Page 86 of Bears Behaving Badly
David shouldered past Annette and gave Oz a piercing once-over. “No bullshit, pal, how are you? Hospital bad or going home and sulking and having booze for breakfast bad?”
“Honestly, it’s worse than it looks. The car didn’t get me head-on, just clipped me. End of the week, you’d never know I got hit. My gorgeously expensive clothes protected me, and they deserve a hero’s farewell. And regardless of the state of my health, neither of you have a car here. So it’s either wait for a Fubar (Shifter Uber) or let me give you a lift. So dothat, and then I can check on the kids while you guys take the investigator.”
“Do you promise to go straight home and rest after?” Annette asked, unable to keep the anxiety out of her voice. “Wait—is it even safe for you to go home? Someone set a trap for you.”
“I’ll rest up somewhere safe,” he promised. “Cross my heart and hope to God Mama Mac never finds out about any of it.”
Annette shivered. “Amen. Addendum: I hate you.”
“Naw. You don’t.”
Once the oddly cheerful Oz had dropped them off, David asked, “Is he right?” out of nowhere.
“Sorry?” She’d been wondering how there was beard burn on the inside of her wrists, and it took a second to focus.
“Oz. He said you didn’t hate him. Is he right?”
“No, no. Of course not. Is that how I come off?”
“Uh…”
“I don’t hate him,” she promised. “I just don’t want him around me under any circumstances.”
“Sure, sure.” David was nodding. “Totally normal.”
“Oh, stop it. If you want normal, join a book club.”
“I can’t tell if you’re slamming me or book clubs.”
“When I slam you,” she warned, “there will not be a doubt in your mind.”
“Got it.”
“I like your friends,” she said, because a subject change seemed in order. “And I’m glad they kept your secret. Though I’m not sure how much of your nature they understand. It was adorable when Jenn worried I’d accidentally bite through the toothbrush she lent me.”
“Ha! I think she was messing with you.”
“And if we’re together in another strange bed tonight, remind me I still need to get a new alarm clock.”
“Maybe more than one. Maybe a baker’s dozen of alarms, if what I’ve experienced is any indication.”
“One problem at a time,” she replied. “I’ll worry about the sorry state of alarm clock craftsmanship after we get through this morning. And I talked to Pat—he and the kids had a quiet night. But I have to come up with a better plan for them besides ‘hide underground indefinitely with limited resources while we try to stay one step ahead of arrest warrants and hopefully Oz won’t get hurt worse.’” She nibbled her lip as she stared out the window. “One way or the other, we have to take definitive action today.”
“Agreed. Which is why we’re on our way to see Brennan.”
“Why are you narrating? I’m aware of why we’re on our way to Brennan.”
“And I’ll bet you a metric ton of watermelon Jolly Ranchers that he’ll dodge us.”
“I never bet, David.”
“Sure. But if you did.”
“How much is a metric ton? Oh, never mind. Even if I won, what in God’s name would I do with all those Jolly Ranchers? It’s really… Are yougrowling?”
“No,” he lied. “Just thinking about naked you and a shit-ton of unwrapped Jolly Ranchers.”
“That may well be the most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me.”
