Shaw (Alpha Geek #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,34

and he could feel the anger and shock rolling off of her in waves. About fifteen years ago, the building had been fine. It was old, but the owners had taken good care of it. Since the Cains had bought it, it had fallen into disrepair. They definitely didn’t pour any of the rent money they collected into keeping the place safe and sanitary.

The carpeted hallway was stained and frayed. The stench of mildew and dust was much more pronounced now that he had a shifter nose. Shaw had very little money and crushing student loans, but he would find a way to make sure his grandmother never had to set foot back into that place again. Once he took her out of there, that would be it. He would find a better place for her. Even if it was in his tiny studio apartment.

He used his key to unlock the door and motioned for Poppy to lead the way in.

“Nana?” he called out.

“Come on in, Shaw. I’m in the living room. My story is on.”

Shaw chuckled lightly, motioning for Poppy to follow him. Just the sound of Nana’s voice made him feel better. The apartment smelled like freshly baked cookies and Nana’s old perfume. He was pretty sure it was permeated into the walls.

“Nana, I have a guest with me. I should also warn you—”

“Holy Wheaties!” Nana shouted. “What the hell happened to you, Shaw?” She hopped off her huge armchair with more ease than expected. Her back was curved with age, but her eyes were still full of light and life. She took her grandson’s arm in one gnarled hand and squeezed. “This better not be those steroids I heard about. They shrink the pecker. Not exactly a good thing if you want to keep your lady happy.”

“Nana,” he chided with a good-natured laugh.

“What?” She gave Poppy a wink. “It’s true. Besides, you’ve packed on quite a bit of weight since I saw you last week. You’re looking fit. What’s happened?”

“It’s a long story, Nana. A little bit complicated. I can’t quite explain it to you, but I’m okay.”

“And he’s not using steroids?” Nana aimed the question to Poppy.

“I wouldn’t know,” Poppy answered without missing a beat.

“Oh, that’s a load of crap. I was young and in love once, too, you know. And my Robert and I could barely keep our clothes on long enough to eat meals—”

“Nana! Oh my god, I don’t want to hear about this.” Shaw shook his head, his cheeks burning red.

Nana only giggled before settling back into her comfortably overstuffed recliner. She hit pause right as a young, ripped shirtless man filled the screen.

“What are you watching?” Shaw asked, turning even redder.

“One of those dating shows. The young woman has to pick a husband from the bunch. They’re not all smart, but I do like to see them prancing around in their undies.”

Poppy burst out laughing. She looked much more relaxed now that they were meeting his grandmother. Shaw had the vague impression that Poppy believed he had made up the woman. He hadn’t. She was very real, sass and all.

“I am thrilled to meet you, Mrs. Eagan. I’m Poppy.”

“Please, call me Nana. Mrs. Eagan was my mother-in-law, and she was a grumpy old crone. I’d rather not be linked up to her if it’s all the same to you.” She studied Poppy for a few quiet moments. “Poppy. Interesting name.”

“My mother was a florist.”

“Was?”

“She died when I was a kid.”

“That’s too bad. Are you a florist, like she was?”

“Oh God, no. I can’t keep a plant alive longer than a fruit fly. I’m a nurse.”

Nana’s eyes sparkled with interest, and she slid a look over to Shaw. “A nurse? That’s wonderful. I don’t suppose you could look at my meds and tell me what’s got my legs feeling numb.”

“Sure, but you should really trust the advice of your doctors.”

Nana waved her off. “Something has to be wrong if my foot keeps going numb.”

“It could be your recliner. You might need to elevate your legs every once in a while, if you’re sitting down for too long. You’ve got to keep that blood flowing.”

Nana nodded and pointed her wrinkled chin toward the brown paper takeout bag that was clutched in Shaw’s hands.

“Why did you come here, anyway?”

Shaw held out the fragrant bag. “We brought some seafood lasagna from Maggiano’s.”

“Bless your kind heart, I love that stuff. But I’m confused, Shaw. It’s not our weekly dinner date. What did you do?”

He blushed and looked