Page 136 of Home to the Hollow

When Prez shifts to sit up, I follow, poking my head out for real this time. “You know, Sugarplum, an audience is a novelty, but your friend needs to give us some privacy to get dressed.”

“Unless you’d prefer we?—”

“No!” Jolene practically yells, and it makes Prez drop back in a fit of laughter. “I mean, uh… Seer, go down to the kitchen. We’ll dress and I’ll… make breakfast.”

“Fair play. I’ll leg it downstairs and we’ll chat once you’re settled.”

I can hear her giggling as she exits, and Jolene groans as she covers her face. Prez and I roll off the bed, trying to give her a little space to assimilate. Curiosity gets the best of me and I wander into her closet, hoping I can find something to wear temporarily. Our clothes are outside and they’re bound to be wet from the morning dew.

“Sugarplum, why do you have men’s clothes in your closet?” I frown, tilting my head as I examine the small selection of menswear hanging in one corner. When she doesn’t answer, I poke my head out of the closet and look at her expectantly until she caves.

“They were my dad’s. I cleaned this room, but something told me to leave a few items.”

“That’s just our good luck for the day, eh, Lucy?” Prez says as he walks out of the bathroom. He picks up his glasses from the nightstand and I toss him the pair of jogging pants I salvaged.

“Sure is, baby.” I look at Jolene, holding the sheet up around my waist. “Did you get shy with us overnight?”

Her expression flickers from confused to scared to unsure within seconds. Finally, she shakes her head. “Not at all, puppy eyes. I was waiting until you two got settled.”

I give her a relieved smile, but true to form, Prez walks over and cups her face. “Nothing has to be decided today. We have plenty of time to figure it all out, magpie.”

My heart is so full I might burst. How the hell did I get so lucky suddenly?

She leans in and pecks a kiss on his lips, then walks over to give one to me as well. I smile broadly, and she chuckles. Prez’ reassurance worked and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I step out of the closet to allow her to find something to wear, and Prez crooks a finger at me. When I walk over, he kisses me good morning and then whispers in my ear.

Of course, my goddamned ears are showing.

Focusing harder, I push the points back with a grumble, and Sugarplum comes out with a raised brow. “Something I should know about, boys?”

“Only that I think Lucy should bring a few things for the dude side of your closet, just in case. And maybe a few toiletries.” Presley gives her an innocent smile and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Her face goes ashen and I realize he’s tripped her fear button. I don’t know who fucked my girl up in the past, but I get my hands on him, I’ll kill him myself. “Sugarplum, you look like a ghost. We should get downstairs and get you fed. Your friend may have gotten eaten by your companions by now.”

Jolene gives me a suspicious look, but she nods slowly. “Uh-huh. Well, Seer can manage herself… trust me. But I am hungry, so I’ll let your little secrets slide for now.”

Prez grabs one of her hands and I take the other as we lead her into the hallway, distracting her with talk about the superiority of waffles versus pancakes.

Thank hell she bought that.

* * *

“Sugarplum?”

The Irish girl cracks up, and I look at Jolene curiously. Everyone has been pretty amiable so far, so I’m not sure what’s tickling her. Hell, I even made breakfast because I’m a gentleman like that.

“Yes, Wolfie?” she asks. When I smile again, she reaches over and squeezes my hand.

I pause, looking at Prez for a moment so he’ll back me up. “Prez and I have been thinking since you mentioned that you felt like someone has been watching your house.” She looks confused and my eyes widen.

She has no idea what things I can do because of my supe powers, and I just said we were thinking it even though it wasn’t spoken out loud. Fuck.

“What Lucy is failing to communicate is we’re worried your house is on the edge of the populated part of town. We don’t think getting a Ring camera is enough, even with your companions.” He pushes the long skater cut out of his eyes, smoothly moving pasthowhe knows I’m concerned for her safety.

“Y’said there hasn’t been actual crime in donkey’s years before. Why the feck should she be worried? Don’t ye have peelers here?” Saoirse frowns at us and I worry she sees more than she’s letting on.

Is it because she’s Irish? Her people and mine have a complex relationship. And what the fuck is a peeler?

My sugarplum shakes her head as she looks at her best friend. “Yes, we have a small police force, Seer. They’re useless—or they used to be.”

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