by Raine Miller
She hung her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. “This is Ethan, my brother’s best friend. We’ve known each other a long time.”
Greg wrinkled his nose. “Ah, I see. Why the hell is he at your house nearly naked?”
“He...we...I....” Mia looked at me with a frown.
“She picked me up from the airport, and we were mugged in the parking garage. Thanks for the concern.” While she didn’t know what to say, I was less obliged to give this jerk more information than necessary. Mia was in trouble with werewolves, and I didn’t want to make matters worse. But I hated seeing her with this fucking self-centered scumbag. What the hell had been going on with her since I’d been deployed?
“Right. Ethan protected me, Greg.” She stepped between the two of us. Part of me wanted to push her behind me and take charge. Prove my feelings for her. This was so unlike me. “I really don’t appreciate you assaulting him.” She glanced over her shoulder at me.
Greg narrowed his eyes, his hands clenched into fists. “You obviously didn’t pay attention because he grabbed me first.”
“You were being an ass to her.” I wouldn’t stand down and take this. If I wanted to, I could give this guy an ass whooping, but I wouldn’t do it because obviously Mia saw something in him. What that was, I couldn’t say.
“Guys, you both need to just leave. Greg, I’m not up to going to the movies—”
“I bought the tickets. You’re damn well going to the movie.” He puffed out his chest and encroached on Mia’s personal space.
For all of the bravery I’d seen from her in the parking garage with the werewolf, I had to wonder why she put up with this guy’s shit. “If she doesn’t want to go, then find someone else to take.” If this guy kept up with it, I’d throw him out. While I wasn’t happy with what she’d said, there was no denying my feelings for her and the desire to keep her safe. I couldn’t chalk that up to some potion right? It’s not like she’d put a love potion in a healing cream. Besides, this desire for her had been for a long time. However, now those feelings were almost heightened.
Mia walked to the front door and held it open for us.
Greg planted his fists on his hips like he wasn’t going to budge, but I stared him down. The jerk’s lean physique couldn’t compare to my muscular build. No doubt who the winner would be if we got into a fight. Greg sighed. “If this is really how you want it to be, Mia, then you’ll have to deal with that decision. If you want to spend the evening together, call off your brute.”
That comment nearly had me swinging on him, but the utterly frustrated look in Mia’s eyes stopped me from acting. If this guy wanted to keep breathing, then I’d need to leave. Besides, once I tracked down Nolan, we would be having a nice chat about what the fuck he was doing letting his sister get involved with such an asshole. Nolan was a protective older brother, even to this day, so I had no idea why he put up with this.
I waited until Greg walked out before looking back at Mia from the porch, with my torn shirt and backpack. “Don’t let him treat you this way, Mia. You deserve better.”
She frowned but averted her gaze. “I know what I’m doing. He’s rather...nice, sometimes.” Sighing, she ran her hands through her hair. “Do you need a ride home?”
I glanced between her and the piece of trash idling his car in the driveway. “I’ll walk, it’s not that far. If there’s any trouble, call me. I’ll answer.” I turned toward the street, but her soft touch drew my attention back toward her.
“I’m really sorry, Ethan. I was just frustrated. Picking you up was not a burden. I could’ve told him no. I’m glad you’re home.” She licked her lips, and I dipped my gaze to take in the motion. “Besides, I didn’t want your holidays to start off with having to take a taxi home. I wouldn’t want that for myself if I were coming home after so long.” When I looked back into her eyes, she watched me with sincerity.
“Thanks. I really appreciate the—”
Greg honked the horn, and if it weren’t for Mia, I might’ve pulled the asshole from the car and given him a piece of my mind...to say the least.
“—the courtesy. Besides, I’m glad I was there to help. I guess.” I smiled. Both of us knew that she’d been the main reason we’d escaped the parking garage. I’d only helped a little. “See you at dinner tomorrow?”
She nodded. “I’ll be there.”
CHAPTER 6
Mia
I closed the door behind me, partly wishing Ethan had said sorry too. What could I do about it? Nothing. At least we’d ended the evening acting civil toward each other. The same couldn’t be said of Greg.
