Bears of Burden: HUTCH

by Candace Ayers

  “Oh, now you’ll admit she’s your mate?”

  Allie nodded. “Why the sudden change of heart? Is it the haircut and the wardrobe change? Are you that shallow?”

  “I think he is. Only a moron could not see how hot Ronnie was even before the haircut. And how wild she is. Virgin, or not, that girl is a catch. Was a catch. You missed out, Hutch. She’s already got a date for this weekend.”

  “Maybe she’ll bless some other guy with all of that knowledge she’s saved up from years of reading those erotic romance books.”

  My head was going to explode. I shifted, ripping through my clothes, and my bear threw his head back and let out a mighty roar that seemed to shake the entire earth around us.

  Sterling ran out of the shop with wide eyes and held up his hands to me. “Whoa. Calm down, brother.”

  Georgia scowled. “If he thinks that’s going to scare us away, he’s—”

  “Right. He’s right.” Allie tugged on Georgia’s arm. “Come on before he bites our heads off and we ruin Thorn and Wyatt’s friendships.”

  I watched them run away and growled again before turning to Sterling and basically knocking him on his ass as he stood in my path to the shop.

  “You going to work on cars as a giant ass bear?”

  I shifted back and turned to him, at ease with my nudity. “I messed up. Bad. Worse than bad.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, you just threatened Thorn and Wyatt’s mates. They’re going to be pissed.”

  I shook my head and then hurriedly moved inside the shop when someone drove by and honked.

  “I found my mate. A while ago. I… I rejected her.”

  His eyes went wide and his face contorted in anger. Then he shoved me. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Do you have any clue what that feels like?”

  Ever in tune with my little brother’s emotions, I raised my eyebrows at him and grabbed the shirt that Byron threw at me. “You have something you want to talk to me about?”

  He shoved his hands through his hair and groaned. “I have some experience with being rejected. It isn’t fucking fun, Hutch. It feels like having your heart ripped out through your esophagus and kicked and stomped on. For you to put a woman through that kind of pain makes me sick.”

  I threw my hands up and spun around, headed to my office in search of pants. “I wasn’t trying to put Veronica through any pain. I just… I fucked up.”

  “Veronica? Ronnie?”

  I looked back at him and nodded. “Yeah. Veronica.”

  He shook his head. “Virgin Veronica? She’s a sweet girl.”

  My head throbbed again as I shoved my legs inside an extra pair of pants and then sat heavily at my desk. “What did you mean? What happened, Sterling?”

  “Nothing. It’s nothing. I’ve got to get back to the track. Try not to be such a raging asshole, would you?”

  I saluted him with my middle finger and then frowned as he walked away. I got the unsettling impression that Veronica wasn’t the only one I hadn’t done right by.

  I picked up my phone and dialed the local library’s number from memory. I’d memorized it the week after I’d first run into her. I had sat at my desk, studying it like it was going to suddenly make what I’d done any better. I thought back to the way I’d acted that first night when she came barreling out of the library and into my arms.

  I had been stunned stupid. I had known instantly that she was my mate, and it had scared the crap out of me. It was the first time in my entire life that I had felt insecure around a woman. Inferior. Then, without saying a word, she’d kissed me. It was spectacular, the feeling of her lips pressed against mine. I felt sparks from head to my toes. And what did I do? I pushed her away. I pretended the kiss had disgusted me. Pretended I hadn’t wanted her with every ounce of my being. Just thinking about my behavior made me physically ill. I had been a yellow-bellied coward. She’d been right in calling me one.

  A woman answered the phone, but it wasn’t my mate. “Burden Public Library.”

  “Is Veronica there?”

  There was a pause and then she cleared her throat. “Veronica went back to Dallas for the rest of the week. She won’t be back until Monday morning. Is there anything I can help you with? Or, I could leave a note on her desk for you.”

  I hung up and then threw the phone across the office. Was it possible that I’d messed up beyond repair?

