While everyone else was dealing with the aftermath of Walker’s capture, Nate was driving into town with his new “friend” and her dog.
“So, Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, is it as fancy as I think it is?” Nate asked.
“Not really. I’m hoping to study graphic design in college, and their program is pretty good. Nothing too intense thank god because I’m a dunce at stuff like math.”
“Oh come on, you’re probably not that bad. My younger brother checks my math homework for errors. And usually finds more wrong answers than correct ones.”
“Is he a werewolf too?” Liv asked. If Nate’s brother was anything like him, Liv was eager to met him. Nate really was quite the catch.
“No, still trying to decide what kind of were he wants to be. Our parents are werefoxes. It’s just Eric who hasn’t made the change. Last time I check though he was leaning on panther, but only because is girlfriend is part panther.”
“Part?” Liv looked over at Nate confused.
“She’s a hybrid. Her mom’s a panther, dad’s a werewolf.”
“Wow. That is so cool! I didn’t think hybrids like that existed.”
Nate smiled and nodded. Everyone’s general reaction to Spencer’s hybrid status was either amazement, or intrigue. In Liv’s case, he got the feeling it was both. She went on to ask why Eric was choosing panther over wolf, just out of curiosity.
“He thinks it’s the most compatible. Guy’s a bit of a brainiac, tends to over think things.”
“Huh. Oh, turn up ahead. My parents’ place should be on the left. The blue house.” Liv was so distracted they almost drove right past her parents’ street. It was on the other side of town, not too far from Alex’s place.
Nate slowed the car to a crawl until Liv pointed out the blue, two story house. In the backseat, Brady started barking excitedly. A guy probably about twenty something came out and looked around for the source of the barking. Liv stuck her head out the window and waved.
“Hey, Ethan!” Liv called out to her older brother enthusiastically. Ethan waved back, a bit confused as to why his sister was riding in a car with some teenage guy.
“Did she get a boyfriend without telling anyone?” he wondered, walking forward to meet the car at the end of the driveway. The boy driving the car was a werewolf, decent looking, and didn’t mind Brady putting his paws on his shoulders in an effort to get closer to Ethan.
“Hi. Ethan Meyers. You’ve obviously already met my kid sister.” Ethan stuck a hand out for Nate to shake.
“Nate Anderson, nice to meet you.” It took some clever thinking on Nate’s part to accept Ethan’s extended hand. Brady was making it particularly difficult.
“Down boy, down!” Liv ordered him. Brady reluctantly got off Nate’s shoulders, but was thrilled when Liv opened the car door for him. He bounded out and jumped her brother.
“Whoa, easy. It’s nice to see you too.” Ethan caught the dog’s front paws and held him in sort of a hug. Liv turned to Nate and thanked him for the lift.
“No problem. It’s part of the gentleman’s code, never turn down a damsel in distress.” Nate mocked bowing his head.
“I was not in distress.”
“Well no, but same principle. Anyway, see ya around.” Nate started to drive off, but in the spur of the moment Liv shouted his name. Nate stopped and poked his head out the window. Ethan was still in the driveway with Brady, who was happily licking his face.
“Free this Thursday?” Liv asked sheepishly. Nate could only nod, his mind taking a few seconds to register that she was asking him out on a date.
“Six-thirty, meet me at the rest stop.” Liv said.
“Sure.” Nate said almost immediately. He felt it rude to say no. Admittedly, part of him was interested in what Liv had in store. That, and he’d gladly accept any distraction from Kenya. He wasn’t about to jump into another relationship, but there was no law against him having some fun.
As he drove off, Ethan gave his sister a dubious look.
“What?” she asked, stopping in front of him with her hands on her hips.
“You met this guy at the rest stop?” was all Ethan could say.
“So what? You’ve picked up girls at the DMV. Besides, he’s nice.”
“I’m sure that’s what all those girls thought about Ted Bundy before he chopped them into little pieces.” Ethan pointed out. Liv rolled her eyes and called Brady back to her. Ethan always overreacted like this. Ever since she came home from her hike carrying a dead deer when she was thirteen. He took his role as the older brother a little too seriously.
“Look, I can take care of myself. Besides, I seriously doubt Nate is a serial killer. Did you get that vibe from him?”
“No, but…”
“Case closed. Now, are Mom and Dad home yet? I’m starving.” Liv walked past her brother, ignoring his frustrated stare.
“He’s just sore because I’ve got a social life and all he’s got are his Playboy magazines.” she thought.