Relief lightened the load on my shoulders. I’d been so scared Ethan wouldn’t forgive me for the insult. If I had it to do all over again, I’d try to keep my mouth shut. Those were the absolute worst words to say, but he’d been so frustrated with me about what I’d spilled into the healing salve...something I hadn’t wanted to confess: the love potion. Though it wasn’t as if I’d snuck it in.
However, the love potion hadn’t seemed to even have had any effect on him. Me, on the other hand.... I wanted him more than I cared to admit. It heightened my desire to have him in my life.
Besides, I would have thought that the healing aspect of the potion would mellow out the love potion part. I’d learned something new. Even though I had pictured him falling in love with me and declaring his feelings, I hadn’t planned on slipping him the love potion.
What kind of relationship would we have if he had his free will ripped away? I didn’t want him to be my puppet. I wanted him to like me for who I was.
That dream looked less and less likely now that he knew my secret.
However, the way Ethan had acted with Greg had surprised me. Part of me was horrified that they’d nearly gotten into a fight, but the other part was glad he’d stood up for me when Greg had been so mean.
I rubbed my arms. Pain still ached in my bones from the way Greg had held me so tightly. I’d seen a side of him tonight I hadn’t seen before, and it was one I was not happy about. If he continued to act that way, then I’d have no problem with letting him go before Christmas, regardless of his feelings. The fact he’d been so cold to my emotions when I’d been upset boggled my mind. Why push me to go out after we’d been ‘mugged’, as Ethan had put it? That really didn’t sit well with me.
Peeking through the blinds, I saw Ethan walk by Greg’s car. He leaned down, saying something with his face screwed up with anger, then he jabbed a finger toward my house. I shrunk back, trying not to get spotted, but neither man even looked in my direction.
Greg’s features were tight and his eyes were narrowed at Ethan. He said a few things, and Ethan shot back at a volume I could almost hear, but not quite.
Damn it, Ethan. Don’t start a fight.
Instead of that, Greg pulled out of the driveway and put the pedal to the metal, absurdly revving his engine.
Ethan glanced back at the house and waved, then he walked off toward the direction of his home.
I wiped my hands over my face, feeling the pull of the love potion. The desire to go to him, tell him how I felt, and ask him to not leave, was almost too much. However, the potion wasn’t strong enough for me to take those actions. I didn’t have to obey it because I was more in control than my feelings at the moment, even if those feelings were pretty darn convincing.
What was I going to do? It was one thing for us having this situation in private. It would be another entirely for me to have to sit through a family dinner while he was there.
I knew I’d have to face Christmas Eve dinner with both Greg and Ethan. Unless Ethan learned about Greg’s presence and decided to skip it. After the way my parents had treated Ethan as one of their own since his own folks had died, I couldn’t imagine Ethan skipping Christmas Eve dinner with people he considered as much his family as I did, if not more so.
I slumped on the couch then ran my hands through my hair, brushing the red strands from my face. None of this even took int
o account the werewolves, who obviously wanted me dead. If I didn’t boost my magic, and soon, then I might as well plan my funeral, rather than what to wear for Christmas Eve dinner.
The small Christmas tree sitting on the coffee table didn’t do much to revitalize my festive spirit. In fact, it made things worse, because now was the time of year when I felt the most alone. When I’d hooked up together with Greg, I thought he’d make things better, but actually he’d only made them worse. Whether on a date or spending time at his house, I felt lonelier with him.
Shaking my head, I pulled the blanket down from the back of the couch, wrapping it around myself. The home phone rang, and I jumped, nearly bouncing off the sofa.
“Hello?”
“Mia, why haven’t you been answering your cell phone? What’s up with Ethan? Did he arrive on time?” Nolan’s usually happy-go-lucky voice sounded worried.
Damn, I hadn’t heard my phone. Maybe I didn’t take it off vibrate. “He arrived on time and should be home soon. Why?”
