Page 61

Lennon

The call from his doctor’s assistant this morning as he was leaving the apartment had sent Lennon into a free fall spiral. The receptionist wouldn’t explain over the phone why they were calling, except to say the doctor needed to see Lennon to discuss his blood results.

He stood on the sidewalk waiting for Jonny to come. He had wanted to ring Kodi, but he hadn’t heard anything from him over the weekend. They hadn’t gone a full weekend without seeing each other in ages, and it had Lennon hesitate to reach out. If he had something awful, would Kodi even be interested anymore? The unsettled feeling after the strangeness of the week before and Friday’s dose of reality at how open Kari was versus Kodi, had Lennon calling his brother instead. His parents and sisters would freak him out more than he already was. Jonny was the best option for keeping a level head.

Lennon had rung Hollis next to explain he needed to come in late this morning. There wasn’t much to say, when Lennon didn’t have the answers about why. Hollis didn’t push after he’d said it was to visit the doctor. It was Hollis who had suggested he take the morning off. His appointment wasn’t till nine-thirty. Lennon had agreed, unsure if he wouldn’t need time to get himself together afterwards.

Lennon sniffed back tears, watching the traffic for his brother’s car, foot tapping on the sidewalk. Was he going to lose the chance to show Kodi he was worth the effort?

He dug a hand into his jacket pocket, then the other, before reaching into his trouser pockets, only to remember he had tucked his phone in his bag and left it in the car. He’d been tempted to put his worries in the group chat, and didn’t want to risk giving in.

What happens if I’m so sick I can’t do my job?

Stop catastrophizing.

Leave me be.

A car stopping at the curb caught his attention. Jonny looked stricken as he got out of the car, leaving it illegally parked to pull him in for a hug. “It’s going to be fine.”

Lennon tugged free and pointedly stared at the car. “Then why have you left your car in a no-parking zone?”

“Shut up, smart ass.” Jonny weaved back around the car and got back in, reversing into the parking lot at the side of the large building housing the doctors practice. Several car horns blasted at his inconsiderate behavior.

Lennon would usually have chuckled at his unflappable brother flapping, but it was because of him and he was also on the verge of flapping. He hurried after the car, needing Jonny for a distraction.

He’d barely turned the corner when Lennon heard a commotion. There were cries of alarm, and he spun around, walking back onto Main Street to see what the fuss was.

He came to an abrupt stop, his soles skidding on the sidewalk. “What on earth!” He gulped, staring wide eyed at the large, golden furred wolf he came face to face with.

“Nice doggy,” he warbled in fright.

The wolf’s eyes looked… amused as its tongue lolled out the side of a mouth full of dangerous looking teeth.

Lennon inhaled sharply as the head came closer, and he gasped as he recognised the scent. “Kodi! What are you doing here?”

“What the hell? Get away from him,” Jonny bellowed, charging around the corner toward them, arms waving.

Lennon stepped in front of Kodi, unsure what he’d do to Jonny. “It’s Kodi,” he explained quickly.

“Huh! Why is he in his shifted form? Did you call him, too?”

Jonny sounded pissed, and the scowl deepened when Lennon shook his head. “He just showed up.” Even to his own ears, that sounded lame.

“How the hell did he know you were here?” This, Jonny aimed at the wolf, who was rubbing its nose against Lennon’s shoulder blade.

“I don’t know, and it’s not like he can answer me,” Lennon replied testily when they were gathering an audience. It wasn’t every day a wolf walked down Main Street, or any street for that matter.

The wolf placed its head on Lennon’s shoulder pushing its muzzle against his cheek. The fur was silky smooth, and Lennon rested his face on Kodi’s wolf when it made a non-threatening noise that had Lennon’s bat flap its wings as if preparing for an aerial display.

No, you are not shifting out here!

He came looking to make sure we were alright. He deserves a reward.

“We need to head inside or we’re going to be late for your appointment.”

Crap, Jonny was right, but Kodi’s wolf didn’t allow Lennon to take a step away without following.

He stopped and stared at the gorgeous wolf. He couldn’t resist stroking the fur. “I don’t think you’ll be allowed in.”