Page 9 of The Tech Guru's Heart

Link rolled his eyes.His brother teased him every single time.A human friend had turned him onto the concoction nearly a decade before.Link enjoyed the mix of smooth and creamy mayo and ketchup with the spicy bite of relish.Combined with the flavor of the meat, he found it damn delicious, and he didn’t care what some of his family thought about it.

“Hey, uncles!”

Turning toward the sound of the perky voice, Link ignored the slight break in the tone.He knew his nephew was a little self-conscious of the fact that his voice was finally changing on him.As was common with musk ox shifters, while their human sides went through puberty and gained their shifted form somewhere between twelve and fourteen years of age, their shifter genes impacted them a little later in life as well, almost like a second puberty—in males, their voices deepened, they grew taller, broader, and their frames filled out.

A female would be impacted, too, although the changes were a bit more subtle.She would spring up a few inches and grow willowier and more voluptuous.Many ended up playing basketball, which helped them develop control over their increased strength.

Link’s sister, Naomi, had been a starting point guard.She’d had many a male clamoring for her attention.However, as a junior, she’d come out to them, admitting she had zero interest in the male body.

That had all been a long time ago, though.

Focusing on Rylie, Link watched the guest of honor jog toward their table.He grinned broadly, his dark hair flopping over his forehead with every step.His brown eyes shown with happiness.

“Hi, Rylie,” Luke called, rising to his feet and holding out his arms.“How’s the birthday boy?”

Rylie laughed as he accepted a hug from Luke.“Great!”

Link rose to his feet and grabbed Rylie for his own hug.Growling softly, he lifted his nephew off his feet and swung him back and forth.Hearing Rylie’s laughter even as the teenager shoved at him, Link felt his spirits lift.

Right here.This is what I need.My family.

Placing Rylie back on his feet, Link ruffled his nephew’s hair.Rylie rolled his eyes as he swatted at Link’s hand.“Knock it off, Uncle Link,” he whined, even as he continued to smile.When Link obeyed and settled back into his seat, Rylie plopped into a chair between him and Luke at the round table.“And thanks so much for the epic new game.I can’t wait to try it out.”

“You’re welcome, Rylie,” Link told him, pleased that he shared the interest with him.His nephew enjoyed gaming, too.“I’ve already made up a character in it.We’ll set up a time and play together.”

“That’d be awesome,” Rylie responded with a grin.Then he waggled his brows comically.“As long as it doesn’t interfere with you wooing your mate.Congrats, by the way.”Rylie glanced around as if looking for him.“He couldn’t make it, huh?I guess that’s normal.Heard he’s human.”His expression turned serious as if he were imparting some sage wisdom.“Humans take a little extra work, but I know it’ll be worth it to you.You spend too much time alone.”

Rylie wasn’t wrong.That was for sure.Link did spend a lot of time alone.As a hacker, it was sort of in his nature.Except, for Ezra, Link knew he would change.

Before Link could come up with a response, his phone pinged.He woke the device and opened the alert.Narrowing his eyes, Link frowned at what he saw on the screen.

“What’s up, bro,” Luke asked, scooping up a dollop of potato salad with his fork.“Work?”

Link shook his head.“No.The tracker on Ezra’s car says he’s already sixty miles west, traveling on I-sixteen,” he murmured, cocking his head.“Where the hell are you going, Ezra?”

He’d just met the man, and the thought of having him so far away caused a curdle of unease to flood his gut.

“Call him and find out,” Luke encouraged.

“That’d be a little hard to explain.Calling him up and asking him why he’s headed west,” Link countered, clenching his jaw for a few seconds before forcing himself to relax.“Don’t you think?”

“Don’t be a dick,” Luke grumbled with a roll of his eyes.“You were going to call him tonight to set up another date, anyway, right?”His brother waved toward his phone, saying, “No time like the present.”

Just catching himself from biting his bottom lip, Link inhaled deeply before exhaling through pursed lips.

Giving himself a mental pep-talk, Link jerked a nod before hitting the button to dial on his phone.

I can do this.

Chapter Four

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HEARING HIS PHONE RING, Ezra pulled it out of the passenger seat’s cup holder.He arched a brow upon spotting the name of the caller.Ezra debated not answering, but his curiosity got the better of him.

“Hey, Link,” Ezra greeted, answering with his phone on speaker.“I’m driving.Give me a sec to switch toBluetooth.”

“Okay.”

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