professional emails would be listed for references. According to his personal info, he’s been on the Slope for ten years.
That’s a long time to go without sex, so I’m guessing this guy is either great with his right hand or isn’t interested in sex at all.
“Kade, you are not clean, quiet, or willing to go to bed at a reasonable hour. And the only reason why you don’t drink is because you can’t afford alcohol.”
All of that is unfortunately true. But Jason’s forgetting one important detail.
“This guy is looking for someone to play cards with, and I like playing cards.”
Jason takes in a deep breath. “At best, you will drive this man insane. At worst, he’s going to expect you to have sex with him.”
“I know,” I say. I am very aware of my plan’s limitations.
Jason hands back my phone. “You’re still going to do it, aren’t you?”
I shrug. “I might have applied already.”
“Have you thought about your own reactions to this guy?”
He’s referring to my very unfortunate preference for men twice my age. In particular, men who have some kind of power over me. Like my teachers, bosses, and at one point, our landlord.
“I’m cute. He might be into it.”
Jason sighs. “When are you going to grow up? Chatting to a camera while you put on makeup isn’t a career. You need to have a plan. I can’t take care of you my entire life. Linus will be expecting a pebble soon, and I love him. Am I supposed to put off the rest of my life so you can continue messing around?”
He doesn’t get it. I already know Linus wants a pebble from him. And I know what that’s going to mean. Jason and I are fairy penguins—the bottom of the barrel when it comes to penguin shifters. And Linus is an emperor penguin. The only way he’ll commit to Jason is if his annoying kid brother moves out.
I don’t want to hold Jason back. He deserves to be happy. And he can’t be happy unless I leave.
“The contract is for a month. If Otis likes me, I get to stay for longer. You can be with Linus to your heart’s content. I won’t get in your way anymore,” I say.
“That’s not what I meant—”
“It’s okay.” I know how difficult I am to live with, and Jason is a good guy. He deserves better than to babysit me for the rest of his life.
I flash him my best, “I’m totally fine” smile, even though I’m going to miss him. If Otis doesn’t work out, there are other ragers on the Slope. It’s not ideal, but I don’t have any other options.
“What is this guy going to do when he finds out you’re a penguin shifter? All of the companions on the Slope are polar bear shifters.”
“I told him I was a penguin shifter in my application. He wants someone no nonsense and straight-laced. Think about it. A penguin shifter would be perfect for him.”
Jason glances back at me with a smirk I recognize all too well. It’s his, “you are exasperating, but endearing at the same time” face. Thank God for that face. “You didn’t tell him that you’re a Little Blue?”
I shake my head.
“Damn. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Me too.
I really, really do.
2
Otis
I open the second-to-last application. The first page has a photo of a skinny teenage boy in his underwear. And not even the kind of long johns that would be practical to wear on the Slope. It’s a tight pair of black briefs that he’s pushing down with his thumb. Of course, he’s biting his lip and giving the camera a “come hither” look.
Why on earth must I see this man in his underwear to determine whether he'd be decent at playing cards?
All of the applications have photos like that, so I click to the next page. Frankie is nineteen years old. Good Christ. What on earth would I do with a child in my apartment? His favorite card games are War and Old Maid. Which means he hates cards, because no one’s favorite card game is Old Maid. Supposedly, he “prefers the company of older men.” How convenient. But in his spare time he likes to play Fortnite and watch reality TV. I’m not sure what older man would be willing to do that with him.
This is exactly why I didn’t want a companion. They aren’t companions. They’re long-term hired hearts.
Unfortunately, the Guild doesn’t care. At my last assessment, they told me