Welcoming
Wrenly
I was still holding his hand, but looked at him and my heart melted. He was suffering and trying to hide it. I squeezed his hand, and his eyes finally met mine. “You knew how I felt about you.” Travis looked regretful.
“You told them about me?” I was surprised. Not only did I not know how he felt about me because he pushed me away, but he told them about our friendship?
He was grasping on to his glass with his free hand. “I missed you.” He looked away from me and at Axton. “I needed her hired under her own merits. Not because I wished to see her again, and not because she was important to me. That’s why I stayed out of it. I didn’t even speak with her beforehand and let it all happen without my influence. I didn’t want anyone to think she was only here because of me.” He then looked at me. “I didn’t want you to think that either. You earned this opportunity on your own.” I could see the pain and truth in his eyes as he was looking at me. I knew he would finally ask about his family, but I didn’t think he would ask so soon.
“Damn.” Axton shook his head. “No wonder Creed was so quiet about your vote. He knew, didn’t he?”
“Yes.” Travis answered.
“Awe, this is kind of like us. Childhood best friends.” Stephanie laid her head on Granger’s shoulder.
“Wait, what am I missing?” Morgan spoke up and she was completely lost.
Melissa seemed annoyed that Morgan was confused. “It’s not hard to figure out, Morgan. They’re childhood friends but Irons kept it to himself and stayed out of the hiring process so she could get the job on her own merits and not have to wonder if Irons did it for her. Now she knows and so does everyone else that she got the job on her own.” Melissa was a smart woman.
Morgan’s hand dropped. “Are you telling me that my husband kept this juicy little tidbit of gossip from me?”
Travis groaned. “It’s not juicy gossip. There’s nothing juicy about it.”
“So, who else knew? Shouldn’t we have been made aware?” Axton asked.
Magnus spoke up. “I knew, but it’s not my story to tell. What if your childhood friend was hired? Just because she’s female doesn’t make it juicy gossip or a conflict. She’s a soldier like the rest of us, hell she’s got more metals than a lot of us. It’s really not our business.”
Melissa pointed with her fork. “They’re holding hands under the table.”
Travis narrowed his eyes on Melissa. “She just told me some news…just fuck off. It’s nobody’s business.” He let go of my hand and it felt like he ripped it away from me.
“Damn, it was about your parents, wasn’t it?” I turned and saw Drakos standing behind us eating an apple. Obviously he was standing there for a bit.
“Just let it go.” Travis was shutting down and I felt helpless to stop it. We were doing good before everyone joined us. I should have waited to tell him when we were alone.
“Was it though?” Drakos was poking the bear.
“My dad is dead, alright?” Travis shoved his plate away and stood before he stormed away. I went to chase after him, but Magnus grabbed my arm.
“Let me go.” He stood then chased after Travis.
I looked at everyone and they had pity in their eyes. Axton narrowed his eyes on Drakos. “What the fuck? He said to leave it alone.”
“Shit, I’m such an asshole.” Drakos ran his fingers through his hair. “Dammit.”
Morgan slowly lifted from her seat then waddled over and sat by me in the chair Travis abandoned. Her hand laid gently on my arm. “He’s okay, I promise. It’s just not normal for us to see him show much emotion, especially anger. He needed to know and I’m sure he asked. He’s not upset with you, just the situation.”
“I should have waited to tell him when we were alone, but took the opportunity when he asked.” I felt terrible.
“No, you were right to tell him when he asked. I’ve had long conversations with him, and he keeps his childhood locked away in a vault. If he was willing to ask, you had to take the opportunity.”
“He’s upset now.” I wanted to cry.
“He’s not upset with you or us, not even Drakos. He’s just processing. Irons is…he’s the mildest one of us. He's rarely angry and the one guy you always want on your side. He just simply doesn’t show his emotions around others. He always walks off on his own to process bad news.” Axton said.
“I would say Irons and Magnus are the most alike in some ways.” Morgan stopped like she was thinking. “Except Irons isn’t a total slut like Magnus.”
“Morgan, you’re breaking rules.” Axton reminded her.
Morgan scoffed. “What? You’re going to tell your boss on me?”
Axton rolled his eyes. “Right, you only get away with that shit because we don’t suck his dick.”
“You’re not the mother of his children either, so shut your cum dumpster, Michael.” She rolled her eyes again and there’s no longer a question where little Addie picked that up. She then looked at me. “I’m just saying he has been through a lot and is probably better than most at processing his emotions. He learned a lot since he was a kid and he’s the most patient, respectful and kindest person out of all these assholes.”
“Hey, I take offense. I’m all those things too.” Granger pouted.
“Oh, shut up, Ryan. You have more tantrums than our children.” Stephanie corrected him.
“Irons is an asshole that has no clue how easy he has it.” Drakos took a seat, and I glared at him, then noticed I wasn’t the only one.
“Bull fucking shit, Drakos.” Axton snapped at him.
“Nope, hear me out. We walk into a bar, and he has to fight off all the hot chicks. He thinks it’s a curse while the rest of us have to work hard for pussy.”
“Oh my God, shut up!” Morgan slapped her hand over his mouth. “Not everything is about pussy, you freak!”
I had to fight a little laugh.
