Secrets [The Angel Pack 2] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Maggie Walsh

  Micah turned and saw Jesse sitting on the stage, feet dangling, shoulders slumped, head hanging low and he was sniffling. The sight of his mate in such a sad state broke Micah’s heart. He walked over and sat down next to Jesse and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling Jesse tight against him. He wrapped his other arm around him and kissed the top of Jesse’s head.

  “It’ll be okay, baby. We’ll figure out what’s going on with Taylor,” Micah said.

  “He said the meanest things to me, Micah,” Jesse whispered as he cried softly. “We’ve been mad at each other before, but we’ve never been mean to each other. I don’t know who that person is, but that’s not my Taylor.”

  “I agree. That’s definitely not Taylor.”

  “I feel like I just lost my best friend, my brother, and the only person I ever loved or who has ever loved me, before I met you. My heart is breaking, and it hurts so bad, Micah.” Jesse sobbed against Micah’s chest.

  “Oh, sweetheart. Shh, it’s gonna be okay, baby. I promise. The guys are following Taylor, they’ll make sure he’s safe and see if they can figure out what’s going on.” Micah stood up pulling Jesse up with him. Then he picked him up and Jesse wrapped his arms and legs around Micah’s front like a monkey, holding on tight and crying into Micah’s neck. “I’m taking you home to get some sleep. You haven’t been sleeping too well lately, worrying about Taylor. Tomorrow we’ll try to come up with a plan.” Micah walked out of the club with Jesse still wrapped around him.

  Chapter 4

  Taylor stretched out against the soft mattress beneath him. He opened his eyes and looked at the bedside clock. It was three thirty in the afternoon. It was dark in the room because the curtains were all closed to block out the daylight. He turned and looked up at the ceiling and ran a hand over his forehead.

  “Another headache?” Taylor jumped at the voice in his room. He looked over in the direction the voice came from and sighed.

  “What are you doing in here, Lexi?” He tried to sit up but his head hurt too much, so he lay back down.

  Lexi walked over to the bed and sat down next to Taylor. “I’m looking out for my friend, who can’t seem to look after himself right now.”

  “I’m fi…” Taylor started.

  “Fine,” Lexi said at the same time. “Yeah, I know. You’re always fine. But you’re not. You’re running and hiding away from your problems, and you’re drinking way too much. You’re hanging out with people who don’t have your best interests at heart. You’re sick, and you need help. Those headaches are coming more frequently, and when they do come they’re worse and last longer.”

  “How would you know? And no, I’m not sick, I’m just tired,” Taylor said and rolled over, giving Lexi his back.

  “You are sick. Remember who you’re talking to, little buddy. I’m the guy that found you night after night curled up on the couch in the game room, hiding under a blanket, curled in a ball shaking you were so scared. I’m the guy you actually opened up to, that you were afraid to sleep alone. That you and Jesse always slept together in the same bed from the night you left home till you moved in here. That you and Jesse slept together because you both felt safer that way, but you were hurt that Jesse didn’t even mention it when he moved into Micah’s room and left you alone for the first time in seven years. And you feel like nobody wants you, and that you lost your best friend when he found Micah. You didn’t want to tell him and rain on his parade, but you’re hurting, Taylor. You’re hurting and you’re pushing everyone away. You started drinking a lot, until you almost died in Micah’s office that day. Now instead of drinking, you’re doing everything to stay away from all of us and push us away. I have a theory about that. Wanna know what my theory is?”

  “No,” Taylor whispered as his shoulders shook from the tears that started to fall.

  “You’re sick, and you know it. You know what it is and it’s scaring you. Which makes me believe that it’s bad. And instead of turning to the people who love and care about you, and can help you deal with it and get you through it, you’re pushing us away. Maybe because you think you’re protecting us, but it’s not working. You’re wearing yourself out, which can’t be good for whatever is going on inside you. So, now is the time you need to turn around and tell your old pal Lexi what the hell is going on.”

  Taylor didn’t say anything, he just cried quietly. Finally he whispered so low, that if it wasn’t for Lexi’s wolf hearing, he would have missed it. “I’m dying.” Taylor sobbed.

  * * * *

  “So what do you think, Doc?” Lexi asked.

