4. River

Iswipe ignore on my phone and lean against the trailer wall of my bedroom. The relief is immediate. Dealing with Uncle Harris was going to be a nightmare. Ever since I took an impromptu vacation and then started working remotely, he's been even worse than usual, blowing up my phone at all hours.

Keys jingle just behind my door, and I know Akira is about to leave. I feel like an asshole for just leaving him like that, but for once, my uncle"s timing was perfect. I need a moment to sort through my feelings. I'm pretty sure Akira and I just had a moment. And if he's telling me the truth, he doesn't open up to people much about his life. Or what he is.

A kitsune. What were the chances?

My phone beeps, indicating I have a voice message. Looks like my vacation is over. Uncle Harris finally left a message. I hit play, place the phone on speaker, and toss it onto my bed. I feel like some distance between me and the phone will be more manageable than listening to my uncle yell right into my ear.

"River, where the hell are you?" Just as predicted, Uncle Harris snarls in his message. I can picture his round face red with anger. "I've given you plenty of time to go screw around and do whatever the hell it is you're doing. But you have responsibilities. A fucking job."

He pauses, and for a moment I think the message is over when I hear him let a long frustrated sigh. "Son," he says, probably thinking his tone is sympathetic. It's not. "Indy is gone. He's dead, son. You need to stop wasting your time chasing a ghost."

Closing my eyes, I remind myself that my brother is here, alive and happy.

I begin to zone out when he immediately drops his soft tone and complains about other people having to pick up my slack and how he's disappointed in me. He drones on about how he's worked his ass off to get me where I am. It's all fucking bullshit. I worked hard for my position. I studied hard while I was in college, making sure to graduate early and work at his company as soon as possible. While Indy took a semester off college, I jumped in, taking extra classes to make sure I got my degree as fast as possible.

When I glance down at the phone, I notice there are another two minutes left of the message. Instead of finishing it, I hit the end button. I needed to draft a letter of resignation. I also needed to ask Indy if he wanted our uncle to know he was alive.

To my surprise, I hear Akira move around again in the trailer before the front door clicks closed. I thought he'd already left. He mentioned running late to meet with someone. That instant swirl of jealousy tightens my chest. Was he meeting with someone on a date? It couldn't be Rhea. I remember her mentioning her fortune-telling shift starts at noon.

Ugh. Why does it matter? We danced once, months ago. Okay, three times, but that's beside the point. My point is, we danced and then I freaked out and told him I was straight.

That little voice in the back of my head questions if that's even true. Sure, I don't think I've ever thought of a guy like that. The small town Indy and I grew up with was so full of homophobes that I don't even think I entertained the idea. Not that I'm homophobic, I've always supported Indy. I just never thought of a guy for myself.

But fuck, the way I can't stop thinking about Akira. I can't deny how attractive the man is, or the chemistry that seems to sizzle between us. But could I even think of anything more? Better to appreciate him as eye candy and ignore whatever is brewing.

Akira is only here temporarily. I overheard him telling Seven that a few days ago. I don't need to explore whatever this is, only to have yet another person leave me. First my dad, then my mother. And even though I got Indy back, it took ten years, and we are blood-related. I think he's obligated to love me.

Yeah, better to keep Akira at arm's length. I don't need to keep getting hurt when everyone leaves.

I need to go for a run. I whip my shirt off over my head, before slowly turning and looking at the detailed lines of the tattoo on my back.

If I find out Fate is real? I have a bone to pick with her. I slip my tank top over my head and pull on a pair of running shorts.

A fucking kitsune. Seriously, what are the chances?