Avery perks up at that. “That’s kinda hot.” Brock shoves his elbow into Avery’s side. “What? You’re telling me that’s not hot to you?”
“Yeah, okay. It’s kinda hot.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out, smiling softly when I see Duncan’s name on the screen.
From Duncan:I’m glad you found my note! My dad fell down some stairs and my mother asked me to come be with her while he was in surgery. He’s out now and doing well!
To Duncan:I’m so relieved to hear that, Duncan!
From Duncan:Can I see you again? Sorry if that’s too forward but I already miss you.
To Duncan:Not too forward. I miss you too. <3 I’d like to see you very much. When are you free?
“Oh my gods! Look at that smile! Are you talking to Duncan right now!”
I look up from my phone, my cheeks heating up as all three of my friends stare. “You guys are the worst.”
“Already ditching us for him. We see how it is,” Ellie says with a giggle. “What did your dreamy new man say?”
“He says he wants to see me soon.”
“Awwww,” all three of them say at the same time. I wipe my sweaty hands on my pants and unbutton the top couple buttons.
“Yes, yes. Get your teasing in now because once you meet him I expect you all on your best behavior!”
“We promise,” Avery says, giving me a mock salute that makes me chuckle. Brock sticks his pinky out towards the middle of the table. Avery and Ellie do the same. I let out a sigh and copy them. “Pinky promise.”
Ellie grabs my hand, feeling my wrist. “Jesus, Viktor. Are you okay? You feel like you’re burning up.”
“Just a little warm,” I say, pulling my hand away. Something about her touch doesn’t feel right. It makes my skin feel all prickly and angry.
Brock straightens, looking at me with clear eyes. “Something’s wrong. Your scent is going all wonky.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing bad,” he says, pulling himself from his puddle of hangover despair. He stands up. “I think we should get going.”
“Why?” Avery says, looking between me and Brock. “What’s going on?”
“I have a feeling, but I don’t know for certain.” Brock leans down. “Viktor, I think you might be going into your first heat.”
My heart picks up speed and my hairline prickles with sweat. “What? No, I feel fine!”
“For now,” Brock says. “If I’m right, you’re going to be pretty miserable pretty fast. And you’ll want to be in your own home for this, not stuck in some hotel room that smells and feels wrong.”
Surely I’m just warm because I’m in my clothes from last night, right? I can’t be going into heat. I’ve never been in heat before, but I remember what the doctor said. He told me I would go into heat after meeting the person my body wanted to mate with.
Duncan.
Of course this is all happening now. Of course meeting Duncan would spark these instincts inside my body. Fuck. I wish he were here.
Ellie runs up to the room we all shared, packing everything up while Brock checks us out. Avery wraps an arm around my shoulder, leading me to the car.
“Even if they’re wrong, it’ll still be nice to be back home,” Avery says, sitting in the backseat with me. “I’m really happy you had such a great time, Viktor.”
“Me too,” I say with a soft smile, leaning my head against the seat. My phone buzzes again and I pull it out, my stomach doing flips inside of me.
From Duncan:Now that my dad is out of surgery, I’m free to come see you.
