Lessons Learned

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Jude pointed to the bar. “Over there, with his brothers.” Jude almost laughed out loud. Elijah’s eyes widened.

  “Jaxon’s here?” Elijah licked his lips.

  “Yup, right over there.” Jude pointed to the bar.

  “Thanks!” Elijah bounced off to the bar.

  Jude snickered.

  “Well, let’s mingle,” Nikolai grinned.

  ~*~

  Jaxon’s jaw dropped. What the hell was Elijah Newman doing here?

  Jesse grinned. “Hey, thanks for coming on such short notice. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem,” Elijah smiled. “Just tell me where to go.”

  “Excuse me?” Jaxon stepped in between Jesse and Elijah. “Isn’t he a bit young to be in this meat factory?”

  “Chill, dude. I’m just playing the music.” Elijah motioned to the bracelet on his wrist. “They got me at the door.”

  “Okay, just set up in the booth up there,” Jesse pointed.

  “‘Kay’,” Elijah winked at Jaxon. “Good to see you.”

  Jaxon watched as Elijah weaved through the club to get to the booth. Men were eyeing him like he was a rare steak. Jaxon’s hackles rose as some of them even reached out to touch Elijah. He felt a hand on his bicep and turned to see Jesse grinning.

  “What?” Jaxon growled.

  “He’ll be fine.”

  “He better be,” Jaxon snarled. “I can’t believe you brought him here!”

  “Guess you better keep an eye on him then, huh?” Jesse winked and went behind the bar.

  Jaxon looked back over his shoulder as Elijah set up the DJ booth. He was going to be pulling double duty tonight. Keeping drunk guys in line, and men from touching Elijah.

  “Just great.”

  ~*~

  Jude found an empty booth off to the side and sat in the back. He had a perfect view of the floor and the stage, but he was hidden. Perfect. The kid, Elijah, was at the DJ booth getting everything ready for karaoke night. Jude scanned the club for Jaxon and found him against the front door, eyeing everyone. Colin poked him in the ribs and Jude looked over at him.

  “What?”

  “Um, isn’t that Hayden and Ross?”

  Jude sat forward a little, looking in the direction Colin was pointing. Sure enough, Hayden sat with Ross at one of the smaller tables. Their heads were bent in to each other and Jude’s hands balled into fists. Dammit, this was ridiculous. Were Hayden and Ross dating?

  Jude’s thoughts were interrupted by Elijah’s voice over the microphone.

  “Welcome to karaoke night!” Elijah shouted.

  Whistles went up in the club and men got closer to the stage. Jaxon moved like a big cat, getting closer to the stage without being seen. Elijah had some tight jeans on and a muscle shirt. The kid was filling out — and well.

  “Now let’s remember to be respectful,” Elijah smiled out at his audience. “No booing the singers. Let’s bring up our first singer of the night.”

  Whistles went up again as Elijah turned to get back in the booth. Men were cat-calling him and making comments about Elijah’s ass. Jaxon’s canines threatened to elongate. As it was, he had to reel in his claws. The first singer got on stage and it was so bad it took everything he had not to plug his ears.

  The audience clapped as the guy left the stage. He was obviously drunk as he teetered on the floor. Jaxon rolled his eyes. Elijah was back on stage announcing the next singer. Jaxon froze.

  “Did he just say Hayden?”

  ~*~

  Jude sat up straight. “Did he just say Hayden?”

  Nikolai nodded slowly. “Yep. He sure did.”

  “You started a trend, babe!” Colin smacked Nikolai on his back.

  Jude’s eyes were glued to Hayden on the stage; he looked petrified. The music started and Hayden coughed quietly. Jude recognized the song; it was The Script’s “Nothing.” Hayden started singing and Jude’s mouth dropped open.

  “Wow!” Colin whistled in awe.

  “Damn, he sounds just like the guy!” Nikolai exclaimed.

  Elijah came around the booth and stood next to Hayden with a microphone, providing back up. The crowd in front of the stage was frenzied. Jude had to sit up taller to see Hayden. He looked a little more relaxed. He was actually getting into it. Jude smiled as Hayden belted out the song.

  “Wow!” Colin looked over at Jude. “Sounds like a song just for you.”

  “Huh?”

  Colin smiled. “ ‘Nothing’? Are you listening to the song? He’s saying ‘him’ instead of ‘her’.”

