Page 22 of Forget Me Not (The Shifters of Timberfall #1)

Bastien

Bas watched through the windows as Cyrus jogged across the street toward him.

He rolled his eyes, rubbing the back of his neck with a yawn.

There was not an ounce of regret in his body for having stayed up so late with Syve, but he was running too many consecutive days with no sleep and the accumulated deficit was starting to take its toll.

Thankfully, he only had a few hours left of work, then he could go home and straight to bed.

It was girl’s night, so Syve would be spending the evening with Aimi and Cameron—he could silence his phone and sleep for twelve straight hours, guilt free.

She texted him that morning to make sure he had gotten home alright, apologizing for not asking sooner because she’d fallen asleep on the couch as soon as he had left.

She also said she was certain she didn’t shift in her sleep again. That had to be a good thing.

The cowbell jingled as Cyrus stomped into the storefront with a face-splitting grin.

“Hey, Pup!”

“You’re insufferable. What are you doing here?” Bastien gave Cyrus a once over, squinting before asking, “Are you—is that coffee ? Why are you covered in coffee?”

“You’ve been holding out on me with this town, brother. I just met the most fascinating woman—and yeah, it’s coffee. She dumped two whole cups on me.”

He looked entirely too proud of that fact, grinning like a mad cat.

“Why are you smiling about that?! Where were you?”

“That coffee shop across the street—” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “That barista, she’s so damn feisty, can’t be taller than here.” He held his hand up to his chest. “And she’s got this hair that makes me wanna hide my dog.”

Bastien cut him off, “First of all, you don’t have a dog.” Cyrus made a tsk sound and waved him off. “Secondly, what the hell did you do to provoke Aimi?”

“Aimi?” Cyrus hummed. “I didn’t manage to catch her name, thanks.” He winked.

“Cyrus,” Bastien scolded.

“It’s nothing, really, I was just helping out.” He shrugged .

Bastien tilted his head to the side, calling him on the obvious lie.

“I was! She might not have asked for it, but I was more than happy to deliver.” Cyrus waggled his eyebrows then, with a devious grin he said, “I can’t wait to go back tomorrow.”

“If she even lets you in.” When the look on Cyrus’ face indicated confusion Bas elaborated, “Cyrus, she’s the fucking owner of that coffee shop.”

“Well, fuck. No wonder she was so pissed.”

Bastien made a gesture widely interpreted as ‘no shit’.

“God, that makes her so much hotter, gotta love a woman in charge.” He gave a mock chef’s kiss.

“Jesus, Cyrus.”

Bastien shook his head, he was far too sleep deprived and under-caffeinated for Cyrus being…well, Cyrus.

Hal strode in from the back then, asking Bas about a bulk pick up order they’d been prepping that morning.

He stopped mid-sentence when he saw Cyrus who had turned back toward the door, looking out with both hands on the glass like a child searching for Santa.

Eyebrows raised, Hal looked between the two men.

“All good out here?”

“Yeah, Boss. This is Cyrus. He’s an old family friend. Cy, quit being a creep and come here.”

When Cyrus peeled himself away from the glass and dragged his feet over, Bas continued .

“Cy, this is Hal. He owns the place.”

“Hopefully not for long,” Hal corrected, reaching out to shake Cyrus’ hand.

“If you don’t mind my asking, sir, what do you mean not for long?” Cyrus asked as he shook the man’s hand, shooting a glance over to Bas, who slapped a palm to his forehead and sighed loudly.

“I’m trying to convince this knucklehead here to buy me out so I can retire and spend all my time spoiling my old lady.

Awful hard sell though, maybe you can help me wear him down.

” Hal chuckled and stuffed his hands into his pockets, rocking back onto his heels before turning back toward his office.

“Nice to meet you, son. Bas, take a look at this before you head home, would you?”

“You too, sir.” Cyrus called back at the same time Bas said, “Yes sir.”

They watched until Hal turned out of sight, then Cyrus turned fully to face Bastien.

“He wants you to buy him out?”

Bas rolled his eyes and nodded. “Yes, he does. Now drop it.”

“I think you should.” Bas barked a laugh and Cyrus responded, “What? You think Mama hasn’t told me about how much you love this job?”

At that Bastien’s face fell.

“I can’t afford to buy him out, so drop it.” Agitation flooded his words .

“That’s an awfully bold lie.” Cyrus squared his stance and crossed his arms. “Try again.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I know damn good and well what you can afford, Bastien.” Cyrus’ tone hardened.

Bas glared at him. “Why don’t you mind your own business, Cyrus. I don’t know what you think you know—”

“Who the fuck do you think gave him the idea?” Cy unfolded his arms to point at Bas, who flinched. “Who do you think sat down with him and made sure nothing was overlooked?” His voice raised, words coming out angry.

Speechless, Bastien stared at the floor.

“I was twenty years old—” he seethed, just above a whisper.

“I watched animal control take down a bear that had been caught, ‘wandering’ through town.” He emphasized his words with air quotes.

“They made the call, right there on the spot—said a bear found in town would always come back and that made it a threat to the people. They shot her while her mother screamed from behind the tape line.”

Bas looked up in horror and the look of anguish he found made his stomach turn. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“You never truly know when your ticket will be punched. I told him that. I know Dez left you every goddamn thing he owned because I told him to,” he growled.

“I—I can’t—”

“Don’t be fucking stupid. You can. Get over yourself.” Cyrus clapped Bas on the shoulder before turning to leave the shop. “Oh, and Bastien?” He called from the doorway, “Happy Birthday.”

Then he was gone.

It may have been the anniversary of the day he entered the world, but it was not his birthday. That died with Dez.