23. Shane
Chapter 23
Shane
“W ell, we’re screwed now,” Raquel says solemnly, walking through the bay door as she removes her helmet.
“What do you mean?” I ask, sitting on a rolling stool to sip my fresh cup of coffee.
“Our girlfriends hung out yesterday, all our secrets will be out in the open soon.”
“We don’t have any secrets, Quel. You never keep anything to yourself,” I reply, then catch her helmet one-handed as she throws it at me in response. “What the fuck! I almost spilled my coffee. As long as Jamila doesn’t talk about us shifting—which I know she won’t—we’ll be fine.”
I knew Kaycia and Jamila hung out yesterday. Kaycia told me when she snuggled up against me on the couch after I got home from Max’s. I could tell she was in a mood; her scent was different and she wasn’t as playful as usual, but when she told me she was fine I didn’t press her. She apologized for texting me when she heard I was home, afraid she was bothering me. As if I could be bothered by spending time with her. It tugged at my heart to know she thought she might be a burden.
She always says little things like that: “I don’t want to impose”, “I don’t want to be a bother”. Making it seems like she isn’t worthy of my time or taking up space.
“And she’s still not my girlfriend,” I add, laughing when Raquel rolls her eyes dramatically and tosses her hands in the air.
“Gods, what are you? Twelve? And please don’t call her your mate. I can’t stand that wolf shit,” she teases, making a face to show her disgust with wolf traditions.
“I don’t want to force her into anything.”
“Trust me. I’ve seen you two together. She wants you just as much as you want her.” Her expression shifts to somber when she asks quietly, “How long ‘til you tell her the whole truth? You’ve been spending a lot of time together, Shane. It seems like it’s getting serious quick. With that wolf hanging around you really should tell her. If not for your relationship, for her own safety.”
“I know. I was thinking about when we go away to the cabin. It would be easier there.”
“Do you need our help?” I understand what she means—do I want her and Jamila to come to prove that I’m not crazy? Or that Kaycia hasn’t suddenly started seeing things when she finds out the guy she’s been sleeping with turns into a wolf.
“I’ll let you know. Thanks, Quel.”
* * *
T he day is quiet as I lose myself in my uneasiness over confessing my true nature to Kaycia. I recognize that I need to tell her soon before something slips. But I don’t know what I’ll do if it scares her away. I’ve become more attached to her than I anticipated, and the idea that she would walk away from what we’ve only begun to build makes my chest tighten painfully. The fear that I would go back to seeing her in the hall, or passing her on the stairs, without being able to reach out for her causes my chest to constrict painfully. I’m not sure I can stand losing someone this important to me again.
As though she knows I’ve been thinking of her, a text comes through from Kaycia with a photo of one idea for wall layouts for the gallery, then one of an updated website design. She told me she was meeting with Kelly this morning, and then was going to work on updating her website to prepare to open an online shop for prints since it would be quiet in the closed gallery office and the lighting is good for taking photos. I wish I could join her.
Kaycia
What do you think?
I think it looks great. I like the progression. How’s it going?
Kaycia
Fine. I think I figured out the website stuff for now. I should be finished in a little bit.
Kaycia
Don’t freak out…But there was this guy hanging out front of the building when the delivery guy left earlier. He gave me the creeps.
Her text makes my nostrils flare and my knuckles whiten around the phone in my hand.
What do you mean?
Kaycia
I don’t know. He’s just been hanging around on the sidewalk. I noticed him when my lunch was dropped off, but didn’t think much about it until I saw he was still there a few minutes ago. The front door is locked, but Kelly left hours ago.
Instead of texting back, I dial her number.
“Hey, you didn’t have to call. It’s probably nothing, but since you said I should be cautious I wanted to mention it. I have my pepper spray,” Kaycia says before I say anything. Her voice is tight, like she’s trying to hide how nervous she feels.
“Describe him.” I put the phone on speaker and wave Raquel over to listen. “Raquel’s listening, too.”
“Oh, hey, Quel. He’s probably mid-thirties? Dark hair, scruffy look?”
“Is he tall? Long hair or short?” Raquel asks, meeting my eyes.
“Umm…he’s shorter than Shane, but not short. Short hair. I’m just kind of worried about leaving by myself if he’s still out there since no one else is here and I have to walk to the subway.” Kaycia’s voice has a little quiver to it now, confirming my instinct that she’s more worried about the guy than she wants to let on.
“Stay inside. I’ll be there in a few minutes,” I tell her.
“Shane, you don’t have to do that. I don’t want to bother you and I’m a big girl.”
“Stay inside,” I command, then hang up and look over at Raquel.
“It’s him. The human that was with the wolf at the bar. I’m almost certain,” Raquel confirms, locking eyes with me. “I’ll come with you.” She goes to the top of one of the toolboxes and pulls out a small pistol, tucking it at her lower back before pulling on her jacket and snagging her helmet.
I roll down and lock the bay door, securing the shop before exiting onto the sidewalk in a rush. Raquel revs her engine a time or two waiting for me. Her bike is a sports model that’s made for speed compared to my vintage cruiser, the engine humming at a higher pitch than the deep rumble of mine. I swing my leg over my bike, kick it into gear, and take off behind her heading toward the gallery.
Rage builds in my chest the closer we get, my senses homing in on whether any shifters are in the vicinity. But I only smell Raquel’s familiar scent as she rides in the lane with me. She turns off a block over, circling to come around the other direction to back me up, or to get Kaycia away if I need her to.
I’ve run out of time to tell the whole truth.
I thought I would have until this weekend to continue in the blissful bubble we’ve created, but it’s becoming clear that my past isn’t going to fade away this time.
Two buildings away from the gallery, I spot the man leaning against the brick of the neighboring shop. I’m not sure what he’s been told about me, but the smirk across his face tells me it isn’t enough to make him aware of what danger is coming for him.