Calder shifts in his seat. “The Blandon Pack might have found him first.”
My eyes narrow, anger bubbles inside me. Calder places his hand on my knee, calming me. “Don’t worry about them. We’ll take care of it, okay? Right now, let’s concentrate on getting Larry better.”
I’m ready to unleash full-force Kady fury on the Blandon Pack’s asses. “But?—”
“We’re taking care of it.” Calder squeezes my knee. “Trust me.”
Usually, I’d argue, my drive to be independent superseding all else. However, my adrenaline seems to be wearing off, my energy feels like it’s been zapped.
I nod wearily. “Okay, fine.”
Calder’s lips part in surprise, then he smiles, petting Larry’s back while we travel away from SVU to their apartment. We listen to the radio, peppered in with me talking to Larry. The guys talk about other things, but I’m too wrapped up in making sure my fur baby is okay to pay attention.
When we arrive at their place, Hale leads the way, having me and Larry wait on the sofa while he gathers his supplies while Calder taps furiously on his phone.
Hale returns a few minutes later, donning nitrile gloves. “I’m ready for the patient.”
“Be warned, he’s not usually very friendly.”
Going to the vet is Larry’s least favorite thing. After his last flea treatment, it took me over an hour to lure him back into his cat carrier. Hale easily takes Larry from me, tickling him under the chin like they’ve been friends forever. Larry seems even more taken with Hale than he did with Calder, rubbing his face into his chest.
“Such a friendly little fella,” Hale praises.
Has Larry suddenly had a personality transplant? If he was this charming, Warren and Sabs wouldn’t have scars from him.
“I’ve got everything ready and wiped down the table.” He gestures at the dining table.
“I’m not that great with blood,” I admit.
“No problem,” Hale replies. “I can handle him by myself. Calder, why don’t you take Kady to your room to give us space?”
Calder splutters finally looking up from his screen. “My room?”
“Just while I patch Larry up.” Hale nods. “It won’t take me long.”
Calder rises, his posture more wooden than usual. “This way.”
I follow Calder into his room. It’s very tidy, books stacked up on his desk and his closet doors open. There are a few outfit options laid over his bed to see what combination works well together, right down to the socks.
“I’d go for a different pair of pants with that shirt.” I point at one set, teasing him.
A flush creeps up Calder’s neck as he grabs his clothes in a bundle then hurls them into the closet, slamming the door.
“I wasn’t expecting visitors.”
“Are these your parents?” I turn my attention to a faded photograph stuck to the bulletin board above his desk. A gorgeous woman with the same golden tan as Calder is flankedby three handsome men. One—who I infer is probably Calder’s biological father—has his same mischievous smile. A little girl sits on one of her dad’s shoulders. “You have a sister?”
“Yep.” A smile breaks over his face, making him even more attractive. “Violet. She’s eighteen and pretty much has everyone eating out of the palm of her hand. She definitely knows what she wants. You’d like her.”
My attention strays to the more recent photograph next to it, of Calder and the rest of his pack posing on the beach next to surfboards, wet suits peeled down to their waists.Look at the books instead, Kady! That’s safer than letting your eyes roam over the muscular abs, happy trails, and bulges beneath the tight, black fabric.
“Hale really did go to veterinary school, right?” I rip my hand out of my mouth before I start biting my nails. “He does know what he’s doing, doesn’t he?”
“Hale used to be top of his class. Larry’s in good hands.”
I nod, gnawing on my bottom lip.
“Here.” He hands me a printout. “Why don’t you proofread one of these articles forTheValley Voice?”
