The Wolf

Ch. 47: Numb

~Nico~

"So there is someone hunting down werewolves?" Damien asks in disbelief.

"Seems so," I say, stirring my drink.

Damien thinks for a moment. "Who did you hear this from?"

"One of my sources," I say nonchalantly.

"Mhm. Well, who- I mean what could possibly be hunting down a werewolf? I know that humans have tried in the past, but... So what could it be this time?"

"Hell if I know. I'm not sure I want to find out either. I mean, I am a werewolf after all. Maybe she'll make friends with a hundred-year-old gay vampire, though." I look pointedly at Damien who puts his hands up defensively.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Is she's strong enough to hunt your kind, I think I'll opt out of that meeting."

I glance at the watch on my wrists before grabbing my backpack. "I've got to go. I've got work at the coffee place tonight." I stand up from my seat.

"Aw, leaving already? You just got here. Why won't you just work here?" Damien follows me to the door like a puppy.

"I don't think I could stand dealing with you for that long. Plus, I'm underage. I can't serve drinks." I open the door, letting a cold blast into the shop.

"As if I care about age at this point. I'm over a hundred years old. Age is a fickle thing, honey. Plus, you're hot as hell." Damien slaps my ass playfully. "You're fit, you're tall, and you're handsome. Not to forget troubled. What's not to love?"

A growl builds up in my throat, but Damien just laughs it off. I swear, all this man can think about is guys.

~*~*~*~

The sun is setting just outside the window of the cafe. The stream of customers has slowed down as the day wore on. The job is mindless and mind-numbing. It's something to help me make money and keep my thoughts off of Alex and the throbbing brand on the back of my neck.

The bell above the door tinkles and I say the usual stupid phrase you're required to say when the customer walks in, but the words die in my throat. Kyle. And not just Kyle, Blake. It's as if the moon goddess knows all the worst case scenarios to put me in, and she's more than happy to throw me into them.

The two of them approach the counter, too busy conversing to notice me wanting to die behind the register. Kyle notices first.

"Hey, Nico, got another job?" Kyle swaggers up with profound confidence. Now that he's a sophomore in college, he thinks he's the shit.

"Yeah, clearly," I say shakily. My eyes avoid Blake as though he is the elephant in the room.

"Uh, can I get a coffee with cream and two sugars. Blake, what do you want?" Kyle asks oblivious to the super awkward tension between us.

"Uh, same as you, I guess." Blake shifts awkwardly as well.

"Got it, that'll be $12.50. Thank you." I drag my feet as I leave to make them their coffees.

Why are they here? Of all the people in this town. Of all the cafes in this town. Why here? I make the coffees as quickly as possible so they'll leave just as fast. But when I hand them their drinks, they take them to an open table and sit for an hour, catching up about college and football. The cafe being semi-full, I can hear every word they say with my super hearing. 

Kyle comes back to the counter to order another drink, Blake in tow. "Well, I'll be heading out now. I've got a paper to write. See you at home, Nico. Bye Blake. It was nice catching up with you."