  Doc Evans, the pack doc, looked at Lexi, then Taylor in question. Taylor nodded his head in approval. “What Taylor told you is true Lexi. He has a brain tumor that is in his frontal lobe. From what Taylor has told me, the headaches started about three years ago.” He looked at Taylor for confirmation. Taylor nodded. “They weren’t too bad or too frequent to start, but they are now getting worse and coming more often. The human doctor you went to did an MRI and I was able to hack into his computer and see his findings. Since you’ve seen him have there been any more symptoms?”

  “No, just the headaches,” Taylor answered.

  “What are other symptoms, Doc?” Lexi asked.

  “Personality changes, mood swings, behavior changes. Concentration problems. Maybe weakness, numbness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, seizures.”

  “No, nothing like that,” Taylor said.

  “Well, actually, Taylor, you do seem drunk a lot, but I can’t smell alcohol. A little scatterbrained, you’ve changed your whole look, and you’re going out every night after work and staying out all night. That’s not you. Maybe all of this is from the tumor?” Lexi said.

  “Have you been drinking a lot? Or was the stomach pump a onetime thing?” Doc Evans asked, and Taylor flinched.

  “I haven’t had alcohol since then,” Taylor answered shyly.

  “Good, because it won’t help and it’s the last thing you need right now,” Doc said.

  “It did help me. It helped me forget the headaches and it helped me sleep,” Taylor huffed.

  “Yes, but I bet when you woke up the headache was worse. Maybe even the pain it caused made you nauseous, or vomit. Maybe even blurred your vision.”

  Taylor looked away and started biting his bottom lip.

  Lexi ran a hand down his face. “So what do we do now? How do we save him?” Lexi said in a choked voice.

  “I’m not sure, Lex. I’m a shifter doctor. We don’t have these kinds of things in our world. I can look up some information and run some tests. I think an angiogram would tell us more, but I don’t have that kind of equipment. We need a hospital or a specialist for that. We need an oncologist.”

  “Then I’ll find one,” Lexi stated simply.

  “Since Taylor is a human that won’t be hard to do, Lexi. Just look in the phone book,” the doc said and rolled his eyes.

  “If Taylor was claimed by his mate, would that cure him?” Lexi asked hopefully.

  “I don’t know, this is a first for me. I usually only deal with paranormal patients, not human ones. Who is your mate, Taylor?” the doc asked.

  “I don’t have one,” Taylor answered at the same time Lexi said, “Gabriel.” Taylor shot him an evil look.

  Doc Evans eyed them both. “If Gabriel is your mate, it may help you if he claims you. Our blood has healing properties in it. You saw what it did for Jesse, and that was before Micah claimed him.”

  Micah’s blood did heal Jesse when he was attacked by Thomas, one of Micah’s inner-pack members, when he wanted Micah for himself and tried to get Jesse out of the way. Micah’s blood healed him and he was pretty messed up. Four stab wounds, broken leg, broken ribs, smashed face. Micah’s blood couldn’t grow Jesse’s earlobe back though. Thomas bit it off in the attack and Micah’s blood couldn’t regrow one.

  “No,” Taylor said.

  “But Taylor…” Lexi started but Taylor cut him off.

  “No, he doesn�
��t want me, Lex. I’m not asking him for this. I don’t want a mate who doesn’t want me. And what happens to Gabriel if he did claim me and I only get worse and die? What happens to him then? So no, I won’t do that. And I forbid either of you from telling anyone about this.” Taylor stood up and walked out. Lexi’s shoulders slumped and he sighed heavily.

  “He’s right, Lexi. If Gabriel claims him and Taylor still dies from the cancer, it will destroy Gabriel,” the doc said.

  “Yeah, but if Gabriel doesn’t claim him, Taylor will most likely die and it will still destroy Gabriel. The guilt alone will destroy him,” Lexi said.

  * * * *

  “But I thought you wanted to live at the pack house with me, Tay? Why are you moving in here?” Jesse whined as he looked around Taylor’s new apartment.

  “Our old apartment is long gone and I can’t afford an apartment on my own, so thanks to your hubby, I get this fabulous place,” Taylor said happily as he hung shirts in the closet.

