“Thanks.” Jeremy slid the shorts up his hips, then the shirt over his head. “I’m sure you’re tired, but I’m guessing you have questions. I’m an open book. Just ask.”

Seth sat on the arm of the sofa. He did have things he wanted to ask, but he wasn’t sure where to start. “You’re a shifter. How is that possible? I’ve never met one before, but I’m assuming you’re not made. Are you?”

“Genetics, I guess.” Jeremy folded himself up on the couch and rested his elbows on his knees. “I was born a human male baby. When I reached the age of eighteen, I was able to shift. My parents never cared about the fact I could shift or that I’m gay. It was normal, I guess. They said it was something that happens and encouraged me to shift.”

“That’s cool.” Seth picked at the hem of his shirt. “My parents threw me out.”

“That’s shitty,” Jeremy said. “I wish I’d met you before now. We could’ve been tight.”

“Yeah.” Seth relaxed a bit. “Did you strike out on your own? Is that how you ended up with the family and at the shelter?”

“My parents were killed in a car accident. A drunk driver went left of center and struck their vehicle. Their house is paid for and I could’ve gone back at any time, but my older brother lives there. Burying my parents was too much for me to handle and I ran away. I went for a run in my cat form—you’ve seen me, I’m a big goofy cat—and a little girl adopted me. I lost the will to shift, so I let her.”

“You lost the will to shift because of the girl?” He’d thought Jeremy said he was gay.

“No. I only had my brother left and he’s not cool with me being gay or a shifter.” Jeremy sighed. “I should’ve leaned on my brother, but I didn’t. I let the cat side of me rule and stayed in that form. The little girl took me in and her mom was all excited to have me, but the new wore off. The mother threatened to get rid of me if the kids didn’t take care of me and you can guess the rest.”

“Damn.” His heart ached for Jeremy. “That’s terrible.”

“I’d like to think it all happened for a reason, but some days I’m not sure.”

“People forget animals have feelings.” He scooped Snuggles into his arms. “I’m honored to have an animal—no, to have two.”

Jeremy nodded once. “Good. I’m sort of fond of you.”

“You are?” Odd. “We just met. How do I know you won’t run or how do you know that I won’t return you? I won’t, but still.” Things were happening too fast.

“I can tell you’re honest,” Jeremy said. “Plus, you know my story. I’m not running away again. I can’t keep escaping life. It didn’t help or bring back my family and I could’ve ended up in the shelter or a shelter that isn’t a good place.”

“That’s true.” Seth yawned. He wanted to stay up, but damn it, he couldn’t keep his eyes open. “I’m whipped. Want me to pull out the sofa for you?”

“Please? I can shift into Maui if you’d rather and sleep on your bed with Snuggles.” Jeremy rubbed his eyes. “I’m good either way.”

“I’ll leave the door open if you change your mind.” He hesitated. If Jeremy joined him in bed, he wouldn’t kick him out, but he also wasn’t the type to invite a man into his inner sanctum this fast.

“Thanks.” Jeremy nodded. “One thing?”

“Yeah? What’s wrong?”

“Thank you.”

Seth paused. Jeremy confused him, but it pleased him to be useful to someone. “What for?”

“For adopting Maui and taking a chance on me. We both needed a second chance,” Jeremy said. “And for not flipping out when I shifted. Some people would’ve been scared. You’re special.”

“It’s jarring, but…not entirely shocking.” Special? No way. He lingered another second. “Let me get some sheets.”

“Don’t bother. I’ll sleep on the couch. It’ll be fine.” Jeremy touched Seth’s arm. “I’m low maintenance. Don’t worry about me. The blanket on the back of the sofa is plenty.”

Seth stayed rooted to the spot. He had a shifter in his home. He’d adopted two cats and one was now a handsome man. He couldn’t wait to learn about shifters and figure out what to do next. Jeremy was gay and seemed to be interested in him. He couldn’t be lucky enough to forge a deeper bond with Jeremy, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t try.