Page 15 of She is the Darke

He didn’t talk much, just took charge in the kitchen and made her a plate, then made his own. He opened her beer and handed it over without a word, and then led her to the couch, where they sank into the cushions and watched TV.

This was strange, right? It was supposed to feel weird or uncomfortable…right?

When he turned and put the blanket over her lap between plays, and then leaned his elbows on his knees again, tense as a play didn’t go his way, she couldn’t help the smile on her lips.

The next play was a long throw and a complete pass. He clamped his hand on her ankle, gripped it hard, said “Yes!” and then clapped loud. “Shit,” he said, as he realized he’d messed up the blanket over her legs. He moved it back over her, like he was tucking her in.

“Dork,” she said.

“Girl,” he muttered, “I made straight C’s in high school. You remember. Ain’t no dorks here but you.”

She giggled, and then took another bite of her pizza. This was too comfortable. Too familiar. “I invited Rachel over too, just so you know. She’ll be here any minute.”

“Great,” he said smoothly.

Okay, good. He didn’t see this as anything more than friends hanging out.

His phone lit up on the coffee table. He leaned over and looked at the text, and then went back to watching the game.

Her vision, unbeknownst to him, was impeccable, and unfortunately she saw the woman’s name—Erin—and the message before the screen faded to black.I was really hoping you would make it tonight.

Demi didn’t know why, but her heart dipped. When she lifted her eyes to him, he was intent on the game, and she got it. Girls probably messaged him all the time. He was always working something. The text from that woman wouldn’t be a big deal because he was used to the attention.

She pursed her lips and scooted up, drawing her legs away from him.

Tyler glanced over at her ankles moving away from him, then back to the TV. Then a frown took his face, and he jerked his attention to her legs again. “What are you doing?”

“Getting comfortable.” Away from him.

“You’re squished against the arm of the couch. That can’t be comfortable.”

“Just waiting for Rachel, and then you can go on your date.”

He just stared. “What are you talking about?”

“Crow shifters have great vision, and since I’m a dork, I can read real fast.”

“Okay?”

“The text?”

Tyler looked at his phone like he was confused. “You know Erin. Erin Timmons. She graduated in your class.”

Oooh, right. Perfect. Just as she expected. “Congratulations, I hope you get lots of BJs. She’s gorgeous and super-single now.”

“Cool. She saw me in the store earlier and asked to hang out tonight.” Distracted by the game, he opened up the text thread and handed her his phone, then went back to watching the game.

Demi just sat there with his phone in her hand, unsure of what to do. “What do you want me to do with this?”

“Um, read it. Hell, you can go out with her if you want to. She sounds like she needs a night out. Newly divorced. She told me all about her ex-husband Clint and his gambling addiction.”

Weirded out and unsure of what to do, Demi looked at the text thread and scrolled up.

I tracked down your phone number. Small town. I had so much fun chatting with you at the store today, and was wondering if you want to hang out tonight? For old times’ sake? We can hang out as just friends, but if you want more…well, it’s been awhile for me, and I don’t kiss and tell.

“Oooh, she’s got game still.”

“She cried.”