Page 55 of Starlight

He’d upended his life and made a mess far bigger than he could clean up, and for what?

A three-week vacation?

The time off would be nice, and he did need to spend some time sorting out his future, but if not for Akai, he’d have done things a little differently. He’d have put it off until winter, maybe longer, because it was much easier to stay in the rut he was in. Climbing out, as he’d learned, was messy and difficult, and if he’d known how bruised he’d feel today, he might have refused to drive Akai to Yellowstone.

He got out of his truck and slung his bag over his shoulder. He slammed the door closed in case Akai hadn’t heard the engine, then walked up to the door. As he got closer, music filtered out on the evening air, though not anything he was familiar with.

A frown formed as he turned the handle of the unlocked door. Akai had better not be having a party or a hookup. His stomach turned. Was he the biggest fucking idiot on the planet?

He shut the door and walked into the living room. Akai was sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter. He must have connected his phone to the little battery-operated speaker Cole left there and was singing along as he peered closely at a gemstone.

His kitchen counter was scattered with stones, silver, and scraps of paper.

Cole coughed.

Akai’s head snapped up, and he looked directly at him. “You’re here! Already? Fuck. Dinner.”

Akai got up and ran around to the hot plate, where something was bubbling. He stirred it and sighed as if relieved. He opened his mouth, closed it, and reached into his pocket, turning down the volume. “I got busy.”

“I can see that.” And Cole was the biggest idiot on the planet for thinking Akai was having a party. He did not seem like the kind of guy who had a dozen close friends he could invite around for a few drinks. He lived and worked alone, saving up all his partying for solstice.

Akai covered the few feet between them and pulled him into a hug that lifted his toes off the ground. “I got bored, so I went for a hike, which is tedious and takes way longer than flying, but I didn’t test my wing.”

“Good. Where did you go?” Had he robbed a bank or a jeweler?

Akai set him down. “I went to the small workshop near the old mine to see what was there. And I can take more since I can’t fly and you are driving… You are still driving?”

Cole nodded. “Yeah, it was a shit show. I may not have a job when I get back, but I’ll have to deal with that later.”

“You don’t like your job.”

“No, but I need it. For money and health insurance, things I like having.”

Akai’s lips formed a soft oh. “You gave that up for me?”

Cole shrugged. “A little, but also for the adventure. I will never get this chance again. But yeah, somehow, you crossing my path has fucked everything.” Cole put his hand on Akai’s chest. “I’m not blaming you. It’s like you’re the catalyst or something. I could have said no, but I needed the kick in the ass to do something.”

“So you aren’t annoyed?” His eyes narrowed. “You smelled annoyed when you walked in.”

“I thought you were having a party without me.”

Akai laughed and pointed at the kitchen counter. “I was having a good time, so I guess it was a party of sorts.” He glanced away. “I’m used to being busy, and I was bored and overthinking everything.”

“Regretting inviting me?”

“No…maybe a little, depending on the angle of the sun and movement of the stars. I was reminded that bringing a human is a big deal. It’s dangerous to reveal our existence, and you aren’t my mate. So there were questions.”

“What kind of questions?”

Akai took a few steps back and busied himself by moving gemstones around the kitchen counter. “How we met, that kind of thing…”

Cole’s eyebrows lifted. “Tell me you didn’t…”

“I had to, and it would’ve been way worse if the truth came out later. Don’t worry; they know it was an accident and partly my fault. As you said, wolves don’t fly. But Bob wants to talk to you when we arrive.”

“Bob?”

“Thunderbird Bob. He has a human mate, so he’s not anti-human.”