by Ruby Shae
“Come in.”
He steeled his nerves, and entered the office, closing the door behind him.
“Hey Tristian,” Ethan said. “I need to talk to you.”
Might as will get to the point as soon as possible.
“It will have to wait,” Tristian said, looking at something on his open laptop. “I was actually just about to call you. That new craft beer distributor is inexperienced, and worried about doing business with a club so far away. I need you to go out there and smooth things over.”
“That one in Hancock?” Ethan asked. “That’s nearly an eight-hour drive, and he’s been with us for nearly three months. Can't we ease his fears over the phone?”
“No, it must be in person,” Tristian said. “If he doesn't meet one of us face-to-face, then he won’t finalize a long-term deal. Considering how popular his draft is with the locals, it would be stupid not to appease him. If it satisfies his concerns, then the drive is worth it. His bottles make us a lot of money.”
“Okay,” Ethan nodded. “When do you want me to go?”
“Today…now,” Tristian said.
“Now? I have to work tonight.”
“No you don’t,” Tristian said. “This is more important. I’ll cover for you.”
Ethan knew how to manage a staff, and no one would dare touch his paperwork, so the words were merely a formality. He accepted them because he didn’t have a choice. If Tristian wanted him to go, then he would go.
“All right,” he said. “I’ll pack a bag, pick up some lunch, and leave within the hour. When I get back, I’ll report in, and then we really need to talk. I have something important to discuss with you, but it can wait until tomorrow.”
“Sounds good,” Tristian said.
Chapter Three
“What do you mean you're leaving?” Graham asked.
Her friend dug his fork into the cinnamon roll on the plate between them, and lifted a piece bigger than his share into his mouth. Tegan didn’t care. The man loved sweets as much as she did, and she laughed at his enthusiasm. As much as she loved Delilah’s Bakery, especially the cinnamon rolls, she never would have shared with Graham if she actually expected to eat any.
For the last hour, she and Graham had been chatting over sandwiches in their favorite sub shop in the center of town. The shop served large, open faced deluxe sandwiches, filled to the brim with meat cheese, that most most people could barely close their mouths around. She and Graham didn't have a problem with that. They never used silverware, and unlike the rest of the patrons, they usually finished their meals and still had room for dessert.
Graham noticed the bruise on her face and the cinnamon roll the minute she jumped in his truck. After she agreed to share her treat, and he agreed not to share the details of her date with Tristian, she’d told him the intimate details about her horrible night—including the horrible insults the man had spewed at her.
“That asshole isn't worth turning your life upside down for,” Graham said heatedly.
“It's not just him,” she explained. “Oh God…”
She set her fork down on her plate, and folded her hands in her lap.
“What?” Graham asked, looking around the room.
“Ethan's here,” she said, her voice low.
“So what? It’s Ethan,” he shrugged, taking another bite of the sweet treat.
“Yeah I know,” she said. “It’s just…”
“What?” Graham asked, looking at her pointedly.
“Nothing,” she said. “I'm moving to the cabin, but no one knows yet, so keep your mouth shut.”
“Because of that asshole?” Graham seethed. “You’re beautiful Tegan, and just because you haven't found the right man yet, doesn't mean you pack up and move six hours away from your family.”
“It's not just because him,” she said. “I’m an outcast—”
“Not you’re not,” he interrupted.
“Please,” she chided. “We both know the truth, and I’m just looking for a place to fit in. Thank you for calling me beautiful, though, but you and Tristian are the only two people who think so. Most guys don’t like women with this many curves.”
“Yeah, well, they’re idiots,” Graham said. “But I get it. It's the same way most women don't like nerdy geeks with glasses.”
Tegan couldn't hold in her laughter.
“You're hardly a nerdy geek,” she laughed.
He was six-feet, four-inches tall, with golden blonde hair, rare violet eyes, and muscles everywhere. Nerdy was not a word used to describe Graham. Ever. He was a smart, geeky tech wizard who straddled the line of genius, but he was also drop dead gorgeous.
Unfortunately, she understood the glasses thing.
Contacts were out of the question because his bear had perfect eyesight, and she'd seen many women overlook him because of the frames on his face. It was their loss, because he was amazing.
If her heart hadn’t been hung up on Ethan, she would have pursued him years ago, despite the fact that she wasn’t his mate.
“And you're hardly an ugly troll,” Graham fired back.
“I know,” she said, her laughter her gone.
“Do you?” Graham asked.
“Yes, I do.”
“I don’t believe you do,” he said. “Hey Ethan? Come here for a second.”
“Don’t you dare,” she seethed through clenched teeth.
Ethan walked up to to their table, and eyed the half eaten cinnamon roll on the plate between them. She thought she heard a low growl rumble from his chest, but the sound disappeared when he spoke.
“What's up?” Ethan asked, looking at Graham.
“Don't you think Tegan is a beautiful woman?” Graham asked.
Oh my god!
Graham was a dead man!
Her cheeks burned, and when the floor didn’t open and swallow her whole, she swung her foot out and slammed it into Graham's shin. He started in his chair, and looked at her wide-eyed, shocked by her behavior, but he didn’t react.
