Ezra snickers, clapping Riven’s shoulder. “You’ve got a lot to learn about women, my friend.”
Calder chuckles. “I’ll go help her.”
Since Kady agreed to join us, a lighter mood has settled over the entire pack. I even caught the usually moody Calder humming as he packed. I’m not sure what happened between him and Kady while I was treating Larry, but it sure got him in a good mood.
“She’s back, little guy.” I stroke Larry’s head. He hasn’t left me alone, so I’ve been carrying him around, giving him a tour of our apartment. From my pocket, my work phone dings, alerting me to another message. “Can you take Larry, Riven?”
Riven’s a bit warier of animals than the others, but he still holds out his arms and takes him. However, Larry doesn’t seem to be particularly keen on being held anymore, leaping from Riven’s arms onto the sofa.
“Sorry, Larry,” I mutter, checking my cell phone. Yet another courier mix-up, resulting in a panicked message from some of my employees. These distribution companies are quickly becoming a pain in my ass, but there’s no such thing as time off when you run a company. “I’ll just reply to this email before we leave.”
“I’ll finish loading up the car.” Riven grabs his duffel bag and is practically glowing as he leaves the apartment.
“I’ll leave them to it.” Ezra stretches before reclining back and putting his arms behind his head. In many ways, Ezra is similar to a cat—he likes his home comforts, doesn’t like rules, and goes wherever he wants whenever he wants.
“Are you sure you’re okay with her coming with us?” I ask him.
“If it’ll put this whole scent match thing to bed, then sure.” He shrugs. “I have work to do ahead of classes starting again on Monday, so I’ll stay out of your way.”
Although he’s often aloof, Ezra’s been acting even more distant lately, spending a lot of time away from the apartment and coming home smelling of beer more often.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Ez?” Worry swimming through me, I scrutinize his expression. “I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” he dismisses my concern as my phone pings again. “But you better put whoever that is out of their misery.”
I scowl, forwarding the emails to the right people, hoping they can avert today’s crises. I know I’m doing a good job, but fuck. Helping Larry today made me realize how much I miss working with animals.
I look out of the window, watching Kady and Calder argue as she refuses to let him help her with her bags. At hearing their raised voices, even Ezra comes over to join me.
He chuckles. “She’s stubborn.”
“Just like you,” I snicker, going to grab my coat. “Time to go.”
“I’ll lock up behind you,” Ezra offers.
We haven’t packed a lot as we have everything we need at the house, which is a good thing as Kady’s belongings take up most of the trunk.
“Are you sure the truck will make the drive?” Kady eyes Janice warily as I approach them.
“Janice has made longer journeys than this.” I pat the hood proudly. Even though she looks like a hunk of junk, this truck means a lot to me. My dad and I built it together from the ground up. Sure, I can afford a better one on my salary, but I love her too much. Cars and trucks were our thing, and I’m not ready to let go of the last one we’ll ever build together. “She can make it.”
Kady’s lips purse, then she shouts, “Shotgun!”
“What—” Aghast, Calder’s mouth forms an O as she opens the passenger door with a smile. “Hey, that’s not fair! There’s hardly any leg room in the back.”
“Shotgun rules are very clear.” Riven slides into the back. “Kady gets to ride up front.”
Glowering, Calder grumbles under his breath as he scoots in next to him, leaving Kady victorious as the rest of us pile in. I honk the horn to hurry Ezra along, and he joins us a few seconds later.
“Ready?” I turn to look at Kady once we’re all inside. God, she’s stunning. Even though she’s blonde, she has long, dark eyelashes that remind me of a China doll.
“As I’ll ever be,” she replies.
I start Janice up then hit the gas.
We’re not even out of Forestville before the guys are bickering in the back about playlists. Ezra, the self-appointed DJ, selects a jazz station that has Calder groaning. It’s not a road trip if we don’t devolve into an argument about the music in some shape or form.
“Where are we heading?” Kady asks over the noise of Calder complaining about feeling like he’s been transported back to the ’20s.