“Your phone went straight to voice mail. Mom and Dad are worried. Why didn’t you answer?” He refused to let up. Another pushy guy was the last thing I needed right now.
I sighed. “My phone must’ve run out of juice. I’ve had a long day. Call Ethan. I’m sure he wants to talk to you, especially after what you did.” From what I’d heard at the airport, I was sure there would be a long discussion between the two.
“What? I’m innocent, I swear.” Nolan sounded mischievous, not innocent. Bastard! But I did love my brother.
“Right, right. Well, we both know that’s not true. Why didn’t you take time off to pick up Ethan? I don’t get it.” I wanted an answer. His boss not letting him off work was a lame excuse—since his boss had let him off for less. It just seemed sneaky, as if he was hiding something, and when Nolan was like this, it meant trouble.
“What can I say?”
Anger at his vague response shoved me over the edge. “Stop with the bullshit, Nolan. I want to know why. What came up that you—”
“Sorry, sis. I’m getting a call on the other line. It might be Ethan. Thanks for everything. I’ll see you tomorrow.” The dial tone cut off any protests.
I would be seeing him tomorrow night, and when I did, I’d strangle the jerk. If he wanted to play hard to get, then he had another thing coming to him. I’d find out what he was up to, whether he liked it or not.
Uneasiness tightened my chest. The similarities of Nolan’s reluctance to answer a few simple questions mirrored my own. However, my answers would reveal earthshaking revelations about the supernatural community existing, as opposed to whatever Nolan hid.
Ethan deserved the truth. He was already wrapped up in this situation with me. I could use his help, and it was better for me to keep an eye on him. If he displayed any lunar tendencies, I needed to act before anyone else found out.
I tossed the phone on the couch, not bothering to put it back on the cradle. If my purse hadn’t been in the entryway, I would’ve gone to check my cell phone to see how many messages had been left for me. Knowing my parents and brother, there would be plenty.
The most memorable event of the day was Ethan kissing me. Feeling his lips on my skin had been like a caress from heaven. Errr.... Maybe the love potion had been stronger when mixed with the healing salve than I realized.
CHAPTER 7
Ethan
I walked up the sidewalk to what used to be my parents’ house. A sign staked in the yard said Welcome Home in big letters.
Damn.
Mia and Nolan’s parents were so nice to me. Sometimes I didn’t feel like I deserved all of the affection they gave. I wasn’t their son, even though they were like parents to me after mine died when a drunk driver hit them.
Nolan was perched on the porch talking on his cell phone. When he noticed me walking up, he said a few more words and hung up the phone. “Hmm...I’m guessing what Mia told me wasn’t true, that you arrived home and everything’s fine?” Getting up to greet me, he cocked an eyebrow. “What happened to your uniform?”
The not so great thing about having Nolan as my roommate—who lived with me predominantly to keep an eye on the house while I was deployed—was this: I wanted to come home and not worry about anything but laying my tired ass in my own bed. Instead, I was getting fifty questions.
“Everything’s fine,” I said, knowing Nolan wouldn’t believe me, especially with the state I was in. Glancing down at my chest, I noticed the claw marks under the thick cream had scabbed over. That wasn’t normal. I shouldn’t have healed so fast.
Damn. Maybe Mia did have powers, aside from throwing fireballs, at least. The picture of her crying while her boyfriend had walked all over her gnawed at me. Fucking asshole.
Nolan put a hand on my shoulder. “Dude, what the hell? No, it’s not fine. You have blood on your pants and your shirt is ripped. Let alone the fact you’re not wearing it.” He nudged me toward the house. “Come on. Let’s get inside. You need to talk to me. What did Mia do?”
“Mia didn’t do anything. Why didn’t you tell me she had such an asshole boyfriend? More to the point,” I said, whirling on my best friend, “why have you let her keep seeing that shithead? You beat the shit out of me in seventh grade when I went through that fling.”
“Greg? Oh, fuck. I’m going to kick his ass for this.” Anger darkened Nolan’s green eyes, and he balled his hands into fists. “He never should’ve been allowed to get away with this for so long. Once I kick his ass....”
