Pember nodded solemnly. Oliver loved that car.
Mina giggled and cooed at Bailey as Oliver placed her down on Pember’s threadbare sofa. He stood in the middle of the turquoise lounge, eyes flitting around the near-empty room in silent appraisal. “You really didn’t bring much, did you?”
Pember flushed, pulling two chipped mugs out of the cupboard. It was a sad and embarrassing fact that whilst he’d planned his escape for several weeks, he’d barely had the time, or the money, to purchase anything that might make the place a bit homier.
He had a sofa, a small TV, Oliver’s old table, a few things for the kitchen and a second-hand bed that he’d bought on an online marketplace. The shed at the bottom of the garden had clearly been used as a shifter hut at some point, with its rusty heating lamp and exposed dirt floor, but now it was filled with ancient gardening equipment. All in all, he had very little to call his own.
“I… um… I know. I didn’t really know what to buy, I’ve never lived by myself. Even when I went to uni I commuted back and forth by train.”
Oliver hummed, his eyes drifting to the corner of the room. “Is that a guitar?” he said, pointing to the tatty black hard case that Pember had propped against the wall.
Pember shook his head, pouring them both a cup of tea. “Cello.” A pang of guilt tightened his belly. Apart from his clothes, the cello was one of the few things he’d brought from home. Despite not having played in years, he just couldn't bear the thought of leaving it behind. “It’s my sister’s really.”
Oliver nodded. “What about work? Has your uniform arrived?”
Pember brightened at that, shuffling over to the table and holding up the unopened parcel. “It came yesterday. I’ve been too nervous to try it on.”
Oliver patted his arm. “Open it. See what you think.”
Letting out a breath, Pember nodded and took a knife from the drawer. Slicing open the plastic wrapper, he took out five black T-shirts that had Forensic Services embroidered in blue over the left breast. The T-shirt was followed by black trousers with pockets on the sides, and combat boots. His mother would have thrashed him if she’d found out he’d quit his apprenticeship at PharmaBright. The one she’d insisted he take.
Oliver placed his cup on the table and bumped their shoulders together. “I know it’s not what you want long-term, but it’ll open all sorts of doors for you, Pem. The CSIs are a good bunch, and you’ll learn a lot from them. Plus, the pension is decent and there’s always overtime if you want it.”
Pember shook his head, putting the uniform back in the bag. “It’s not that. I’m actually really excited, I just…” The words trickled away as he took a sip of tea.
“Pem?”
Sighing, he said, “My mum. She’ll hit the roof when she finds out I quit my placement.”
Oliver squeezed his shoulder. “About your mum… How she behaves, you know that’s not normal, right?”
Pember held up a hand. “I-I know, but she’s going through so much. After my sister, she just?—”
Oliver raised an eyebrow. “Lost the fucking plot?”
Pember shrugged. “It’s not her fault.”
A brief silence stretched between them, until Oliver cleared his throat. “Pem, all the shit she does, you know that’s just a way of controlling you, right? This past year it’s made you a nervous wreck.” When Pember didn’t reply, Oliver drained his mug and ran it under the tap. “Anyway, what’re your neighbours like?”
When Pember looked up, he saw a playful grin stretching over Oliver’s face.
“I… I don’t know, I haven’t met them yet. I know an elderly lady lives next door. She’s an alpha, I think. She has the TV really loud and she must have a bird or something. I’ve heard it squawking a few times. Next to her there’s a guy, but I’ve only ever seen his car. I think he works a lot, judging by the parcels that get stacked up on his doorstep.”
Oliver gave a slow nod, followed by a contemplative hum. “You know,” he said, looking through the back window, “I’ve heard there are some decent woodland trails at the back of these houses. Why don’t you take Bailey for a walk? Clear your head? Maybe you could shift, if you’re feeling up to it?”
Pember took another sip of tea. “That sounds nice, actually. But I… I haven’t shifted in so long, I’ll probably trip over my own feet or something.”
Oliver shrugged. “Or it might be like riding a bike. If you’re feeling nervous, you could always tag along with the pack at the weekend? Alfie would love to run with you again.”
Pember swallowed. The last time he’d shifted had been the previous year with Oliver’s pack. He’d run with Oliver, his adopted son, Alfie, and Oliver’s twin brother, Matteus. Their alpha mates had stayed at home, no doubt sensing that he was nervous as hell. He’d had to scrub himself from head to toe before returning home, lest his mother pick up on the scent.
Just then, Mina scrunched her face up and started crying. “Well, that’s my cue,” Oliver said, scooping her up in his arms. “She gets tetchy when she’s away from Daddy for too long, isn’t that right, babycakes?” He blew a raspberry against her neck, and she giggled through the tears.
“R-right,” Pember said, suddenly hating the thought of being alone. “Will I see you on Monday, Ollie? At work, I mean?”
Oliver nodded. “Once you’re settled I’ll pop over with Lucas. You nervous?”
He flushed, letting out a breath. “Yeah.”
