Jason chuckled.“Takes one to know one.”
Maxim cackled but tried coughing to hide it.The dog looked up at what was going on, and Raven couldn’t help smiling as well.
Heath pointed at each of them in turn.“You’re all in cohorts—in cahoots!Fuck me.I need to get to work.Raven, I’m getting your phone set up.An hour.Maybe.Jason, if you were serious about temping here, you have to come see me for a contract.Which Maxim could do but—”
Maxim clicked his tongue.“Darling, you know I cannot handle all of the legalish stuff.It always upsets you when I do.”
“Because you—no, I’m not falling for it.Deep breaths.I’ll be at work.Jason, see me once you’re sober.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sober.”
“Shush,” Maxim said.“Heath isn’t.”
Heath grumbled under his breath as he strode off.The elevator was waiting for him and let him make his exit while glowering at a smiling Maxim.
Raven went back to petting the dog and watching those pointy ears.Nothing feels real anymore.Jason leaned against him like he’d done countless times back at the dorm.It was so normal.It should have felt normal, just like always.
“Let me rest my eyes for a sec, yeah?”Jason mumbled.
Maxim chuckled, and his smile made his green eyes twinkle.“There now, Raven.You are beleaguered by the nappers.”
Raven stroked the dog’s back.“I guess I am.”
Maybe, if he stayed like this for long enough, it would start to feel normal again.
Chapter 17
Maximhadretreatedupstairsto give Raven some space—or as much space as was possible, given Jason looked almost as comfy as the dog using Raven as a pillow.Maxim didn’t have to wait long for his phone to vibrate, and he pulled it out, sitting down in the reading nook to answer Heath’s text.
What did you do?
Darling, I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.
It took Heath a long time to type out the answer.If Maxim hadn’t been reasonably certain that Raven was well able to overhear a phone conversation by now, he’d have given Heath a call.He gets ever so anxious, poor thing.All that typing and thinking and worrying.
The bat jammies.The dog.And it’s so fucking early.WHAT DID YOU DO
?
We simply went out for a nighttime walk and happened upon a dog.
Are you giving the dog back to his real owner?
He’s from the shelter.Kindly inform the shelter that he lives with us now.
This induced yet another period of prolonged typing.
What shelter?What’s the dog’s name?Who’s his original owner?WHAT DID YOU DO?
Darling, I leave it in your capable hands to find all that out.
I hate you right now.My head hurts and I have the taste of sweet coffee in my mouth.Where did you go wearing only your pajamas?
Maxim narrowed his eyes at the screen.My baby boy isn’t easily distracted, not even after overindulging.Ah, he’s such a smart crumpet!
It was a balmy night, the moon so bright, and there was no cause for daytime clothes.
Full of batshit.
