Page 26 of Bony Bony
Deepinside, a small worry grew.I’dalways wondered why someone as beautiful and vivacious asGiannawould want someone like me.Afterall, my own pack had thoughtIwas worthless.
No,Iwouldn’t descend down that path and bring up issues from the past.I’ddealt with them with the help of my mate, and they should be behind me for good now.Butthere was something about deep scars that might make them tolerable but never forgotten.
GiannaandIhad gone through so much together and had survived.Itwasn’t fair to her for me to think this way.
AfterIleft the trail,Iglanced at the time and still had hours before work.ItextedLucasandDiego.Areyou around to hang out?
Iam,Lucasreplied.Sleepinggrumpy is still slumbering.
Beright over.
Ipicked up some dips and pita chips on the way.
WhenIknocked,Lucasopened the door and grinned. “Hey,Seb.Comein.”
“Ibrought snacks,”Ireplied, raising the bag in my hand.
“Nice.”
Iglanced around my old place, which had some changes sinceI’dmoved out.Diegohad moved most of his belongings, andZoemoved in.Thelarge screenTVwhere we played video games andLucas’scherished record player.Thewindows were covered to keepDiegosafe, yetLucasstill managed to grow numerous plants with the aid of lamps and probably some magic.Hehad so many, the mancave looked more like a man jungle.
Ah, person jungle.Afterall,Zoemoved in and it wasn’t us three dudes living here anymore.Iwouldn’t be surprised ifLucashad aTarzanoutfit buried in his closet from his stripper days, which he brought out for fun time withZoe.Ugh, why didIeven think that?Thelast imageIwanted in my brain was that of a half-nakedLucasswinging around on vines as a form of foreplay.
Diegowoke up soon afterLucasandIstarted playing a video game.Herubbed the vampire sleep out of his eyes while sipping one of his vile blood pouches before he joined us.
“Youdon’t usually come over before work,”Diegopointed out. “What’sup?”
Ibristled before admitting, “JustgivingGiannasome space.”
Lucaschuckled. “She’ssick of you already?”
“Haha.Everycouple needs it, especially when you live together.”
“Oh, please tell us more, oh wise sage of relationships.”Diegobrought his fingertips together and leaned forward with his feigned interest.
“I’llbe happy to share my manifesto,”Ireplied, using the same sarcasm.
Diegogrinned with a side glance. “I’llbe sure to put it on a bookshelf where it’s never read.”Hecocked his head an inch. “No, seriously, what’s up?Troublein the wolf den?”
Igroaned and paused the game, putting the controller on the coffee table. “Loveisn’t always hearts and flowers andReese’sPeanutButterCups.”
Lucasused his controller as an imaginary microphone. “Loveisn’t alwaysReese’sPeanutButterCups,” he sang in a dramatic, higher octave as he scrunched his face for dramatic effect.Alwaysa showman.
“Youguys suck.”Ichuckled.
Diegosnorted and arched his brows. “Someof us more than others.Literally.”
Ishuddered and raised my hand in a stop gesture. “Eww, vamp.Notalk about bloodsucking.Thatpouch you sucked down almost ruined my appetite.”
Diegogave me a skeptical glance. “Wannabet that won’t happen?”
Thatwasn’t a wagerI’dmake, asI’dlose.
OnceIleft the house, much of the tension inside had lifted.Spendingtime with friends and giving each other shit could be better than therapy.SinceIpromised my wolf that we’d go for a run later that night,I’dsee ifValen, a wolf shifter who was new in town, was interested in joining me.
GiannaandIwould have some space from each other, and things would be better between us tomorrow.
GIANNA
