He paused to think about it. There were so many factors to consider. He’d just become a werewolf and was still figuring out what that meant. He might continue at Wulf, Inc. He might go back and finish his PhD. His future was in flux, and Nero’s was no different. The big ass would probably join a new combat pack and go anywhere in the world, fighting who knew what.
All those thoughts ran through his head, and Savannah, being Savannah, let him mull them over, though she was shivering by the time he finally spoke.
“Not right now,” he finally admitted. “If everything was normal….” He almost snorted that word. Werewolves were not normal. “I wouldn’t let him end things like this. But he’s going somewhere. I might be going somewhere.”
She straightened. “Where are you going?”
He was about to say he didn’t know, but he made up his mind right then and there to share the important stuff. Details didn’t matter. This did. “I really like the work I’m doing,” he said, feeling his way through his decision. “I love it. It’s exciting and different.” Understatement of the year. “And they seem like they really need me.”
“You’re staying in covert land.” A statement, not a question.
“Yeah.” Then he shook his head. “But as soon as I can, I’m writing my dissertation and graduating.”
“What?”
He turned her so they were looking eye to eye. “You may not remember it, but you harassed me at MoreCon for not getting on with my life.”
“That’s no surprise. I do that every time I see you.”
True enough. “That’s because you’re right. I wasn’t graduating because I didn’t know what I wanted to do afterwards. Nothing interested me.”
“And now you’ve found it?”
He thought about the pages and pages of case files he’d been reading through. Demons with plasma fire were just the tip of the iceberg. Vampires and shifters were only a fraction of the world out there. And when the fairies got involved, everything went whacko.
“I love it,” he said.
“But you’re leaving it?”
“Temporarily. I’m going to finish the PhD so the bastards pay me what I’m worth.”
She grinned. “That’s the spirit.”
Then he glanced back at the house. “Nero was a jerk today, but he was right about one thing.”
She arched her brows in question.
“I need to close out my past. And though today sucked rocks, at least I know I won’t be leaving my family in limbo.”
“But you’re still disappearing into covert land.”
He shrugged. “Not to them, I’m not. Nero outed me as gay.” He held up his hand to stop her from making a snap judgment. “He thought they already knew, and I know he was shocked by their reaction.”
“Still an asshole move.”
Josh couldn’t argue that. “So Mom’s going with the mental breakdown, and Dad’s chosen jailhouse conversion.”
“Oh my God,” she breathed. Then she looked at Bruce’s huge truck. “What about your brother and sister?”
Josh exhaled. “I don’t know. They both tried to help, but there’s only so much they could do.”
“Okay, so your siblings are up in the air, butI’mnot. I don’t care what you’re doing, I expect an email address and regular communication. And you better get vacation time off for MoreCon every year.” She poked him in the chest. “Every single year.”
“Every year. I promise.”
“Okay. Fine, then—” Savannah cut off her words as her gaze zeroed in on Bruce. He was just now coming out of the house, and his steps hitched slightly as he saw her. Then his jaw tightened as he crossed to Josh.
“Hi, Bruce,” Savannah said.
