Catch A Tiger By The Tail (THIRDS 6)

Soon they were on their way to Dex’s house. Rosa had called Cael to let them know she and Letty had picked up everyone’s coffee order along with some pastries. There was still the bedroom and living room to finish packing up, but they’d done the kitchen, dining room, hall, closets, and bathroom. While they packed, Rosa and Letty moved the boxes they dropped off into the right rooms in Dex’s house and helped unpack, organizing and even putting stuff away. It was like a military operation with how smoothly and quickly everything went on their end. Now that he thought about it, there was probably a reason they chose to be where the rest of their team wasn’t.

While their coffees cooled down, they all unpacked the van. By the time they were done, Ethan had worked up quite a sweat. Luckily the cool air kept him from getting too hot. They left the van parked outside and decided to take a little rest. The living room was filled with boxes, some unpacked and a few empty and waiting to be tossed into the back of the van to be reused. Ethan was definitely ready for a little caffeine boost.

Dex checked his watch for the umpteenth time, his big smile telling Ethan his thirty minutes of induced silence was about up. “Yes!” He shouted, startling Rosa.

“Me cago en diez. Really, Dex?”

Dex opened his mouth to reply, then looked at Ash warily. When Ash chuckled and continued to unpack, Dex let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m so enjoying this,” Ash said to no one in particular. Ethan couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Ash this happy. It didn’t take much, did it.

Dex took a sip of his drink and frowned. “This isn’t my triple shot mochaccino. This is hot chocolate.”

“It’s not there?” Letty asked, checking the cup labels. “I know I definitely picked it up. It was bucket sized, with enough whip cream to give me diabetes.”

Calvin checked the other cups on the island counter that hadn’t been picked up yet. “These are all coffees. Who ordered the hot chocolate? Maybe they got them mixed up.”

Sloane went pensive. “Is there anyone who doesn’t drink coffee?”

“Oh shit.” Dex’s eyes went wide.

“What’s wrong?” Calvin asked worriedly.

“Cael. He’s the only one who can’t drink coffee.”

“Why’s that again?” Letty asked.

“Cheetah Therian metabolism and his general Cael-ness. That shit makes him—”

“Dex! Dex, look! Deeex, you’re not looking! Looook at meee! Dex!”

They all turned toward the dining room, and Ethan couldn’t help his laugh. Dex on the other hand looked horrified. Cael stood on top of the dinner table wrapped in bubble wrap from his shoulders to his ankles. Ethan cocked his head to one side. How the heck had he managed that without any help?

“It’s like being in a big squishy bubble!”

“How much of the coffee did you drink?” Dex asked, hurrying over to his brother.

“You know I don’t drink coffee. I had hot chocolate. All of it! Oh my God, there was so much whip cream!” Cael bent his knees, and Dex gasped.

“Don’t you dare! Cael, no!”

“Dex, I think I can hear colors,” Cael whispered loudly, his pupils dilated. “Your T-shirt sounds like Journey.”

“Oh dear God. Ash, help me out here.”

Ash made his way over just as Cael launched himself off the table. Ethan was enthralled. It was like watching a weird action movie in slow motion. Ash dove for Cael, catching him before he could hit the floor. Cael landed on him and bounced off, rolling slowly across the wood floor with a frown on his face.

“Ash,” Cael huffed, “I was fine. The bubbles were going to break my fall.”

Ash crawled over to Cael and helped him sit up. “The floor was going to break your fall, and your head, you monkey.”

“Nuh-uh.” Cael squirmed and tried to wriggle away. He paused and giggled. “Your T-shirt sounds like the Spice Girls.”

“Thank you. I’m officially horrified. No more jumping off furniture.” Ash kissed the top of Cael’s head, then tore the bubble wrap off him. Before he had a chance to get up, Cael was already sprinting into the living room.

“Oh my God, Ash! Look at this huge box!”

Ash swore under his breath