Page 56 of The Librarian’s Familiar

“I know. You aren’t worried about your brothers?”

“No…so far no one in my family has said anything about me not being there most nights, but I’m pretty sure it’s because my parents are waiting for me to say something.” He glanced away, and Charlie guessed August hadn’t got around to telling them that he was gay.

He’d stopped wearing his cologne after Sinclair’s warning because if shifters smelled it on August, and then on him, they were going to draw the obvious conclusion.

Keeping it a secret was an uphill battle that he didn’t want to fight, but while August wasn’t ready, he needed to hold the line and resist saying or doing anything to push him. But some people needed a little push, and if that little push was too much, then maybe it was better that it all fell apart. For the first time in his life, he found himself wanting to hold something together. Why was everything so complicated?

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

His brothers hadn’t said anything all afternoon. Sure, they’d all been busy painting and trying not to get in each other’s way or get paint on the books. But now they’d stopped for pizzas and to let the walls finish drying so they could do the much-needed second coat.

No one was speaking, and August felt Charlie’s annoyance rolling off him even though he’d been all smiles and had bought the pizzas as a thank you, as it would’ve taken him forever on his own.

This way, everything was done properly and would be all done and ready for Monday morning. Charlie was still opening the library tomorrow morning, even though most of the books wouldn’t be back on the shelves.

While August and his brothers finished the painting, Charlie was going to be setting up the children’s section. Perhaps shelving books and creating order would make him feel less agitated. Though August suspected it had very little to do with the library and everything to do with him not saying anything.

Keaton had given him more than one pointed look, silently asking what was going on. Not if something was going on.

August hadn’t spent last night at Charlie’s, partly because he was afraid of his brothers smelling something. Maybe Mom had already spoken to them and was expecting them to extract the details.

He took a swig of cola and shoved another piece of pizza in his mouth because he didn’t know what to say. What was he supposed to say? I roped you into helping because I’m currently sleeping with the librarian.

They probably would’ve helped if Charlie had asked because that’s what people did around here, they helped out when things needed done. Charlie hadn’t thought to ask for help.

Harvey and Keaton glanced at each other like they were planning on saying something.

Charlie narrowed his gaze as if sensing the change. Was he expecting August to jump in first and say something?

“Mom said you haven’t been home much? Everything okay?” Harvey asked.

“Yeah.” August nodded.

Charlie pressed his lips together.

August wanted to say something, but he didn’t know how. It wasn’t as though he’d ever introduced any girlfriends to his family. There hadn’t been any, and he’d then been away.

“You’re either spending a lot of time as a bear, or you’re seeing someone,” Keaton added.

Charlie gathered up the empty boxes like it was an urgent job and disappeared out the back to the staff area.

His gaze tracked Charlie, knowing that he was fucking this up.

He glared at his brothers because this was obviously their fault and kept his voice low. “What is your problem?”

“Come on…the way you look at him…the way he looks at you.” Harvey grinned.

“You didn’t have to say anything.” No, he should’ve said something.

Charlie returned looking slightly less pissed, but only because he was hiding it better. August felt like he was boxed in with no exit, and he hated it.

Were they dating? Was Charlie his boyfriend? He certainly wasn’t ready to say ‘fated mate.’ That implied forever, and Charlie’s magic didn’t allow that.

“I’m going to start cutting in, as the sooner that area is done, the sooner I can move things around.”

August stood up, grabbed his hand, and spoke softly even though his brothers were watching and would be able to hear every word. “Hey, we can quit pretending that we aren’t…friends.” That sounded lame.

Charlie lifted his eyebrows.