Dream A Little Dream Of Me - Story 22 - Together - Part 1
“𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗯𝗶𝗴, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁…“
- 𝗨𝗻𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻.
Previously: Storyline 21...
People say you need to worry when you feel you’re settling into a routine. But I don’t understand why.
Would I say Embry and I had begun to live a life of routine? No, not really… or had we? Maybe some part of us did a little?
It was the fact that Waking up to the sound of the spirits on the wind, and the soft breathing or mumbling of Embry asleep had become something I looked forward to. (As much as I wouldn’t admit it to the Wisearse on the best of days.)
Those quiet moments, before the world pulled us towards the day and our commitments, they were ones to cherish. And this morning was no different.
We’d fallen asleep curled up once again, skin to skin, his hands always reaching out to find me if I stayed away, and now I found myself always coming back to him even in my sleep as though he were a magnet.
As my mind came around this morning, my sleep-filled eyes opened to see the sun had come out. The perfect weather for what my day had planned for me. But it was difficult to think past the bubble when the sunlight shone a bright stream into my bedroom. It kissed his cheeks like a dream coming true.
I could hear the murmuring of his voice while he slept. This was a sign I’d become aware of. When Embry dreamt deeply, sometimes he lived them, he felt them, and it made me smile.
I often told him to dream a little dream for me. Because I couldn’t remember a time when I could dream for myself. Embry on the other hand dreamed vividly. So, listening to him telling me the stories his mind conjured up was beginning to become a highlight of our mornings together. I didn’t ask him to share them all. Just when he felt he wanted to. They were enough to keep me going.
Leaning in I placed three softest of kisses on his lips while he slept, before slipping out of bed, pulling his shirt over my head, and leaving him to sleep in.
Embry had been working at Glamor last night before that his day had been full. Mine had begun with my run with the pups and Jake, followed by a last-minute errand ensuring the bar and Ma had everything needed for today’s festivities. Seth, Mac, and Charlie have worked long into the night after closing to set up the bar and the parking lot for today. Everyone had been working hard for a long time to make sure nothing happened that hadn’t been planned.
With my hair pulled up into my signature messy bun on the top of my head, I made my way into the kitchen. I wanted to cook us a good breakfast. But before anything could commence the first thing I had to do was switch on the radio. Smiling as the song began to play. It felt perfect for the occasion.
Music: Dream a Little Dream of Me – Amber Leigh Irish - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z0dLdOmbnA&si=me6wkxoz5L2fIN8z
Humming to myself, I set to turning on the coffee maker, gathering the ingredients for a Spanish omelette, while I now sang alone in a whisper.
“Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper…
Birds singing in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me.
Say ‘Night-ie- night; and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you’ll miss me
While I’m alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me.”
⃝ There were noises from inside the house, and I knew it made no sense because the only other person here; was Leah. I could feel her, the heat of her skin, her scent filling the space even with the window I knew she always left open. Her skin against mine… the next sound I heard came from me. The soft hum of contentment. While the house was alive with something I could never identify… no matter how deeply I dreamt.
She was waking up, as it always did, Leah was a force and when she was awake, she charged the world in her immediate vicinity that could only be called: Get-shit-done energy. I wasn’t ready to let go of this half-dreaming state. Not until I figured out that strange presence was… that sound… Was it laughing?
Three kisses… they said everything and nothing, reinforcing everything she’d ever made me feel; deeply enough that there was never any room for doubt. Then she was gone, and I clung to this moment, still too deep in this world of half-waking. But it was okay, the only loss I felt was her skin on mine. But there was an unbreakable connection between us now, one I felt no matter how far away she was.
She was cooking… I smiled… we had established some kind of routine… but wasn’t what I thought it would be… routines were boring… but Leah brought a different sort of energy to it. Then the music floated to me through the haze of that lingering dream. The phantom tingle of three kisses was still on my lips as I smiled at the light trickling in the window. Just what we needed today. ⃝
I was awake now, trying to string together the pieces of the dream… I pulled the pillow from her side of the bed towards me. Burying my face into it and inhaling her scent deeply, was there any other way to start the day? I waited for a moment… listening to her singing along in the kitchen.
Leah was a woman used to her space, and this home… this was where she let her walls down. So, I had taken to staying in bed and giving her a few moments to herself in the morning. But even in those moments, she was sharing one of the most important things in her life. Her home.
But her music always drew me out to her. I grinned as I made my way barefoot and in nothing but my boxers (it wasn’t my fault she took my t-shirt… ignoring the fact there was a drawer with a few folded far too neatly) to the bathroom to brush my teeth before I went to find her.
