“Earned what?” I asked. “It doesn’t sound like you’ve actually done anything.” I knew why I was getting so angry. This was a kid who had life handed to him, and I had to bust my ass eating tuna without mayo.
“Don’t sound all condescending. We’re both earning it since we’re forced to let werewolves live with us.” He tugged at the chain around his neck. “These are the only things keeping us from going on killing rampages, and I’d rather spend a year or two living with a piece of shit than being locked up in a cage.”
“Are these kuu a new thing? What did half-turns do before?”
“I don’t know, man. I don’t question it—I just deal with it.” He sighed and leaned back on his arms. “Look. We’re doing some good by getting werewolves off the streets while helping fund a future for all of us. It doesn’t matter how much money you have when you’re legally barred from spending it. Or in your case,earningit.”
I glared at him again.
“Those earrings look really faggy, by the way. They look good onyouthough,” he said, removing his shirt as he stood, brushing away the sand that had stuck to the backs of his legs. The obvious back-handed compliment annoyed me even more. “I’m going for a swim.”
“I thought you were getting swimming lessons.”
Adam gawked at the tall werewolf in the distance. “God, you’re so clueless. No one actually goes to Darryl for swimming lessons.”
The key slid into the door, and I heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”
“You’ve still got a day. Did you really think they were going to change the locks on you?” Roscoe asked, following me inside. “I wish we could take the AC with us.”
“Maybe I can see how much a window unit costs. How much money do you have?”
“Enough for us to eat for a couple of days,” Roscoe replied. His deep voice had a slight echo since the apartment was mostly empty, save for a few duffel bags full of clothes and toiletries. “Plus, Darryl hates air conditioning. It’s only for a couple of weeks, anyway.”
“I can’t keep sleeping outside.” I held up my arms, revealing several bug bites that, for some reason, hadn’t completely healed yet. “I’m being eaten alive by whatever’s on that beach.”
Roscoe gently grabbed my arm and examined it. “Ah, I forgot about these. Dune fleas. Well, that ain’t their actual names, but I know they bite the shit out of half-turns for some reason. They don’t bother werewolves, though.”
“I wish you hadn’t destroyed my air mattress.”
Roscoe grabbed the last two beers from the fridge and handed me one. “We’ll figure something out.”
I took a sip and looked out the only window with a view of the city and not a cracked brick facade. “Darryl was right about thisplace sucking your soul away. We’ve only been back in the city for an hour, and I already feel depressed.”
“I never really put that together, but I think yer right.” Roscoe set his beer on the counter and walked into the bathroom to pee with the door open. “I’m surprised Darryl couldn’t sweet-talk his way into yer pants. He’s sure changed a lot.” He stopped peeing and walked back out into the room.
“Did you really not flush the toilet or wash your hands?”
“It’s a surprise for the next tenant.”
I folded my arms. “I wish I could quit you.”
He let out a snort before walking back into the bathroom. “You really are a tight ass.” The toilet flushed and the water in the sink came on. “Well, probably not anymore now that I’ve claimed it.”
“That’s really funny,” I said as he padded back into the room, wiping his wet hands on his fur. “I still don’t know how it all happened that first night.”
“You may have looked human, but you were definitely half-turn, and half-turns are stretchy,” Roscoe said while holding out his balled-up fist. “You heal so damn fast I could go full Caligula on you and you’d be just fine.”
“Don’t EVER do that,” I shouted, swatting his fist away. “Are werewolves like that, too?”
“Well, yeah. That don’t ever go away.” He raised a brow. “Why? I didn’t give you any ideas, did I?”
I cracked my knuckles. “I don’t know. The Caligula thing sounds like it could be useful.”
“I ain’t letting you near my ass with yer nasty temper.”
We both stared at one another before raising our beers.
“I can’t believe I’m moving again already,” I said before taking another sip. “Wasn’t even in this place for more than a few months.”
