Brothersong (Green Creek #4) - T.J. Klune Page 0,133

here. I just forgot.”

“Like what? What did you want to show me?”

“Everything,” he said seriously, and when I laughed, he was startled into a smile. It was blinding. “That’s funny?”

I nodded. “It is. You are.” I took his hand in mine. He looked down between us before lifting his head again. “Floppy sweaters are good sweaters.”

He said, “Yeah. I’ll show you. Green. And purple. And blue. And red.” His eyes widened as I started toward the truck. He pulled me back, squeezing my hand. “No. No, Carter. Don’t. Stay back.”

I was confused. “What? Why?”

“I said so,” he snapped at me. “Always asking questions. Just do what I say.”

“Christmas presents,” Rico called from the porch. “We worked hard, didn’t we, Gavin?”

Gavin nodded furiously. “Can’t look.”

I was absurdly touched. “You didn’t have to get me a present.”

He snorted. “Who said I got anything for you? Greedy ass.”

I gaped at him.

Mom spoke up. “If you’re done fawning over him, I’d like to have a look.”

I should have been outraged at her even suggesting such a thing.

I wasn’t, because she spoke only truth.

Gavin went to her, and when she twirled her finger, he stretched out his arms and spun around slowly. When he was facing her again, she said, “You’re very handsome. Just like your brother.”

Gavin glanced up at Gordo, who nodded at him. “Damn right we are.”

Mark snorted and bumped his shoulder.

I stood there watching them. These people, my family. They told Gavin he looked good in his new clothes. They asked him to tell them what happened to the lady who cut his hair. They laughed when he snapped his teeth in the middle of his retelling. Every now and then he’d glance back at me, as if just to make sure I was still there. Every time he did, he would smile just a little bit before turning back around and continuing his stories.

He fit.

I could see that now.

He fit. Like he’d always been here.

And later, when the sky was beginning to darken, we stood alone on the porch. The stars were coming out, and the territory thrummed within me, stronger and louder than it’d been these past days.

Healing.

We were healing.

Slowly but surely.

Gavin said, “I had a good day.”

I looked over at him. He was staring off at the blue house, the lights on inside though no one was home. “Did you?”

He nodded. “Rico is good. Chris and Tanner too. They helped me.”

“Why did you ask them? I’m glad you did,” I added quickly. “Just… why?”

“Questions,” he mumbled.

“Pretty sure I’m never not going to ask questions.”

“I know. Annoying.” But he touched the back of my hand, as if to show me he didn’t mean it. “They’re….” He paused, mouth thinning.

I waited, knowing he was trying to put his thoughts in order.

Finally he said, “They’re like me. Kind of. Still new to being wolves. Still learning. And I’m new to being like this. Human. Still learning. Easier, though. It’s getting easier. They teach me. And I teach them.”

“Like pack,” I said quietly.

He started to nod but stopped himself. “Yeah. Sure. But I didn’t mean like that. Like friends. I never… had that. Friends. People who didn’t want anything. From me. Always used. Before I was a wolf. And after.” He swallowed thickly. “They wanted to help me. And they didn’t need me. To do something for them. It’s… different. New. I like it.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “Better, I think. Than it was before.”

“When you were a wolf?”

“Yeah.” He tapped the side of his head. “I can hear them. Quiet. Livingstone still loud, but not like it was. And now I can tell them. What I’m thinking. Couldn’t do that when I was a wolf. I like being a wolf. Less complicated. But I think I like being human more.”

“I like it when you’re human too.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

He gnawed on his bottom lip. “I… like it too. When you’re human. Or when you’re wolf. Or when you’re anything. Thump, thump, thump.”

“Thump, thump, thump.”

“Stupid Carter.”

“Stupid Gavin.”

He laughed.

I was in awe of him.

for you/fill my lungs

“There’s more of them,” Aileen said. She sounded exhausted through the phone. “More wolves.”

Ox closed his eyes. “Tell me.”

“Santos is still there. But more wolves have joined him. Livingstone came to the border of the wards again. He was human. He didn’t speak. He just stood there. Watching us. But the wolves threw themselves at the barrier again and again and again. Their skin split. Their bones broke, and still they went on. For