While I wanted to see that, I shook my head. “It wasn’t Greg. But I saw the way he treated her. Not well at all. How can you stand back and let her take that?”
Nolan cocked his head. “Why do you care all the sudden? You’ve never shown much thought toward her since middle school. Besides, I’ve tried talking to her about it. She won’t listen to me. When I pushed her, she said she didn’t have the heart to break up with him before the holidays. He hates me, but I know Mom and Dad don’t like him much either.” He looked around the neighborhood, then back at me. “We’ll talk more inside.”
Sighing, I knew he had a point. Not being able to have Mia in my life had sent me running in the opposite direction, but my feelings for her had never lessened. The cold weather made the healing cream on my chest icy. While the cool night air didn’t bother me, I didn’t want to get sick. Besides, I’d lost some blood, so getting out of the elements would be best for me.
The home I shared with Nolan was a typical bachelor’s pad. The homey pictures and decorations from my deceased parents made it more than a house, but it wasn’t at all like what I’d experienced at Nolan and Mia’s parents, or even Mia’s home. It just felt...less than. Maybe because of the memories I still had of my parents when they’d been alive.
They had been good friends with the Brooks. I wished they were still alive but having the Brooks in my life had helped a lot. They’d encouraged me like my parents would’ve, but I knew they’d also had their own children to raise. They hadn’t been able to support me or foot the bill for my college tuition. That had prompted me to go into the military. There I’d been able to get an education, have a career, see the world, and make something of myself, like my dad would have wanted.
If only he were around to see it.
I dropped my backpack onto the floor next to the door and headed for my room. The desire for questioning Nolan waned.
“Hey, where you going? Weren’t we going to talk?” Nolan came up beside me, putting his hand on my shoulder. “What’s going on, man? This isn’t like you. Talk to me.”
“I will. Right now, I need a shower and to unwind a little.” I grabbed a change of clothes from my room, then hit the shower. It was exactly what I needed. Hot water streamed down my body, clearing my mind. I didn’t want Mia to be in a bad relationship. What could I do about that? Nothing. Unless Greg kept acting like a total jerk. I wouldn’t sit back while she went through that. I’d stand up for her, even if the other people in her life had
n’t.
My heart knew that if I didn’t I’d regret it, because I wanted to be with her. I wouldn’t stand there and let someone else mistreat her. Balling my hands into fists, I leaned against the bathroom counter.
While Nolan said she didn’t want to break up with Greg because of the holidays, just how long had they been together, and why was she with him in the first place? If Nolan wanted to talk, then he had a lot of explaining to do.
When I got downstairs, Nolan was flipping through channels on the flat screen TV. He glanced up at me. “You hungry? I could order a pizza. Mom and Dad were thinking about surprising you, but when I didn’t hear anything from Mia, I told them it was probably best to wait because your plane might’ve been delayed.”
“Pizza would be good. Tell your parents thanks for everything.” If they’d gone through the effort to set all this up, then why had Mia seemed as confused about Nolan’s suspicious behavior as I had been? I wanted to get into this, but I didn’t want to scare Nolan off.
He had been worried about me, but I couldn’t forget how suspicious he’d been of Mia when she’d done nothing wrong. She was going through things I wasn’t exactly sure how to understand, but that didn’t mean she meant ill toward me.
“Will do,” Nolan said and grabbed his phone. He punched in a few buttons, and before I knew it, he’d already ordered the pizza with an app. Crazy but cool. “So what’s going on? Why were you injured?”
“We got mugged at the airport in the parking garage.” I didn’t want to spend all evening talking to him about what happened. I wanted more details about what was going on here. However, I’d let him talk since, if it’d been the other way around, I would have been concerned to see Nolan hurt.
Nolan winced. “Seriously? I thought airports were supposed to be safe with plenty of TSA around. Did you call the cops?” He tossed a can of beer to me and I caught it. “You kicked their ass, right? Man, why wouldn’t Mia tell me something like that?” He crushed the empty can in his fist. “Damn, no wonder she didn’t answer her phone earlier.”
