“You’ve lost your chip privileges,” I said, glancing out the window for the third time in the last twenty minutes.
“You knew the whole time I was yelling at them, and you didn’t say anything! You have ten seconds to tell me where they are or so help me.”
I ignored him as a white van pulled over to the side of the road. The sliding door opened and a huge, brown werewolfhopped out while holding a duffel bag in one hand and a guitar case in the other.
“He’s here,” I said excitedly as I dashed to the front door. Just seeing Darryl again was a relief. Even though I’d only stayed with him for a month, he was the most level-headed and responsible person I’d encountered, especially among the werewolves. It was going to be nice to have someone else to rein in Roscoe and Adam for a little while.
Adam leaned forward against the window sill, his little tail wagging in anticipation. It didn’t take a genius to know what he was thinking. Austin had been doing his best lately, but the half-turn was a lot more demanding. So much for only wanting to be with his kuu mate.
I opened the door as Darryl waved to the driver and the van pulled off.
“You’re late,” I shouted, running up to the huge werewolf and grabbing his bag. “Finally decided to visit, huh?”
“Damn. Nice place,” he said, giving me a one-armed hug. “Could use an ocean view, though.”
“This has got to drive you nuts.” I led him up onto the porch, and we both stepped into the house. “All forests and hills as far as the eye can see.”
“It’s a good change of scenery.” The werewolf eyed an anxious Adam near the hallway. “You gonna give me some time to unpack?”
“No,” Adam replied impatiently, before darting into the bedroom.
“How’s he been?”
“He’s been Adam. We’re all waiting with bated breath for him to finally change.”
“It’s gonna happen pretty soon, and his attitude will get better. All half-turns get moody before they turn.” He flashedme a smile as he sat his guitar on the floor next to the bag. “It’s something you get to look forward to, eventually.”
“Can’t wait,” I muttered.
Drilling noises rumbled the walls from Austin’s garage, and we both turned toward the door.
“I take it Austin’s been Austin?” He wrinkled his nose and turned away.
“He’s been doing better, actually. He and Adam have been working through some things.”
“Darryl,” Adam shouted from the bedroom.
“It’s been a long drive,” the werewolf said, slipping off his shorts. Seeing him wear anything more than a life buoy strapped to his back was kind of weird, but it was common courtesy for werewolves to put something on while taking a taxi. “Where’s Roscoe?”
“The grocery store, hopefully figuring out how employment works.”
“Does he need straightening out?” Darryl’s eyes flashed from orange to silver.
“I’ve been keeping him on a short leash. When you’re done with Adam, you mind if we talk a bit?”
“I know that look,” he said. “If this is important—”
“Darryl, my ass is literally in the air right now,” Adam shouted from the bedroom.
“That can’t wait much longer.” I chuckled and pushed the werewolf toward the hall. “We’ve got a fire pit outside, and it’d be good to have some music later.” I looked at his guitar.
“Maybe you and Roscoe can sing along.”
“I’ll leave that to Roscoe.”
It was late evening, and the sun was already behind the trees as I stacked firewood neatly into the pit. I’d been collecting and chopping it all week, so we’d be able to have a fire every night while Darryl was visiting. Roscoe was in the kitchen, and Adam and Darryl were still going at it so loudly that even being outside did little to dampen the noise.
Austin hadn’t come out of his garage, and I’d need to check on him a little later. Knowing how much bad blood was between him and Darryl, I wasn’t going to force him to be social.