  Jude sat back and listened to the lyrics. “Nah. You think?” He turned to see Nikolai and Colin staring at him. “What?”

  “Holy shit!”

  Jude looked up to see Scott standing next to the table, mouth agape in surprise.

  “Nice of you to show up,” Jude snickered.

  Scott waved his hand at Jude. “Shush! Tristan’s parking the car. Damn, he sounds good!”

  “He really does.” Nikolai smiled wide. “Damn, Jude. The guy really cares about you.”

  “Will you guys quit? You don’t know if the song’s for me,” Jude hissed, trying to listen. Hayden’s voice floated through the club. He sounded so…sad. Jude searched Hayden’s face as he sang. His heart ached as he sang the words like they held special meaning. Was Hayden singing about him?

  Jude felt eyes on him and noticed Colin and Nikolai looking at him, eyebrows raised.

  “What?” Jude stared back.

  “Nothing,” Colin snickered.

  “Ugh.” Jude banged his head on the table.

  ~*~

  The song came to an end and the crowd went nuts. Screaming and shouting filled the club and Hayden stepped back in shock. Elijah smiled and spoke into the mic.

  “Who wants to hear another one?” Elijah laughed as the crowd went crazy again.

  Hayden leaned into Elijah’s ear. “I don’t think I can.”

  “Sure you can! I’ll cue up the other song you learned.”

  “But that one’s for Jude, when I’m ready.”

  “Just practice it here. You can sing it for him when the time’s right,” Elijah grinned. He scanned the club for Jude and found him way in the back. The look on his face said it all. Elijah smiled again.

  “Um, okay, if you’re sure? Did I sound okay?”

  Elijah stared at Hayden. “Is that a trick question?” Elijah ran back to the booth and cued the next song.

  Hayden stared into bright lights. Thank God he couldn’t see anyone. The song started and Hayden pictured Jude. He closed his eyes and thought about Jude and nothing else. Hoobastank’s “The Reason” blared from the speakers.

  ~*~

  Jude stood on the bench as Hayden sang like he was living the song. He couldn’t believe it. The badass Delta Force guy was singing the song like it was his.

  “Okay, now you can’t deny this is for you,” Colin pointed out.

  Jude’s eyes were glued to the sexy, blond-haired man on stage. The Hayden he knew from so long ago was nowhere to be found. He had changed.

  “Well, now the rest of us guys are fucked,” Tristan noted, putting his arm around Scott. “I can’t sing, I mean, at all.”

  “It’s okay, babe. You fuck like a pro.” Scott kissed Tristan softly.

  “The things you say, Delange,” Tristan grinned.

  “Shh!” Jude hissed.

  The song came to an end and once again the crowd went completely crazy. Men rushed the stage and Elijah was grabbed. Hayden tried to get him back on the stage, but he was pulled down onto the floor.

  “Hey!” Elijah shouted in a panic. Men were touching him all over and he couldn’t fight them all. A loud growl reached him from somewhere, and then men were thrown off to the side. Elijah’s eyes met with Jaxon’s.

  “Get your fucking hands off of him!” Jaxon grabbed a man by his shirt and yanked him back.

  “Get your own, asshole!”

  Jaxon took the punch to his face and cocked his fist back.
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  “Jaxon! Don’t!” Jesse shouted. He caught Elijah’s panicked, wild look and then something weird happened — a wave of heat swept past Jesse and the mahogany bar at the back of the club burst into flames. His eyes went wide.

  “Shit!”

  Pandemonium broke out as people raced for the exit. Jesse ran for the fire extinguishers as the sprinkler system came on, dousing everyone in the place.

  “Call the fire department!” Jesse shouted.

  Ross ran for the front of the club and helped usher panicked clubgoers out. People were stampeding their way out as the fire covered most of the wall behind the bar. Liquor bottles exploded from the heat.

  Sirens wailed down the street and Ross ran out to meet them. Two fire trucks raced into the parking lot as well as two cop cars. The red and blue lights lit up the area and Ross watched the men run out, gathering equipment. Two firefighters came through the smoke and lights and Ross stood transfixed. One of them was Cole. He was sure of it.

  “Is anyone hurt?!”

