Chapter 14 #2
“Since it’s her job, I would guess at least a game or two.”
“Just remember to concentrate. We could go all the way with this one.”
“Yeah, well, the Wild Dogs are gunning for a repeat of last year.”
His playful look was also something I would never forget. That’s how he’d managed to grab so much attention with the ladies. “Then we can’t let them.”
We clicked beer bottles, both nodding in solidarity. No, we definitely couldn’t let them.
A blip caught my attention coming from my phone. When I looked down, I smirked while doing a little happy dance.
The Wild Pony: Did you miss me?
I’d decided to keep our attachment a private affair and the nickname suited her.
Me: Were you missing?
The Wild Pony: So cold. I guess I’ll find another boyfriend.
Man. I liked to see her calling me her boyfriend.
Me: You know exactly what will happen if you try.
Seeing the little bubbles brought me joy while my hovering brother brought annoyance. “You mind?”
“Just seeing who has your full attention. The hottie, I see.”
I pulled my phone away, offering a nasty look, which prompted him to laugh. “As if Georgia doesn’t have you wrapped around her little finger.”
“That’s different.” He pulled his beer bottle to his lips. “We’re connected.”
Connected.
Locked at the hips.
The Wild Pony: Congrats on a hot game.
Me: We did pretty good. Comin’ to the playoffs?
The Wild Pony: Maybe if you’re a good boy. Gotta run, Devil man. Getting ready to land.
Good, huh? I’d show her good.
As I bit back a laugh, my balls tightened.
She was always getting on or off a plane. Why did a streak of jealousy suddenly push my buttons as only she could do?
I slid the phone further away, finally able to relax, even polishing off the Sambuca.
“You really do like her, huh?” Ford asked after a moment of quiet, which was all he could tolerate.
“Yeah, I do. She’s different. Special.”
He reared back, placing his hand over his heart. “Has my brother been bitten by the love bug?”
“Who said anything about love?” It was all about hot sex. When I shifted in my seat, I was provided with a clear reminder that my body craved hers. My dick was throbbing.
“You’re right. You don’t know what love means. You must be getting your dick wet given how aggressively you’re playing.”
“And what if I am?”
“Nothing wrong with that. However, she is a reporter.”
It was my turn to glance at him, although I’d call what I’d just given him more of an angry glare. You bet I was protective of her and not just physically either. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
His look of surprise was followed by a loud huff. “I’m just telling you that some reporters will stoop to anything to get a great story.”
“Well, I am a great story.” I was jesting, but my brain went back to a similar conversation I’d had with Sloane.
There were too many people resorting to low blows.
“She defied her boss to write the kind of article that put shifters in a good light. Why in the world do you think she would sell her soul?”
“That’s not what I said. I just want you to be careful. You don’t let your guard down easily.”
“Neither did you and look what happened.”
Ford exhaled. “I’m allowed to care about my kid brother.”
“Yeah, some kid. You used to come to me for advice in the love department. Look, bro. She’s not like that. We could barely tolerate each other when we met.”
“Uh-huh,” he chided. “And now you can’t get enough.”
“Just like you and Georgia.”
“Yeah, but we’re mates.”
“Yeah, you are.”
We were quiet for a couple of minutes, maybe enjoying the wild partying going on or maybe locked in our own thoughts of why being a shifter could be a pain in the ass.
“Sorry you missed the interview this morning. That was fun.” When he didn’t respond right away, I tossed him a look.
“You did great. You’re like some freaking actor in front of the camera.”
“I was sweating bullets, man. Wow.” I wiped my brow, acting as if I was flinging sweat. “Incidentally, why did you miss the interview? I thought you were dropping by.”
“I was,” he said then blew out a deep breath.
“Okay. What’s wrong?”
“Who said anything is wrong?”
I arched my brow, hanging my head as I did.
“Okay, fine. I have something to tell you,” he finally said, his tone entirely different than before.
My pulse increased. We’ve been close our entire lives, give or take being teenagers when one always tried to one-up the other. “Spill it. What is going on?”
He was suddenly nervous, glancing over his shoulder. I couldn’t tell if he was embarrassed or searching for courage. “I’m going to be a father.”
The news wasn’t anything that I’d expected to hear. “I’m going to be an uncle?”
With his face lighting up, he rolled his eyes. “You would think of yourself first. Yes, you’re going to be an uncle. But I’m going to be a dad.”
