It’s the third or fourth time I’ve transferred photos this week. Rowen hadn’t even hesitated the first time I’d mentioned it. Just dragged me into his room and given me not only the laptop but his password to log in. It’san old device, wiped clean of anything important when they upgraded, but still. How can he trust me so easily?
How canItrusthim?I don’t know, but I do.
I insert the memory card before opening the laptop. After typing in the password, my eyes widen. There’s a new program on the screen.
“You bought Photoshop?” My voice cracks in surprise.
Rowen smiles like it’s nothing. “Figured you might want to edit some of those photos.”
My throat tightens. “You didn’t have to—”
“I know.”
I can’t speak, can’t find it in me to say thanks. The way he keeps doing things for me, the way theyallkeep doing things—don’t they know it’s going to wreck me when I’m forced to leave? I’ve never been treated like this, like I belong.
He’s still staring at me, with a strange, tender smile on his lips that makes my heart do funny things.
“What?”
He shrugs. “Nothing.
My cheeks heat. “So—uh. I like your Black Paw poster. Guessing you’re a fan?”
Rowen leans back, propping his feet on the beanbag near my legs. “They’re my favorite band.”
“Yeah? Mine too. I saw them live once.” I can’t help but brag a little.See? My life isn’t all darkness and gloom.
He perks up. “Are you serious?”
“Yep. About… oh, four years ago? When they came to Prodigy. I even met the drummer. He’s hot as fuck.” I clap a hand over my mouth. “Oh my god. I didn’t mean—”
“Oh, yousodid,” he says, laughing. “Hot, huh?”
My ears burn like they’re going to fall off.
Rowen just laughs harder. He pauses as if filing this priceless bit of information away for later. “Good to know I haven’t been misreading you, though. I think he’s hot too.”
I exhale. “You… do?”
He nods. “Definitely. The bassist is too. I’d totally hit that if I could.”
I grin stupidly. “You’re gay?”
“Eh, no. Bi maybe. I don’t know. I’ve mostly been with women, but there’ve definitely been some men in the mix.” He shifts around, rolling his chair closer. “We don’t really judge that kind of thing here. Don’t use labels. It just is what it is.”
I snort. “Obviously. Everyone seems to be bi or gay. Jer and Evan, Red and Sage…”
Rowen tilts his head. “Red and Sage aren’t just dating. They’re fated.”
“Wait, what?”
He nods. “They’re a fated pair. Met in the city a few years back, and Sage said his wolf just knew the moment he saw Red. Knew he was his soulmate.”
For a brief moment, neither of us speak.
“I thought that was just fantasy stuff,” I say quietly.
“Oh, it’s real. Just rare.” His tone shifts, becoming quieter, almost thoughtful. He clicks around on his screen, rubbing the back of his neck. “When you know, you just… know. That’s what Sage says anyway.”
