Page 52 of Starlight

Cole considered his father for several seconds. “You want to fire me because I want to take some of the annual leave that I’m entitled to? Because I want to go on a road trip and have some fun…before I grow up and get a mortgage?”

“I gave you the job because you had nothing else, and because I was worried about you sitting in your room and only talking to psychologists.”

“And I’m grateful. Maybe it was what I needed at the time, but I’ve known for a while that I want something else, even if I don’t know what that is. So I’m going to take this chance and see what happens.”

“And expect us to pick up the pieces. Again.”

“I don’t expect that, but that’s what family does, right? Drop everything to help? That’s what you did for your brother.” Even when he was in hospital, recovering after the accident, everyone had been worried about his aunt and uncle because they’d lost both their sons. They figured he was okay because he was in hospital, being taken care of. And while that was true, there have been times he’d wished he had died.

His father pressed his lips together and shook his head. “Just tell me when you’re planning on leaving.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Akai read Cole’s text message again. He was able to take leave, but they needed to confirm when they planned on leaving. Cole also said it would take about a week to drive there.

By the time the weekend arrived, he would’ve wasted two weeks that he should’ve been traveling by wing; if they left this weekend, he would still get there on time.

Can we leave this weekend?

Did he need to warn Cole that Thunderbird Bob wanted to talk to him and that his entry into the gathering wasn’t guaranteed? It felt as though he probably should, but he didn’t want Cole to back out. He wanted to spend that week driving with him and getting to know him further.

As well as fucking him.

His sweat tasted even better after sex.

Akai considered his options for several heartbeats. He’d tell him on the way…maybe by the time they reached Yellowstone, Cole would be more than a fuck buddy.

Even though having a mate hadn’t been part of his plans—not in the near future anyway—the idea was becoming more appealing. It was far too easy to imagine Cole as his mate after spending two weekends in the cabin with him, cooking and playing games and hiking. Maybe he could take him to one of the mines and show him a workshop. Plenty of monsters found a way to make having a human mate work, so there was no reason why he couldn’t. Unless of course Cole didn’t want that.

What if he only wanted a few weekends and an invitation to solstice?

An adventure before he returned to his boring human life?

His teeth worried at his lower lip. Just because he was starting to imagine a place for Cole in his nest didn’t mean Cole was dreaming of the same thing.

But he had liked being up in the nest.

And they’d had fun last weekend, in bed and out of it.

Saturday. I’m not starting a road trip after a full day of work. I’ll see you Friday night. Anything you want me to bring?

More lube.

More honey.

Just you.

Aww. No seriously, what do I need to pack for solstice?

Nothing special…there’s no dress code.

He thought about it for a moment longer.

Maybe don’t bring the gun.

I figured it wasn’t a good look for a human to turn up armed. Besides, the only time I’ve ever needed it was to scare off a wolf.

Akai smiled.