“That is amazing. Congratulations!” He could tell I was ready to announce the amazing news to the entire bar and placed his hand on my arm to keep me from drawing any attention. “What? Aren’t you excited?”
Ford’s face was suddenly pinched, the concern in his eyes close to terrifying me. “I am.”
“But? You don’t think you’re ready or that you won’t be a wonderful father? Because you will. Besides, you’ll have an entire family of people to ensure everything goes well. Unless that’s not what you want.”
It had been a very long time since I’d seen him so uncomfortable. “She’s my mate just like you said.”
“Yes, we just went over that. What am I missing?”
“I don’t know about the babies.”
“Whoa, hold on. There’s more than one?”
He held up two fingers. “We’re not sure that… I mean Georgia is freaking out that she’s… You know Georgia. She worries, which means that I’m worried. She’s still in medical school and you do know that her concentration of studies is on shifter molecular structure? Right? We did tell you that?”
Wow. I’d never seen him so freaked out in my life. “Hold on. Just slow down. Take a deep breath and a huge swallow of your drink. Jake. Two more drinks over here.”
The look he shot me was that he’d drive a sharp implement into my gut if I said anything.
“What is really going on?” I pressed.
“What if they’re wolf cubs?” He wiped sweat from his face, immediately rubbing his hand on his jeans.
“If you mean instead of being shifters, then I highly doubt it. However, they could also be more human and not have the ability to shift.”
“What if they’re deformed?”
I gripped his shoulder, smiling as I did. Anything to keep his ass calm. “You do remember the big secret that was revealed just last year. Right? About our mother?”
Perhaps he’d forgotten our father had finally confessed that our mother wasn’t the shifter we’d believed her to be, but one hundred percent human.
“Yeah, but things could be wrong.”
“With any pregnancy, bro. Let me guess. The reason you’re here with me is because Georgia kicked you out of the house and told you not to come back until you came to your senses.”
The sheepish expression popping on his face was pure confirmation. “She was a bit more colorful than that, but yeah.”
“You should be happy. You’re both going to make incredible parents.” I pulled my beer to my lips, laughing as I did. “If you can get your head out of your ass.”
“You think you’re smarter than me, huh?”
At least he appeared more relieved. “Way more.”
We were able to laugh a little easier. “Thanks for being here for me. This is just nothing I thought I’d want.”
“And now?”
He nodded several times. “I want to be the best father in the world.”
“You will be. You’re going to be fantastic. Hey. I’m going to be an uncle.”
“Yes, you are. And you’ll be a fantastic uncle. Just don’t let that go to your head.”
After grinning, I remained quiet, studying the recap a little more closely. “Let me ask you a question.”
“Sure thing.”
“Did you doubt she was your mate?”
When he laughed, I could tell he thought I was kidding. “You’ve heard the story a dozen times. You know I didn’t want to accept that I needed a mate let alone that I’d found one. Why?”
My shrug was noncommittal, but every muscle in his body tensed.
“Why, Beck?”
“Just asking. I know it hit you hard.”
“Yeah, I was a ravenous beast that shouldn’t be left alone in the forest. Did her presence hit you the same way?”
“Nope. Not even close. She’s beautiful. She’s intelligent and after you break through her ambitious, defiant layers, she’s a hell of a lot of fun to be with, but there was no lightning bolt at first. Just a man’s needs that required satisfaction.
” My voice dipped to a level that reminded me of some Viking barbarian.
Just like… It was fun being in costume for a little while.
“But I can tell your wheels are turning.”
“Something has changed between us or maybe just with me.”
“You feel even closer to her.”
“Maybe.” I took a swig of my beer.
He shifted on the barstool. “Are you having trouble sleeping?”
“Last few nights.”
“Sweating?”
I lifted my hand, showing him my palm.
“Wow.” He rubbed his jaw. “Constantly aroused.”
“It’s been difficult to walk.”
He clapped me on the arm. “Well, I’d say you’ve fallen in love, which you will argue so there’s only one other thing it could be. She’s your mate. You’ve always been a late bloomer.”
While he burst into laughter, I shook my head, even making a face. When my phone blipped again, I was grateful for the interference.
Without thinking and barely glancing, I picked up my phone, pressing my passcode in.
I’d expected another text telling me she’d landed safely.
Instead, I was faced with a picture and it took me a few seconds to realize what I was looking at.
Sloane.
And she was with another man.