by Maggie Walsh
“Okay, buddy. I guess that’s good enough. For now. But I’m not letting you go through this alone. I will be coming to see you every day and I want to take you to see the doctor’s, okay?” Lexi said as he stood up.
“Okay. I’ll let you know when I hear anything.” Taylor gave him a small smile.
Lexi smiled back and then headed for the door. He grabbed the doorknob then turned back to Taylor before he opened it. Lexi gave him a big smile. “If you need anything, call me and I’ll come running. I’ll be here like white on rice.” He laughed.
Taylor laughed and volleyed back. “Or the Jersey Shore girls on a tanning bed.”
Lexi laughed. “Or the Jersey Shore girls on a can of hairspray.”
Taylor started to really laugh, holding his stomach, “Or like Angelina on a third-world orphan.” He laughed out.
Lexi slapped his thigh as he barked out laughing. “That’s a good one. I like that. Okay, brother, I’m leaving. Call me anytime, especially in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep, but don’t call me to watch the Jersey Shore, for that you’re on your own.” He opened the door and stepped into the hall.
“I do have some class, you know. You couldn’t pay me enough to watch that thing.” Taylor shivered.
“Call me,” Lexi said and gave him a pointed look.
“I will, Lex, thanks.” Taylor gave him another smile and Lexi closed the door.
* * * *
“Now this is the life,” Taylor said as he leaned back against the side of the Jacuzzi. He closed his eyes as the warm bubbling water covered his body. He sighed softly and reached for the martini glass on the side of the tub. Bringing the glass to his lips, he took a big drink and swallowed. “So this is how the rich live huh?” He took another drink, emptying the glass. “I could so get used to this,” he said as he refilled his glass with the decanter he had next to the tub. “Too bad I won’t be around much longer to enjoy it. Thanks, Daddy Micah, for making my last few months on this planet heavenly,” he said as he raised his glass in a salute. He brought the glass to his lips and emptied it in one shot.
* * * *
The club was packed and in high gear as Taylor stepped off the elevator from his apartment. He was feeling pretty good despite the headache that was starting. “If I’m going to die, then I’m going to live a little. Now where is a hot guy I can have some fun with?”
Taylor gaze scanned the club as he walked toward the bar. He stopped at the back and waved at Dale to get his attention.
“Hey, Taylor. So what can I get you?” Dale asked as he tossed a bar towel over his shoulder.
“How about that guy’s number?” Taylor said as he pointed to a guy across the bar. Dale turned to see who Taylor was pointing at.
“Ooh, yum. He’s hot,” Dale said and then turned back to Taylor. “Want me to go get a name for you? Check him out.” Dale wiggled his eyebrows.
Taylor laughed. “No thanks. I think I got this,” Taylor said as he pushed away from the bar.
“You know, Taylor, I think you living upstairs and on your own for the past few weeks has been good for you. You seem even more confident than before,” Dale said, smiling at him.
“Well, we only live once right? And I’m not wasting one more second of what I’ve got left.” He adjusted his groin. “Wish me luck,” he said and stepped away from the bar.
“Good luck,” Dale called after him, laughing.
Taylor walked around the bar. His eyes never leaving his mark. The guy had nice broad shoulders and short dark brown hair. As he got closer he started to strut toward the guy. His heart jumped when the guy turned and their eyes met. The guy’s lips went up in a seductive smile, as he turned fully toward Taylor. Taylor licked his lips seductively, then bit his bottom lip. The guy’s pretty brown eyes followed the move. Taylor approached him and stopped a foot in front of him.
“Well, hello there, sexy thing,” the guy said. His voice was so deep it made Taylor shiver.
He held out his hand for the man to take. “I’m Taylor.”
The man took his hand between both of his and kissed the back of Taylor’s hand. “I’m Buck. It’s nice to meet you, Taylor.”
“Buck? Interesting. It sounds a lot like fuck,” Taylor said seductively.
Buck chuckled. “Yes, it does. I think my mama knew that I would love to fuck when I grew up when she named me,” Buck said flirtingly, and he still held Taylor’s hand. “So, Taylor.” Buck’s eyes skimmed Taylor’s body from head to toe. “Would you like to dance?”
“I would love to, Fuck,” he flirted back. “I mean, Buck.”