  “I don’t know. They were all in a rush to get out. I think some people may have been knocked around, but the fire is out of control.” Ross stepped back to let them through. It was Cole.

  “Stay out here, okay?” Cole ordered.

  Ross nodded. “No problem.”

  ~*Chapter Four*~

  Jaxon tried to see through the smoke in the club. Water rained down on him, making it even more difficult to see. He’d lost sight of Elijah when the crowd panicked.

  “Elijah!” Jaxon shouted.

  “Jaxon?!”

  “Where are you!?” Jaxon closed his eyes and listened for Elijah’s location.

  “Over here,” Elijah coughed.

  “Get him out!” Jude pulled Nikolai and Colin forward through the smoke. “Jesse!?”

  “I’m here, come on!” Jesse was grabbed by Scott and Tristan. “Get Elijah, Jaxon!”

  “I’m on it.” Jaxon swung Elijah into his arms. “Justice?”

  “I’m here! Everyone out?” Justice shouted.

  Jude looked around frantically. Granted the werewolves couldn’t die from smoke inhalation, or even being burned, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t worried about Hayden anyway.

  “Hayden!?” Jude shouted.

  “Jude?” Hayden squinted through the smoke. “Where are you?!”

  Hayden followed the sound of Jude’s voice. The club was thick with smoke and the firefighters were checking the building for more people. Hayden could barely see. He honed in on Jude’s erratic heartbeat instead. He ended up running right into the smaller werewolf.

  “I’m here. Come on, let’s get out of here.” Jude grabbed Hayden’s bicep.

  They hit the mostly clean air outside and Jaxon ran to the first ambulance that pulled in. Kellan Brady-Fournier jumped out and Jaxon put Elijah in the bus.

  “He needs oxygen.”

  “Colin and Nikolai, go see Kellan,” Jude instructed.

  “I’m fine.” Nikolai raised his brows but ruined the look with a coughing and gagging fit. Jude stared him down and Nikolai sighed. “Fine.”

  Jude turned to find Hayden right in his face. He stepped back a bit and looked up at Hayden. His face was black with soot and his hair was soaked. Hot damn he looked good.

  Jude coughed. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, I didn’t know you were in the club.” Hayden searched Jude’s face. How long had Jude been there? Had he seen him singing? Hayden shifted from one foot to the other.

  “Well, I decided to come out with Nikolai and Colin,” Jude smiled. “I didn’t realize — ”

  “Hayden!”

  Hayden turned to see Ross making his way through all the people.

  “I was worried about you!” Ross hugged Hayden. “Where the hell did you go?”

  “Um, I’ll just be over there with Scott and Tristan,” Jude mumbled, walking towards the ambulance.

  “Jude, wait.” Hayden ran after him.

  Jude turned and looked at Hayden. “Yes?”

  God, he wanted to ask if Jude had heard his song. Hayden clasped his hands together.

  “So, um,” he began.

  “Jude! We gotta go!” Scott shouted across the parking lot.

  Jude looked over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes at Scott. He looked back over at Hayden and shrugged his shoulders.

  “Sorry.”

  Hayden could only watch as Jude walked away from him. Why couldn’t he just say what he wanted to say? That he had feelings for Jude, he always had? An arm came around his shoulder and Hayden sighed.

  “Sorry,” Ross said. “I didn’t mean to ruin the moment.”

  “No, it’s okay. I can’t seem to speak the English language around him anyway.”

  “Dude, but you can sing!” Ross smiled, leaning his head against Hayden’s.

  “Yeah?” Hayden grinned.

  “Hell yes! Elijah’s good, too.” Ross scanned the parking lot. Elijah was sitting in the ambulance with an oxygen mask on. Jaxon paced in front of him. Ross nodded in their direction. “Looks like Jaxon cares a lot more than he thought he did.”

  Hayden chuckled. “I thought he was going to tear that guy’s head off when he grabbed Elijah.”

  “He would have if Jesse hadn’t stopped him.” Ross looked over at the fire truck. “Cole’s here.”

  “Did you talk to him?”

  “Barely. He’s at work, can’t really take him aside and ask him what his favorite movie is.”

  “Well, I bet it’s not a firefighter movie. That’s like us and war movies. We always find something wrong with them.”

  “Come on, let’s go.”