She was standing at the stove those too-sexy-to-be-legal legs bare from where my shirt skimmed the top of her thighs. The cover of one of my mother’s favourite songs playing and her whispering along with the lyrics. I made my way across the cool tiles and rested my hands on her hips, pressing a light kiss to her shoulder. The last verse played, and I sang quietly into her ear.
“Sweet dreams, till sunbeams find you
Gotta keep dreaming leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
You gotta make me promise, promise to me
You’ll dream, dream a little of me.”
I kissed her temple then and smiled.
Arms sliding around her and holding her tightly against my chest for just a moment. Today she had big plans so I wasn’t going to disrupt her schedule like I would try (and fail) to any other day. I stepped away to grab mugs... the scent mingled with what she was cooking telling me that the coffee was already made. I poured two mugs and smirked, thinking to myself that I had plenty of mornings coming, to distract her from her tasks.
The moment I heard the bed move I set the toast on and set the table. Then the running water in the bathroom gave me a gauge of the time it would take him to walk into the kitchen.
I couldn’t help the smile growing on my lips as I continued to sing, something I’d never have done in the presence of another person before him.
When his arms curled around me, when he placed that kiss, listening to the sound of his voice singing the final verse of the song, I couldn’t help but feel the warmth in my chest rising, as the spirits sounded their joy at us being here and listening to him sing too.
Leaning myself into his chest I closed my eyes for a breath. Just for the count of two before I was back. In bed, on the sofa, or here beside the cooker. His arms always seemed to feel perfectly welcoming.
Add to the fact that, his scent mingling with that of the food as he stepped back now felt so normal. Something I’d begun to miss when he didn’t stay over.
By the spirits! What had Embry Call done to me? A question I asked him often and he would reply. ‘The same as what you did to me.’ Which wasn’t a lie.
“Good morning, Dimples. How did you sleep?” I asked as I curled the edge of the omelette over.
The lack of him attempting to distract me wasn’t lost on me. But I knew it, he understood how important it was for today to go smoothly and without any hiccups. Which made me smile again.
The next song began to play. The shuffle gods were playing some good ones this morning. Dermot Kennedy started singing.
Kiss Me (Guitar) – Dermot Kennedy
Looking over my shoulder at the man, finally in the space in my kitchen.
His hair showed evidence of the night's sleep, his skin showed no signs of what occurred before sleep stole us away, and when he turned away to pour the coffee, his arse looked perfect in those boxers! I wasn’t blind. And I knew if the tables were turned… he’d so check me out and bite those perfect lips of his.
“Oh, you know me.” I grinned. “I sleep in vivid colour, lately. Especially here…” Even when I was at home, I still dreamt of her… those ones were normally a little more graphic… but they got me through the night. I felt her eyes on me when the song changed, and I may have spent a little longer than necessary with my back to her while I poured us both a mug of coffee. It wasn’t like she could let on she was enjoying the show this afternoon, she might as well look her fill now.
“I can hear you checking me out, you know…” I grinned and turned back to her. Setting her coffee next to the stove so she could reach it while she finished cooking. “You could just go all in and grab a handful.” I chuckled, my free hand brushing up the middle of her back over the age softened fabric of my shirt on her toned, hot… fucking perfect… Nope! If I started down that road we would never get out of this house on schedule. I cleared my throat and pretended like my heart hadn’t just kicked up a gear. “But if you do I accept no responsibility if your plans for the day are delayed.”
I glanced at the table, and she had already set everything out. “Anything I can do to help? Seems like you are even more on the ball than normal…” I sipped my coffee. “And I gotta tell you… That’s kinda scary.” I teased.
“I’m glad my home can help you with your technicolour dreams.” Giving him a side glance as my hands continued working, my eyes returning to the hob.
The music didn’t distract me away from the way his heart told on him. It made me smile and continue as though nothing happened at all.
A cool breeze moved from the open windows through the kitchen as I thanked him for the coffee he set beside me with a smile.
“Don’t act like you’re the only one here with super sensitive hearing. Neither of us is the kid, but even I can hear what’s up in your chest, Dimples.” Flipping the cooked omelette onto one of the plates. Taking a sip from the coffee mug, I begin to make the next one.
“I’m fully aware of my surroundings and what I could do. But I’m in control of my actions. My list is made, and we aren’t deviating from it today. So… what I am saying is… I know full well where my groping you, would make us end up… and we don’t have time today for it.” Coughing with a grin. “If …. the ladies win today. Then you may get lucky tonight.”
Just as he asked to help, the toaster popped out two thick, nicely toasted slices of a bloomer.
“You could grab those and sit down. This one is nearly ready too.” Edging my chin to the pan.
My heart had betrayed me when I got distracted… let’s be honest I never tried to control it anymore. Not here… it was hard enough with our families and at the bar. Here I could be free about how my body reacted to anything she did. “Hey, I never said I didn’t want to grope… or be groped for that matter. I’m just trying to behave myself and not throw off your meticulous plans.” I teased.
