“If he’s anything like me, he’s got a stash somewhere.”
“He’s nothing like you.” Adam pulled open a few drawers. “God, why do we have such a big dresser when I’m the only one that wears most of the clothes?”
After checking the nightstand drawer and finding nothing but one of Adam’s dildos, I paused. “The bedroom’s too obvious.”
“You’re giving him way too much credit.”
“And you’re underestimating him,” I said, stepping back into the hallway. “He’s been spending a lot of time on the porch.”
“He’s been fixing it. I’m surprised both of them haven’t broken through the steps.”
We walked outside onto the deck, and I looked around for anything out of place. “Keep an eye on the road. If you see them coming, say something.”
“I feel like we’re on a heist.”
“We are. If Austin’s been hoarding your money, I’m going to sniff it out.”
“I swear, you must be Jewish or something.”
My mouth fell open, and I crossed my arms. “That was incredibly insensitive.”
“Sorry. I just thought since you were so good with money—” He paused and smiled, shoving me to the side. “You’re Jewish, aren’t you?”
“On my dad’s side, yes. Let’s drop this conversation before we both offend one another.”
“Snowflakes aren’t black.”
I reached between a couple loose boards to see if one would pull away from the porch. It didn’t. “I know he’s hiding it.”
“I’m telling you there’s no stash. Your Jewy senses are malfunctioning.”
Ignoring him, I pressed my heel against each floorboard, listening carefully. “Austin’s ex-military, and he’s really secretive. I know for a fact he’s self-disciplined and paranoidenough to do this.” One of the floorboards rattled and pulled away under my foot. “Bingo!”
Adam eyed me curiously as I pulled the board up. It was the last one closest to the edge, so chances of anyone stepping on it were slim to none.
“It’s not like Austin to leave it like this, don’t you think?” I said, reaching down into the crawlspace. My hand brushed against a tin box, so I removed it before replacing the board.
“Gee, I wonder what’s in here,” I said as I loosened the cover with a clawed fingernail. It popped open and several rolls of hundred-dollar bills lined the tin. I gave Adam an ‘I told you so’ look before putting the lid back on.
“That motherfucker.”
I pulled the board back up and placed the tin back into the crawlspace.
“What are you doing? That’s my money!” Adam shouted.
“And?” I said, making sure everything was the way I found it. “What are we gonna do? Take thousands of dollars away from a mentally unstable werewolf?”
“Okay, you have a point.”
“I’ve got a better idea. I want to let him dig his own grave. From now on, give me any money you make, and I’ll put it in my safe.”
“That’s going to really piss him off.”
“Tell him I threatened to kick you guys out if you didn’t.”
“Dude, you need to be careful. He’s never gotten physical with me, but I’ve also never talked to him the way you do.”
“Well, if you’re right about him, then I need to stand my ground. Otherwise, he’s just going to treat me the way he treats you, and I don’t have patience for that bullshit.”