Ethan looked at her the same way he had the night before, as if he could see into her soul, and answered Graham’s question the way his Alpha would have wanted him to.
“She’s stunning,” Ethan said, studying her. “Absolutely stunning.”
Though she knew that he didn't really mean it, he seemed so sincere that she had trouble looking away. She could feel Graham's eyes watching her, but Ethan held her gaze. A moment later, as if he suddenly realized where he was, Ethan broke their connection and looked at Graham.
“I'm heading out to Hancock tonight,” Ethan said, “and I won’t be back until tomorrow afternoon.”
“Hancock?” Graham asked. “Why?”
“I’m meeting with the distributor of that new craft beer everyone loves,” Ethan said. “He’s flighty, and I’m going to try and smooth things over.”
“Man, that sucks,” Graham said. “That’s a long drive; I hope it goes well.”
“Yeah me too,” Ethan said. “See you guys tomorrow.”
Ethan turned, walked out of the shop, got into his SUV, and drove away. He never looked back.
Tegan watched the vehicle until it turned the corner and disappeared from her view, before turning back to Graham. Her friend’s unyielding stare startled her, and forced her to realize what she’d done.
“Oh my God,” Graham barked, his voice echoing around the room. “What the hell was that?”
“What?” she asked, feigning innocence.
“Don’t even try it,” he whispered. “You like him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “I do not.”
She took another bite of the cinnamon roll, and hoped that he would drop the subject. She should've known better.
“Yes, you do,” he pressed, “and not in a friendship kind of way. You like him, like him.”
“Stop it,” she said. “You don't know what you're talking about.”
“Oh, I think I do,” Graham said. “I can't believe it. I'm your best
friend, and you never told me. How long?”
“Shut up,” she begged.
“How long?”
She put her fork down, looked at him, and then sighed.
“Forever,” she whispered. “I’ve loved him forever.”
“I can’t believe you never told me.”
“I’m sorry,” she admitted, “He obviously doesn’t feel the same, and I didn’t want anyone to know.”
“You're not leaving because of a crappy date,” Graham said, serious. “You're leaving because of Ethan. What about Tristian? Does he know?”
“I think he suspects, but he doesn't know for sure,” she said, “and he’s not going too. Look, I know it seems crazy but I've been planning this for a while. I doubt I'll ever find a mate, but I know you will. And so will Tristian…and so will Ethan. You and Tristian and I can handle, because that's the way it's supposed to be. You're all supposed to find mates, and live happily ever after, but watching Ethan with a mate… It’s just not something I’m strong enough to do.”
“You’re really not going to tell him?” Graham asked.
“No,” she said, “and neither are you. Promise me.”
“But what if you're wrong,” Graham asked. “What if he does feel the same?”
“He doesn't.”
“How do you know?”
“Graham, I've known him since I was born. As soon as I turned eighteen, and he saw that I couldn't shift, he stayed away. You don't do that if you love someone.”
Graham sighed, and took the last bite of the cinnamon roll. Silence surrounded them, and she looked around the shop, knowing it would be her last visit for a long time.
“I promise,” he agreed a couple minutes later. “When you leave?”
“Tomorrow at noon,” she said. “I'm packing tonight.”
“Do you need help?”
“No,” she said. “The cabin is fully furnished, and I'm just taking my clothes and personal things. It should all fit into two suitcases, and if it doesn’t, there’s a couple of boxes in the basement. Besides, it's something I'd rather do alone.”
“Okay,” he nodded. “Pack it all up tonight, but let us help you carry it to the car in the morning. Unless Tristian has other plans, we can all have breakfast together.”
“He doesn’t,” she said, “and he'll do whatever I want. Breakfast sounds great. Tell everyone to come over at ten so you guys can get some sleep first. I’m sure he’ll tell Zach and Aiden tonight.”
“Sounds like a plan,” he said solemnly.
***
“Is that everything?” Tristian asked.
Tegan glanced around the bedroom again, and nodded.
“Yeah that’s it,” she said.
“Okay,” he said. “I’ll take your bag. Come down when you’re ready.”
He took the backpack off her shoulder, scanned the room, and stepped out into the hall, closing the door halfway behind him.
Tegan took a deep breath, and hugged the black bear in her arms tight against her chest. The smiling, tattered stuffed animal had been a gift from her parents when she was very young, and it was the only toy from her childhood she’d refused to get rid of. Her parents hadn’t known she’d never shift, but she knew they would’ve loved her anyway.
The surfaces of the nightstand and bookcase were cleaned off, the bed was made with sheets they reserved for company, and the drawers and closet were empty. She wasn’t one for keeping tons of sentimental stuff, and everything that meant anything to her, along with all of her clothes, was packed into the back of her SUV. The backpack that Tristian had carried downstairs held her laptop, notebook and purse, and she was the only thing left.
She took a deep breath, and stepped into the hall the same way Tristian had, but she completely closed the door behind her. She walked down the stairs of the house, out onto the porch, and saw the guys standing around her SUV.