Buck stood and Taylor thought he would get a crick in his neck. The guy was big, about the same height as Gabriel. Taylor started to get sad at the thought of his mate. He pushed those thoughts away and allowed Buck to pull him to the dance floor.
Buck led him into the center of the floor and turned to face him. He grabbed onto Taylor’s hips and pulled him flush against him. Taylor’s hands went to Buck’s chest and they started to sway to the music. Buck licked his lips as his eyes stared at Taylor’s lips. Taylor’s head started to spin and his vision stared to blur. He shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut to try to make it go away.
“You okay there, sexy?” Buck asked.
Taylor opened his eyes and smiled. “I’m good. Just got a little dizzy,” Taylor answered, then turned, still dancing.
Buck stepped closer, grabbing onto Taylor’s hips again, plastering his front to Taylor’s back. The move had Buck’s hard cock rubbing against Taylor’s ass. Taylor closed his eyes again as nausea hit. He swallowed hard trying to make it go away, but every time Buck’s cock pushed against him, all he wanted to do was vomit.
“May I cut in?” a cold voice said.
Taylor’s eyes popped open at that voice. Lexi was standing in front of him, a scowl on his face. His eyes were looking over Taylor’s shoulder at the man grinding against him.
“No, man, get your own,” Buck answered and spun them away from Lexi. The move making Taylor’s stomach start to betray him. He was going to lose it right here on the dance floor.
Lexi put a hand on Buck’s shoulder and spun him. Buck’s grip on Taylor’s hips had them both spinning from the move. He stumbled and Lexi caught him.
“You’re new here, so I won’t hold this against you. But Taylor is off limits,” Lexi sneered at Buck.
“Oh yeah? Who says?” Buck growled.
“Alpha Angel says, that’s who,” Lexi gave Buck a shit-eating smile.
“Alpha?” Buck’s eyes went wide. “This is the Alpha’s mate?” Buck voice was strained.
“No, Jesse is. But Taylor here is just as important to the Alpha. So hands off,” Lexi explained.
“Sorry, man. I didn’t know,” Buck said and took a step back. He turned and bolted away from them.
Lexi turned to Taylor. “How about we get you back upstairs? You don’t look too good, little buddy.”
Taylor nodded at him. “Thanks, Lex. I really don’t feel too good.”
Lexi led him to the elevator. They stepped in and the doors closed. Taylor slumped against the wall, gripping onto the rail.
“It’s okay, Taylor. I’ll get you into bed,” Lexi said as he rubbed Taylor’s back in comfort.
“Don’t let Gabriel hear you say that.” He softly laughed.
“No shit,” Lexi said, chuckling.
Chapter 5
“He’s been gone for three damn weeks, and he never comes by to see everyone,” Gabriel yelled as he slammed his hand on the kitchen counter.
Cass turned to him. “That’s because everyone goes to the club to see him. You could, too, you know.”
“You could also get your head out of your ass and claim your mate.” Lexi growled as he walked into the kitchen.
“You could mind your own damn business, Lex, nobody asked you.” Gabriel growled.
Lexi went right up into Gabriel’s face and snarled at him. “You’re gonna lose him. Is that what you w
ant? Huh, smart guy? He’s your mate for fuck’s sake, yet, instead of going to him, you mope around here like a wounded puppy, whining about him not coming to visit. Why should he? You spoke to him five weeks ago and told him you would make things up to him and you’ve done nothing.” Lexi moved away and went to the fridge and took out a juice bottle.
“It’s none of your business, so stay out of it,” Gabriel grumbled quietly.
“No, you see, that’s where you’re wrong,” Lexi answered and took a drink of his juice. “It is my business. Taylor has come to mean a lot to me, and all of this bullshit is fucking with him. So I am in on it.”
“You just want to get in his pants.” Gabriel growled out.
Lexi slammed his juice down on the counter and went after Gabriel. Cass jumped in between them, holding Lexi back. “Look, you stupid asshole, I don’t know what your fucking problem is, but you better do something soon, or you will lose him. I shit you not. I will never forgive you if he d…”
“See, you don’t even deny it.” Gabriel cut him off, grabbing for Lexi over Cass.
“You dick. I don’t want to get in his pants. He’s my best friend and you’re being a prick.” Lexi clawed at Cass to get free.
