Shifter by Jennifer Reynolds Read Free Book Online Page B

up arguing, and she left him. My brother can be a little difficult sometimes, but not very confrontational. I can’t imagine what it would have been over.”
    “Are you sure he wants to be found?” I ask, looking at the photo as I do so. “I mean, I’ll keep a look out for him, but I don’t want to turn in someone who wants to be lost.”
    “My brother is a very family-oriented person. He wouldn’t leave his family for anything.”
    “Family? Does he have a wife and kids?” I knew it was a stupid question because Devan had just told me that his brother had met with someone he had met at a bar, but men did shit like that to their wives all of the time. The idea of him having a family made me feel kind of odd, jealous even. For some reason, I want him to be single. I stare down at his picture. Something about him seems familiar.
    “No. As I said, he was meeting a girl. Dimitri is very loyal and not a commitment phobe. If he is with someone, he is with them. That is why I know he would not willingly leave his family. The man moved into a house not a mile down the road from mine. Darius isn’t much farther from us. We are a close family. We take care of each other.”
    I could see the love this man had for his brother in the emotion behind the words he spoke. “If I see him, I will let you know. I don’t get out much, though. I know the people on either side of me and the lady that owns the little grocery store down the road, but other than that, I don’t interact with the neighborhood much. Now, rumor has it that Grace Allen, the lady that lives in that brick house right over there knows everything about everyone in a two-mile radius. I don’t know if that is true. I’ve never actually spoken to the woman, but if anyone around here might know something, it will be her.”
    I had been looking passed him at Grace’s house as I said this. When I turned back to him, he was looking at me with the oddest sort of sad look. “What’s wrong?” I ask confused by his expression.
    “Can I ask why you don’t interact with people more? I mean if it is a personal question, then I understand, but don’t you work, have friends?”
    I laugh slightly at his question. “It’s all right. I work, but I work from home. I don’t get out much because…well, I don’t get along with people.” That isn’t completely correct, but I’m not about to explain to this man that people stare at fat, ugly people. They point, laugh, and make jokes. He wouldn’t get it. No one would dare do such a thing to him. My friends have told me that I’m being paranoid, and I probably am. I’m not so overweight that I waddle when I walk or breathe heavy after four or five steps, but that won’t be long now if I keep up this lifestyle. I’m just big enough that I feel disgusting, and if I disgust myself then I have to disgust other people.
    “I can’t believe that. I’ve known you all of ten minutes, and we’ve gotten along pretty good.”
    “You’re a special case.” I laugh.
    “I don’t think so. Anyway, you shouldn’t hide yourself up in this house. Your neighborhood is a beautiful place. You should go out and enjoy it a little. There are people who would love to meet you, I bet.”
    I give him an indulging smile in which he seems to be able to read the truth.
    “I don’t think so,” I finally say.
    “Oh, I’m sure there are plenty of men or…women…” He pauses as if inviting me to state my preference, but I don’t divulge anything. Nodding his head, he smirks at me. “Anyway, I’m sure that there is someone out there who would enjoy your company.”
    “No one I’ve met recently,” I say, looking at him pointedly, wanting to ask him if he wants to spend time with me.
    “I bet if you opened yourself up a little you’d see that you get more attention than you think you do.” Is he offering?
    “I’m plenty aware of how people react to me. I promise.” I look down at the ground suddenly feeling the need to not