Julian laughed. “How long do you still have again?”
Kari glared at him. “You know how long I still have.”
“The last month is always the longest one. You’re ready to meet your baby, but he’s not quite ready to come out. He will, though.” Julian paused. “Eventually.”
Kari glared at him, but he stayed in his seat. He was finding it hard to move now that he was eight months pregnant, and Julian enjoyed teasing him. As long as Kari knew that it was just teasing, things were okay.
Things were going well for them, so much better than Julian had expected. When he thought about how he’d arrived here in cete territory less than a year ago, with his son dragging him away from the only home he’d known for the past twenty-some years, and what he had now, he could hardly believe it.
He and Kaspar had moved into their new home a few weeks ago. Calum had come with them. After getting to know him, Julian had found that he quite liked him. Now that they didn’t have so many people around, Calum had revealed himself to be a nice person. He was more talkative, and he didn’t hide in his bedroom anymore. He still had his moments of loneliness, but Julian let him be. He had no idea what Calum’s life before coming to the Bishop House had been like, and he hoped that eventually, Calum would tell him.
Julian couldn’t help it. He was starting to think of Calum as another son, and he didn’t mind. It might seem weird since he was pregnant, but he was forty-two after all. Well, almost forty-three by now. Calum was only twenty, younger than Kari, so he definitely could have been Julian’s son, and since Julian hadn’t heard anything about Calum’s actual parents, he didn’t mind taking on that role. He loved it, actually.
“Wait until you’re as big as me,” Kari said.
Julian put both his hands on his stomach. “I’ve already been through this. I lived to tell the tale, and so will you.”
“I’m never having another baby,” Kari said. He sounded convinced.
“If you don’t want one, then don’t have one.” He might change his mind. Julian wouldn’t care either way, and he knew Calder wouldn’t either. Whatever Kari wanted, he would get. Calder thought Kari deserved the world, or at the very least, everything he’d always wanted.
“Where’s Calum?” Calder asked.
Calum usually ate with them when they came for dinner, but not tonight. “In his bedroom. He said something about having to make a phone call and wanting to give us some family time.”
Calder frowned. “Doesn’t he realize he’s part of the family?”
Julian shook his head. “I don’t think he does. I don’t know what happened to him when he was with the bats, but it doesn’t seem to me like he even knows what a family’s like, or that he had anything like it. It’s going to take him a while to get used to it.”
“Like it took a while for Kari to get used to me.”
“That’s only because you’re a dick,” Kari said. “My dad and Kaspar are angels. Calum will get used to them and me in no time.”
Calder pressed a hand over his chest. “I love it when you say sweet things to me.”
Kari grinned at him. “I said you’re a dick. You’re a lovely dick, but still a dick.”
Julian relaxed. This was his life now, and he couldn’t have been happier. There was still a hint of uncertainty and wariness, mostly because so far, Jacqueline hadn’t done anything. No one even knew where she was. She’d left coyote territory, and after she’d talked to Randy and had convinced him to come to cete territory, no one had seen her. Julian didn’t know what she was planning, but he was convinced they hadn’t seen the end of her. And when she struck, things would end badly. He could only pray his family would be okay.
At least they wouldn’t be alone. The council was finally working like a well-oiled machine, and to Julian’s surprise, the human team had integrated well. They spent their time traveling from territory to territory, talking to people and trying to understand how the forest worked. It was more work than they’d expected. It gave them something to do, for which Julian was grateful. He might be okay with Luther, but the others still made him nervous, especially now that he was visibly pregnant. He’d caught several of them staring at him, and it made him uncomfortable. He understood they found it curious, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed feeling like he was on display.
But all in all, things were peaceful. Julian knew that wouldn’t last forever. He was already shielding himself for what would happen next, even though he didn’t know what it was. It was hard to live that way, but he had to. He needed to focus on what he had—his family and his job. The people he loved. That was all he could do, and he was more than happy to do it.
He leaned against Kaspar, and Kaspar wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Julian laughed when both he and Kaspar reached for the other’s stomach at the same time. He snuggled closer and rubbed Kaspar’s bump, smiling at the thought that his baby was growing inside it.
