Clearly, this was a tightly-knit group of people. I was instant-mates with one of their buddies, so they probably wanted to do something to help, right?
“You could get my stuff from my dorm,” I offered. “If you want to do something to help. I’ve got to be out soon anyway, and since you said Rocco won’t let me leave…” I shrugged, scrambling to come up with something that would persuade them. “It’s heavy.”
Nods went around the room.
“I can stay and explain things,” Teagan offered.
“Thanks for the offer, but I think I need some time to process all this first.” I gestured between myself and the wolf I was still scratching. “Maybe you can stay and chat for a bit when you drop off my stuff?”
“I’ve been writing things down over the last few weeks, to help myself remember it all,” Ebony offered. “I can email you everything I have.”
Why did it not surprise me that she’d taken notes about werewolves, of all things?
“That would be great,” I nodded.
“A mate manual? It’s perfect,” Tea declared. “I’ll add my shit to what Ebony has before we send it over.”
Biting back a snort, I nodded again. “Sounds good.”
“Alright, we’ll get out of your hair. Let me just…” one of the guys crossed the kitchen, tugging the fridge open. It wasn’t Ford or Jesse, or Zed, who had been cooking, but that was all I could say about the skyscraper’s identity.
A bunch of glass casserole pans fell out of the fridge, and the guy swore as he tried to catch them all. Somehow, he managed to catch them.
Ford crossed the kitchen too, helping the other guy stack the pans on the counter.
“We’ll need to go through these,” the guy who wasn’t Ford muttered.
“I’ve got it,” I said helpfully.
TBH, I was drooling at the sight of all that free food.
“Shit, the steaks,” Zed muttered.
He slipped out of the house, and my eyes followed him as he jogged away.
“We’ll grab your dinner, and then head off to get your stuff,” Jesse said, flashing me a guilty grin.
“Are you sure you don’t want any help with this?” Tea checked. “Because this is… well, it’s a lot.”
“I’ve got it.” I waved her off. “Bringing my shit from the dorms is plenty.”
Teagan didn’t look convinced.
I bit back a sigh. Honestly, the help did sound good, but I just didn’t want to deal with the chatter. I needed time to breathe, and process everything. “Fine,” I amended. “Tomorrow, you can ask again. But for tonight, I’m fine.”
“Alright, alright.” Teagan tossed a hand toward me. “We’ll leave you alone. Come on, Kettle.” She gave her man a teasing push toward the door.
He grabbed her by the waist, tickling her and laughing while she shrieked and swore at him.
Ebony flashed me an apologetic grimace. “I’m sorry. If I’d known this was going to happen…” she trailed off. “Well, I would’ve warned you. I wouldn’t change it. Meeting Ford was the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” She held up hers and Ford’s intertwined hands.
“Well, just cross your fingers that this wolf-man is just as good for me.” I held up my hand, fingers crossed.
Yeah, I was awkward.
Whatever.
My other hand gripped the wolf’s fur, and he snuggled up to my side while Ebony and Ford slipped out of the house.