I raised an eyebrow at that.
“Driftwood,” he added.
I did as he said.
“Now kick your feet a little bit.”
There was something both comfortable and uncomfortable about the way he touched me, and I kind of knew what the werewolf was doing. As if sensing my unease, he chilled out on the physical contact and focused more on the lesson.
I kicked my feet, but each time I raised one leg, I’d sink. His large hand supported my back again, and I started to move.
“This is kinda fun,” I said, now swimming without his support.
Roscoe snored, having fallen asleep while lying in the chair, and Darryl looked back for a moment before returning his attention to me.
“Okay, this is bothering the hell out of me. How did someone like you end up withthattrainwreck?”
I maneuvered myself upright and waded to the steps before sitting, still halfway submerged in the warm water. Darryl took his place next to me.
“To be honest? It all happened so fast, I still don’t know. He told me you both were friends, and now I feel like shit for intruding.”
“Dude, you’re not intruding, and you don’t seem like the type to take advantage of people.” He smiled and patted me on the back. “So, why the hell did you take a kuu from Roscoe, of all people?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I’m stupid, but there’s something about him.” I looked back at the now drooling werewolf, his tongue hanging out of his mouth as he snored louder. “Maybe it’s because he’s so fucking repulsive, and for some reason, it turns me on. I’m a neat freak, and my idea of fun is a quiet evening doing a crossword puzzle.” I’d never actually admitted that to anyone before, but it felt good to get it off my chest. “I wasn’t always like this, but that’s a boring story. Roscoe’s the complete opposite, so he kind of forces me to not be that way all the time.”
“Aw man, I’m sorry. I was trying to put the moves on you, but I could tell you were really uncomfortable. Someone really fucked you up, huh?”
“Kind of, but I let him hurt me bad enough that I just stopped looking for a relationship. That’s on me, though. Roscoe was a surprise. A really gross and annoying surprise, and I’m still not sure what the hell I’m even doing. We literally met a few days ago.”
“Dude… that’s not long enough to be accepting a kuu. You don’t even know what kind of person he is.”
“Well, it’s not like it’s permanent. I just have to hold out until I’m a werewolf.”
“And that can take a few years.” He sighed and nodded. “But I get it. You seem like the type of person that’s not gonna take his shit, and who knows? That might be good for him.”
“What’s the history between you two?” I asked but regretted it when the scowl returned to his face. “You don’t have to answer that.”
“Sorry. Just thinking about it puts me in a bad mood. Maybe some other time. It was a long time ago, and he seems sober.”
“Roscoe? Sober? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in that condition.”
“Naw. It was way worse when he was on pills. This is just booze.”
“Great. I’m stuck with an addict.”
“Good news is he’s definitely clean. I’ve seen him when he’s not. We might be strangers, but if he ever starts back up on that shit, you come here. Got it?”
Darryl really sounded genuine, which made me smile.
“You’re pretty grounded. You’ve got a stable job and a house. I didn’t think that was possible for a werewolf.”
“Cody, what you’ve seen in that city isn’t reality. That kind of poverty is what happens when you drain the hope and ambition from an entire demographic while giving them just enough of a handout to be dependent and desperate.” He stood up and stretched before reaching for my hand. “It’s all by design. I’ll give you the best advice you’ll ever receive in your life. Get the hell out of that place as soon as you can.” He looked back at Roscoe, this time with more sympathy in his silvery eyes. “It’ll suck away your soul until there’s nothing good left.”
Darryl broke his well-worn facade of a simple beach wolf that night, revealing something almost regal. I couldn’t help but admire whatever that was.
The midnight moon’s reflection danced over the calmer ocean as I sat cross-legged in the warm sand. Both werewolves had fallen asleep in Darryl’s bed, but the house had no air conditioning and sleep wasn’t going to come easy. I was still thinking about the earlier conversation, and I wondered if I had made a huge mistake.
“Hey,” Roscoe whispered from behind. “What’re you doin’ out here, bud?”