  Micah was letting him have one of the suites above the club that they usually had for V.I.P. guests, when they visited town. He also gave it to Taylor rent free, which was always a plus. It took Taylor a lot of pleading and lying to get Jesse off his back about moving out of the pack house. Lexi was not too happy about it and he was really not happy with Taylor being alone right now, but Taylor needed it. It was the next step to distancing himself from everyone, and Lexi knew it. But too bad, he was doing what he thought was right. And this place rocked, it was completely furnished, with every amenity, including a hot tub. All Taylor had to do was supply his own food.

  “I know all that,” Jesse whined as he threw himself down onto Taylor’s bed. “I just thought we were gonna stay together.”

  Taylor walked out of the closet and lay down next to Jesse. “Jess, you’re mated now. It’s not just you and me against the world anymore. It’s time I figured out my life and I just can’t do that at the pack house.”

  “Why? Because of Gabriel? But that’s another reason you should stay.” Jesse hugged Taylor tightly. Taylor gave him a small hug back then moved away.

  “I can’t be there with him, Jess. I tried, I just can’t. It’s been almost two weeks since he came to me and admitted that I’m his mate, and since then I haven’t seen him. As much as it hurt me and pissed me off that he didn’t tell me, I’m moving past it. He’s now had almost two weeks to try to talk to me again, or do something to prove to me that he wants me, like he said, but nothing. I’m done. I don’t want to hurt him and I don’t want to get hurt, and if I stay there and have to see him, you know me, I’ll probably pull some stupid shit like I did that day in the kitchen. I have to move on.”

  Jesse looked Taylor in the eye. “Why don’t you just go talk to him? Tell him you want him and you want to try to work it out.”

  “Because I don’t think I do, Jess. Not anymore. If he came to me over the past two weeks and tried to show me something, anything, than maybe, but he hasn’t, so I’m out.” Taylor sat up with his back to Jesse and lowered his feet to the floor, and he put his hands on his knees. “I’m not going to throw myself at him. I tried that and he didn’t even know it. I’m not putting myself out there like that again with him. This is the only way. I can move on, maybe I’ll be lucky enough to find someone who actually wants me, but either way, this is better. We’re away from each other and he doesn’t have to see me anymore.” Taylor stood up and went back over to the closet. “So where is everyone?”

  “They had some business meeting last night with Dante, and because he’s a vampire, it had to be done at night. Then they were going to get some sleep and head back. They should be back soon,” Jesse explained.

  Just then Lexi, Crew, and Micah walked in with some boxes. Taylor stopped short and looked at Crew. He lifted an eyebrow and shook his head.

  “What?” Crew asked.

  “Oh, nothing, it’s just…ring, ring.” Taylor made a gesture with his hand like he was answering a phone, “Hello…yes…okay…hold on.” He gestured like he was handing Crew the phone and Crew looked at him in confusion. “It’s 1984 and it wants that haircut back.”

  Lexi burst out laughing. Micah chuckled as he put a box down on the bed, and Crew blushed.

  “What’s wrong with my hair? I just got it cut. I have a date tonight and wanted to look good.” Crew pouted.

  “So you got an eighties mullet?” Taylor asked in shock.

  “Yeah, all serious in the front and all party in the back.” Lexi laughed.

  “You won’t be getting no party in the back with that haircut, I can tell you that. No party in the front either, might as well forget the party in your pants altogether with that look,” Taylor drawled as he walked into the closet.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’ll go get it cut again.” Crew huffed in defeat as everyone laughed. He turned and walked out the door.

  “So how was your meeting? Everything okay?” Jesse asked.

  Micah went stiff for a moment, then kissed his forehead. “It went great. We took care of everything we needed to.”

  “Good. I missed you last night.” Jesse pouted.

  “I missed you, too, baby. I’m sorry, it couldn’t be avoided though. It was something that needed to be done,” Micah said and kissed Jesse again. Micah cleared his throat. “Hey, Taylor? Are you sure you really want to move out? We’re gonna miss you around the house.”

  Taylor yelled from the closet. “Yes, I’m sure.” Taylor was hiding in the closet, holding his head, his eyes closed tight against the pain from the headache. He opened his eyes and then blinked a few times to focus, everything was all blurry. He rubbed his eyes and opened them again and everything was back in focus.

