“Grandma’s mixer with all the gadgets. Can you get it out of the closet so we can make long pastas?” Kerrianne wobbles back and forth.
Pup has energy. We should take her to let it out.My wolf warns.
I shove him down and out of my mind. He’s caused enoughtrouble. We don’t need to add a shifted wolf puppy and a too-close-for-comfort human to the mix.
“Absolutely.” I nod and leave the two of them, thankful for the second to collect myself.
The deep green mixer is right on its shelf in the closet, where it always is, but I lean against the doorframe and pull out my phone.
My relationship with my older brother may be a difficult one sometimes, but even when we’re going through hell, we make time for each other if we need it.
Royal:
I think I fucked up. Not as bad as you did, but bad enough that I can’t tell Mom and Dad.
I don’t expecta text back right away, but the chat bubble pops up, indicating that he’s typing.
Valor:
I don’t think that’s possible. What did you do?
Royal:
I let a stalking obsession turn into something more.
Valor:
If she/he/they are the one, then Mom and Dad will understand.
That’sone thing about Valor I never quite understood — but I appreciate nonetheless. I always thought he’d be so uncool with me not being straight, but just like with Mom and Dad, it was a moment of ‘oh’ and moving on with our lives.
Telling him this feels so much heavier.
Royal:
She’s the one. I don’t think anyone is going to understand.
Valor:
Give me a couple days. Antonella is... close.
Unless it’s Leticia D’Medici, then you’re fucked.
Royal:
I’m fucked.
Hope Antonella is really kicking your ass for what you did.
Valor:
You better put space between the two of you right now or it was nice knowing you.
The one or not, you can’t have Leticia D’Medici.
I mean it, Royal, the two of you can’t happen. Think of the truce.
Got to go. Time to get mauled again.
