Caleb knew what was about to happen.He sucked in a breath and leaned in, smiling even before their lips touched.Austin was smiling, too, and that was how their first kiss started—with smiles.Caleb could still feel Austin’s when their lips touched, which was ridiculous but also very much Austin.Besides, the smile didn’t stay there long.Austin’s arms went around Caleb’s waist, and Caleb pressed closer.He hooked his arms around Austin’s neck and allowed himself to relax.He knew Austin had him.He trusted him.
He wanted what Jonathan and West had, and he wanted it with Austin.It might be unexpected, but that didn’t matter.No, the only thing that did was that Austin clearly wanted the same thing.
And maybe together, they could have it.
* * * *
AUSTIN WAS WHISTLINGwhen he walked into the station to start his shift.It was either that or singing, and no one wanted that.He sang so badly he could scare cats, and he didn’t have any intention of forcing anyone to listen to that, not even himself.
But he couldn’t contain his happiness.When he’d gone out this morning to meet Caleb, he hadn’t expected their work meeting to turn into a date.How could he have when Caleb had made it clear that he didn’t trust him?But something had changed, and Austin was glad.Caleb’s trust was precious, and he wouldn’t do anything to betray it.
“Someone’s happy,” Jeremy said when Austin joined him in the changing room.
Austin grinned at him.“Aren’t you?”
“Considering we’re about to start a shift, not really.I would’ve rather have stayed at home.”
“But instead, you’re stuck with me.Too bad.”
Jeremy squinted.“There’s definitely something up with you.What did you do?”
“Nothing.”It wasn’t a lie.Calebhad done a lot, though.Austin couldn’t stop thinking about their kiss.They’d been interrupted by his second alarm telling him that he needed to get a move on to get to work, but they’d agreed to text during Austin’s shift and to see each other again soon.
Austin couldn’t wait.
“You’re lying,” Jeremy insisted as he leaned closer as if he was trying to read Austin.Austin just grinned and turned to open his locker.
His relationship with Caleb wasn’t a secret, but he wasn’t sure he could call it a relationship just yet.As much as he wanted to yell from the rooftops that Caleb was giving him a chance, he wasn’t sure it was the smartest idea.He should probably ask Caleb what he thought of them going public first, at the very least.Caleb hadn’t said anything about this being a secret, but Austin wanted to be sure.He didn’t want to do anything that might ruin his chances.
He took his phone out to do just that, but he was interrupted by the alarm ringing.He groaned and pushed his phone back into his pocket, focusing on quickly finishing getting ready instead of on Caleb, even though the wolf shifter was never far from his thoughts.He was still there as Austin climbed into the engine and settled on the seat, and his phone was back in his hand before he could think better of it.
Hey, did you want to keep our relationship a secret?
He could feel the others watching him, including West.West knew that Austin had a meeting with Caleb this morning, and he was probably curious to know what had happened.There was no way he suspected that it had turned into a date, and even though Austin was dying to tell him, he kept his mouth shut as he waited for Caleb’s answer.
Should I be worried?Caleb answered almost instantly.
Austin grinned.Why do you think you should be worried?
Well, you’re asking me if you can keep our relationship a secret.
That’s not what I asked.I just wanted to know if I could tell my team, or at least West.
Of course you can.Did you really think I was going to say no?
Austin couldn’t stop smiling.I don’t know.We haven’t really talked about it, and I know how you felt about me before.
Well, I don’t think of you like that anymore, and I’m not ashamed of dating you.Tell whoever you want.
Austin went to put his phone away, but another text came through before he could.
And please stay safe.
He told Caleb that he would be, then finally slid his phone into his pocket.When he looked up, everyone was staring at him.“What?”he asked.
Jeremy pointed a finger at him.“See.That’s what he’s been doing since he came in this morning.It’s weird, isn’t it?”
“What’s weird?Me being happy?”
