Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
T oday was the annual Easter egg hunt and potluck, and the whole town buzzed with excitement. Kids raced through the fields with colorful baskets, parents carried folding chairs and covered dishes, and laughter echoed beneath the soft warmth of spring sunshine. Deb had just finished hiding eggs in the back with Tammy’s help, making sure the kids couldn’t see her.
She tried to focus on the cheerful atmosphere, but her thoughts kept drifting.
It had been nearly a week since she and Brock had finally stopped fighting the inevitable and admitted their feelings for each other. And what a week it had been. They’d spent more time tangled in bed than out of it, and for the first time in a long time, Deb felt... whole. Safe. Seen. Loved.
But something kept tugging at the edge of her happiness like a frayed thread she couldn’t ignore.
It wasn’t a secret, not exactly. But she hadn’t told Brock. She just didn’t know how to bring it up without shattering the peaceful bubble they had created.
“Hey, you ready to go outside?” Brock’s deep voice pulled her from her thoughts just as his arms wrapped around her waist from behind. He pressed a soft kiss to the curve of her neck, his breath warm against her skin. “Or are you still daydreaming about what we did last night?”
She smiled, leaning into him. God, it was so easy to get lost in him.
“Yeah,” she murmured, her voice soft.
But he didn’t move. His hands remained on her hips, and after a moment, he gently turned her to face him. His eyes searched hers, instantly picking up on her shift in mood.
“What’s going on?” he asked, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’ve been quiet all morning. That’s not like you.”
“Are you saying I talk too much?” she asked with a fake frown.
“Don’t change the subject.” Brock cocked an eyebrow at her, seeing right through the deflection.
“Fine.” She sighed, then glanced around to make sure no one was close enough to hear. Emily and Tammy had already gone outside. “I’m just sorry that I was so caught up in my own stuff that I didn’t realize you were going through something, too.”
“Deb, there was no way you could’ve known. And yeah, it’s something I still carry with me, but it was a long time ago.” Brock tilted her chin gently so she had to look up at him. “Is that really what’s been bothering you?”
“Yes,” she admitted with a nod, then gave a small shrug. “I just... I don’t know.”
“I love you,” he whispered. “And I promise, if I ever need to talk about it, I’ll come to you.”
“I love you too,” Deb said, hugging him tightly before pressing a kiss to his lips.
“Get a room!” Hunter and Emily called out at the same time as they passed by.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Emily said with a grin, “but I’ve got to pee again.”
Hunter rolled his eyes but followed her, grinning proudly as he did.
Deb laughed and shook her head as she turned toward the door, but Brock stopped her, gently turning her back to face him again.
“You are one special woman, Deb,” he said softly, then kissed her once more.
“You haven’t seen her grumpy yet,” Hunter snorted as he walked back into the room.
“Is Mabel here yet?” Deb asked innocently, but in truth, giving Hunter shit was on her daily to do list.
“You seriously invited her?” Hunter growled, not hiding his annoyance.
“Of course I did,” Deb replied with fake seriousness. “She’s part of this community.”
“Not cool, Deb.” Hunter pointed at her accusingly as he stepped outside. Brock chuckled and followed him.
“You never did tell me who this Mabel person is,” Brock said, winking at Deb.
“She threatened my dick, man,” Hunter’s voice could still be heard through the door as it closed behind them.
“Is he still going on about Mabel and his dick?” Emily reappeared, making her way toward Deb.
“Yep,” Deb replied with a chuckle, loving every bit of it. She glanced at Emily, who looked a little pale. “You feeling okay?”
“Ehh, a little sick today, but I’m fine,” she replied, then smiled. “How’s it going with you and that handsome Shifter?”
“Good,” Deb said, blushing before rolling her eyes when Emily wiggled her eyebrows. “Great, okay? Now come on, let’s go outside and enjoy the day.”
As they stepped outside, Deb smiled as Ben and Sam ran past them, laughing. It was good to see Ben having fun and enjoying life like a normal kid. She had gone with Brock when he told Tammy that her ex was dead—killed by his hand. Tammy had hugged him and cried, but it had been tears of relief, not grief.
