I wish he’d be as brave as I know he can be.
Finally, Caleb sighs. “Look, Mal, leave Casper alone. You’re scaring him.”
Casper? I bite back a smile. Magnus wouldn’t appreciate me encouraging that.
“Alright,” Mal says and then stands up to his full height. His muscles bunch under his shirt as he flexes them, like Caleb does so often.
Ridiculous macho men.
Caleb’s eyes narrow as he watches me, and then he tells Mal to apologize.
Which he does, his voice dry.
“Sorry, Casper.”
“My name’s not Casper,” Magnus finally says, his voice more frail than I’d like. I want him to show off that sass.
I want him to show everyone the backbone I know he has.
“My bad,” Mal says flippantly and then gestures toward me. “You making my boy, Whit, feel uncomfortable? Got a little handsy for a bit there.”
Magnus’s ears turn pink, and I know mine are the same. He did kiss my cheek, and if Caleb saw that…
“I…meant no harm,” Magnus squeaks, coming to the same realization.
“Keep your hands to yourself, hm,” Mal says, and Magnus turns toward me, almost seeking shelter.
I’m the wrong one to do this with.
I can’t protect him.
Mal lets out a loud grunt and then slaps Caleb on the back roughly. “Welp, my job here is done, bro. See you later?”
“Yep,” Caleb says as the two of them fist bump and Mal struts away.
A weird interaction, but they’re strange specimens anyway. I’m not used to their kind—loud, brazen men with more brawn than brains, but seemingly generous hearts.
I half-expect Caleb to leave, but he lingers.
“Did you need something?” I finally ask, feeling the thrum of my heart in my throat at how near he is.
“You’ve been making my bed.”
I have. Obsessively.
“Does it bother you?” I ask.
“Nah, you do you.”
“Anything else?” I ask.
His gaze shifts from me to the people at the table, almost like he forgot they were there.
That thought alone makes my belly clench with nerves.
“You going to Houdini on me for much longer?”
I roll my lips between my teeth, my fingers tapping a nervous rhythm on my thigh. “I should be home soon.”