Chapter 25 #3
“Self-inflicted, most likely,” Darryl added. “He made the choice to join the military after I warned him not to.”
“Remember when we were eating that marlin you and Roscoe caught?”
“What about it?”
“You said you knew Austin when he was a half-turn. How much did you know about him back then?”
“Not as much as I probably should have. Just knew he was the kinkiest half-turn I’d ever met.
You wouldn’t know it by looking at him now what he was into.
There were times I thought things were going too far when they weren’t going far enough.
I drew the line in the sand when he started asking me to tie him up and make him bleed.
I’ll happily do that shit to Roscoe, but not half-turns. ”
“Can you keep a secret?”
Darryl’s ears perked up. “Do you even have to ask?”
He had a point.
“When Austin was a child, his father killed his grandmother, mother, and brother in front of him, shot him in the back of the head, and then killed himself.”
“Jesus fucking christ,” Darryl shouted.
“Shh,” I whispered. “He told me that in confidence, and I wouldn’t have said anything if I didn’t think you might be able to help him, too. The shit he said he went through—then the whole military thing.”
“Does Adam know?”
“No, and I don’t think he’ll ever say anything to him. After Adam turns, Austin’s going to let him go.”
“That’s probably for the best,” Darryl said, with more sympathy in his tone. “Adam doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who’s good with this kind of stuff.”
“I think everyone’s writing Adam off a little too early.
Who knows how he’ll end up after this is over, or what type of person he’ll be in a couple of years.
We’d know if Austin would just open up more to him, but the issues go deeper than that.
Adam might not be able to take up the role Austin wants filled. ”
“So he’s still like that, huh?” Darryl asked. “Even now? The guy’s as big as I am.”
“And that’s the problem. He’s trying to be someone he’s not, which is one of the reasons why he treated Adam the way he did. I’m not excusing this, but this kuu bullshit is making everyone desperate. Poor Adam’s caught in the middle, and he doesn’t really know what the hell is going on.”
Roscoe walked back outside, holding a huge tray of raw sausages in one hand and a long sausage fork in the other. Adam followed, rubbing his hands together.
“Sausage overload tonight,” the half-turn said, eyeing Darryl and me.
Austin was likely in his garage, so I made my way to the back door.
“I’ll be right back,” I said.
“Could you grab my guitar while you’re in there?” Darryl asked.
“You bet.”
Austin sat on one of his workbench chairs, staring blankly at his collection of tools lining the wall.
“I don’t want you in here alone,” I said. “Come outside with me.”
“I don’t want to look at either of them.” He turned to face me, his eyes glassy. “I bet Adam hasn’t even noticed I’m not out there.”
I grabbed his huge hand with both of mine, giving him a tug until he stood up. Instead of following, he pulled me back and wrapped his arms around me.
“Austin?” I asked, looking up at his face. His eyes watered even more, and he squeezed me tighter.
“In a perfect world, you’d be my kuu mate.” He pulled away and wiped his eyes. “Roscoe’s more Adam’s type, and you’re mine.”
“You’re only saying that because I’m the only one you’ve actually talked to.”
“You’re the only one I trust who’s still alive. I wouldn’t have to go to Mosavi if you’d… It wouldn’t feel wrong with you.”
“Why are you telling me this right now? Is it because of Darryl?”
“Adam’s in love with him, and I want you.”
My heart sank, and my stomach knotted. It wasn’t like I hadn’t suspected this, but I also hadn’t thought he would actually say it.
“Roscoe and I—”
“Are just kuu mates,” he interrupted. “You’re the only one that makes me feel better.”
“Because you’ve isolated yourself, Austin. You knew Darryl for years before you met Adam, and you never once told him anything. You don’t open up to Adam, either. You need to socialize, and you can start by having fun tonight.”
“So you don’t feel the same way about me?”
“You’re one of my closest friends, and I love you, but not like that.”
Austin pressed his ears against his head and looked away.
“C’mon, don’t be upset.” I reached for his snout and turned him back to me.
“We don’t have to be lovers to be family.
There’s no telling what’s going to happen in a few months, let alone a couple of years from now.
Mosavi’s wife told me that what I’m doing to you is werewolf therapy or something.
Let’s take this one day at a time.” I took him by the hand and led him toward the door.
“I’m not gonna like this,” he muttered. “It’s too awkward out there with him.”
I stopped and looked back into the garage at the extra refrigerator.
“I’m going to regret this. Go grab a case of beer.”
“Uh, what beer?” Austin asked, his tail tucked between his legs.
“I’m not blind, you dumbass. I know you made more because Roscoe’s a complete idiot,” I said, punching his arm. “Where else would he have gotten that bottle from earlier?”
“What about Mosavi?”
“His wife is the ace up my sleeve—at least I hope so. Plus, Darryl’s here.”
He backed away and turned toward the fridge. “All right. I’ll be out with my newest batch.”
Despite what happened earlier, the weirdness faded between Austin and me. Alcohol helped, and Darryl took advantage of the relaxed atmosphere, pulling out his guitar.
“This is one of Roscoe’s favorites,” Darryl said, strumming a horrifyingly familiar tune.
Roscoe snapped over to me with a huge smile, raising his brows. I immediately had a Pavlovian reaction as horrifying memories of that day flashed with piss-colored clarity.
“Nope,” I shouted, throwing up a time-out signal with my arms. Darryl stopped playing, and Roscoe pouted, now a half a foot away from me. “Any other song, but that one.”