  CHAPTER 20: Veronica

  The library’s back parking lot was full of women waiting on me to let them in when I strolled up to it. I’d been expecting five or so women, but the crowd that greeted me was jaw-dropping. There were probably thirty women in total, of all ages, waiting. At the front of the crowd was Allie and Georgia, their arms full of books, just like mine.

  Feeling shy in the face of what we were about to do, I stumbled over my own feet and would’ve gone down to my knees if Maggie hadn’t been there to catch me. I sent her a gracious smile and straightened myself. “Thanks.”

  She patted me on the back and nodded. “Anytime.”

  I unlocked the back door and then slipped inside. The women followed, milling about as I went straight to the front windows to close the thick curtains that hung there. The last librarian had a flair for the dramatics and she’d regularly close them and set up a pretty display before throwing them open again. I just wanted to hide the fact that we were inside, holding a clandestine meeting.

  Allie and Georgia pulled candles from their bags and starting lighting them around the shop. My nerves flared up as I watched the flames dance dangerously close to all the precious paperbacks.

  “What’s with the secret society set up?” Grace, an older woman, asked while taking a pillow from the children’s section and sitting on it.

  I winced. “I’m kind of hiding from someone.”

  She rubbed her hands together and grinned. “This sounds juicy. Give us the details, honey.”

  Just as I shook my head, Georgia opened her mouth. “She’s hiding from Hutch Mallory. They’re mates.”

  I slapped her arm. “Georgia! A little privacy, please?”

  She laughed. “We’re having a sex book meeting. There is no privacy.”

  I looked up and saw Maggie backing away from us, a look of horror on her face. She winced as her eyes met mine and she turned and tried to hurry away. I called out to her and then went to her when she stopped. “Maggie, it’s okay. The things that Hutch did are his fault, not yours, or anyone else’s. He’s the asshole.”

  She had tears in her eyes when she turned to face me. “I didn’t know. I swear. I wouldn’t have hit on him. I wouldn’t have done anything like that to you, or anyone else.”

  I hugged her. “I know. You can’t leave. We’re going to have a great time. You’re going to have a great time. Now, don’t worry about it.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “As long as you don’t do it again.” I laughed at the look of horror on her face.

  “We didn’t do it.”

  “It’s fine,” I rolled my eyes.

  “No, really. He came over, but he wasn’t… um… up for the job, if you know what I mean. Honestly, I don’t think he was attracted to me at all. I think, maybe, he just didn’t want to go home and be alone. So, I let him sleep on my couch, and he left first thing in the morning.”

  This time, the smile that I flashed Maggie was genuine. Feeling more in charge, I waited until everyone was seated and then I stood in front of them. We’d talked about what we wanted to discuss, so I knew what I was going to say. It made it easier that all the women had shown up, ready to talk about it, too.

  “Welcome to the first meeting of the Naughty Book Exchange Club.” As a groan went up, I giggled. “We can discuss names later. My first suggestion for this group is that someone brings refreshments from now on.”

  Allie pulled two bottles of wine from her oversized purse and grinned.

  Drinks were poured and then we settled back into our spots. I took a hefty sip of mine before talking again. “S
o, we might be a little short on books for everyone. I didn’t think so many people were going to show up.”

  “Are you going to start selling toys and stuff?” Grace asked with red-dotted cheeks.

  “We talked about it. If there are enough people interested in it, we can. I know a lady in Dallas who could get me started.”

  Georgia raised her cup. “We’re interested. Bring us the good stuff.”

  A cheer went up and I couldn’t help but laugh. I had a feeling that this was going to be a fun group. I held up a copy of Angel and Her Demon Stepbrother. “Now, this, ladies, is a hot, hot book.”

  *

  By the time the night was over, every woman in the room had fought over a copy of a book she wanted. I had given up a new copy I wanted so Maggie would have something. The few women who didn’t get books were promised that they’d have their choice of book in hand as soon as the previous woman finished it. Everyone was so excited about it, they’d turned the handoffs into a big covert-op game. They wanted to know who could be the sneakiest with it.