“Enough!” Micah walked into the kitchen. Everyone froze and look over at their leader with wide eyes. “That’s enough. I will not have this fighting among ourselves. You’re brothers for god’s sakes,” Micah yelled.
“He started it,” Gabriel and Lexi both said at the same time and pointed to each other. Cass rolled his eyes and walked away to lean against the counter. Micah sighed and shook his head as he squeezed the bridge of his nose with thumb and forefinger. He looked to Gabriel.
“You need to go talk to your mate. It’s time. No more running and hiding, Gabe. We’re not kids anymore. Taylor is not your father. He is sweet, funny, loving, and kind. He is a man who will give you his heart and soul if you let him. You are losing him, Gabe. He has moved out and he does everything to avoid all of us when we see him. Even Jesse. He doesn’t look good, Gabe. He looks like he’s fading away. He’s stopped going out with those guys after work and now goes straight into his apartment and locks himself in till the next night. In the words of our beloved Taylor O’Leary, put your big girl panties on and man up,” Micah said calmly.
“But what if I’m too late?” Gabriel whispered.
“You probably already are,” Lexi whispered to himself as he fought the tears that started to burn the backs of his eyes. He turned away from Gabriel and Micah, but Cass saw his face and heard his words.
“What do you mean?” Cass asked, a feeling of dread going through him.
Lexi closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and looked at Cass. Cass saw the great sadness in Lexi’s eyes before Lexi covered it up. “Nothing,” he said and walked back to grab his juice.
“What is it Lexi? What do you know?” Cass asked, which gained Gabriel and Micah’s attention. They all looked to Lexi.
“I can’t tell you anything. He’s become my best friend and I won’t betray him. Just…you need to do something, and now, because you’re running out of time,” Lexi said in defeat and looked down at the floor.
“What is it, Lexi? Tell me now.” Micah growled.
Lexi looked up at him with pain filled eyes that were rimmed with tears, “Don’t ask me that, Alpha, it’s not fair. Please, Micah,” Lexi pleaded.
Just then Jesse walked into the kitchen and eyed the four men. Micah, Gabriel, and Cass were all staring at Lexi, not saying anything, and Lexi looked like he was about to cry as he just stared at Micah. “What’s going on in here, guys? Is everything okay?”
“No, everything is not okay. Lexi knows something and he won’t tell us,” Gabriel said coldly, never taking his eyes off Lexi.
“Leave him alone, guys, he’ll tell you what’s going on when he’s ready. Geez, you could cut the testosterone in here with a knife, Give it a rest. Give poor Lexi a break,” Jesse said as he took meat out of the fridge.
“Even if what he’s hiding is about Taylor?” Cass asked.
Jesse dropped the meat on the counter and turned back to the four men. “What about Taylor?”
“Would you care to tell my mate, your Alpha mate and Taylor’s best friend about what you’re hiding?” Micah asked calmly.
“It’s okay, Micah, if Taylor told Lexi something in confidence, then he shouldn’t have to tell anyone and betray Taylor,” Jesse said and looked at Lexi.
“Thanks, Jesse,” Lexi whispered and he swallowed the lump in his throat as he lost the battle and a tear escaped and rolled down his cheek.
“Oh God, Lexi, what is it? What’s going on with Taylor?” Jesse was in a panic now as he stepped closer to Lexi.
“I thought you just said I didn’t have to break a confidence?” Lexi asked.
“God damn it, Lexi, tell me what’s going on with Taylor before I strangle you!” Jesse yelled and lunged at Lexi. Micah grabbed Jesse around the waist and held him back before he reached Lexi. At the same time Cass grabbed onto Gabriel as he lunged toward Lexi. Lexi jumped back and everyone started yelling. Raith came running into the kitchen followed by the rest of the inner pack. Everyone froze at the sight in front of them.
“What the hell is going on in here?” Raith yelled over the noise.
Everyone ignored him and kept arguing. Gabriel broke free from Cass’s hold and punched Lexi right in the face. Lexi’s head snapped back and he turned away as Raith, Cass, and Bass grabbed Gabriel and held him back. “Stop it!” Bass yelled. “Everyone just stop, now!”
