Chapter 2 #2
Oh. Right. Werewolves. I would never get over how easily my friends accepted the fact of otherly beings in their world.
“Only six or seven,” Izzy continued. “But they tend to stick to themselves and there was no other place big enough. Hunter said you only had one bed, so he’s bringing an air bed. I was sure he would text you.”
My breath hitched. I steadied it as I studied my phone. Sure enough, there was a quick text from Hunter saying he’d call me later.
“I do understand. I wouldn’t want anyone to be homeless.” I’d lived on the streets of London for a few years before Theo rescued me and brought me to Gomfrey’s. The best thing I could say about that life was that I’d survived. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
“The good news is the pack are construction workers and they’re willing to help. If we can find the owners for permits and such. Hunter’s been doing a records search.”
“So he’s coming here? To stay?” My voice cracked. Of course the answer was yes. That’s why he texted. After weeks of silence.
Izzy’s tone softened. “Just for a bit. Is that okay? We’ve moved two brothers into his place. Hunter said your place was small, so we figured— I mean, you already know him and—”
“No,” I said. “It’s fine. So when—” My question was answered by the buzz of the intercom. I jumped to my feet, bumping the coffee table. The dishes rattled. “That must be him. I must go, Izzy. Fare thee well.”
I hit the buzzer to unlock the downstairs door. I didn’t even ask who it was as I stood there with my sweaty hand on the doorknob.
It was just Hunter. We’d lived together in his tiny one bedroom for months. I sucked in a breath. Hunter. Bruce. I still remembered his halting introduction and even after he explained afterward, I used HB as a nickname. That was months ago.
With another breath, I opened the door to see him trudging down the hall, a duffel slung over his shoulder and a box under his arm. Looking up at me, his normal grin was fleeting.
“Hi ya. Sorry, I meant to call first, but things got away from me.” He peered into my apartment.
I looked away as I stepped back to let him in. The familiar scent of butterscotch candy and hair product wafted over my senses.
“Izzy just called me. Would you like some tea?”
“Tea would be great. Thanks,” Hunter said a bit too quickly. He dropped his duffel at the door.
I shifted away from him, realizing I stood too close. Gesturing at the futon for him to sit, I dragged my reading chair out from the corner for myself, then I remembered the tea and jumped up again.
His hair had returned to its natural sandy brown, newly cut short on the sides, still enough length for a stubborn cowlick, and a bright purple streak at the side part.
His faded blue jeans fit his slim frame well without the usual splits at the knees.
A newer black T with a logo I didn’t recognize stretched tight across his chest. I rarely knew any of the bands in Hunter’s vast collection of T-shirts.
He had always been thin and angular and stronger than he appeared.
But now he was different. Fit. Definitely fit.
I mentally counted back to the last time I saw Hunter, realizing it had been almost two months ago.
Was he working out now? Why did he look so…
bloody good. I wiped my hands on my jeans.
“So…the Fulbright? Izzy said people were homeless?” I set a mug of tea on the thrifted coffee table, a plastic honey bear next to it.
He nodded his thanks and stirred honey into his tea.
“I’ve been researching to find the owners.
Turns out, it’s a corporation. Westridge Unlimited,” Hunter said, his focus on his tea.
“But it’s a shell corporation, so I’m still digging.
It sold nine months ago, just after real estate values dropped.
I think they’re hoping the neighborhood will gentrify. ”
“HB?” I interrupted, falling back into our usual jargon. I didn’t even have to ask. Hunter knew me all too well.
His forehead crinkled. “Right. Um, gentrify means they spruce a place up, sell to a major business like Starbucks or McDonalds, and gradually the whole neighborhood changes and property values rise.”
“With a corporation of shells?”
Hunter smiled but didn’t laugh. He never laughed at my struggle with the language. “No. A shell corp is not a business at all. Or only on paper—usually the owners wish to remain anonymous, so they set up a corporation and do business that way.”
“Why would they want to be anonymous? Is it an unlawful business?”
“Sometimes. But also perfectly legal. They do it mostly for the tax breaks. Westridge bought this property, but none of the big names moved into the neighborhood. Too much crime, I guess.”
“Can you find the real people behind it?”
“I’m working on it. But I have a gig tomorrow. It starts at seven.”
“In the morning?” My eyebrows went up. Working at the bar had turned me into a bit of a night owl. Hunter as well. Or so I’d thought.
Hunter’s mouth quirked. “Yes. In the morning.”
I turned to Hunter. We stared at one another for a moment. “I wasn’t expecting company, so there’s not much in the way of food.”
“We can order a pizza.”
“Pizza delivery is too expensive. I have eggs.”
What money I had was earmarked for groceries. And rent. And a metro card.
He shook his head. “My treat, Reg. After all, I’m invading your space. And I’ll contribute to groceries too.” Then he smiled. “Still won’t spend any of Theo’s money, huh?”
Avoiding an answer, I took my empty mug into the kitchen. He followed. Moving around the coffee table and taking the four or five steps to get to the kitchen area.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“For what? The hotel blowing up? For giving away your own apartment? There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
The cup clattered in the sink. I faced the wall. Away from his eyes on me. What was wrong with me? He was being perfectly nice, and I couldn’t even manage a decent conversation.
“I’m sorry for not calling you.” Hunter’s voice was softer than a cat’s purr.
I shut the water off with a slap. “You haven’t called me in months.
” I turned, gripping the counter behind me.
“Why should you?” I sounded bitter. Lonely.
Pathetic. But at least I was facing him now.
“Pizza’s fine.” I skirted past him. “I just got home from work. I’m going to shower.
” I raced to the only place I could be alone. This was going to be a long few days.