Free Fox in the Quarter by Audrey Claire

1
    “ G in ,” Nathan shouted and slapped his cards down on the table. He reared back in his chair and hung an arm over the side. First he balanced on two legs and then one. I marveled at his agility for a man so gigantic. Unfortunately, Nathan caught me looking and winked with a big grin on his face. As if I would be interested in him. Wasn’t happening, but that didn’t stop my friend from trying—often.
    I harrumphed and studied the cards in my hand. “I can’t get the hang of this game. The most I used to play back in Summit’s Edge was a round or two of pinochle, and that was rare. I lost more pennies than I won.”
    Nathan rose and tapped the top of my head before moving to the kitchen. I heard the refrigerator open and the rattle of beer bottles. “That’s because you don’t have any luck.”
    “I have just as much luck as anyone else.”
    I glared at him when he returned gulping a beer. He set a glass of red wine on the table and slid it closer to me. “Then no one has luck.”
    “Nathan, why do you have to try my patience every time I see you?”
    “I thought you were losing your emotions?” he countered.
    Leave it to the werewolf with no social graces to rub it in. Was it any wonder he didn’t have a girlfriend?
    “Give it a try, Rue.”
    “I’m not going to attempt to drink wine in front of you. I told you my stomach is funny, and I can’t keep it down.”
    “I’m not afraid of a little mess.”
    I scanned the apartment, which he shared with his roommate, Dalton. I had met him once or twice, just long enough to confirm he was indeed the ladies man that Nathan claimed he was. Dalton had actually believed I would fall for his charming words and tumble into bed with him. At least he didn’t dislike me because I was vampire, which was refreshing. Not refreshing enough to take him up on his offer.
    Nathan and Dalton’s apartment, although sizable—and it had to be to accommodate the two gigantic werewolves—was always cluttered with magazines and books, leftover takeout containers, and an assortment of other items that screamed bachelor. “From the state of this place, I know you’re not afraid of mess. It looks like you invite it even though you claimed you would clean up before I arrived tonight.”
    “I did.” Nathan pointed to the two trash bags set by the front door. “It was much worse.”
    “If you cared about me at all, you would have gotten rid of that stuff. Just like your nose burns whenever you kill a demon, mine burns with these…smells.”
    Nathan had just dropped into his chair. At my words, he leaped to his feet. “It does? You should have said so, Rue! I’m sorry.”
    I tried to stop him, but he moved like the inhuman creature he was and whisked the trash bags out the door. Other trash followed, and he raced around the room, gathering every piece of garbage to dispose of it. Nathan might be disgusting, but he was a sweet disgusting, and he was my best friend.
    On one of his trips out the door, something came in right beside him. Nathan didn’t notice. I blinked and looked again, but whatever it was disappeared. Perhaps it was my imagination.
    The door banged the wall when Nathan was all done, and he jogged into the bathroom. When he returned, he held a spray canister, decorated in pink flowers.
    “Hold on, Nathan,” I said.
    He pressed the nozzle before I finished speaking the words. A flood of flowery scent filled the air. We both howled and made for the door, clutching our noses. In the hall, we sank to the floor, and he burst out laughing.
    “You goof ball,” I chided him. “That was too much.”
    “Now you tell me.” He grinned, rubbing his nose. “No wonder the can was still full.”
    “You’re the one who bought it.”
    He looked thoughtful. “I didn’t. Dalton must have, but it gives me satisfaction thinking he might have done the same thing to himself.”
    I bumped his arm. “You’re terrible. Think it’s dissipated enough yet?”
    He hesitated,