I headed for the toaster as she started to ask me to grab it, I set it all on a plate and took it to the table with my coffee. Then I gasped and clutched at my imaginary pearls. “Are you trying to blackmail me into throwing the bet? Leah Clearwater! So, unlike you to cheat.”
I slid into the seat… my seat… at her kitchen table. “And if you think I’ll be going easy on you because you made me breakfast… you are wr…” My stomach growled loudly, and I smirked. “… Probably onto something.” I laughed and glanced down at my impressive abs and whispered. “Traitor.”
But no matter how impressive they were it was going to depend on who decided to visit us today. Wet, soapy women were hard to compete with! And a lot of these women I thought of as sisters… I wasn’t sure how the guys would react to them getting checked out by others.
Okay, this got him an eye roll.
“Meticulous plans? There is no such thing with you and the pups in the mix. Let’s face it, you will have something up your sleeve to test me and the spirits today.”
I turned the hob off, before walking the two plates over to the kitchen table. “Do I look like someone who needs to Blackmail you? It hadn’t even crossed my mind.”
Returning to the counter for my mug of coffee, I took a sip. “I have faith in the ladies. They won’t need to pull any tricks to make the most money. They also know how much I dislike giving rides on my baby. So, the pup is in for some disappointing times today.”
Sitting down I couldn’t help but smirk at him across from me. “The ladies have this in the bag. I need you, Embry Call, to set your expectations low for your side.”
Setting my mug down, I jumped up again to grab the hot sauce from the fridge. The sound of his stomach giving him away made me laugh.
By the time I sat back down, the music had stopped playing, making me hum ‘Dream a little dream of me.’ My eyes warm with my body relaxed.
I laughed… “No such thing and yet you keep trying,” I smirked and sipped on my coffee.
“Yeah, yeah… we just need to make sure the boys are distracted. They don’t react well when people check out the girls.” I pinched my brows and grinned at her. “Neither do you, even if you are… quieter about it.”
I thanked her when she set the plate on the table in front of me. It should have been almost normal at this stage… I had lost count of the number of times she had cooked for me in the morning. But every single time I was stunned, not that her food was so good… which was proven by the sound I made when I chewed a forkful of the omelette… still each time I was amazed that I was in Leah Clearwater’s kitchen, eating a breakfast she’d cooked for me.
“We aren’t out of this race yet.” I boasted. “As long as your girls don’t cheat and try to distract our weak links.” Of course, the imprinted boys weren’t actually weak links… but they were definitely easily distracted by their girlfriends, fiancés and wives.
I couldn’t help but sit back and watch her… listening to her humming. She was truly mastering this living-in-the-moment thing… I knew if she’d woken up alone today, she would already be out the door getting her day started. She was relaxed… happy. And a little bit of that was because of me… And that was even harder to believe than the fact I was sitting here eating breakfast with her.
“You know… I’m starting to see the benefit of these lists and schedules and things.” I grinned and took another bite. “If having your day plotted out to the minute, has you this relaxed… It goes right into the pro column for me.”
Scoffing with a mouthful I crossed my long legs under the table, hitting my nails on the wood because his words made me growl a little.
“No one is ‘checking’ the women out. They have all been told, I’ll put them in a bloody burka if needed.” Shaking my head at the thought. “It’s a community event, with the Aunties and the uncles of those women bringing their cars over to HwH for a clean, some music, some BBQ, a drink. Nice and clean.” That was the plan at least.
Continuing to eat, my eyes moved over my kitchen table and the man sat across from me at ease as a walk to the spirits. He had made himself at home, giving this home of mine, and me something different and unexpected to look forward to.
“Paul is your problem today. I’m not even going to smack him up the side of the head.” Let’s face it, he was the first name to come to anyone’s mind when it came to being distracted by his wife. They were still like teenagers in their honeymoon period, even after all this time.
Now he had my eyebrows raised, this time with the crunch of the toast in my mouth. I had to sip on my coffee before replying to him this time around. “By the name of the spirits. Who are you and where is Embry Call? I never knew those words could spill from your lips.” And yes, my eyes lingered on his lips as I spoke.
My own lips curled up into a broad smile, giving him a wink.
“The first lesson of having a list... Is to stick to the time slots…. It’s where all the relaxation comes from. Knowing you can take the time to enjoy breakfast before everything kicks off.”
Setting the cup down, I continued with another forkful of the omelette. “Hey, how is your mom feeling? Do you think she will be up for a visit to the event?”
Our moms had worked so hard to organise everything that was needed today. The car wash was only one of the many things they did for the community. All the proceeds from today were going to redecorate the community centre and to make it more teenager friendly.
