I don’t even turn my head. “I didn’t invite you in. You can turn around and leave.”
“Yeah, well, I’m inviting myself.” Drake’s footsteps echo across the hardwood floor. “Jesus Christ, Grim. What the hell?”
“What?” I still don’t look at him.
“This place is a disaster.” His voice is closer now. He must be standing in the middle of my living room. “And you… Fuck. When was the last time you showered?”
“Yesterday,” I lie. “Maybe the day before. What’s it to you?”
“I have to smell you.”
“You really don’t, since I didn’t invite you in.”
Drake moves closer. “This isn’t healthy, man. You need to get your ass up and—”
“I don’t need to do anything.” I finally turn my head to glare at him. “I’m fine right here.”
Drake snorts. “You’re not fine. Look at you. Look at this place.”
I glance around, seeing my cabin through his eyes. Dirty dishes piled in the sink. Food wrappers everywhere. Clothes on the floor. Most of the curtains are drawn, blocking out the sunlight. The place probably smells like a dumpster.
When last did I take out the trash?
I look back at Drake. “So I’m a little messy. Sue me.”
“A little messy?” He kicks an empty bottle with his boot. It rolls across the floor with a hollow sound. “You’re living like a fucking animal, Grim.”
“Then leave.” I close my eyes again. “No one’s forcing you to stay.”
He doesn’t leave. Of course he doesn’t. Instead, I hear him moving around. Opening curtains. The sudden brightness makes me wince.
“Stop,” I growl.
“No.” He opens another set of curtains and then a window. “You’re going to sit here and listen to me, whether you like it or not.”
“Actually, I don’t have to do shit.” I sit up, my head spinning a little. When was the last time I ate? “You can get the fuck out of my house, Drake. I don’t want to see you or anyone else.”
He walks over and sits on the edge of the sofa opposite me.
“I didn’t invite you to sit,” I snap. “You can go. There’s the door.” I point for emphasis.
“I’m not going.” Drake shakes his head. “Not until we’ve talked.”
“We’ve talked.” I swing my legs off the sofa and plant my feet on the floor. “Go already!”
“We’re talking first. There’s something I need to know. Did you mind-bond Wren?” Drake leans forward, his elbows on his knees. “You did, didn’t you? You had sex with her, and then you mind-bonded the last time you shifted. Admit it already.”
My jaw clenches. “No. I’m not bonded to anyone. Fuck that.”
“Grim—”
“You can go now.” I point at the door again. “There it is. Feel free to use it.”
“I’m not going until you’re straight with me.” His eyes bore into mine. “I should have seen it that day when I picked you up. I should have put two and two together, but after being shot…and the whole aftermath with the Mainland… Fuck! I missed the signs. I was so busy with Council meetings and the whole fallout of the truth coming out. Or some of it coming out.” He shakes his head. “I didn’t see the signs. You bonded with Wren, and now you’re even more broken than before.”
Something cracks inside me. Something I’ve been holding together with sheer stubbornness.
“Okay, fine! Fuck! I mind-bonded with her, but we only connected once,” I growl. “I will be fine soon enough. Once isn’t enough to get tight. I’m absolutely fine!”