Morgan looked at me. “Don’t listen to Drakos…like ever. Just because Travis doesn’t do casual doesn’t make him an asshole.” She moved her hand from his mouth and looked at him “Oh my God, this has nothing to do with that…what the hell, Drakos? I was just saying that about the only real difference between Josh and Travis. I was going to say that Josh is a little more outgoing than Travis. My point about Josh being a slut is because Travis is kind of shy in some ways, and Josh is more outgoing with women. That’s literally about the only thing that sets them apart.”
“I’m lost. This conversation didn’t need to be all that hard.” Melissa was obviously annoyed. “Irons is going to be fine. He’s seen and done a lot and will pull himself together. He’s one of the best and everyone’s favorite.”
Axton, Granger, and Drakos gasped. “That’s bullshit.” Axton glared at her.
“Okay fine, it’s a toss-up between Magnus and Irons. We love them both equally and they’re the best operatives besides Creed.” Melissa glared right back at Axton.
“You know too much for a civilian. When the hell did we agree to let you have so much privileged information? You shouldn’t even know that we are operatives.” Axton and Melissa began arguing and I was amused with them.
“Everyone at the table are civilians now, and you guys are stupid if you think the people of Cold Springs don’t know. For God’s sake, you have aircrafts coming in and out all day and night. Busses of operatives come and go. They’re keeping your secrets, dumbass.”
Melissa was a feisty little thing. I liked her.
“You’re a pain in the ass.” Axton looked seriously annoyed.
“Can’t you guys stop arguing and put Travis ahead of your petty arguments?” Morgan asked.
Melissa looked straight at me. “All you need to know is that Irons is probably the most mentally competent of all the Originals. Irons and Magnus both have a way about them, something very special. When you need a good friend, you call one of them. If you need a problem solved, you call Axton. If you have a question about commanding a mission, you call Creed. Steph and Granger are both good at finding resources, and Drakos, well just don’t call Drakos.” Melissa said.
“Hey!” Drakos was offended.
Axton’s attention went straight to Melissa. “How the hell do you know all that? Fucking commanding missions? Jesus, you’re a civilian that’s not privy to that information.”
Melissa mocked him then rolled her eyes.
“I’ll conjure up a Rossi bomb if the two of you don’t quit arguing.” Morgan threatened.
“Fine, Jesus we don’t need anyone pulling the fire alarm again. I’ll drop it for now.” Axton threw his hands up in defeat. “You already killed half the plants in the atrium and completely ruined the idea of anal sex for half our men.”
Morgan smiled with pride. “And I’m still getting thank you letters from Felicity’s girls and half the women of Louisville.” Morgan bragged.
Melissa snorted. “Oddly enough, every one of those letters contained one name.” Everyone at the table looked at Drakos and he just shrugged. Didn’t even deny it, but then Melissa smiled and said one thing. “Rim job.”
Drakos gagged then looked at Melissa with hooded eyes. “Fuck you, Melissa. You damn women and all that pregnancy hormones BS ruin all the fun.”
I looked between Melissa and Drakos and I was a little disturbed. They looked at each other in a very strange way.
Patrick walked up. I met him during my visit and he’s adorable. “Ruin what?” He asked as he threw a chip in his mouth.
“Your sister is upset because Creed won’t give her a rim job.” Axton threw that out there and the chips went flying from Patrick’s mouth.
“Fuck you, Axton!” Patrick stormed off as he gagged and coughed.
Everyone was laughing. I never knew a group of funnier people in my life, add little Addie and it was almost too much. They all truly loved each other, and I was happy for Travis. He had love in his life and that was apparent. They might have given each other a hard time, but they were a family.
Travis never returned and I felt horrible. I was going to leave not long after dinner, but ended up going to Club X with Melissa. I heard about it and was curious. Some people called it a sex club, and others said it was more like an MC clubhouse after dark. I wasn’t looking for sex, but I was curious if it was anything like the Scorpion’s club house. I had seen enough public sex to last a lifetime, but was pretty sure it was mild in comparison.
“Magnus and Drakos will try to kick us out because they think we care what they do. Patrick doesn’t give a shit as long as Morgan isn’t around.” Melissa warned me.
We were sitting at a low top and waiting for the clock to strike eleven. “Does Travis enjoy the club?” I asked, just to make conversation.
She shrugged. “I’ve been told he hasn’t ever visited when it turns dark.” She leaned forward. “Are you trying to figure out what kind of sex life he lives?”
“No, no, I just.” I paused for a moment and wanted to word it correctly. “The Travis I knew would have been all over this kind of place, but it seems like you all paint him as a completely different person.”
“How old was he when you last knew him?” She asked.
“He just turned fifteen.” I answered.
“Well, there you go. He has grown up since then and like Morgan tried to say earlier, this isn’t his scene. He drinks and I’ve seen him drunk, but I’ve never seen him with a woman. But you have to remember that I haven’t known him for a year yet. From what I’ve seen he’s respected around here and never the source of gossip.” One side of her lips turned up. “He’s sexy as hell though, isn’t he? I think he’s even hotter than Creed, but that’s just my opinion. It sucks because most the guys are hot, and they know it. Even Drakos is good looking until he opens his mouth.”
“I’m concerned for Travis.” I confessed.
She nodded. “From what I’ve gathered, all these operatives have something traumatic they need to face from their pasts. Creed did and he’s happier than ever. I don’t know anything about Iron’s past, but maybe it’s his turn to heal since you arrived.”
Maybe I wasn’t so different than everyone else here after all. I had my fair share of issues as well.