“Why’s that?”
“I dunno. There’s just something sad about knowing the person you were might change for good.”
“But it’ll be forgood.I thought you wanted to leave Austin when you turned.”
Adam shrugged. “I do, but I still love him. I don’t know why. It’s not like he has many redeeming qualities, but I get sick thinking about life without him. Isn’t that fucked up?”
“I don’t know. I’m not good at relationship stuff, but a lot of people have been in this position. If you’re in love with someone, even if they’re toxic, it’s hard to change that.”
“I’m gonna do something pretty risky the night I turn. I never told you what Darryl and I really fought about that night, but I did apologize… and I got some valuable information.”
“Oh?” I waited for him to elaborate, but he simply smiled and stood up. “What, you’re gonna leave me hanging? Why even bring it up?”
“It’s painful, isn’t it?” he said, rubbing the knot on his forehead. “Maybe next time you won’t launch me off the bed.”
He padded out of the bedroom.
“It was an accident!”
Chapter 11
The Forest’s Secrets
Everyone always busted my chops for being uptight and moody, but Adam was a lot worse—at least in the moody department. We sat in front of my old television, and we didn’t speak to one another. I didn’t want to press him on what he told me earlier, but it was eating me alive. What did he have planned, and why was it risky?
The house was coming together, but it was still rough to look at. Even though I didn’t like the guy, Austin was one hell of a handyman. He’d fixed the plumbing in the kitchen, patched the holes in the walls, tightened the loose boards on the porch, and replaced the wiring on a faulty outlet that nearly caught fire.
The front door squealed open, and both Roscoe and Austin padded inside.
“I gotta fix that,” Austin said, examining the hinges.
Roscoe stepped up to me and held out his hand. “Could I get some cash?”
“How much?”
“How much you got?”
“Roscoe,” I snapped, grabbing my wallet from my back pocket. “What are you going to get?”
“Groceries. Gotta get enough to last all of us the week.”
I turned to Adam. “I don’t have enough money to feed two werewolves for a week. Give Roscoe some of yours.”
“Hell no. I’ve been waiting a whole month to get my check, and I’ve got shit to buy.”
“You got fifteen hundred, right?”
“Why are you asking? You get the same amount I do.”
“Good, the rent’s due. That’ll be seven hundred.”
Adam shot off the couch. “You’re outta your damn mind.”
I jumped up and got as close to his face as I could without running into him. “No. I’ve been overly generous. Now pay the fuck up.”
We both snarled, and I started seeing that red hue again.
“What the hell’s goin’ on with you guys?” Roscoe asked, pushing us apart before turning to Adam. “If you’re gonna live here, you gotta contribute. Cody can’t do everything by himself, and I don’t got a job yet.” His tail wagged. “And I know what I’m gonna cook tonight to put you grumps in a good mood.”
