Page 135 of Inhuman Nature

“Think about it,” Shaun said softly.

Kit clicked his tongue. “You might think you have it all figured out because you got your happy ending with those two, but that doesn’t happen for everyone. Not all of us bounce back after dealing with someone like Lawrence.”

“I’m lucky. Rake and DJ help me a lot, and I’m mostly okay these days. Having people around you is important. We’re all here for you, but there’s more than just friendship available out there. Have you thought about—”

“I’m fine with being alone,” Kit interrupted.

“Forgive me for pointing this out, but you don’t seem to be.”

Kit bit on his thumbnail as he fought not to lash out. It would only prove Shaun right. “I don’t appreciate the unsolicited advice.”

Shaun looked contrite. “Sorry. I benefited from therapya lot, so I wanted to tell you about it. If it’s not for you, it’s not for you.”

Kit, in a fit of emotion, pulled Shaun into a hug. Shaun tensed for a split second—clearly not expecting the egregious display of affection from Kit—then returned the embrace. “I accept your apology,” Kit whispered. After all, Shaun had accepted Kit’s own apology for a far worse offence.

“Don’t be a stranger,” Shaun whispered back.

After a few more prolonged seconds where Kit squeezed Shaun, he pulled himself away. “Okay, that’s quite enough of that,” he said, righting himself.

“Can’t have anyone thinking you’ve gone soft, I see.”

“Not at all.”

Shaun smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Stay in touch this time?”

“If I must. You’ll have to give me the updates on any new games you’re releasing. The houseplant shop one is fun. Almost makes me think I could look after a real plant.”

Shaun’s features lit up. “Right now, we’re working on one set in an old-school eighties American mall. You have to figure out whether the town’s local mystery has any weight to it.” He leaned in closer. “Spoiler alert, it does.”

“I’ll be downloading it on release day.”

With one last squeeze of Shaun’s shoulder, Kit got back into his car. He waved, then backed out of the space.

The drive home was the loneliest he’d ever experienced. Even when he cranked up the music on the radio, the empty feeling he’d had returned tenfold.

“You’re never going to be happy, darling.”

Kit slammed on the brakes, the car making a horrendousscreech as it fought to come to a halt. He whipped around in his seat, ready to see the last person he expected in the back seat.

But it was empty.

Kit turned back around, seeing how his claws had torn the steering wheel in his panic. The only reason he’d avoided being rear-ended was because no other cars were around. Before he caused a crash, he pulled off onto a side road.

Although Kit hadn’t needed to breathe in almost half a century, his chest heaved and his shoulders shook as he drew desperate breaths into his lungs. Shaking, he checked the back seat again.

Still empty.

Kit closed his eyes and thudded his head down on the ripped steering wheel, wincing at the dull pain that shot through his head.

He should have known he would never be free of his creator.