That was an interesting take, all things considered.
Atticus put on his seat belt. “It’s an unfortunate coincidence to share a similar name with a notorious killer in our world. Have you considered changing it?”
“It’s my fucking name,” he shot back.
“Names are only names. I’ve changed mine six times.”
After taking off his leather jacket, Krys reached into the larger sack and pulled out a white T-shirt. “What the fuck?”
“Too much black stands out,” Atticus said.
“You act like the only thing people wear in the South is flannel and T-shirts.” Krys stripped off his shirt and put on the white tee, tugging the fabric down until it revealed a smiling sun. Then his eyes settled on the front of the baseball hat that saidBad Hair Day. “You’re a fanghole. You know that?”
“But I blend.”
Krys snorted. “You blend in like the pope at a rock concert, and I look like an asshole going on a cruise. Did you at least get me a jacket?”
“I didn’t know you were chilly. Want to borrow mine?”
“Never mind.”
Atticus stared ahead and smiled. “Is this what they call male bonding?”
After a harsh glare, Krys flicked his hat out the window, and it sailed onto a car hood. “The only way we’re ever bonding is if someone chains us together.”
Chapter 27
After Atticus left, I got to work on his knit hat. Picking the colors and doing a few test runs kept me busy the rest of the day… until I finished it early.
Then I had nothing to occupy my mind.
That evening, a few packmates set up board games. Montana and Tak excused themselves, which was out of character. They were closely monitoring the situation with Krys and Atticus by communicating on a backup phone. When Lucian abruptly left in the middle of a Monopoly game, I felt a gnawing in the pit of my stomach and couldn’t finish the game.
Instead of sleeping in my bed, I walked out to the heat house and curled up in the bed we’d slept in. Catcher refused to let me sleep alone. Though he always patrolled the property at night, he stayed with me in the heat house. He must have sensed my nervousness or noticed the pack was behaving differently, because when I woke up, he remained by my side even at the table.
The rest of the day stretched on as I waited for news. By evening, Melody suggested we go to the Rabbit Lounge to get outof the house. Virgil tagged along, but I knew it was all a ploy to get me away.
“They don’t want me to overhear anything,” I said while removing my blue shawl. “Being in the dark is worse.”
Melody put her feet up in the adjacent chair. “It sucks, I know, but Tak’s just trying to protect you.” She stared at her plate. “These are the most disgusting nachos I’ve ever eaten.”
“I heard that!” Calvin barked from a nearby table where he was taking a break.
I giggled and waved at the poor man, who had reluctantly made us a plate of nachos. They only served food at lunch, but Melody was hungry, so I told Calvin that my baby needed nachos. Though he balked about it, I could see why Mercy liked him. He had a soft spot.
“Are you sure you don’t want one?” Melody shoved the plate toward me.
“With an endorsement like that? I respectfully decline.”
Catcher jumped to his feet and smacked his lips.
“Looks like we have a winner.” Melody waved the plate in front of his nose, and he gobbled up the remaining chips.
“Why doesheget to be in here?” A customer pointed at Catcher.
Calvin raked back his long grey hair and scowled. “Because he has manners, jackass. Your wolf pissed on my bar.”
“That was seven years ago,” the man grumbled.
