I go? Kee was completely broke when he rolled into Arrowtown. He doubted he could get his car to start, let alone keep it going long enough to leave the friendly town. And then there was that little matter of what Kee was running from…
He’ll come back. You know he will. And Kee did know that. He had no idea why his mate was being carried out of the bar, but he knew he’d be back. If he can walk, and that just sent another tendril of worry down Kee’s spine. “Work,” he muttered to himself. “Focus on the work.” But that didn’t stop his heart jumping every time the door opened through the long and busy afternoon.
/~/~/~/~/
“What the fuck, man? What is wrong with you?” Eagle was slapping his face with Cam standing guard like a freaking statue. Dian managed to lift his hand, swatting Eagle away. “I’m fine. I’m fine.” At least I think I am. Thank the freaking gods my throat is working now. Let’s see if the rest of me is too.
Sitting up, Dian looked around. He was on the floor. They were in a house and from the scent, he guessed it was Cam’s. “I thought we were going to the diner?” He said as he cautiously tested his feet on the floor.
“Oh, yeah, that’s going to go over well,” Cam said drily. “Let’s carry a mummified man into a place where families eat and drop his sorry ass on the floor for everyone to step over.”
“I wasn’t mummified,” Dian muttered as he worked on standing up. His knees creaked a bit, but they moved which was helpful. “I just…” Shit. What could he say? Dian wasn’t sure spouting about hearing his mate laughing was a good idea when he didn’t even know the man’s name. “It’s just an issue I have, very rarely, when my other side wants to come out and I’m stopping him. He tends to lock my joints up until I let the shift come through – just a way he tries to get his own way.”
“You have a bratty animal half?” Cam shook his head. “I’m not buying it, but if that’s your excuse, so be it. I’m heading off. I have a mate and child to enjoy before my shift tonight. Change out of those suits before you go anywhere to eat. My number is on the kitchen counter if you need anything – try not to use it.”
“You’re as friendly as ever.” Dian winced as he felt over the top of his head. He had quite a lump. “We are fully functioning adults you know, one of us being older than you are.”
“I’ve never had to be carried out of my own bar doing an impersonation of a statue,” Cam reminded as he strode towards the door. “And don’t forget to introduce yourself to the men at the Sheriff’s office. It’s a courtesy and what we do here.”
The door closed. Dian looked up at Eagle who was undoing his tie. “Are you going to have a go at me too? Believe me, it wasn’t my plan to embarrass the fuck out of either of you.”
“Have a go at you, no.” Eagle straddled a chair, undoing his shirt buttons. “I want to know which one of those people in the bar was your mate, though, because I imagine that will have repercussions for both of us in terms of our working future, seeing as I’m your partner and all.”
Dian groaned. “Really? You know? You know what I am and how a mate affects me?”
“I’m a lot more than a pretty face, and as for knowing what you are, for fuck’s sake, why would you keep it a secret?”
“Because my second form tends to horrify women and children. If anyone sees my shifted features, they tend to run screaming into the night. I’m not small. I’m not cute. I’m definitely not cuddly, so why the hell would I share what I am with anyone.”
“Your other half doesn’t get out much, does he?” Eagle shook his head. “Look, I get it. You’re a lot older than I am…”
“By three hundred and forty-six years.” Dian rubbed his head.
“And I imagine it was really difficult for you before humans caught up and understood they weren’t the only sentient beings in the universe.” Eagle could be persistent at times. “But how many times can you say, honestly, where you’ve shifted and people have run screaming?”
Dian had to think for a minute. “Forty-four, I think.