“Tired?” Kaspar asked.
“I could do with a nap.”
“So could I. Growing a kid is more work than I expected.”
“You’re doing well,” Julian told him, tilting his head to kiss his jaw.
“Thank God. You’re doing well, too. Not that you need me to tell you that.”
“Everything will be okay, right?” Julian asked, suddenly unsure.
Kaspar couldn’t know what he was talking about, and if he was honest with himself, he didn’t know himself. But Kaspar nodded anyway. “Everything will be all right. Whatever happens, we’ll find a way, and we’ll make it through. We’ve made it this far, in spite of everything. Nothing can stop us now.”
You may also enjoy the following from eXtasy Books Inc:
Opposites Attract
Catherine Lievens
Excerpt
Leon rolled on his stomach and looked at Manuel. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his best friend behaving this way. Manuel was checking his reflection in the mirror, even though he already knew that Curtis, his boyfriend, was a sure thing. “You know he’s not going to care even if your hair is not perfect,” Leon pointed out.
Manuel looked at him through the mirror. “I know. I still want to the perfect for him.”
Leon sighed. He wanted to look perfect for someone, too. He knew better than to expect or hope that he would ever have what Manuel had with Curtis, though. “Tell me about his family.” Leon was curious, both about Curtis and his family. Curtis had six brothers, and that wasn’t something Leon had experience with.
Manuel smiled. “They’re all great. The younger brothers are a bit weird, but I think that’s because they’re not sure what to make of me. They’re all single, you know? I’m the first serious relationship any of them has, or at least, the first serious relationship they know is going to last.”
Leon frowned. “No offense, but how can they know you and Curtis will last?”
Manuel shrugged. “I know. I mean, I’m not going anywhere, and neither is Curtis. That has to mean something, right? I can feel it. He’s the guy for me, and I’m not about to do anything that can jeopardize our future.”
Leon narrowed his eyes, but even though he knew Manuel was hiding something from him, he didn’t ask. When and if Manuel was ready to tell him about it, he would be there. In the meantime, he didn’t mind listening to what Curtis’ brothers were up to.
He couldn’t help but think about Manuel going to Sunday dinner with all those guys. Of course, Manuel only had eyes for Curtis, But Leon wanted to meet the other brothers, too. Were they as hot as Curtis? There was bound to be least one or two of them who weren’t, but Curtis was damn sexy, and Leon wondered if maybe one of his brothers might be the man for him.
But no. He already knew the answer to that question. Meeting them wouldn’t change it.
“And they welcomed you okay?” he asked.
Manuel smiled. “Yeah. You could come along if you want? I’m sure Curtis’ mother won’t mind. I mean, s
he already has to feed eight men and herself, and you eat like a bird. It wouldn’t change anything for her.”
It was tempting to say yes. Leon couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a home-cooked meal. He certainly wasn’t one for cooking, which meant that he usually survived on sandwiches-and take out. He also wanted to spend more time with Manuel. Now that Manuel had Curtis, it felt like they didn’t see each other often enough.
But he knew better than to accept the invitation. Parents didn’t like him. He knew why, and he wasn’t about to change, but he didn’t want Manuel to be offended or disappointed. Manuel liked Curtis and his family, and from the way things were going, Leon suspected he would be part of that family for a long time. Hell, Curtis was already moving in with him, and they’d only known each other for a few months.
Things between Manuel and Curtis were serious, and while Leon was happy for his best friend, he also couldn’t help but feel like he was losing him in a way. “I can’t come, but if you want, I can help with the move.”
Manuel snorted. “You mean that you can keep an eye on Curtis’ brothers while they move his stuff?”
Leon grinned. “Of course. Isn’t that what I just said?”
Manuel turned around and leaned against the dresser. “I’ll be happy to have your help. Curtis doesn’t have a lot of stuff, though. I doubt there will be much for you to do, considering he has six brothers. But of course, you’re welcome to come.”
Leon grinned and sat up, crossing his legs under himself. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Like you said, he has six brothers. If there anything like him, I can’t wait to watch them work.” He wiggled his eyebrows so Manuel knew what he was talking about.
