Page 75 of Shifter for Brains

“I said it first.”

“Am I working with a five-year-old?”

“Yes, so you should probably take care of this.”

“Nice try.”

With nobody backing down, we were locked in a stalemate over one task that didn’t require both of us. Mondays sucked enough without this torture.

My knee jumped up and down. I forcibly stopped the motion. "We could both do it?" I suggested.

“And who’s gonna handle the 10 other things we’re supposed to be doing right now instead of arguing?”

"We wouldn’t be arguing if youjust do it."

"You do it."

This was so dumb. We only needed Bolton’s signature. Busy work that wouldn’t take more than five minutes…

"We could send a rookie?" I suggested next.

"Do you really trust anyone else to handle Vince Bolton?"

"I don’t trust you," I pointed out. I sounded like a sulky five-year-old and didn’t even care.

I had no excuse for being such a dick. Wait, yes, I did. I hadn’t slept well.

Aaron seemed grateful to have the company when I invited myself over to his place for the weekend. But staying over hadn’t been such a good idea. Even though I just slept there without incident, the couch was a lot more uncomfortable than I remembered. I couldn’t bring myself to stay in the guest room, which pissed me off.

"I can handle Bolton,” Temple said, neatly glossing over our trust issues, which also pissed me off. “We can’t promise the same about whatever well-meaning overworked rookie who gets stuck fetching his signature."

Damn it. He was right. Worse, I setup the perfect opportunity for Temple to swoop in and be right. Why the hell did I do that? It pissed me off even more.

Everything had been pissing me off since the last time I saw Luc—Merritt. And everything pissing me off? Also freaking pissed me off.

“Okay, what happened, Slate? Did your boyfriend dump you already?"

Those terrible words actually made me smile. "Guess who just bought themselves Bolton duty?"

“Fine. I deserve it… Chase, for what it’s worth, you and Lucas—"

"It’s not worth anything."

I slammed the car door shut behind me. I’d walk. At least I didn’t have to deal with Bolton. Finally something was going right.

What a lie. Nothing was right. Nothing at all.

~

Lucas

After the blowup with Chase, the bastard ignored me. Whatever. There was plenty going on without him. Dad and I went out to brunch to celebrate and toasted with mimosas on special.

"It’s over,” I said raising my drink in the air. “I’m free."

“Glad you’re safe, kiddo.” He clinked his glass with mine. “If you want, you can always—"

"No, there’s no reason for me to move back in with you."