Page 18 of Devon

“You can if you let me do it for you.”

Devon had decided to stay away from Ryan, but he was tired of fighting everything—his new life, the clan, the village, his mate.For once, he wanted to go with the flow, and Ryan made it sound easy.“Okay.”

Ryan moved toward the car, but before he could start on the tire, they were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.Devon turned to find Nic walking toward them.For once, he wasn’t smiling.He looked from Devon to Ryan, then stopped next to Devon.“Is this guy bothering you?”he asked, leaning close.

Ryan cleared his throat and took a step back again.He was trying to look everywhere but in Devon, but he was failing.It was like he couldn’t look away.

“He’s not,” Devon said.“He offered to change my tire.”

Nic wrinkled his nose.“I can do it for you.”

Even though they were just talking about changing a tire, it felt like there was more to it.It was a choice between Devon’s friend and his mate.He wouldn’t end up with whoever actually changed the tire, but he couldn’t choose Nic over Ryan.It wouldn’t feel right.

“It’s okay.Ryan already said that he’d do it,” Devon said in what he hoped was a reassuring tone.He didn’t want Nic to worry.

Nic stared at Devon for a moment as if trying to read him.“You’re sure?”

“I am.Get back to work before Alex comes looking for you.”

Nic quickly squeezed Devon’s shoulder.“Fine, but call me if you need anything.”

Ryan was still watching them, so as soon as Nic left, Devon turned his attention back to him.“I’m sorry about that.He’s a friend, and he’s protective of me.”

“I noticed that.You’re still okay with me changing your tire?”

“Please.I’d like to go home.”

Ryan went to work with a nod.Devon stood next to the car, watching him.He kept expecting Ryan to bring up their bond or maybe even Kendrick.Devon didn’t know if Kendrick and Jonas had told Ryan what he’d done, and he was torn over whether or not he wanted them to have.On the one hand, he didn’t want Ryan to know what had happened, but on the other, if Kendrick had told Ryan, it meant that Devon wouldn’t have to.There was no way Ryan would be here if he knew, though, right?He’d have run away as soon as he’d seen Devon.

Devon wanted to ask, but Ryan was talking about a TV show he was watching, and Devon was glad not to have to focus too hard on the conversation.He was also glad that his mate was giving him hints of who he was by talking about things he enjoyed.

Devon was curious.He hadn’t outright rejected Ryan, and as long as Ryan didn’t ask him if he wanted them to be together, he wouldn’t.It was probably cruel, but he didn’t want to do anything drastic until he left.

Ryan didn’t seem like he was expecting Devon to give him any answers.He didn’t ask Devon personal questions.He didn’t even ask him if he’d seen the TV show he was talking about.He seemed content to talk as he changed the tire, which helped Devon relax, so much so that he was surprised when Ryan got to his feet and rubbed his hands on his jeans-clad thighs.

“There you go,” Ryan said with a smile.He appeared more relaxed now, probably because Devon was.

It was clear that Ryan was afraid of spooking Devon because he was treating him like a scared animal—keeping his distance, raising his hands to show that he wasn’t a threat, and retreating when it was clear that Devon was scared.Devon wasn’t offended.He felt like a skittish animal, maybe a cat.He wanted Ryan to cuddle and hug him, but at the same time, he didn’t know if he could trust his mate.Even if he could, allowing Ryan any closer would be a bad idea since Devon would leave town soon.

It would hurt both of them.Devon hadn’t thought it would because they didn’t really know each other, but even spending fifteen minutes with Ryan had shown him the truth.Even though this was the first time they had a real conversation, he could tell how much he liked Ryan.If he allowed him close, it would be like tearing his heart out when he left, and that was without even considering the fact that he was Ryan’s mate.Ryan didn’t deserve to be hurt for something he had no say in.

Neither of them did, but they would be.

Chapter Four

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RYAN WAS ALONE IN THEhouse.Most people would’ve been happy—it gave him an opportunity to relax that he didn’t usually have.As much as he loved his brother and liked Jonas, he felt a bit like a stranger in their home, no matter what Kendrick said.He didn’t want to take up too much space, so he spent as much time as he could in his room without Kendrick wondering why he was avoiding them.He wasn’t.He just didn’t want to be a bother.

But he couldn’t relax.He had a roof over his head and all the help he might need, but he didn’t want to take advantage of his brother or the clan.He had to find a job, and he would, but that didn’t help him decide what he wanted to do with his life.He was eighteen and had recently graduated high school, but he’d known his parents would refuse to pay for him to go to college, so he hadn’t considered it.He’d thought he’d have to stay in low-paying jobs until he was lucky enough to find more, but that wasn’t the case anymore.

If Ryan told Kendrick that he wanted to go to college, he was sure that his brother would find a way to make it happen.Kendrick seemed willing to do a lot for Ryan, even though they hadn’t seen each other in ten years.The problem was that Ryan didn’t know what he wanted.He’d never let himself think about it too much because he’d been sure he would never get it.

He huffed and pushed himself up from the couch.He didn’t know what he wanted from his life, and he wouldn’t find out by rotting on the couch and staring at the ceiling or, worse, by watching reality TV.

He turned off the TV and looked around.The house was neat and clean, so there wasn’t much for him to do.He could go back to his bedroom, but to do what?

The village was his home now, but he didn’t really know it or the people who lived here.He could change that by leaving the house and walking around.He might not make friends, but at least he’d know where things were.

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