Josh
“Josh.”
His team leader’s voice carried down the hallway after him as he made his way back to the garage.
“Hey,” Jared said, catching up with him, a hand landing on his shoulder.
He shrugged it off and continued walking, but Jared cut in front of him, placing both hands on his shoulders as he looked at him. “What was that all about?”
“Nothing,” he said, stopping but refusing to meet his leader’s eyes.
“Bullshit,” Connor said as he came up alongside them, followed by Justin. “That was some fire there, man. That’s not normal for you. What gives?”
Josh looked up and around. The hallway was really just canvas drawn over a metal frame, so he couldn’t lash out at the wall, even though he wished he could.
“They put her in danger,” Justin said slowly as he looked at his friend.
Not seeing a point in denying it, Josh nodded.
“You fell for the job?” Connor said with a chuckle. “I can sympathize with that one.”
Josh snarled, but it was all noise, no anger. “It’s complicated.”
Connor and Justin shared a look, then they burst into laughter.
“What?” he growled, but the pair continued to guffaw loudly, bending over as the howls made their chests heave with the effort.
Josh looked at Jared. “Was it something I said?”
The big man was smiling. “I think they understand, is what that’s about.”
The pair got themselves under control. “Sorry,” Justin said with a respectful nod.
“What’s making it complicated?” Jared asked.
Josh smiled. His leader, the Alpha of the team, was a good man. He cared for his team, and when something was bugging them, they all knew he would be there to listen if they needed to talk about it, no questions asked.
“She’s not telling me something,” he explained. “I’m not sure what, but I think it’s bigger than your standard secret.” He shook his head. “I mean, it’s not like we’ve done anything, or even talked. But there’s this”—he threw his hands up—“I don’t know, attraction? It’s like fucking magnetism or something. Every time I see her, I just want to kiss her, and I have to fight myself from doing so.” He snorted. “I don’t know, in case you haven’t picked up on that yet.”
The others smiled.
“We had breakfast together yesterday, and it was lovely. Relaxed, entertaining, enjoyable. Then I got up to use the washroom, and I touched her hand as I left. Nothing major, just a brush.” He frowned. “That did something, I’m positive about it. As I was walking away, she freaked out and ran up to her room like she was possessed. She locked herself in there with her brother, and has barely spoken to me since.”
He looked at his friends for suggestions, but they all shrugged and looked confused.
“Maybe ask her?” Connor suggested.
Josh laughed. “Now that’s thinking practically,” he said. “I’d love to do that, but I can’t see her spilling everything. Life just doesn’t work like that,” he said, shaking his head. “If things had gone differently yesterday morning, I might feel confident doing so. But now... now I think it would drive a bigger wedge between us.”
Connor nodded sagely.
“Look at me,” he said. “I’ve known her for a few days, and I already can’t stop thinking about her, and trying not to screw up. Sheesh.”
Justin winked at him. “That’s how it starts,” he teased, “trust me, I know.”
The group all shared a chuckle. Josh allowed himself to relax, to forget what was going on around him, and just enjoy the camaraderie he shared with the three of them. He was damn lucky to have a family like them, and he counted his blessings every chance he got.
Not that I’d ever tell these big losers to their faces. But they know.
“Where did she get off to when I stormed out anyway?” he asked, breaking the silence.
Jared grinned, and Josh suddenly felt uncomfortable.
“She’s talking with Madison and Shay. Alone.”
“You left her with those two?” Josh said, panicked.
The others only grinned at him.
“That’s just mean.”
“What? Why?” Justin asked as Josh took off back toward the meeting room. “Shay and Madison aren’t rude.”
“Not to her you dolt,” Josh shouted over his shoulder. “To me! Think of all the ideas they’re going to put in her head.”
Genuine laughter followed him down the hallway.
The three women, along with Chad, were all sitting at the table talking in low tones when he came back inside. Madison looked up at him from where she was hunched over, nodding along to whatever it was Chad was saying. The pair exchanged a glance, and Josh tilted his head slightly in apology to her. In response, Madison smiled and waved at him to take a chair next to Hannah.
He slid into the folding chair.
“Chad here was just saying how he strongly wants to reschedule his speech. To hold another rally.”
Josh’s jaw dropped open as Madison spoke. This was not the conversation he had planned on having right then. His eyes darted around the table, noting that all four of them had a set to their jaw that was practically daring him to challenge them. Never one to back down, he did.
“Are you all nuts?” he asked bluntly, refusing to shout at them this time. “Seriously, I’m actually a little concerned. We just got Chad back from the Agency, and that was a damn close thing to begin with. Now you want to do the whole freaking thing all over again?” He shook his head, blinking repeatedly. “This is ridiculous. What am I missing that makes this so valuable that lives have to be risked again? Don’t forget, it’s not just me, or you,” he said looking at Chad. “Or even you,” he said to Hannah. “Am I the only one who remembers the crowds of people that were fighting each other today? Some of those people are probably seriously injured!”
Chad nodded. “I agree with everything you say. And we intend to ensure that those who were injured are well looked after. But that doesn’t change the fact that we must bring to light what is going on in this world. You’ve been fighting a war here with this organization, this ‘Agency.’ You understand how they treat shifters.” He pointed outside. “It’s happening out there too, Josh. All across the world. It feels like we’re on the brink of a global war that most people are refusing to acknowledge! Ever since shifters were officially Outed seventeen years ago, the anti-shifter sentiment has been growing, and now it’s at a fever pitch.”
“So you want to go out and cause more people to get hurt, in the name of trying to avoid people getting hurt? Do you see the hypocrisy there?” Josh asked in disbelief.
Hannah slapped her hand down. “You don’t get it, Josh. This isn’t about whipping people into a fervor. It’s about bringing attention to the injustices going on out there. It’s time for humanity to wake up and understand what their ignorance is allowing to happen! By refusing to believe that shifters are being thrown by the wayside, they are silently giving their approval for it. If we don’t show them the truth, then shifters are going to be extinct sooner than you think.”
He was surprised, not only at the passion for shifters coming from a human, but also at the tears that sprang into her eyes and the anger directed his way. As the last words came out of her mouth, she stood up and bolted from the room.