Looking around, Deb spotted Brock’s sister chatting with Asher, Leda, and Taz. The entire town had come together, and for the first time in a long time, everything felt right.
“They look cute together,” Emily said, nodding toward Tammy and Asher, who stood talking near the drinks table. “Hunter said he’s a good fit for the Pack. Same goes for Brock.”
Deb smiled, but her eyes lingered on Tammy. “Yeah, they do look good. I just… I worry. Tammy’s been through hell. She’s got scars that don’t show on the outside, you know? And Ben—he’s her world. I don’t want her to get hurt again.”
Across the yard, Brock stood deep in conversation with Dell and Garrett, his arms crossed, head nodding slightly. Deb’s chest warmed when his gaze suddenly locked with hers. He gave her a wink that made her knees feel a little less steady.
“Where’s Clare and Malcolm?” she asked, looking around.
Emily shrugged. “No clue. But hey, guess who showed up dressed like she’s heading to a country club mixer?”
Deb followed her gaze and caught sight of Linda, dressed like she was heading to a cocktail party instead of a potluck. Her eyes were locked on Brock, her lips twisted into a sour expression.
“If she goes near him, I swear to God I’ll rip out every last one of her extensions,” Deb muttered, her voice like flint striking stone.
Emily laughed. “Please let her. I’ve always wanted to see you throw down.”
Deb remained silent as her eyes narrowed.
Emily checked her watch. “Okay, it’s officially egg-hunting time. I’m starving and ready to tear into some mac and cheese. You want to call it, or should I?”
“You have the honor, Momma,” Deb said with a smirk. “You are the official Easter Egg Hunt Master of Ceremonies.”
Emily rolled her eyes and then surprised Deb with a hard hug, nearly knocking the breath out of her. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Deb whispered, warmed by the affection—right up until she caught Linda glaring daggers in their direction.
As Emily started calling the kids to the back, Deb turned and came face-to-face with the devil herself.
“Well, well. Looks like someone wormed her way back into the town’s good graces,” Linda said, her voice sugary-sweet and laced with poison.
Deb forced a calm breath. She wasn’t about to let Linda ruin her day. “Not today, Linda. I’m not in the mood for your crap.”
Brock had told her they suspected Linda of telling Tammy’s ex information about Tammy, including her letting Tammy and Ben stay at the farmhouse. There was no real proof, but Deb didn’t need facts. She knew.
Turning she looked at Linda, then at her sidekicks Darla and Sadie. It made her physically ill to think she used to be one of those sidekicks.
“Oh, relax. I’m just here to admire your bounce-back game. Scored yourself the sexy new shifter in town. Good for you.” Linda tilted her head. “I mean, I guess even the broken ones get lucky sometimes.”
Deb’s jaw clenched.
“But really,” Linda went on, “you should keep an eye on your little friend Tammy. I hear she’s working her way through Pack members now. Guess single moms have to get it where they can, right?”
That did it.
Deb’s fist moved before her brain gave permission. A clean, hard punch landed across Linda’s cheek, sending her stumbling into a folding chair with a gasp and a shriek. It seemed the self-defense program she did worked on beating the shit out of assholes pretty well.
“You want to talk about broken?” Deb snapped, stepping toward her. “Let’s talk about what you did. I know you contacted Tammy’s ex. I know you told him where she was and that she was staying at the farmhouse that I own. You risked her life and Ben’s life to stir up drama and feed your pathetic need to be relevant.”
Linda held her cheek, red and stunned. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I do. I know enough. You’ve been spreading poison in this town for years, and I was right there with you.” Deb leaned in, voice low and lethal. “But not anymore. I know your games because I played them almost as well as you, unfortunately. I’m going to be watching your every move. If you hurt anyone else in this town, you will answer to me, and believe me when I tell you...you don’t want to cross that line. I just became your worst nightmare.”
Linda lunged, teeth bared, but Deb grabbed her by the shoulders and used Linda’s own momentum to flip her straight onto her back in the grass. The breath whooshed out of her in a grunt.
The crowd had started to gather—eggs forgotten, potluck plates suspended in midair. Even the kids were craning their necks to peek from the other side of the lawn.
