Page 10 of Same One
Tabian stepped back and studied the home as the deck builders were cleaning up their tools and excess wood. It was just as he imagined, only no one was here to celebrate it with him.
The deck builders waved and left, and he made his way to the shed he’d built that was full of plastic wrapped furniture, and patio chairs that he’d been collecting while he waited.
It was move-in day, and he doubted anyone remembered. Truth be told though, that might’ve been his fault. He hadn’t told anyone.
Liam hated that he was so reserved with information, but that was just how Tabian was built. Pack life was necessary for his wolf to be happy, but his human side had to find a balance between the social side of the Pack, and getting enough alone time.
He dragged out the patio furniture and unwrapped it all from boxes and plastic and set it all up on the large deck. It took him half an hour to get it how he liked, and he stood back again, studying the home.
His home.
He’d really done it.
This was the first place he’d ever lived that hadn’t been linked somehow to the Elders or the government. This house he had paid in cash with his savings, and no one could ever take it away from him.
Not ever.
Tabian lifted his phone and took a picture of it, then studied the image. He thought about texting it to Tru with the caption,My house, but it felt like a brag and he decided against it. While he was staring at his screen considering it, a call came through. He thought he was imagining the name on the caller ID. Tru was calling?
“Hello?” he answered.
“H-hi,” she said.
A grin took his face immediately.Be cool.
He cleared his throat. “You left me on read, so I assumed you had decided against talking to me again.”
“I was trying to leave you on read, but I’m bad at boundaries, which you will no doubt take advantage of.”
“Good Lord, woman. Who hurt you?”
“An ex.”
“Okay, well I’ve talked to you for like four minutes total so many try to get to know me before you make me pay for his mistakes, okay?”
A sigh sounded over the phone. “Okay.”
“Can I share something exciting? At least, it’s exciting to me.”
“Sure.”
“I just had my home delivered, and I took a picture of it, and I thought about sending it to you, but I was trying to be respectful of you leaving me on read.”
“You really didn’t like that,” she said with amusement in her voice.
“Nah, I didn’t. I felt like a loser who couldn’t keep your attention.”
“Well, you are not a loser. You’re interesting, I think. I wanted to text you all last night.”
“I’m facetiming you.”
“Wait, what?”
“Facetime. Hold on, I’m calling you right back.”
“Tabian, no! I haven’t done my hair—”
Click.He hung up and immediately connected a call back.
