Page 3 of Marcus

I don’t really have roots. I know that seems weird to say because doesn’t everyone have roots? I suppose, but mine aren’t deep. They’re more like the roots of water plants, where they just sorta float and hope they absorb nutrients.

But this town? This feels like somewhere I could maybe plant some roots. Finally feel like I belong.

I park my Tesla in front of Jax’s Roadhouse, which looks like a combination of maybe a biker bar and a burger joint. I’m early. Of course I am. I’m always either super early or super late. My brain doesn’t process time the way other people’s do. But I’d rather waste my own time than someone else’s.

I’ve already started unpacking my suitcases and boxes to set everything up in the house Wolfbane Research and Industries rented for me. It’s the cutest thing ever. A two-bedroom, yellow, ranch-style house with white shutters and flower boxes attached to nearly every window.

My best friend, Selene, from college, is who convinced me to move out here. Her uncles own some big research facility that’s basically out here in the middle of nothing. But it is state-of-the-art. At least that’s what I’m told. I haven’t actually been there yet.

I start on Monday.

But Selene and some of her big, ridiculously hot cousins came over yesterday after I drove into town to help me unload all my stuff. I told her it was unnecessary considering I have very little furniture.

I’m a pretty simple girl. I don’t need much other than a bed, a comfy reading chair, a copious number of bookshelves, and a microwave.

Selene and her cousins were so shocked at the scarcity of my belongings, she immediately took me to the Food and More grocery store. My gorgeous and sweet friend insisted on buying me supplies she swore I’d need. I was just glad to get my favorite cereals, almond milk and my go-to cup-o-noodles.

She had balked and insisted I, at least, buy some fruit and bagged salad.

There’s a tap on my car window and I shriek, jumping in my seat.

Selene stands outside. “I’m so sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

I climb out. “Sorry. I was early and then I guess I got lost in thought.”

She links our arms together. “Have I said how glad I am that you’re here?”

“You have. And me too. It’s a study in contrasts here. With the jagged rock formations and the surrounding desert, everywhere you look there’s something interesting to see. There’s so much more that I want to explore too. The hot springs, the Rio Grande River, the canyons. I’ve traveled all over the world, but this place is definitely special.”

“I’m so glad you like it. I always suspected you would love it here.”

You ever have one of those friends who you instantly bond with? Like sees beyond the person you are when you’re in public and ‘on’? Not that I’m fake ever, at least not intentionally. But being around a lot of people at once is overwhelming.

Selene and I clicked. From the moment we met our freshman year in college when we got put together as roommates in the dorm. She’s way more outgoing than me. So she’d drag me out and make me socialize, but then was able to see when my peopling meter was at full capacity. She’d extract us and we’d go home.

She gets me, sees me. She’s my person.

“I can’t wait for you to meet the guys. They’re the best,” she says.

My heart tightens and my stomach roils. “Guys? I thought we were just meeting for burgers and beer?”

“Oh, is that what I said?”

I roll my eyes. “Sneaky. Are these more of your strapping cousins or guys from the lab?”

She laughs. “A few of my cousins. Mostly, though, its guys from the security company that Wolfbane contracts with.” She reaches over and taps on the silver bear charm hanging from my neck. “Still love bears?”

I pull my shoulder-length brown hair behind me to show her my ears. “Look! I found matching earrings on Etsy.”

She hugs me to her. She’s so much taller than my barely five feet that the embrace smooshes me up against her boob.

“I’ve missed you too, crazy, but no side hugs, remember?” I knock my head against her breast.

She laughs. “Why do I always forget how tiny you are?”

“Uh… cause I’m not tiny. I’m short. There’s a difference.”

“You’re gorgeous, Aspen. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.” She leads me to the back room to a big table set up with several smaller four-tops. “Pick wherever. I’m gonna grab us some menus.”