  I was practically bouncing. It wasn’t every day that I got to see so many people excited about reading, and I was thrilled to feel like a part of something. I was making my way in Burden, finally, without Hutch.

  I’d always assumed that life would come alive for me once I had a mate. I thought that I’d have an easier time getting on and making friends if I had the connection to the town of a local mate, but, as it turned out, I didn’t need Hutch at all for that.

  I walked home with Georgia through the woods, like the sneaks we were being, and we each curled up in her bed and talked about the night and how it’d gone.

  Marley, my first friend in Burden, had shown up and had a great time, too. It seemed as though the majority of the women in Burden had attended. Eventually, Georgia told me to be quiet so she could read the book she’d grabbed from the exchange.

  I stared at the ceiling and tried to imagine what my life would’ve been like if Hutch had wanted me. I wouldn’t have been able to forge the same connection with Georgia and Allie. Maybe it was a good thing he was taking so long to come around.

  Tomorrow night was the big night that Allie and Georgia had planned. I was feeling more and more nervous. I didn’t want to mess with Hutch. As angry as I’d been at him, I felt like just calling the whole thing off. Was it real if I had to trick him into loving me? Was it even worth it?

  My heart threatened to explode in my chest at the idea of just walking away from him, but I thought I could get over it, eventually. People were resilient. I would bounce back.

  Even as I thought it, I knew I’d never get over Hutch. He was my one and only. I wasn’t a shifter, but I felt the mate pull just as strongly. It would hurt like nothing else to walk away from him, but maybe it was time to do just that. Instead of playing elaborate games and trying to trick him into accepting me. Maybe it was time I accepted his decision.

  Long after Georgia had turned out the lights, I silently cried myself to sleep, thinking about Hutch and feeling uncertain and humiliated.

  CHAPTER 21: Veronica

  Time moved too quickly. Before I knew it, I was standing in Georgia’s bedroom, in the sexiest lingerie I owned. The bra cups only covered the bottom quarter of my breasts, so I was covering myself with my hands while Georgia thrust dress after dress in front of me. My date was arriving in less than an hour and I felt like vomiting.

  “This is it. This is stunning.” She held up a tiny black dress that cut down almost to the base of my bra and dipped just as low in the back. She helped me into it and tugged and adjusted until my body was snugly in it.

  I stared at myself in the mirror and tilted my head to the side. “It’s not too much?”

  She looked at me, took in the cleavage I was sporting and the long expanse of leg that was sticking out, and shook her head. “You look fucking amazing.”

  I sat down on the corner of her bed and sighed. “I don’t think this is a great idea.”

  She sat down beside me and put her arm around me. “I know. You need to do this, though. Hutch deserves to see that you don’t have to wait around on him. You deserve your mate, Ronnie. This will get him.”

  “I’m not sure I want him.” I took in her shocked face and shrugged. “I mean, of course, I do. I just don’t know. Do I really want to be with someone that my friends have to help me coerce into being with me?”

  “We’re not tricking him. We’re just nudging him. He’s waiting too long. Just give us tonight and then you can decide from there. Okay?”

  I groaned and nodded. “Tonight. After this, I’m done.”

  She jumped up and grabbed a pair of sky high heels. “Good. Now, get these on and let me finish your makeup. I’m thinking a blood red lip to top you off.”

  I let her finish what she wanted and then, before I was ready, a knock sounded on the door. I groaned and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked great, but I didn’t know if I even had it in me to smile at whatever poor man they’d roped into the date with me.

  I walked down the stairs and tried to keep breathing as I walked into what was sure to be the weirdest night of my life. Only, it was Dr. Jennings who was waiting on me.

  He was the local veterinarian and an avid reader. He stopped by the library once a week to check out books and I knew from his selections that he wasn’t into me, at all. Relief flooded me and I felt like hugging him.

  “Oh, thank god, it’s you. They didn’t tell me who they were setting me up with and I was terrified.”

  He grinned at me. “Allie explained your situation to me. I expect all of you to bring your future pets to me for the potential beat down I’m going to take tonight.”

