“Doesn’t really matter,” Remi said, sitting back in the chair and looking out into the darkness again.
“It does. What are you less tolerant of since arriving here?” Lucas asked.
Remi’s eyes moved to focus on Lucas. “Cristie. She’s driving me insane.”
Roman, Laz, and Lucas all laughed again.
“Man, it’s not funny,” Remi said, trying to hide his own smile.
They kept chuckling. “She’s been a handful since she was a little bitty thing. She is strong willed and has a fast temper, but she’s not unreasonable,” Lucas said.
“I know she was pissed off when I got here. I mean yelling, eye twitching, squeezing breakfast sandwiches until they oozed between her fingers mad.”
They all laughed so hard they were almost crying, with Lucas holding his hand out acting out the squeezing his fist until imaginary food fell from his fist and he pretended to try to catch it.
Remi grinned at them, shook his head, and continued speaking. “But I took it, I deserved it. What she’s feeling is my fault. And she’s still pissed off. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, and I knew it wouldn’t be overnight, but she’s bringing in things I never expected to have to tolerate. I’m trying. I really am. I lecture my Dragon all day long about patience and paying the price for what happened. But at what point do I decide it’s a pointless endeavor and go?”
Laz and Lucas shared a questioning look, then looked toward Roman, who was gazing off into the darkness acting like he hadn’t heard the last bit of conversation.
“What is she doing to you?”
Remi shook his head.
“We’re here because Riley said you’re part of us now. We care about Cristie, so we care about her mate. What could possibly be that bad?”
“She’s spending time with somebody else. And making no secret of it.”
“No way!” Lucas exclaimed.
“You sure about that?” Laz asked.
“All I know is what I’ve seen. I probably shouldn’t be saying anything at all, so you know what? Never mind. I’ll handle it,” Remi said.
Lazarus sat forward, his elbows balanced on his thighs. Finally he looked up at Remi. “Look, one thing I know is she wouldn’t be so angry if she didn’t have feelings for you. If she had no feelings for you, you being here wouldn’t affect her at all.”
“Exactly,” Lucas affirmed.
“I keep hearing that,” Remi said.
“Maybe she’s trying to make you jealous,” Roman suggested.
“Would she do that?” Remi asked.
“Hell hath no fury and all that,” Lucas said.
“Truth! So much truth,” Lazarus said.
“Lucas!” Anahla called from the front door of their mobile home.
Instead of being irritated Lucas grinned. “That’s my Anahla.”
“Lucas?” Anahla called again.
He looked toward the sound of her voice. “I’ll see y’all later,” he said getting to his feet. “You let me know if you need anything,” he said, pointing at Remi as he walked away. He stopped when he’d gotten only a few feet away and grinned at Remi. “I like this. Same time, same place tomorrow?”
Remi looked at Roman and Lazarus still sitting with him. “Works for me.”
“See you then,” Lucas said, as he started toward home.
