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He looks between me and Locky a few times.
Locky gets ensnared in a conversation with Fulton, Tate, and Gus.
Bishop dips his head. "How are things going with you guys living together?"
"Fine," I answer quietly.
"Just fine?"
I nod. "Don't really see much of each other. We both work a lot. I'm at the shelter."
"The kitties are doing well." Bishop claps me on the back. "You're doing a terrific job with them. Thank you."
"No need to thank me," I say with a smile, thinking about how cute Joey was this morning. They're four weeks old now, which means their senses are improving. They're more responsive and starting to explore more confidently. Their teeth are continuing to develop and their claws are retractable. Still require feeding every five hours, but only for another week, when it will drop down to every six. A reprieve I'll gladly take.
"Is there anything else you wanna share about you and Locky before I drop it?"
"There's nothing else to tell. We had dinner last week, and now we're having dinner with you guys tonight. Apart from that, he makes me these delicious rolled oats things for breakfast, orbrekkieas he calls it. I clean up after him because he's even more of a slob than you are, and that's about it."
"You know…" We've been talking quietly this whole time, but Bishop drops his voice even lower now. "You can allow yourself this. If you want Locky, give it a shot. Don't let what happened in the past stop you from having a future."
I draw in a long breath through my nose, my chest tightening at the mention of my past foray into relationships. "Don't know about that."
"Are you worried?"
"Yeah."
Intense feelings and me go about as well together as gasoline and a lit match.
"ShouldIbe worried?"
"No. I've got it under control. This arrangement we have is fine. It's working."
It really is. Having Locky close means I know he's safe and keeps myotherurges under control. Contained. For now, at least.
"Okay. But if anything changes, come to me before you do…anything."
"Will do," I mutter, the ache in my chest growing. I have to manage whatever feelings I have for Locky because if I succumb to them, it's not a question ofifI'll do something stupid, but just how stupid it will be. I'm already in deep. Not over my head just yet, but the water line is rising fast.
As long as things stay exactly as they are and nothing changes…
"So, it's agreed. Operation Get Locky Laid has commenced," Tyler announces with a joyous clap.
Huh? What the fuck have I missed?
"You don't have to do anything you're not ready for," Gus says, reading the expression on Locky's face. "No one's pressuring you into anything."
"Of course not," Tyler says, looking a little flushed since heisthe one applying the most pressure. "I'm just trying to help in my own awesome way. Do not take anything I say too seriously. I don't even know where Canada is on a map and apparently it's a really big country."
Locky smiles and puts down his beer. "Thanks. I know you guys mean well. And maybe you're right. Maybe I should get back out there. Nothing serious. Just have some fun."
A twinge pulls in my chest. I can't tell if it's because I'm not sure he means what he's saying or the thought of him going out and doing things with guys irritates me.
Because it does. It shouldn't, but the thought of some other bastard getting to be with Locky really fucking irritates me.
"And, look, if you're worried about anything," Bishop says, clapping me on my shoulder. "I'm sure Roman here would be happy to be your own personal bodyguard. Keep you safe, and all that."
Well, duh. I'm already thinking ahead and planning stakeouts at his fuck dates. Do I want him bringing dudes back here to make it easier, or would I rather he not fuck someone else one wall away from me?