  “I don’t think Hutch will do anything like that. He barely likes me at all, Dr. Jennings.”

  “First of all, you’re crazy if you think any male is going to sit by while his mate flirts with another man. Second of all, call me Matt.”

  I rolled my eyes and nodded. “Matt. You don’t know Hutch, but I’ll bring my future pets to you, anyway.”

  Georgia said goodbye and Matt walked me out to his car. He opened the door for me and then squatted down so he could talk to me. “You look nervous, Veronica.”

  I frowned. “I am.”

  “If you don’t want to do this, we don’t have to. We can just go somewhere else and hang out as friends, which is what we are. You’re the only person in Burden who knows the truth about me and I’m more than willing to chance ruining Georgia’s plans if you aren’t comfortable with this.”

  I smiled at him. “You know what? I’m so tempted to agree and just ditch her plan, but I promised her that I would give her tonight. After this, though, I’m done.”

  He gave me a sympathetic nod and closed my door before coming around and getting in. “To my death, we go?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “To a friend date. No deaths allowed. Possibly some sickness from overeating bread and chocolate, but that’s all.”

  “I could go for some chocolate.”

  I looked over at him and noticed the dark bags under his eyes. They probably matched mine. “Trouble in paradise?”

  “Ha. Paradise is just a drink for me at this point. Do you know how many single, gay men there are in Burden, Texas? I’ll give you a hint. One. He’s me.”

  I turned to face him and frowned. “Why stay here, then?”

  He shrugged. “There’s just something about Burden. I mean where else can a man who has studied medicine and veterinary science find such interesting work as in a town full of shifters? I’m hoping one day another gay guy moves into town and I can convince him that he should pair off with me. Secretly.”

  I wanted to tell him that he shouldn’t think he had to live in secret. Burden was a pretty open town. If they could accept shape shifters, they could certainly accept homosexuals. No one would care. I knew that it was something he would have to work through himself, though. “Maybe I’ll turn Georgia on to you next. When she’s done re
scuing me, she’ll need someone else to make her pet project.”

  “Never—don’t you dare.” He parked beside the bar and came around to open my door. “You ready?”

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  He held my hand as he led me inside. Allie was working, so she was there to grin from ear-to-ear and lead us to a table. Matt pulled out a chair for me and then sat next to me, closer than a first date normally would.

  I almost laughed at the lengths he was going to. “You don’t have to make it look so real. I’m not counting on anything coming from this.”

  Matt looked around the bar and then leaned it to whisper to me. “Oh, something is going to come from this. Your man’s little brother is already calling him. Don’t look now, but the glare he’s giving me could pierce my skull. Hell, I didn’t think about more than one of them jumping me. If I die, I have a dog at home that you’ll have to take in.”

  I grinned and patted his hand. “Even if he did come, I wouldn’t let him hurt you.”

  “Comforting that my only backup is wearing six inch heels and a fuck me dress.”

  I looked down at myself. “You think so?”

  He laughed and then leaned back. “That was faster than I thought it would be.”

  I felt the air change behind me and swallowed. I could feel Hutch’s anger like it was a tangible thing sitting next to me at the table. I scooted my chair back and positioned myself so I could jump up and block Matt if I needed to.

  Holy guacamole! Matt was suddenly flying backwards as Hutch’s huge body tackled him to the ground. Instead of the fear and anxiety that I expected, Matt looked excited for the fight. He wrapped his arms around Hutch’s neck and squeezed as he used his legs to try to lock him into place.

  Hutch roared and threw a hard punch into Matt’s side. When that didn’t unlock the man, he slowly lifted himself, taking Matt with him, and then slammed both of their bodies to the ground.

  I screamed and got up. “Stop it! Hutch!”

  They both ignored me. Hutch broke Matt’s grip and landed a hit to his jaw. Matt’s eyes flashed neon and he threw a punch right back to Hutch’s face. Blood splashed onto the ground and hysteria hit me. They were going to kill each other. I hadn’t known that Matt was a shifter. They could kill each other. They were evenly matched.