She’d never seen the four men looking so forlorn, and their pained looks made her heart ache. She hadn’t meant to hurt them; she just needed to get on with her life. She plastered on a smile, walked to the passenger door, and placed her bear next to her bag on the seat.
Graham handed her the keys, and she walked to the rear of the vehicle. She might not be a bear, but they were still her family, and tears filled her eyes. She hadn’t realized how hard it would be to say goodbye.
Zach approached her first.
“I’m going to miss you, half-pint,” he said, hugging her close. “Don’t stay way too long.”
Zack and his cousin, Aiden, were the shortest of the clan at six-feet, three-inches tall. They both had jet black hair, and dark brown eyes, but their personalities were as different as night and day.
Zach was the goofy, fun one, and he’d always called her half-pint, because though she wasn’t short, all the guys towered over her.
“I’ll visit when I can,” she said, hugging him back.
He nodded and let her go.
Aidan approached her next.
“If anyone bothers you, you call me and Zach, and we’ll be there,” he said. “No one messes with Tegan Ryan.”
“I will,” she nodded in agreement.
She hadn’t found out until her second year in school, but Tristian had hired Zach and Aiden to watch over her, and keep her safe, while she was away from home. They were excellent at their jobs, and the only reason she found out about them was because Tristian had hired them to work in his club, too.
They were the best security team around, and no one wanted to be on the bad side of either one of them. Luckily, she never had been.
Next in line was Graham, and when he approached, one lonely tear slipped down her face. They’d met during her first year in school, and though he was two years older, they became fast friends. Graham had made her first couple of years at college bearable, and when he graduated, she’d introduced him to Tristian in the hopes that he would stick around. Her plan had worked.
Right from the start, the two men had gotten along great, and Graham easily fit in with the rest of the clan. The man was a walking tech wizard, and he’d made tons of improvements to the club, their homes, and most of the forest surrounding them.
“You sure you want to do this?” Graham asked.
“I’m sure,” she said.
“Okay. I put video chat on your phone, and you’d better use it often,” he scolded. “No excuses.”
“I will,” she nodded. “I promise.”
“Drive safe.”
Graham stepped out of the way, and all of the men moved back as Tristian approached her.
“I know Graham asked you this already, but are you really, really sure?”
“Really, really,” she said.
“That big house will get awful lonely without you.”
“All the more reason to start looking for a mate,” she laughed.
“Funny,” he said, deadpan. “I don’t want you to go.”
He wrapped his arms around her, and hugged her tight.
“I know,” she said, hugging him back, “but, it’s time.”
He kissed the top of her head, nodded, and released his hold.
“Did you send Ethan a way on purpose?”
“Maybe,” he grunted, looking out into the forest.
Definitely!
She was both relieved and disappointed.
“Tell him I said goodbye.”
“Maybe,” he grunted again, but she knew he would.
“I have to go now,” she said. “I love you.”
“Love you, too,” he said, clearing his throat. “Don’t be a stranger, and remember: this will always be your home. You can come back anytime, whether it’s for a week, or forever.”
“I know.”
“Okay,” he said. “Then go.”
“I love you all,” she said to the group. “Take good care of yourselves.”
They didn’t reply, but they all waved goodbye as she got into her car, started it up, circled the pavement in front of the big house, a
nd drove down the tree-lined driveway.
She watched the four men—her family—in her rearview mirror until they were blurry dots, and she could no longer tell who was who.
Her only regret was not saying goodbye to Ethan when she saw him in the sub shop the day before. He’d told her and Graham he’d be gone until later this evening, but she’d kept her move a secret. He’d call it lying, but she called it sparing them both an awkward goodbye.
When she reached the main road, she turned right, and headed toward the center of town. She drove down Main Street, past Delilah’s, the sub shop, and her brothers club, but she didn’t let one tear fall until she made it to the first rest stop on the interstate.
She pulled off the highway, parked as far away from curious strangers as possible, locked the doors, and let the tears fall freely. For the first time in her life, she was leaving home and not coming back on the weekends like she did during her four years of college.
She didn’t regret her decision, but the trip was final…and scary.
She’d just left her brother, her best friend, the man she loved, and two other men she trusted with her life. They were her clan, and even if she couldn’t shift, they always would be.
Even though she loved them all, she didn’t want to go back, and the realization slowed the tears. She took a deep breath, wiped her eyes with a tissue, and restarted the SUV.
A few minutes later, she allowed herself to laugh at the tiny freak-out, and excitement filled her as she maneuvered the vehicle back onto the highway. She turned on the radio, and her favorite song blared through the speakers, so she took it as a good sign.
She turned the volume up, and sang at the top of her lungs.
Chapter Four
Ethan turned down the long tree-lined driveway, and even though he wanted to race down the paved road, something told him to approach the scene with caution.
The day before, he’d followed Tristian’s orders, made the eight-hour drive to Hancock, and spent the night in a less than stellar hotel. Nothing had seemed odd about the situation, until he’d showed up for his meeting with the distributor at eight o’clock in the morning.
Ethan’s arrival had been a complete surprise, and despite what the man had allegedly said on the phone to Tristian the day before, the brewer had no concerns about doing business with a club so far away.
