“About my suspicions that someone was following me.”
“Ahh.” Yeah, Alec would be pissed off at him if he found out about that titbit of information, but it wasn’t as though Seb had proof. It was just a feeling at this point. “Did you tell Jared about it?”
Seb’s gaze darted away, now fixing on the very interesting bandage wrapped around his wrist. “Um….”
“I’m guessing that’s a no.”
“I could be imagining it. I mean, it’s not like I can smell them nearby or anything.”
Seb sighed and ran a hand through his hair, the movement capturing Tim’s attention. Unlike Jared’s bright blond—Tim knew he dyed it—Seb’s hair looked a natural dark blond, was shaved at the sides and long on top. Tim idly wondered what the shaved bits would feel like under his fingers.
“Still worth mentioning, though.” As he sat and watched Seb playing with the long strands of hair that fell into his face, the more he thought Seb should mention it. Jared had Nathan watching out for him if any other shifters looked his way, but who did Seb have? Tim pushed away the small voice in his head that whisperedme. “Better to be on the safe side.”
“You’re probably right.” Seb picked up his phone from off the bed. “After I get back from the hospital, though. If I start that conversation now, I’ll never make my appointment.”
“About that….” Tim debated whether to take the turn in conversation for the opportunity it was. Kind of. “I’m headed there anyway this afternoon, and I wondered if you wanted to come with me?”
Seb glanced at the closed door, then back at him. “You sure?”
He looked torn, and Tim wished he knew what was going through his mind. “Yes. It’ll save Jared a trip out.”
“Well, in that case, that’d be great.”
Seb smiled, his blue-green eyes crinkling at the corners, and Tim’s heart gave a traitorous flutter. Maybe coming here was a bad idea, after all. The more time he spent with Seb, the more he wanted him. The fact Seb was hurt and needed taking care of called to both the doctor part of him and the wolf inside.I’m so fucked.
Unless Nathan was right? Could he get to know Seb better and show him that some shifters were worth the effort? Whatever the outcome, he had to try. “You about ready? We should probably get going soon. I’m not sure what the traffic’ll be like on a Sunday afternoon.”
“Shitty, I’m sure. Like every other day.” Seb carefully swung his legs off the bed and put his good foot on the floor. “And yeah, I’m ready to go. Might as well head out now.” His crutch leaned against the wall next to the bed and he reached for it, pushing himself up. When he wobbled slightly, Tim stood without thinking and slid an arm around Seb’s waist to steady him.
As his fingers settled on Seb’s hip, he realised what he was doing and faltered. “Sorry, I—”
Seb’s eyes met Tim’s for the briefest of moments, and Tim’s breath caught. It would take nothing to pull him closer, angle his body so they faced each other, and—
“Thanks.” Seb leaned on his crutch and adjusted his weight. “Still getting used to it.”
“No problem,” Tim husked. Reluctantly he let go and took a couple of steps back. “After you.”
He followed as Seb made his way towards the kitchen, where Jared’s voice filtered out.
Watching him hobble through the hallway was tough. Every few steps, Seb muttered about his palm being sore and couldn’t they make crutches with better grips? Whether he knew Tim could hear or not, it still made him want to knock that damn crutch out of the way and take its place. He kept his hands fisted by his side so that he wasn’t tempted to do it.
Jared and Nathan were leaning against the kitchen worktop; they looked up as Seb entered.
“Fuck me,” Seb groused, propping the crutch beside Jared and rubbing his hand. “Why couldn’t I have hurt my left hand? It’s so fucking awkward like this.”
Jared snorted. “Yeah, must be hard. I know how much you use that right hand.”
Nathan laughed and high-fived him. Seb gave him them both the finger, and Tim prayed the flare of arousal that comment had caused wasn’t strong enough for Nathan to notice.
“Do you want to leave now?” Jared asked, fishing his car keys out of his jeans pocket.
“I do, but Tim’s offered to take me.” Seb glanced at Tim as he spoke, a small smile in place.
Jared looked from Tim to Seb and back again, his expression far less friendly. “Has he, now?”
The edge to Jared’s voice took Tim by surprise. He liked Jared, considered the pair of them friends, and the only time he’d had that tone directed at him was when Nathan had lain beaten and bloody on their bed. A prickle of unease started at the base of his spine and he stood a little straighter. “Is there a problem with that?”
Jared sighed. “No, sorry.” The edge was gone, but Tim still got the feeling he wasn’t happy about something. “It’s just….” Jared’s gaze flicked back to Seb, brow furrowed. “Look, I know it’s none of my business, and I like you, Tim, but—”
