Obviously sensing his mood swing, Tim hesitated before replying. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and Seb waited, watching him all the while.
Tim cleared his throat. “Jared texted me while we were in the hospital. He said you weren’t answering.”
“Left my phone back at the flat.” Which probably wasn’t the best idea, but he’d been distracted with the pain. “What did he say?”
“He wants you to stay at their place for a couple of days. Until—”
“No! I don’t want to—”
“Seb.” Tim reached over and put his hand on Seb’s thigh. That, more than Tim saying his name, stopped Seb midsentence. “They’re worried. I actually think it’s a good idea. At least until we can confirm who was outside your flat and what the fuck they were doing there.”
Tim’s voice turned gravelly on the last few words, and when Seb glanced over, he saw a hint of sharp teeth before Tim snapped his mouth shut.
Was he being unreasonably stubborn about this? It wouldn’t be the first time. As hard as it was for Seb to accept, perhaps the others had a point. He wasn’t au fait with shifter politics. Jared was far more interested in that sort of stuff, especially now. For all Seb knew, he could unwittingly have become some sort of pawn in the whole inter-pack rivalry thing.
“Fine.” Seb stared straight ahead, not wanting to see Tim’s face in case he looked smug. That would just piss him off and make him want to change his mind on principle.
But Tim just let out a deep breath. Out of the corner of his eye, Seb saw his shoulders relax. “Thank fuck for that.” He seemed far more relieved than Seb thought the situation warranted.
Seb slowly turned in his seat, careful not to bang his sore ankle or wrist. “Has Jared been giving you a hard time?”
Tim’s smile was wry when he met Seb’s gaze. “Let’s just say he’s finding it hard being out of the loop where you’re concerned.”
“Yeah, I can imagine. I know he didn’t turn when Nathan bit him, but ever since then he’s a lot more….” Seb struggled to find the right word.
“Overprotective?”
“Yes.”
Tim laughed. “I’m afraid that does seem to be a trait that Jared’s retained. Nathan is far worse with it than a lot of shifters, so I guess it’s no wonder. Both Jared and Nathan just want you safe. Is it so bad to have people concerned over your safety?”
God, now he was making Seb feel bad.I’m the injured party here, for fuck’s sake.“No. But I like being human. I like living my human life, and I’ve absolutely no wish to get involved with all this pack crap.” He sat up a little straighter. “I mean, I’m happy for Jared—he and Nathan are obviously meant for each other—and I like Nathan, but I don’t want what they have. Ever since Jared met Nathan, his life hasn’t been the same. Everything is ‘pack this’ or ‘pack that.’ It’s like he’s part of a whole and not just Jared anymore.”
“And you don’t want that?”
Tim’s voice was quiet after Seb’s rant, but Seb didn’t pause to think why. “Fuck no.” He suddenly realised how ungrateful that sounded after all the preferential treatment he’d just received at the hospital. “Shit, sorry. I know being Jared’s best friend comes with a whole lot of extra perks these days, and I’m thankful for getting these treated so fast.” He held up his wrist. “But the wholematesthing creeps me the fuck out, and the thought of having everybody involved in my business makes me want to run a mile. Do you know what I mean?”
When they stopped at traffic lights, he looked up and found Tim watching him.
“No, not really.” Tim’s gaze lingered on Seb’s for a second, and then the lights changed and he focused back on the road without another word.
Bollocks.For a moment there, Seb had forgotten who he was talking to, too busy letting out some of the feelings that he kept buried around Jared these days. “Sorry,” he muttered again, feeling incredibly guilty all of a sudden and not quite sure why. All of what he’d said had been the truth.
“It’s okay.” Tim didn’t glance Seb’s way, and that tight set to his shoulders was back. “I know pack life can seem… a bit overwhelming from the outside. But they’re my family, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
They lapsed into silence, and Seb sat facing out the window. The atmosphere wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was nothing like the easy back and forth they’d enjoyed earlier. Maybe that was for the best. Seb had started to really enjoy Tim’s company, but he didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. Jared had not so subtly hinted that Tim liked him, and hot doctor or not, Seb just wasn’t going there.
Five minutes later, Seb recognised Nathan’s pack building as Tim pulled to a stop in front of it and turned off the engine. Almost immediately the front door opened and Jared walked out, followed by Gareth.
Oh lovely. A welcoming committee.
Seb had met the rest of Nathan’s pack once before, and although they’d all been nice enough, something about Gareth put him on edge. Probably because he was stronger than Nathan, and Nathan was terrifying enough when he wanted to be.
Jared practically bounded down the steps and towards the car. Seb had about ten seconds before Jared had the door open. He quickly turned to Tim and smiled. “Thank you for tonight. Despite what you might think, I do appreciate everything you and your brother have done for me.”
Tim smiled back, but it seemed duller than usual.Or maybe I’m imagining it.“You’re welcome. If you ever need me—” He stopped and cleared his throat, motioning to Seb’s injuries. “If they start bothering you, get Jared to give me a call.”
Seb’s words spilled out of their own accord. “If you give me your number, I could call you myself.”Why did I say that?