Manuel shook his head, amused. “They’re all single as far as I know.”
“Oh, I’m not looking for anyone to fill my bed, don’t worry.”
Manuel frowned, and Leon knew he shouldn’t have said that. He’d been trying to hide how lonely he was from his best friend for a while, and he wasn’t doing a good job, especially not since Curtis had appeared in the picture. Leon was distracted, which meant that he needed to be more careful. He didn’t want Manuel to worry about him. He didn’t want anyone to worry about him.
He did enough worrying on his own.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Manuel asked.
Leon shook his head. “I’m sure. They’re your family. You should spend time with them.”
“You’re my family, too. You can come. I told you they wouldn’t mind. If anything, they’ll be happy to meet you. I might have mentioned you a few times, and Curtis knows you.”
Leon shook his head and reached for his shoes on the floor. “I’ll go home. I have things to do.”
“Things to do? Like what?”
Leon looked at Manuel. He knew his friend didn’t believe him, but that was okay. As long as Leon could continue faking, everything would be fine. “Well, I need to do my nails. I’m not crazy about this color I chose last time.”
“And you can’t do that another day?”
Leon huffed and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at Manuel. “What do you want from me? I told you I don’t want to come. Are Hughing to force me?”
Manuel jerked back, and Leon felt instantly guilty. He hated pushing his best friend away. He knew Manuel was badgering him only because he cared and worried. That didn’t make it easier to deal with, though. Leon understood where Manuel was coming from, and he was grateful to have his best friend in his life, but right now, he wanted to be alone.
He knew that if he pushed, Manuel would eventually give up and leave him behind. That wasn’t what Leon wanted, though. He loved Manuel, albeit not in the same way Curtis loved him. But Leon knew that he was weird. He knew he was defective, and he only had Manuel in his life. Maybe it would be better for everyone if Manuel stepped out of it, but Leon couldn’t bring himself to push his only friend away.
He cleared his throat. “Maybe I’ll go to a bar or something. I might find some company.”
“Leon—”
Leon shook his head again. “No. I know you want me to be part of your family, and I’m grateful for it. I love you. You know that. But I can’t have what you and Curtis have, and that’s okay. I need you to stop pushing, though.”
“I don’t understand why you think you can’t have it. I know you like using guys and throwing them away like dirty tissues, and that’s fine. It’s never been my thing, but I don’t have anything against it if that’s what you enjoy. I’m just not sure you still enjoying it.”
Leon rubbed his face, careful of his eyes. He didn’t want to smudge his mascara or the dark eyeliner around his eyes. “I know you don’t understand, and I don’t need you to. I just need to support me. Please.”
“Of course I’ll support you. I wish I could do more, though.”
“There’s nothing to do.” Leon got to his feet and forced himself to smile. “I’m fine. I promise. You’ll be the first one to know if that changes, but right now, you should focus on Curtis. The two of you haven’t been together long, and I can’t believe he’s moving in with you already,” Leon said.
He was slightly worried. This wasn’t like Manuel, and he couldn’t help but wonder if maybe losing his mom was still hitting Manuel as hard as it had in the beginning. He wanted to do something, but he knew it would be hard. Manuel hadn’t lost just anyone. He’d lost his mom, and that would leave traces for a long time. Maybe finding Curtis was the best thing that could happen to him. Leon still wished things hadn’t changed between them, but he understood how ridiculous that thought was.
Manuel had Curtis now. He might not want to leave Leon behind, but Leon needed to start living without Manuel at his side.
The problem was that he wasn’t sure he could.
About the Author
Catherine is the creator of several series, most of them paranormal, including the Whitedell Pride Series and the Gillham Pack Series. While she graduated in translation, she decided to go the writer’s way because it was more fun to create her own stories and characters.
She’s been living in Italy for more than twenty years, but she’s a daughter of the North—Belgium to be precise—and she misses it so much that she’s already planning to move back.
She loves pizza—probably too much—her son, her pets, and of course, books. She sneaks some reading time into her schedule every time she has five minutes free from writing, demands from her various pets and son, and lastly, housework.
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In Spite of Everything Page 19
