Chapter 17 #2
“Alright so tell me all about how you two got together, because I need the juicy details. By the scent of this place, I can tell you’re sexually compatible.” Buckle shoots his friend a look and Pax goes bright red.
“Very compatible,” Pax says.
“Oh, yeah,” I add and kiss Pax’s cheek with a mouth full of pizza.
Pax gets over his nerves quickly. He wipes his mouth and grins at me. “It’s a wild story.”
“Well, I’m all ears,” Buckle beams, clearly ready for an entertaining evening.
We share, much like we had with my family and Buckle cackles when Pax gets to the part about thinking I’m a rat.
“Wait!” Pax says and bounces to his feet. “That wasn’t the first time that’s happened to me!”
Buckle chews on his lips and tries not to laugh.
“No, no, it’s not. Remember that sleepover when we were twelve?
I accidentally shifted in the middle of the night and you screamed so loud when you saw me scurry under the covers.
I couldn’t tell you I was a shifter, so I ran and stole a pair of clothes from the hamper in the bathroom, then acted like I was coming back. ”
Pax snorts and slaps his knee. “I remember! I threw all the covers and sheets from the bed and remade it thinking there was a rat or a mouse.”
“Nope, just some silly chipmunk shifter with a crush.”
Silence washes over us as we continue to eat.
“Shit, I didn’t mean to make it weird,” Buckle says.
“I’d always hoped it’d be us, but I’m glad you found your person.
I wish I could have told you about me, but my family swears us to secrecy unless we meet our Fated or someone knows about shifters.
I’m so fucking glad I can talk about it with you now. ”
“I wouldn’t have rejected you,” Pax says, finishing his last bite.
“I know. It wasn’t you. My family places a spell on us at six. If we squeal, we’re cursed into our animal form until we find our Fated mate. Not something I was willing to chance.”
Pax looks at me with questions in his eyes.
“Not all families are like that,” I say.
Buckle’s shoulders drop. “Sorry, I keep fucking with the vibe. I’m really fucking happy you found your mate. You deserve it.” Buckle leans in and squeezes Pax’s shoulder. “Aaron, you seem like a great guy, but I’ll fuck you up if you hurt Pax.”
Pax goes red again. “You don’t have to defend my honor or anything,” he mumbles.
“I just want you to know I have your back now and always.” Buckle grabs another slice and takes a huge bite.
Pax nods and takes his own slice. “I love you, Buckle.”
The words should feel like betrayal, but I know what he means. There are different types of love and he’s allowed all of them.
Buckle gives him a tiny smile. “I love you, too.” He gives me a look then says, “Sweet pea.”
Pax groans. “Not this nickname again!”
“Awe, but it’s so cute,” Buckle says.
“I love this!” I say. “Friends being bromantic. It’s all kinds of adorable. Please don’t ever let me get in the way of your friendship.”
“I’ll kidnap Pax if you try to take him away from me.” Buckle’s eyes darken and we stare at each other for a few breaths before we both crack matching grins.
“You two are going to be insufferable together, aren’t you?” Pax asks.
“Yep,” we both say.
“You know what? I love it,” Pax says.
We spend the rest of the night talking about Pax and Buckle’s childhoods in the trailer park. Buckle owns his own trailer instead of living in an apartment. He’d offered Pax a room, but he rejected it, wanting to live on his own.
Too soon, Pax starts yawning.
“I best head out,” Buckle says. “Great to meet you, man. Hope we can do this again.” He shakes my hand, but that won’t do, and I pull him into a hug.
Pax hugs him, and Buckle scents him, but it doesn’t bother me. Friends scent friends, and I doubt Pax even knows Buckle’s doing it. Buckle shrugs when he notices me watching. I just shrug back, making him smile.
“See you soon,” Pax says. They’ll be back at the garage in a few days, and I hope to make the most out of our time left. He yawns again and we watch Buckle walk to his truck.
Pax turns to me and sinks into my arms. Something clearly isn’t right. “What’s wrong, my Omega?”
“Sorry, my brain is being silly.” He refuses to look at me and I tip his chin up.
“I’m sure it’s not.”
He nibbles on his bottom lip like he does when he’s nervous.
“Darlin’, tell me. Please. Or I’ll make something up like you want to reject me and be with Buckle instead.”
His eyes go wide and he shakes his head. “I love him, but I never really thought romantically about him.” As if it’s possible, his eyes get even wider. “Did I string him along? Shit.”
I press my fingers to his lips. “He’s content with his life, can’t you tell?
He’s happy to have you as a friend, but I think his romantic thoughts died years ago and he just wants to be around you.
Pax, you’re a sweetheart, and people like being around you.
Didn’t you notice all the kits wanting to be in your orbit?
You tell stories from the heart and you’re animated.
You care about people and how they feel. ”
He blushes again. “Sounds like you’re describing yourself. I feel silly thinking like this, but I hate the idea of you leaving. I want to lock you in my bathroom and never let you leave.”
“I think that’d be pretty boring, to be honest.”
“Obviously, I’d give you coloring books or something to keep you occupied.” Pax nuzzles into my neck.
“Okay, so we need to decide what we want to do. If I’m super honest, I don’t want to leave either.”
“But you’d miss your family.”
“I would. But we have to live our lives and we can make our own little community here if you wanted.”
Pax shakes his head. “I don’t know. I just know the thought of being apart makes my heart hurt.”
“I did bring enough clothes for an extended stay. And you have a laundry room. I don’t have to leave immediately. I have my tablet and laptop. I can work from your apartment. It wouldn’t be bad.” I look around. “I can add some fun details to your apartment if you want.”
“Do you want to stay?” he asks, searching my eyes.
“More than anything.”