Arya
Jex and I have been out in the woods for a run and we are now changing back into our clothes. The last time we had done this was during our initiation and we got into a lot of trouble. I haven’t been seeing him a lot since. When he came to meet me, the first thing that came to my mind was to propose a run. My wolf has been yearning for it too.
“So, what have you been up to for the last two weeks without me?” he asks, finishing to button up his shirt.
“I have been totally up to no good,” I respond with a grin. Good thing I am not yet marked or else the questions would have been too many for me to answer.
“Oh? Sounds boring. You missed me and you didn’t call?” his expression is cheerful. “I know why. It’s because you were too proud to admit it.” He chuckles. Yeah I missed him, but I have been having a very big destruction on my side; Logan. A thought crosses my mind about telling him how I have found my mate but I decide against it. I don’t think it is the right time. Despite being a good friend of mine, I will have to keep it a secret for now.
“Let me take you out for a drink,” he offers as we approach the pack house. “The night is still young and you probably going to be doing nothing but stay in your room gossiping on the phone with Penny,” he adds. He got that right. I have nothing better to do. Eric will not let me work because he thinks I don’t need to. He should understand that I can’t stay like that forever. Penny has a job. Jex owns a hardware store in the town. Sometimes I get so bored and all I can do is spend my money at the mall buying things I don’t need.
“Okay, I will go upstairs and change into something more comfortable,” I respond.
“I see what you are wearing good enough,” he shrugs casually. I roll my eyes at him.
“You always say that. I am still gonna change,” I insist. He gives me a bright grin making his handsome face brighter. Sometimes I forget how much of a hunk he is. I don’t deserve him as a best friend. He should be out there breaking people’s daughter’s hearts.
“Okay, I will wait out here for you. Be quick,” he says.
“Five minutes,” I promise and get in the house.
Jex has brought out his Bentley and he honks like a teenager when I come out of the house. I shake my head in disbelief and enter the passenger seat.
“So, where do you want to go?” he inquires as I strap the seat belt around myself.
“Anywhere other than Martian Martini,” I respond the incidents of what happened flooding my mind.
“What happened at Martian Martini?” there is a sparkle of amusement in his eyes. He drives out of the driveway.
“Tragedy,” I reply. He chuckles.
“I should have been there to witness it or save you. What exactly happened? I am intrigued,” he presses.
“I got so drunk and I was laid by a stranger,” I retort, deadpan. The car nearly shoves into a street lamp. He applies the brakes suddenly.
“What!” his face turns suddenly ashy grey with shock. I struggle not to laugh. “Are you serious? With who had you gone, Penny? Why didn’t she call someone to come pick you up? Was it so horrible?” Oh, my god! I didn’t expect him to take it so seriously.
“It wasn’t so horrible. Why would it be horrible? It is not like I was raped.”
“But you were not fine. You were probably comatose. It is equally rape,” he is dead serious. “Who was it?”
“It does not matter. I also wanted it.” His jaw nearly drops. I burst into uncontrolled laughter, shrieking and shuddering.
“Why are you laughing? It is not even funny,”
“I know, but you are the one making me laugh. Things like this happen and you should expect them when you drink beyond your handling capacity,” I tell him.
“Oh my fucking God, Arya. Just give me a description. Was it a human?” he insists.
“I already said it does not matter who it was. That’s why I said he was just a stranger,” I reply with a smile. I think this is too much for him.
“You are my best friend, Arya and I care so much for your safety. When I see Penny again, she’s going to answer,” I say.
“Hey, don’t blame Penny. She is not my babysitter. She was equally drunk and I am the one who proposed the competition.”
“Competition. Did you-” he clenches his jaw with fury.
“Don’t be another Eric! I have heard enough of brooding men!” I tell.
“You haven’t seen enough of us.”
“I think I have,” I respond. If you put Eric, Logan, and Jex together, that is one big mother hen.
“It is just that we care a lot about you, Arya. You should understand that,” he says. I wonder if I should tell him it is just a joke. Half of it is the truth anyway.
“Next time you go out, you should let someone know. You can just send me a text or Eric. I don’t think he can be too busy for you. As for me, I am always there if you need me,” his eyes are full of so much compassion, I start feeling guilty about lying.
“Okay, I wasn’t laid to be exact. I just spent the night that’s all,” I say.
“You think I am supposed to believe that? Quit trying to cover up for the son-of-a-bitch’s acts. I swear if I find him, I will kill him,” he curses under his tongue. I shale my head, resigning. The joke has gone wrong.
AFTER the good treat at a proper club, we drive back home two hours later. I am so bright and incredibly happy. I am not so drunk, I think. Jex still looks sober. He only took three glasses, being careful because he has to drive us back.
During our time there, Jex slapped some guy who was trying to get too close while I danced with him. I think might have just damaged my friend. There was a scene where they had a little fight. After that, he backed away and everything went back to normal before the bouncers found them.
“Why did you do that?” I ask in the car as we drive back.
“Do what?” he decides to play dumb.
“Back there, at the bar. Why did you do that? We were just dancing.”
“He was getting too close. That dickhead! I knew what he was up to,” he responds. This is getting silly.
“That is how people dance. You are just being paranoid.”
“You can’t blame me after what you said happened to you.” I don’t add a word.
As we enter the driveway, there is a black Rolls-Royce packed next to my brother’s car. Where have I seen this car before? I dig deep into my memory but it is a blur. Probably somewhere on the streets. I guess Eric has a guest. On parking the car, I get out before Jex takes the initiative to come around and open it for me. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable with his politeness.
“Thanks for tonight, Jex. I had a lot of fun despite everything,” I tell him approaching him.
“It is my pleasure, always,” he responds, getting closer. Before I can refuse, he pulls me to his chest into a bear hug. Caught by surprise, I am numb.
“You should take care of yourself, Arya because you are precious. I mean it,” he says into my ear. I stay frozen without hugging him back. He nuzzles my hair and my body heats up.
Shit! He is my best friend. It is just a hug, but why does it feel so wrong?
Deciding to hug him back, “I promise I will.”
“Good girl,” he speaks.
My mate’s scent hits me like a slap, making me pull out of the hug hastily. I turn to find him standing at the door with my brother by his side.
“What’s the matter?” Jex inquires before turning to find a similar shocking sight.
What the hell is he doing here? His jaw is tightly clenched and fury is clear in his eyes. Goosebumps form on my skin, and my wolf summersaults with euphoric glee.
My eyes dart from my mate to my brother. How long has he been here? What have they been talking about? Is it about me? Has he told him? I stay transfixed in my position, though all my entire bring screams that I should run into my mate’s arms, but I can’t do that with Eric and Jex around. I can’t let them see what Logan is to me.