  “Hey, Tay, what are you doing in there?” Jesse yelled from the bedroom. “Come out of the closet.”

  Taylor stepped out of the closet with a smirk on his face looking at Jesse, then he turned to Lexi. “Nah, that one’s too easy.”

  Lexi chuckled and shook his head. “Damn, I’m gonna miss having you around all the time. You make my life so much more fun.” Lexi laughed as he threw an arm over Taylor’s shoulder.

  “Maybe I should stay, so I can also teach you how to speak properly. What the hell kind of sentence was that, you ass?” Taylor laughed and poked Lexi in the ribs.

  “I’ll really miss our all night play fests. You still owe me a rematch at darts.” Lexi mussed Taylor’s hair. Taylor shot him a look and Lexi closed his eyes.

  “All-night play fests, what’s that?” Jesse asked.

  “You and Micah go to bed soon as you get home from the club and we don’t, we go in the game room and play stuff. It’s not a big deal,” Taylor said and shrugged his shoulder.

  “You’re always welcome to come home, Taylor, anytime you want,” Micah said.

  Taylor got serious and looked at Micah. Taylor’s eyes glistened a little and he blinked to stop the tears from falling. “I know, Micah, and thank you, for everything, but right now I think I need this.”

  “Okay.” Micah took Jesse’s hand and they started walking to the door. Micah stopped in front of Taylor. “Oh and I had the kitchen stocked so you should be good, and don’t you dare ever hesitate to call me if you need anything. Even if it’s just milk. Don’t forget to come visit us or I’ll come rip the door off and drag you over.” Micah’s eyes were also misty.

  Taylor took a few steps to him and wrapped his arms around Micah’s waist and hugged him. Micah returned the hug. “Thanks, Dad, I’ll be okay,” Taylor whispered to Micah.

  “I’ll talk to him if you want?” Micah whispered back.

  Taylor shook his head. “No, but thanks anyway.” Taylor pulled back and smiled at Micah then turned to Jesse and hugged him.

  “We are always here for you, Tay, no matter what,” Jesse said.

  “I know,” Taylor said around the lump in his throat.

  “Hey, it’s not like we won’t see each other. We both still work here and we’ll see each other all the time,” Jesse said.

&nb
sp; “Yeah, I’m not moving across the country.” Taylor pulled back. “Go on, you guys. I’ll see you tonight for work.”

  “Okay, I’m leaving. I’ll see you tonight.” Jesse grabbed Micah’s hand and they walked out of the bedroom. Taylor and Lexi followed them out.

  * * * *

  Taylor plopped down on the couch as Lexi sat in the chair opposite. He stared at Taylor for a minute, his face all serious.

  “Oh god. Just don’t, okay,” Taylor said and rolled his eyes.

  “No, you don’t get to do that.” Lexi growled.

  “Do what?” Taylor asked.

  “You don’t get to make light of people worrying about you. You know I love you, Taylor. You’re like the little brother I never had and the best friend I always wanted.”

  “I thought Crew was your best friend?” Taylor said.

  “He is, but we never talk about anything too serious. You and I have gotten pretty close since you came into our lives. I can talk to you about anything. Even after spending a couple of centuries with these guys, my brothers, none of them know me like you do. You and I may joke and fool around a lot, but how many all-night gab fests have we had? Real talks? I think I know you pretty well, too, Taylor, and I know you’re hurting, and you’re scared and confused and you’re looking at this like you’re protecting us. And with Gabe, you’re looking at it like there’s something wrong with you. Nothing could be further from the truth on that. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I do know he cares about you and he’ll help you. And I know you think you need this right now. I want to support you with this Taylor, but I can’t. You need to be with us Taylor, so we can be there for you. Help you.”

  Taylor was all choked up. There was a large lump in his throat and he was trying to fight back the tears that were threatening to roll out. He stared down at his lap for a few minutes trying to compose himself. He finally cleared his throat and looked up at Lexi. “I hear you. I do, but I can’t keep getting hurt waiting for him. He’s had plenty of time and he’s done nothing. I can’t do this right now, Lex. I need to concentrate on trying to find a way to get better and trying to heal. I need to focus on this right now, and if I stay at the house I won’t be able to do that. But I can promise that I will think about what you’ve said. It’s the best I can do right now.”