“Why don’t we just take a day or two to reorient ourselves?”
I nodded. I could take a day or two without it affecting my grades too much. It would be an annoyance, but one I would get over.
“Spencer has a few things to clear up today, and then you and he are going to go get replacement nesting supplies,” Bear told me, sitting next to me with a bowl of cereal.
“I can’t really afford new nesting supplies,” I admitted, doing my best to sound casual. They probably didn’t even think before spending money. They lived in a fancy apartment and worked for millionaires. They didn’t understand student life.
Spencer gave me a funny look. “You’re not paying for any of it.”
“I can’t let you—” I started, but Bear held up a hand.
“Spencer is going to pay for it.”
I paused, biting my lip. “Well, now all of a sudden, I feel an inexplicable urge to spend a lot of money.” I laughed.
“Hey!” Spencer grumbled from the stove.
Though it was all well and good to joke about it, I wasn’t truly comfortable spending a lot of his money. With my apartment destroyed, there was so much I needed to replace, and nesting items felt like the lowest priority.
The things Mable had given me were wonderful. Despite the extreme stress I felt about my place being trashed, I’d slept well, snuggled up with Bear.
“You know, I don’t need any new nesting supplies,” I pointed out. “Mable gave me loads.”
Bear frowned. “But they’re notyournesting supplies. You need to pick some out for yourself.”
“As much fun as it would be, I don’t think I can spend Spencer’s money,” I admitted quietly.
“Why?” Bear asked. “We’ve got more than we know what to do with.”
“You could do something smart, like invest it, instead of spending it on my nesting supplies.”
“Or we could spend our money doing things that bring us joy,” he suggested.
“Exactly!” I exclaimed, sitting straighter. “Maybe you could use it to buy a new taser.”
“Do you know what would bringmejoy?” he told me, leaning in close. “Ensuring you have a comfortable nest.”
“You’re not going to drop this, are you?”
“Nope. So you’re just going to have to deal with it.” Bear smirked. The scarred corner of his face crinkled as he did so, and it only made him look that much more distinguished.
“Why can’tyoutake me, then?” I asked. The idea of spending an extended amount of time in a car with Spencer made me want to gag.
“I’ve not got the fucking plague!” Spencer groaned from the stove, making Chase laugh.
“He cares about you, too,” Bear insisted.
“I get that, but he acts like a total psychopath.”
“Chase could always go with you,” he suggested.
“No, because I’m likely to shove him down a set of stairs.”
Why was he content for both of his pack mates to go shopping with me, but didn’t seem to want to go himself?
“You know, I understand if you don’t want to go shopping for the frilly stuff. It’s probably annoying,” I said, looking down at my plate.
“Isthatwhy you think I wouldn’t go?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.
