“It’s tense,” I confirmed, crossing my arms in a huff as I thought back to the confrontation Daisy and Tori had. “Daisy went off on Tori to start drama, and she mentioned some pretty personal things in Tori and Jay’s relationship. I don’t know the whole story there, but it’s clear it’s a sensitive subject. So Daisy isn’t above hitting below the belt, so to speak.”
“Then this Daisy’s a mean girl.”
“Seems so. The only thing I can say is she had enough sense not to speak to Tori much after her horse was bitten.”
His shoulders stiffened, and his green eyes slid over to meet mine. “She lost her horse last night?”
“Nathan had to put him down before he turned. She didn’t know the virus had spread to animals. None of them did. They were in a bubble on that ranch, Calix. A damn good bubble.”
A beat of silence passed between us as he nodded. “Must’ve been nice to live in a bubble through all this.”
“Yes and no. Now they have to face reality after that bubble has popped. Their ranch is going to be nothing after this horde comes through.” I shook my head, thinking of the animals still in that barn and coop. “I’ve never seen a horde this size, and I don’twant to think what would’ve happened to them had they stayed at the ranch.”
My gut churned at the thought of them bunkered down in that cellar.
“Every year it gets bigger,” he muttered bitterly. “I swear they migrate like birds.”
“They do.” I rubbed my beard with a groan.
Every year just as fall hits, they run through. And every year, it grows.
I assumed the zombies would decline in numbers due to decay, but instead, they were rising. It didn’t make any scientific sense, but it was happening regardless. It had to have something to do with the fact these zombies didn’t eat. They only spread the virus through a bite then moved on. I didn’t like to concern myself with the logic behind it like Nathan and Calix did.
“I was glad to see her in the bed with you two. I thought she tried to leave or something.” He set the spoon down and began pacing again.
I flinched before trying to force my muscles to relax. “That would be a nightmare.”
“No kidding.” His dull steps filled the room like a lull, and I focused mostly on that sound. “We’re going to have so much to do when this horde passes through. How many days do you think it’ll take to rebuild this year?”
“Not as long as last year. Benjamin, Jack, and Charles reinforced the hell out of the sheds. I’d be surprised to see them torn down again, but you never know.” I frowned, despising the groans that came from underneath and around us. “At least we have more survivors this time.”
“Unless they don’t decide to stay,” he added, and my chest ached at the thought of Tori leaving.
I didn’t even know her. It shouldn’t have mattered to me that she may not be staying—but it did.
9
TORI
Comforting warmth surrounded me, distracting me from the moans and groans of the dead outside.
A heavy weight laid across my legs and torso, and I cracked my eyes open. Nathan’s legs overlapped mine, and his arm was snug around my waist. The flannel Micah gave me to wear had slipped up, and I silently cursed myself for the comfortable white granny panties.
It was the apocalypse. I dressed for comfort, and by the way Nathan held me tightly, he didn’t mind it.
I turned my head, and my nose brushed against his. My heartbeat throbbed in my throat, and every nerve I had begged me to press forward and meet his lips with mine.
Nathan was heartbreakingly beautiful. Long eyelashes brushed his upper cheeks, and his pink lips were so full. The stubble on his cheeks and the patch of hair on his chin looked good on him. I couldn’t help but reach out and run my fingers through his blonde hair.
His blue eyes popped open, and amusement spread across his face in the form of a smirk. “See something you like, killer?”
I moved my arm back, but his hand caught my wrist before he pressed a kiss to my palm. A shiver of desire raced down me at the softness of his lips.
It had been so long since I’d been in a position like this, and even with the absolute chaos outside, I wanted to close the distance between us.
“I do,” I admitted in a whisper. “But I really shouldn’t.”
“And why not?” he murmured, breath fanning over my lips as he moved closer.
