Page 33 of Tiger Bitten

“Oh hell yes,” Misty gasped, unscrewing the cap. And she guzzled that water like she’d spent a week in the desert without it.

Ren couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her. “Cardio day?”

“Good grief, I just realized how out of shape I am,” Misty huffed. She turned and shot the empty bottle at a nearby recycling bin like a basketball, but missed it by three feet. “Swish,” she said.

Ren laughed harder now and walked with her to pick it up. Misty was funny.

“Um, is Mars okay? He was supposed to meet me here.”

“Okay, girl…” Misty turned toward her, and said, “The boys made a big mess, but we will get it cleaned up and figured out.”

“I don’t…I don’t know what that means.”

“Walk with me. We have to trek across two terminals to get to my car. I’ll tell you everything I know. The boys will be mad, but boys are also stupid, and the Ledger triplets share about four brain cells between them this week. I’ve learned so much about how reunion week will work moving forward. It has been a rollercoaster.”

Ren snorted. “I don’t think Mars was planning on coming until he roped me into going.”

“Pretty sure Stellan never planned to come to any of the reunions for the rest of our lives either. Literally, only Dame was keeping their pact to meet up. He’s been so stressed.”

“Geez. Why don’t they want to hang out together?” Ren asked.

“The Ledger brothers have a very complicated history. Before they were Turned, they were as close as any triplets could be. After Turning though? Their animal sides are very different from each other. Stellan went off the deep end immediately. Dame became the steady one, which was not his role before he was Turned. And Mars…well…Mars is the runner.”

Ren nodded. That felt right with what she knew of Mars. “Is he at the hotel already?” she asked. “I don’t mean to be rude, but why isn’t he the one picking me up?”

“Ummm, on that part I think you should see it for yourself. He’s fine though! He’s with Stellan and Dame right now. I’m actually going to take you to our house so you can see him and meet his brothers before we do the hotel check-in, if that’s okay?”

“Yeah, that’s perfect. I want to see Mars. I’ve…well, I’ve missed him and something feels like it’s going wrong.”

Misty jerked her attention to Ren’s face. “I’m not a Cat, but if I had to guess, I’d say you were telling the truth.”

They were walking on an outdoor walkway now, and the rattle of her wonkiest suitcase wheel filled the quiet.

“How long ago did you meet?” she asked softly.

“Last week. He started showing up at my store.”

“What kind of store?”

“I co-own a record store with my mom. Oh shit. I need to text her and tell her I landed. She’s probably freaking out.” Ren pulled to a stop and grabbed the phone out of her back pocket, then sent a quick text to her mom. Landed safe, headed to meet his brothers! I just met Misty. She’s awesome! Send.

Send me a selfie, mom texted back immediately. I want proof of life.

“Oh my gosh,” Ren muttered, rolling her eyes and turning her camera on selfie mode. “My mom needs a proof of life photo,” she explained to Misty. “She doesn’t like Cats.”

“But…you’re a Cat,” Misty pointed out. “I can tell by your eyes.”

“Yeah. It’s complicated.”

Misty leaned in and grinned, photobombing the picture.

Ren laughed and sent that one. It was cute, and fun, and it would put Mom at ease.

Is that Misty? Is she human? Mom texted back.

Yep. Send.

Good.