“I hate Roscoe. Why did you let me go with him?”
I could barely stifle a laugh. Though I hadn’t known for sure when it would happen, I’d known it would eventually. Being stuck in a car for twelve hours with the world’s most annoying werewolf took patience and finesse not a lot of people had. Hell, I barely had it.
“Oh no,” I said, my tone purposely feigning concern. “What happened?”
“I can hear you smiling, you prick.”
“Where’s Roscoe right now?”
“Laying against the window, snoring. God, he’s got morning wood and everyone’s looking at him.”
“Isn’t he just the cutest?” I asked, still trying to restrain a laugh. “How was Darryl?”
“Amazing as ever.” His tone had a bitter bite to it again. “At least he gave me aswimming lessonbefore I left. That’ll tide me over until I either turn or go on a horny, bloodthirsty rampage.”
“I take it sex with Roscoe isn’t doing it for you anymore?”
“He hasn’t done anything to me the entire time I’ve been with him! I was expecting him to pull over whenever I was in the mood, but he just kept singing boomer songs and torturing me with puns and awful dad jokes.”
He didn’t do it. I had expected Roscoe to jump at the chance of screwing Adam up and down the interstate, but he’d actually taken what I said to heart. Roscoe was going to get the best hummer I could manage when he got home.
“Sorry you had to go through that.”
“Well, sorry you had to deal with Austin’s shit. So I guess we’re even.”
“Not quite.” I grinned again. “Austin and I have been having a great time. He actually made me breakfast this morning because I destroyed Roscoe’s pan and nearly caught the house on fire.”
Another low growl came through the speaker. “What do you mean he made you breakfast?”
“Pancakes and eggs. It was more out of pity than anything.” I had to dial that back a bit. The goal was to annoy him, not drive a bigger wedge between him and Austin—and me. Hopefully, when Adam got back, they would sit down and talk things outwith one another. I’d already laid the groundwork; all Adam had to do was not be insufferable for once.
“Ha!” There was that shitty tone I’d missed. “At least he didn’t let you starve. Have you guys been fighting?”
“No, he’s been in the garage, mostly. Probably missing you.”
“Did he actually say he missed me?”
“Of course he did. He’s been a wreck without you.”
The garage door opened, and Austin walked into the living room. “Cody, hour’s done. Wanna go for a walk?”
“What was that?” Adam asked. “Was that Austin?”
“Yeah. You want to talk to him?”
There was a moment of tense silence.
“Who’s on the phone?” Austin asked.
“It’s Adam,” I said, holding the cell phone out.
His shoulders slumped a bit before grabbing it away from me.
“Hey,” he said, his tone returning to its usual grouchiness. That wasn’t at all what I’d hoped for.
Adam’s voice came through the speaker but was muffled enough that I couldn’t understand.
“Sounds boring, but funny.” He stood there, examining his claws, nodding and grunting one-word responses before finally cutting Adam off. “Listen, I’m gonna go for a walk with Cody. I’ll see you when you get home.” He disconnected the call and handed the phone back to me.
