In a Badger Way (Honey Badger Chronicles #2) - Shelly Laurenston Page 0,45

to do with their father, which had been so refreshing! Because usually drama and violence had everything to do with their father.

They cut through what Kyle called “the boring part of the Center,” where all the normal, everyday sports things happened with all the normal, everyday full-humans, and made their way to the backstairs that led down to the shifter-only part. That door was protected at all times by shifter security guards, but all you had to do to get through was pass the “smell test.” Something that entertained Stevie to no end, having complete strangers sniff her neck to decide whether she was worthy of entrance.

She’d already researched the scent capabilities of a multitude of animals; now she just needed to compare that information to their shifter counterparts because she really wanted to understand the true differences between the “full-blood” animals and an electrician who could shift into a sloth bear. Sadly, though, she couldn’t get anyone to agree to a few simple tests. Max especially became bitchy about it.

Of course, when people said no to Stevie, she didn’t then take them hostage and test them anyway. Because that was wrong and everyone knew it. Even arrogant fucks.

Stevie pushed thoughts of her ex out of her mind and focused on what she hoped would be a good day.

Their small group went down the stairs and through another door that led them to the very busy shifter sports center. It was early in the day but it was also summer so all the pups and cubs were there with their protective parents for classes and play groups that allowed them to work off their excess energy without worrying about harming their playmates. Something that couldn’t be guaranteed when the playmate was a full-human child.

Stevie was here to start some kind of exercise regime; she just wasn’t sure what kind yet. Kyle said the Sports Center had a great gym built “just for them,” so she was excited to see what kind of gym that was and what her options would be. Honestly, she was feeling so good at the moment, she was up for pretty much anything.

“So where do we start?” Kyle asked as Max split off from them and headed right for the Starbucks a few feet away.

“Breakfast?” Oriana asked.

“I think I’m supposed to eat after the exercise,” Stevie reasoned.

“Excellent point.”

“I just have to figure out what kind of exercise I should do.”

“What kind do you like?” Oriana asked.

“Nothing. I hate all forms of exercise. All of them.”

Oriana looked down at Stevie’s legs, which were bare except for her shorts.

“Good God, woman, you have absolutely no muscle tone.”

“I have it.” Stevie pressed her finger against her thigh. “If you poke at it, you can feel it under the skin. Sort of.”

Oriana shook her head and took hold of Stevie’s shoulder. “Come on.”

“Where?”

“I’m going to help you,” Oriana said, her expression so sad. So earnest. “Because, really, girl. Somebody has to help you.”

* * *

Max stood in the endless Starbucks line, waiting to get in her order. She was dying for a honey macchiato, which was like a caramel macchiato but way, way better.

Bored after standing in line for more than three seconds, she pulled out her phone and began reading her texts. She had one from Dutch Alexander. He’d been staying with them since Max and her sisters had moved into the house in Queens, but a few days before he’d suddenly departed, leaving nothing behind but a note stuck to the fridge: “Don’t worry, Charlie. I’ll be back. Love you! Smooches!”

The note had made Max and Stevie laugh, but Charlie had snatched it off the refrigerator and set it on fire because their sister was nothing if not dramatic and vengeful.

Charlie didn’t hate Dutch as much as she liked to say she did, but one more fuckup and Max’s best friend might find himself buried somewhere in the MacKilligan backyard.

Max was sure that Dutch had gone off on a job. Now she understood his crazy life. He worked with the ones who protected all shifters, which made sense. More than once, when they were growing up, that good-natured idiot had put himself between Max and harm’s way. It was as if he couldn’t help himself, even though he knew better than anyone that Max didn’t need anyone’s protection. But that was just his way. He did it for others too. Not just for Max.

All through high school everyone kept expecting Max and Dutch to hook up. Charlie used