Everyone stopped and looked at him. Except Lexi who still had his back to everyone. His head was down, his shoulders slumped.
“Now what the hell is going on in here?” Bass asked calmly.
“Something’s wrong with Taylor and he knows what it is, and he won’t tell me,” Jesse cried from where Micah was still holding onto him.
“I can’t. I wish I could, but I promised him,” Lexi said in defeat.
“Lex, turn around,” Bass said.
Lexi hesitantly turned around. There were tear stains down his cheeks. He kept his eyes on the floor. Bass looked at him intently as everyone just watched. Jesse turned to Micah in confusion.
“When we hit three hundred, we get a gift. Bass can look into people’s souls and their minds and see what they have seen and feel what they have felt,” Micah explained in a whisper.
Jesse’s eyes went wide. “Can you do that, too?”
“No, my gift is different. I’ll tell you later,” Micah said and kissed Jesse’s forehead. Then they both looked back to Bass.
Bass’s eyes were on Lexi, but unfocused, like he was in a trance. Lexi looked up at him, right into his eyes, and Bass gasped and his eyes went wide. “Oh Gods.” Lexi closed his eyes and dropped his head.
“What? What is it, Bass?” Gabriel asked.
Bass ignored him and stepped in front on Lexi. He stared at him for a moment and then wrapped his arms around Lexi, holding him tight. “Damn, Lex,” Bass said and Lexi collapsed against him crying.
“What is it? Someone tell me. Please,” Jesse whispered pleadingly.
“Did he fuck my mate?” Gabriel sneered. “Is that it, Bass?”
“No, Gabe,” Bass answered, still holding a crying Lexi.
“Then what? Did the bastard steal my mate? Did they betray me?” Gabriel asked angrily.
“Shut up, Gabe. Just…stop,” Bass said.
Lexi pulled out of Bass’s arms and looked pointedly at Gabriel. “Thanks, brother,” he spit out in disgust. “It’s nice to know who your real friends are.”
“Well, what am I supposed to think when you’re always up my mate’s ass?” Gabriel growled out.
Now Lexi was pissed. “I would never steal someone else’s mate. Never. Especially one of my brothers’. I’m the only one who has been here for Taylor since the day he and Jesse stepped through the doors.”
“That’s not true,” Jesse said in a hurt voice.
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Lexi looked at him with anger. Micah growled at him but Lexi didn’t back down. “You better change the way you’re looking at my mate before you regret it.” Micah growled.
“Let him go, Micah. Trust me,” Bass said. “Go on, Lex.”
Still looking at Jesse with anger, Lexi continued, “I was there for him every night when he couldn’t sleep. I was the one who sat up all night, every night with him, playing games, watching movies, talking, just so that he would get so exhausted he would finally fall asleep. Then I would carry him up to his room and tuck him in. I would stay there for awhile to make sure he was asleep and then go to my own room. I was the one who was there for him when he was crying, wanting to know what was wrong with him that no one wanted him. Not his parents, not his mate, and not his best friend.”
“I have always wanted him,” Jesse cried around the lump in his throat.
“Tell me, Jesse, before you found Micah and moved in here, where did you sleep?” Lexi asked.
“Me and Taylor slept together…oh.” Jesse’s eyes went wide as it hit him, he put a hand to his mouth.
“Why did you sleep in the same bed all these years?” Lexi asked, his voice getting softer.
“Because of everything we went through, we were too afraid to sleep alone…we always felt safer together,” Jesse said sadly.
“Exactly, and when you found Micah, Taylor was alone. In a strange room, in a strange house, all alone in a strange bed. He would sneak down here when everyone was gone and go to the game room to watch TV. I would find him curled up in a ball on the couch, hiding under a blanket, shaking. So I started just meeting him in there after everyone left, and we would stay up together.
“Then it started getting harder for him to fall asleep and he was feeling guilty because Raith would yell at me for not getting enough sleep and dragging ass on duty. His headaches started getting worse, so to help himself fall asleep and to numb the pain, he started drinking. I told him over and over not to worry about me and Raith, that I was more concerned about his drinking and I wanted him to stop. He told me he did, until that day in Micah’s office. He admitted he lied to me about not drinking, but that he would stop. He didn’t want it to become an issue, and he has stopped now. He went to a doctor about the headaches.”