  ~*~

  Elijah breathed in the oxygen. His chest constricted and he wheezed. Jaxon knelt in front of him and pushed his wet hair back. The thought of something happening to Elijah had almost frozen him in fear when the fire broke out. Elijah’s big blue eyes were watering and Jaxon caressed his cheek.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I didn’t mean it, I’m so sorry,” Elijah sobbed behind the mask.

  “Hey, it’s okay; it wasn’t your fault.” Jaxon tried soothing Elijah with a hand on his shoulder. “Drunken men are just stupid.”

  “It’s all my fault,” Elijah sobbed.

  Elijah’s cries actually hurt him. Jaxon sighed and pulled Elijah into his arms. “Hey, it’s okay.” Jaxon held Elijah’s shaking body close to him, rocking him. A hand landed on his shoulder and he looked up to see Jesse.

  “Is he okay?”

  “Yeah, he’s going to be.” Jaxon’s head almost exploded from the amount of panic coming through his thoughts. He released Elijah gently and smiled at him. “I’ll be right back, okay? I’m just going to talk to my brother.”

  Jaxon led Jesse out of earshot.

  “Damn, Noah’s going nuts! I guess he heard the thoughts of Jude, Hayden and Ross. He’s panicked about you.”

  Jesse smiled shyly. “Did you tell him I’m fine?”

  “Yeah, I did. But — ”

  Jesse’s phone rang and he looked at the caller ID. Noah King was calling.

  “I want to take this. Go check on Elijah; I have to wait for the fire investigators,” Jesse said.

  There was commotion behind him and Jaxon turned to see two people yelling at Kellan. He strode back to the ambulance and wedged himself between Kellan and the couple. He realized it was Elijah’s parents.

  “What’s going on?” Jaxon asked.

  “We are Elijah’s parents! What the hell happened here?” the man shouted.

  “Adoptive parents,” Elijah pointed out from behind the oxygen mask.

  The woman grabbed Elijah by his arm and pulled him up. “We are going home! I knew something like this would happen! God has struck down this establishment!”

  “Ma’am?” Kellan stepped in. “I would like him to go to the hospital, just to make sure he’s all right.”

  “We’ll take him!” The man took Elijah’s other arm. “Excuse us.”

  Jaxon step
ped forward with a retort on his lips, but Kellan held him back.

  “He’s seventeen, Jaxon. They still have rights to him,” Kellan said quietly, sadly.

  Jaxon frowned. He remembered quite well what the rogue in the mines had said. Elijah was on their radar, and Jaxon didn’t like that one little bit. He was going to have to start keeping a closer eye on the kid. Elijah looked over his shoulder as his parents dragged him away.

  Jaxon tried to smile as Elijah mouthed ‘bye.’

  ~*~

  Jude sat in the car watching Ross and Hayden walk to Ross’ car. Ross had his arm around Hayden and Jude’s hackles rose. What the fuck? Hayden was singing to him, wasn’t he? What if Hayden was with Ross? They had grown up together, had a lot in common; it wasn’t a stretch.

  “Jude?”

  “What?!” Jude snapped. He sighed and looked over at Scott. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bark at you.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Is Hayden dating Ross?” Jude blurted.

  Tristan’s brows furrowed. “Not that I know of.”

  Scott shot a sly look at his mate, and then turned to Jude. “I think they said something about trying it out? Both of them are single so…” Scott shrugged.

  Jude visibly bristled at Scott’s remark.

  Tristan caught on. “What do you care? You hate Hayden, don’t you?”

  Jude looked out the window of the car. “Yeah. I do.”

  The ride home was quiet after that. Jude said goodnight to Scott and Tristan and entered the house he shared with Jacob Steele and Seth Ralston and their mates, Kory Maguire and Will Cooper. He really needed to get his own place. With everyone finding their mates, Jude couldn’t help but wonder where his was. And feel very, very lonely.

  ~*~

  The next two days, Jude stayed busy at work. As a paramedic, he stayed on the go, but he also took extra shifts just so he wouldn’t be at the house. By Monday, he could barely stay awake.

  He called Scott and asked him to meet for coffee, along with Kellan and Nicholas Stevens. Right now he really needed his brothers. Well, they weren’t blood brothers, but that didn’t matter. Each had found his way to Alexander’s pack at a young age, and he had raised them as his own sons. No blood brothers were closer.