“Jordyn,” Harley hissed in a near-yell. She looked aghast, but I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

“What? I didn’t say it. I’m just telling you what everyone else says.”

Kayden cleared his throat. “Well, she’s right. Every kid knows who Mr. Mills is. Most people know what he does for a living and think he’s…” He paused and grinned a little. “…they think he’s a badass. Nothing to be ashamed of,” he said with a shrug.

I would love to say that having a fourteen and seventeen-year-old say all these things about me was silly, and that I didn’t care. But the awkward kid I had been when I was younger, the one who had wanted nothing more than to be cool, did perk up a bit. As silly as it was to say, my ego definitely took a boost.

Mariah looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole and die. She grabbed Kayden’s hand and walked toward the stairs. “We’re gonna go watch a movie until dinner is ready.”

“No funny business,” Harley said.

“Mom!” Mariah gasped, her face turning blood red.

I glanced over Mariah’s shoulder and gave Kayden a look that told him everything I wanted him to know. He saw my expression, and the smile that had been on his face slipped away. He gave me the faintest of nods in acknowledgment. He understood exactly what my look meant. If he eventhoughtabout touching Mariah, he’d find out how much of a badass I really was.

Harley and I went to sit on the back porch with a couple of glasses of lemonade while the potatoes cooked, enjoying the early evening weather. It was warm but comfortable.

“How does Mariah feel about her little boyfriend?” I asked.

Harley rolled her eyes at me. “I don’t know that it’s a full relationship yet. She seems to like him though. I do too.”

I nodded. “Looks like a good kid. He wasn’t intimidated, but he was also respectful. I like him. Do you remember what it was like?”

Harley sipped her lemonade and frowned. “Whatwhatwas like?”

“Being that young and having that first real boyfriend or girlfriend. It was exciting and scary all at the same time.”

Harley nodded. “True. It was so long ago I have a hard time remembering all of it though.”

I chuckled. “Well, unfortunately I have a really good memory. I still remember the first time I tried to fumble a girl’s bra off. It was a disaster. I ended up snapping it on her back. Left a massive red welt. I definitely didnotget lucky that night.”

Harley almost spit her drink out as she fought back laughter. Once she regained her composure, she patted me on the leg. “I guess even guys like you have to start somewhere.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means not everyone is born a suave, smooth talking, slab of walking testosterone like you.”

“Oh.” I raised my eyebrows. “Is that what I am?”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Well, I’ll do my best to make sure mister Kayden stays the straight and narrow.”

Harley swatted my chest. “Don’t run the boy off. Mariah likes him.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll try my best.”

We sat there, simply enjoying each other’s company for a few more minutes. My dragon was so content it worried me. I’d never been this content or at peace with anyone. Was it just the mating bond? Was it simply the way Harley made me feel? She was depending on me, which stoked my protective nature—the dragon loved being needed. Being able to keep them safe. Even when we didn’t exactly agree, she still listened when I knew what needed to be done. I loved her for that.

My eyes widened in surprise. Harley didn’t notice the sudden stiffness to my body. Love? Had that word really just tickled the edges of my mind? My heart thudded hard against my ribs. Was I really, truly, falling in love with Harley?

I did the best I could to cover my surprise at what I’d been thinking about. We went inside to check on the potatoes. They were getting close, so I pulled the steaks from the fridge while Harley put the salad together.

While I seasoned the meat, Mariah and Kayden came down the stairs. “How’s dinner coming along?” Mariah asked.

“Good. If you want, you can help me cut veggies for the salad,” Harley said. “Kayden, do you want to help Tate cook the steaks?”

Kayden swallowed hard, then, to his credit, he smiled. “Sure.”

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