Ferris Braden [Beyond the Marius Brothers 6] Read Free

a great idea. Especially since Brian and Banning had started their compost pile for the vineyard’s crops. They could use a shitload of grass!
As I kept walking, I swore I felt like someone was watching me. But every time I turned around and looked, no one was there. I shrugged, wondering if my frayed nerves and lack of being able to handle anything right then was clouding my instincts. Instead of focusing on it, I pulled out my iPod from my bag and turned on some Journey. When feeling bad, classic rock always helped.
It took me about twenty minutes to get everything ready to go after I got to the garage. I had to find the riding mower in the massive garage, check the oil, add gas, get the back part added on to collect all the grass. It was a massive John Deere that was almost the size of a tractor. As silly as it was, I liked to drive it. It was a neat toy.
I hopped on, set my phone and water in the cup holders, and cranked up “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” before turning the mower on. I pulled onto the grass from the gravel and just belted out the words, not caring if I sounded like a dying animal my voice was so horrible. I needed to get some of what I was feeling out and if I didn’t have the words, I’d use the ones by Journey.
And just to be a goof because I needed the smile… I decided straight lines were boring. I went here and there, all over on my way back to the vineyard to drop off the clippings. I’m sure if anyone saw me they’d wonder if I’d fallen off my rocker but I didn’t give a shit.
When I got there, I stopped singing and turned off the mowing part so I was just driving to the compost pile, ignoring the stares I was getting. I gave Brian a wave after I shut it down and then took off my headphones.
“What ya got there?” he asked hesitantly. Oh good, that meant someone had told him I’d been yelling.
“Needed some time to think so I thought I’d mow the warriors’ lawn and bring it for your compost.” I shrugged as if telling him I didn’t want to talk about it any more than that. He nodded and thanked me before getting back to whatever he’d been doing.
I unhooked the back, easily picking it up and dumping it on the small pile. When I went to put the mower back together I heard that yowling again, but louder this time. Glancing around, I saw a small cat.
“Did you guys get a pet?” I called out to Brian. I froze when the animal hissed like it understood me and didn’t like what I said.
Brian jogged over and started laughing when he got within ten feet. “Ya got too much grass and pollen up ya nose, Ferris. That not be a normal cat.”
It took me a second to figure out what he was saying and when it hit me, my eyes went wide. “I didn’t know there were shifters who were house cats.” The little guy hissed again and crept closer. “Not a house cat? Sorry, buddy, I don’t know what you are then. I mean, you look like a tiny cheetah. You don’t have to be afraid. No one will hurt you.”
The cat crept closer, stalking its prey… Which seemed to be me.
“Did ya run over its tail with the mower? He looks ready to attack,” Brian asked hesitantly.
I glanced at him to reply and the shifter made its move, leaping onto me and climbing me like a tree. I was grateful he didn’t use his claws and all, but it was totally bizarre. I pulled him off my shoulder and held him in my arms. He stared at me and started purring.
“Aren’t you just the cutest thing,” I cooed, trying to get him to relax. I felt the air vibrate around me and suddenly my arms were full of naked male.
“I’m a jungle cat,” he hissed, his teeth still longer than normal.
“Sure, sorry,” I mumbled, still not able to smell anything other than grass, compost, and probably a boatload of pollen I’d inhaled. Just as I went to set him on his feet, he wrapped his legs around me and bit my neck. “Shit! Get him off me!”
Brian raced over and I watched as the guy’s hand changed into a paw and he batted Brian