Page 59

Nigel rolled the tension from his shoulders and neck. “Bro, don’t you know when to chill?”

Phillip swept the hair out of his eyes, a smile plastered on his face. “Not with the likes of you, no,bro.”

Christ.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think Phillip was jealous. But that couldn’t be right. It was probably more that he didn’t like Nigel, and whatever little rivalry the two men had going on was agitated by my presence.

Men.

“Okay, kids. That’s enough,” I cut in sharply. “But Phil’s right. I’m here to train. Raincheck?”

Nigel’s proud grin immediately stole Phillip’s. “Definitely. I’ll go on ahead and see if I can find anything. Meet you two up there.”

I watched my friend disappear into the forest, probably to get naked and shift.

I tried not to imagine Nigel stripping down to nothing, but I wasn’t a saint. Even I’d imagined Nigel nude nearly every time he discussed shifting. He always removed his clothes to avoid tearing them apart, and he brought his duffle bag with him today in anticipation of having to shift without warning.

“What’s your deal with Nigel, anyway?” I asked when I couldn’t see or smell Nigel anywhere. “You’ve been extra rude to him today.”

Phillip reached over to me and tucked stray hair behind my ear. “No reason. Just not a fan.”

I didn’t believe him, but I also didn’t have any evidence to argue he wasn’t telling the truth. So, I dropped it. Instead, I asked the question that had plagued me since we met up with the other two Hunters.

“So...” I started, attempting to keep my voice nonchalant and gaze elsewhere. “You and Kris, was that a thing?”

I could practically hear Phillip’s delight. “Interested?”

“Just curious. Seems like there’s a past there, and I don’t like being stuck in the middle of things that haven’t been resolved,” I lied feebly. “Did you two date?”

Phillip stepped forward, getting uncomfortably close. “What, you jelly?”

“No one—I repeat,no one—says that,” I grumbled, a twitch in my cheek. “And no.”

“Not even a little bit?” His fingers brushed my cheek. “Should I tell you? I’m not sure you’re ready to hear it.”

Pulse already taking off, I stood in front of him, looking plenty stupid and not the least bit sure how to change it. “Was it more than friends?”

Phillip’s mouth rose into an impish smile.

Christ. I don’t like that look.