Page 91 of Seer

“I asked you to tell us some stories from Brantleigh’s high school days.”

Brantleigh shook his head and put his hand up. “That’s not necessary. High school was a long time ago.”

A surge of anticipation came through the connection. Cal was ready to make his move.

He tilted his head at Brantleigh. “Okay, well, if high school’s out, I could always tell Karla how I ran into you at the bakery last week.”

Oh, Cal hadn’t mentioned that.

And apparently Brantleigh didn’t want Cal to tell Karla, because he fired back, “Oh, you mean when you were making moony eyes at that big tall guy?” He looked at me with a regretful expression. “You should know what kind of man you’re getting into bed with.”

Fantine gasped. Karla’s mouth fell open and she stared at Butch. Ruben went very, very still.

My brain went quiet. The magic gave me an instinctive ability to hone my focus during periods of danger or combat, and I went into that mode now. Setting my utensils on my plate, I stared Brantleigh down and growled, “Excuse me?”

The connection with Cal exploded with appreciation and lust.

My focus changed in an instant. I barely stopped myself from leaping to my feet and throwing Cal across the table to feast on him.

I gripped the arms of my chair and slowly turned my head, breathing heavily through my nose. Cal just smiled. Did he know my dick was trying to burst out of my jeans?

He patted my arm. “He’s talking about Taylor. That’s the morning I also ran into him at Pour Some Sugar on Me.”

I nodded. “Taylor told me....” I connected the dots. I sucked ina breath and my brain went into combat mode again. I glared at Brantleigh. “He said some guy was bullying Cal.”

I shoved my chair back and got to my feet. I leaned over the table and snarled, “He said you were calling Cal insulting names.”

Brantleigh, showing a clear lack of awareness of the danger he was in, dismissed this with a scoff. “He must’ve misheard.” He squinted at me. “What’s wrong with your eyes?”

Karla said, “Brantleigh, a few minutes ago you called himCowbefore you corrected yourself.” She looked over at Cal. “Is that what he called you in the bakery?”

He nodded serenely. “Since ninth grade.”

I put my hand on his shoulder, and my brain eased out of combat mode. Cal’s collar prevented me from touching skin, but that could come later. I sent reassurance through the connection.

Brantleigh said, “He’s lying.”

I rolled my eyes. “We all heard you.”

Karla stood up. “Brantleigh, it’s time for you to leave.”

Brantleigh threw his napkin on the table. “I can’t believe you’ll listen to someone like him over me.” He pointed at Cal.

She pointed in the opposite direction, toward the front of the house. “Yes. Get out.”

“Bitch,” he snarled at her.

Ruben, who’d been silent this entire time, said “That’s it.” He stood up, towering over Butch. “You can leave quietly, or this can get ugly. Your call.”

“Fine,” Butch spat. He didn’t look at any of us as he got up and stomped inside to leave.

Karla followed him, shouting, “I can’t believe I wasted six months of my life on you!”

Ruben winked at us before trailing after them.

I sank back into my seat and leaned over to put my arms around Cal.

Fantine saluted us with her cocktail glass. “Hallelujah.” She shook her head. “Poor Karla always believes the best in everyone. But that guy is slimy.” She shuddered. “You can bet I’m coming for a visit as soon as she mentions the next guy she starts dating.”