Fall With Me (UIC 2022)

6 - Unexpected Visitors

Lee was right—the truck was too big. Five years' worth of Sawyer's life fit into three cardboard boxes that Caleb and Lee wedged between the old couch and her mattress. Sawyer watched all of this from a distance, leaning her head on her mother's shoulder, a kaleidoscope of emotions playing across her face.

Harvey, Sawyer's employer/landlord, arrived as they were locking up. Caleb's and Lee's eyes narrowed at the same time, ready to spring into action if needed. But the merman was small and scrawny, with blue-streaked hair and three pale lines on either side of his olive-skinned neck—not exactly the robust specimen played out on TV and splashed across women's magazines. He hesitated at the sight of four werewolves crammed into the hallway, two of whom were obviously preparing for confrontation; but he squared his shoulders and marched over to Sawyer's father. Without a word, the merman snatched the check and keys Mr Bloodmoon held out and disappeared down the rickety stairs. The whole encounter took less than a minute.

Sawyer sighed heavily. "That's it, then, huh?"

Caleb squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It is," he murmured. He wouldn't miss a shithole like this, but it had to be different for her. Five years was a long time to be in a place.

"Are you coming with us, Caleb?" Mrs Bloodmoon asked, retrieving car keys from her purse.

Sawyer's fingers fluttered in Caleb's grasp; his heart dropped as she looked up at him expectantly. "I'm sorry, but I can't," he replied, running his thumb over the back of Sawyer's hand. "I've got to go home and get ready for my shift."

Her shoulders slumped briefly, then her expression brightened. "Shift?" she repeated. "Are you a fireman now?"

"I am," he told her with a grin.

"I'm so proud of you," Sawyer exclaimed, turning and hugging him. "It's what you always wanted to do."

"Mm-hm," he replied, nuzzling her neck and drinking in her scent. Goddess, he was going to be so distracted tonight.

"I hate to pull the two of you apart," Mr Bloodmoon said, "but we have to return the truck by five."

Slowly, Caleb lifted his head and pushed lavender strands of hair behind Sawyer's ear. "I'll text you tomorrow morning, okay?"

"Okay," she whispered.

Before Sawyer could pull away, Caleb leaned down and kissed her, reigniting the fire that burned in his soul for her. Sawyer's hands slipped beneath his shirt, sliding up his back, threatening to undo him. Distantly, Caleb heard Mrs Bloodmoon call out to her husband and son; the main door opened and closed, leaving the two of them in the hallway. Werewolves were very liberal when it came to affection, but even they had their limits.

"I have my own place now," he murmured, nibbling along her jaw line as his hands cupped her ass. "No more sex in the forest."

"But that was fun," she replied, pressing up against him.

Yes, Caleb remembered exactly how much fun they'd had—in the cave by the swimming hole, tucked beneath the roots of a massive tree ... Just as he was ready to break down her old apartment door, Caleb slowly drew back and took a deep breath to settle himself. "We should go," he told her softly.

Sawyer's bright blue gaze met his. "Yeah," she agreed sadly, shoulders slumping.

Caleb cupped her face between his two large hands. "It'll be all right, Savvy. I promise." Deep down, she had to realize that.

Her eyes slid downwards; the old Sawyer faded into the background before his eyes, replaced by the tired, beaten-down faerie who had called this corner of HecateCity home for the last five years. Without saying a word, she turned towards the door and began walking down the hall. Caleb stood there for a moment, taken aback. She had just been so happy a moment ago. What happened?