Page 70 of My Hunger, Your Soul

“I’m guessing you didn’t know about this either?” Kai says as we walk down the gravel driveway.

“No. Just like I didn’t know I was moving in until this morning. He’s such a controlling dick sometimes,” I say and Kai laughs.

“Welcome to the family of controlling, possessive dicks. But what does that make us when we love it so much?” he says, and I return a laugh.

“You’re full of surprises, Ivan. One might think you had this planned for weeks,” I say as I get into the front and sit in the middle between him driving and Kai.

“I know what I want. And what you want,” he says, and I’m dying to argue, but I don’t.

About twenty minutes into the journey, we are stuck in traffic heading into the city.

“Is Tim still at the house, Ivan?” Kai asks. Oh no, I really hope Ivan doesn’t go into details as I really don’t want to know.

“Yes. Has Jules spoken to you about what's going on?” Ivan asks.

“He’s given me the cliff notes.”

“Probably for the best.”

Silence…but I can sense the uncomfortableness from Kai, who is fidgeting in his seat. I just know he’s about to say something, or trying to stop himself.

“My Mom called me this morning and texted me several times too,” Kai says quietly.

“Oh yeah? What did she want,” Ivan says, slightly distracted as we start moving again as the traffic eases up.

“She said Tim has disappeared and hasn’t been returning her calls and messages.”

“Did you say anything to her?” Ivan asks. The calmness in his voice, it’s weird. How can someone speak so low and calm but it feels like they are shouting?

“No, I didn’t answer her calls or texts.”

“You should, otherwise you’ll look like you’re hiding something. Just reassure her and say nothing else.”

“She knows when I’m lying,” Kai says, and I feel bad for the guy as he is so sweet.

“Doesn’t matter. You have us to back you up and you really need to tell Jules so he can talk to the guys. You need to stop hiding shit,” Ivan says as we enter the city.

“Believe me, I know,” Kai sighs and sits back in the seat.

“Tim brought this on himself, Kai. Don’t feel bad for him,” Ivan says.

“I don’t. It’s my mom I worry about.”

“She’ll get over it. Men are assholes and leave people all the time without a word. Maybe if you visited her it would help.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

A little while later we’ve parked and are inside my apartment.

“I thought you needed help packing? Everything is pretty much already packed,” Kai says, pointing at the boxes in my living room.

“He never unpacked,” Ivan says.

Kai looks at me and I just shrug. I don’t have the patience to explain myself.

“I have my clothes and some items in the kitchen and bathroom that need packing.”

“I’ll make a start on your kitchen,” Kai says, grabbing one of the half full boxes.

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