Deb stood over Linda, fists still balled at her sides. “You don’t come near my friends. You don’t come near Brock. And you sure as hell don’t come for me unless you want to get flattened again.”
Linda coughed and glared up at her. “You’re crazy.”
“No,” Deb said. “I’m finally sane.”
“Damn,” Emily said from behind her, holding her baby bump and grinning. “That was beautiful.”
“Who do you think you are?” Sadie stepped up, glaring at Deb while Darla tried to help Linda off the ground.
“I suggest you turn your ass around before you end up next to Linda.” Janna stepped up beside Deb, as did Roxy, Roslyn, Emily, and Leda.
“And I’ll be the one putting your ass there,” Leda informed Sadie, who paled but shut up and helped Darla get Linda up.
“You’re going to regret this!” Linda sneered as she was led away.
“There are many things I regret,” Deb called out after her. “And this definitely isn’t one of them.”
Brock appeared at Deb’s side, eyes blazing with pride and heat. “Remind me never to piss you off,” he said, sliding an arm around her waist.
Deb took a deep breath and then looked at the women. “Thank you.”
“What the hell are you thanking us for?” Janna grinned. “That was the best damn thing I’ve seen in ages.”
They smiled at her as they headed toward the back where the kids were waiting. Emily frowned. “I almost missed that.” She frowned then eyed Deb. “Are you done or is there going to be more.”
“Not today,” Deb said, then glanced around to see everyone looking at her before looking up at Brock. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, but she makes me so damn mad, and what she said about Tammy, well, yeah.”
Brock pulled her into his arms and smiled. “That was a damn proud moment for me.” He said, kissing her forehead. “And thank you for standing up for Tammy. She hasn’t had much of that in her life. She really likes you.”
“Yeah, well, I like her too, and no one will talk about her like that when I’m around,” Deb said, feeling herself getting angry all over again. “Okay, I need to calm down. Let’s go watch the kids find their eggs.”
“Yeah, in a second,” Brock said as he stared down at her. “I was talking with Dell, and it looks like Clare is bringing back another woman with a child.”
“We were wondering where she and Malcolm were,” Deb said, then frowned. “Is that a problem?”
“No, not really, but I can’t stay there. I have to find a place to live.” Brock replied, then nodded toward Asher, who passed them.
“No, you don’t.” Deb shook her head. “You can move in with me. I mean, unless you don’t want to.”
“Of course I want to,” Brock said but still wore a frown. “But are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” Deb replied with a smile. “It will be fun, roomie. Unless you leave the toilet seat up, then there will be problems.”
“After what I saw you do to Linda, I will never leave the toilet seat up,” Brock said, trying to keep a straight face but failing.
“Real funny.” Deb pinched him as they headed toward the back.
As they made their way to where the kids were running around happily collecting eggs, Deb noticed the looks she was getting, and it was different. They were looking at her with respect instead of anger and hate. Some even smiled at her instead of looking away to whisper. It felt good, real good.
“Hey, badass,” Hunter walked up to her with a huge grin. “That was a real good flip, but I can show you a few pointers. It was a little sloppy.”
Deb narrowed her eyes. “Nah, I’m good.” She then tilted her head, looking over her shoulder. “Is that Mabel?”
Hunter paled as he jumped to look, then turned to glare when Mabel was nowhere to be seen. “Not fucking funny.” He snarled as he stomped off.
Deb shrugged. “I thought it was pretty funny.” She said, then laughed when Brock’s head fell back in loud laughter. Yeah, the old Deb was still there just in case she needed her, and she was okay with that.
“Have I told you how much I adore you?” Brock said, pulling Deb close as the sun dipped low and laughter echoed around them.
She blinked up at him, heart skipping. “No,” she whispered, caught off guard by the tenderness in his voice. “You haven’t.”
His fingers brushed her cheek, his gaze steady. “Well, I do.”
Her smile grew as he leaned down and kissed her softly at first, then deeper, slower, until the world around them faded.
When they finally pulled apart, kids were shouting about eggs and candy as music played from someone’s speaker. Deb’s heart felt full.
“I adore you too,” she whispered, pressing her forehead to his.
And right there, in the middle of chaos, candy, and eggs, Deb realized—this man was her forever.