“I really want her to be there to see what it all looks like in full swing.”
I added, knowing it may not be possible. And I had a backup plan if she did miss it.
I shook my head with a mouth full of food as I piled butter onto a slice of toast. I swallowed my food and laughed. “Trouble… you know what townies expect at a charity car wash right?” I grinned and bit into the toast. Even bread tasted better here.
“I can handle Lahote…” I shuddered a little… “Not hands on flesh handle… I already told Rachel to take a pair of scissors to the mankini. Plus, I think the bragging rights of being let on your bike, for a ride is far too good of a prize to pass up. If you can manage to keep Rachel from cheating, we should be good…” I thought about it… “I’m 74% positive.”
I laughed again; we both knew those lists would only work for me in the bubble. My smirk grew cheeky. “Wait…” I sipped my coffee. “So, what I’m hearing is… you scheduled time to have breakfast with me?” The cheeky smirk became wicked. “So, this is kinda like a date?” I teased. My heart lurched. Traitorous letch.
I knew how badly she wanted Mom to see the fruit of her labour. And Mom wanted to be there too. “As of last night, she was feeling up for it. I told Quil that I had to help set up this morning; so, he said he’ll pick Mom up and take Little Bear with him. He’ll text me as soon as he gets there. She won’t miss this though.” The last part was pure hope, I knew how excited she was.
“She’s been looking forward to it for a long time. And there is nothing like a visit from Claire to give you a burst of energy.” That is true. Even I was excited to see her… It had been two weeks since her last visit. I missed the little sass machine when she wasn't around to give me a hard time. I took another mouthful of coffee… the food on my plate rapidly dwindling. “Spirits Trouble… you really can cook.” I flashed her that smile over the table. That one that is only for her.
Swallowing the food in my mouth.
“Dimples… It’s a good thing I don’t give a crap what the townies actually want.” I choked a little frowning. “It’s also a good thing that I trust the ladies of La Push to have my back, while I’m working. They will do their best to keep you boys in line while they win this bet for me.” Biting on the inside of my cheeks, wondering if I should’ve helped them out with a car wash too.
My gaze settled on his face, with the sound of his laughing echoing from the walls, it made me smile again. A Reminder of how far the two of us had come.
“He wasn’t joking about the mankini? He’d been in HwH talking about it. But I put it down to jokes.” Shaking my head, “I should have really known better.”
Pointing my fork to the window. “And I’m not sure Rachel would destroy it. Sometimes that woman likes seeing the disapproval on my face too much.”
I heard his heart, unsure what caused the change in it and then I was laughing too. “No… I made time for my own breakfast, you just happen to be here, Wisearse.” He was so asking for a kick on the arse. If only we weren’t eating!
When the eggs were gone from my plate, I buttered my toast and sat back. Listening to Embry’s plan for his mom today.
“If you need some help let me know. We’ll have a seating arrangement set up for all the elders who want to stop by. That way, she won’t feel like we are babying her.” Tiffany Call was a proud woman and someone I look up to.
“And we all know, Bear will Mother Ma and Ms C. She likes telling them both what to do.” And they adored the kiddo so much, that they didn’t complain.
I took another bite from my slice of toast rolling my eyes at the man across from me.
“I will remind you. Tell anyone about this.” My hand moved over the table. “And you will be ten feet underground.”
Narrowing my eyes to emphasise the point I’m making.
I laughed because we all knew it was the truth. Leah didn’t put on a show for anyone else, so it meant she didn’t really care what others thought... she did what she thought was right and best, then dealt with the consequences of those actions; the good and the bad. And she had always done that alone.
She was doing that thing… biting her cheek like she did when she was thinking and making those perfect cheekbones completely irresistible. Making me want to bite that cheek and kiss those dimples. She wasn't making this easy. “As long as it's unfindable today… I don’t care what she does with it.” I chuckled again. “I made sure to remind her that Claire was gonna be there… A lot.” I stressed the last part.
“Oh right…” I smiled and sipped my coffee. When she claimed that I was just coincidental to her planning, if I wasn’t part of her plan… I wouldn’t be here. “My mistake.” But the smugness was impossible to hide.
I knew she meant that, which was why it meant so much. “It's all covered… I can make plans too. But if anything falls through then you’ll be the first person I come to. I told her she should sit back and enjoy… the Masterminds like her and Sue make the plans then sit back and delegate. I’m hoping she listens… with everyone around… I know that they look out for her. She’ll have a good day.”
I laughed again, almost choking on another mouthful of coffee. “Even if I did tell… no one would believe that I was sat in Leah Clearwater’s kitchen, at the crack of dawn… eating breakfast with her in my boxers.” I finished my toast too and leaned back, stretching out a long leg to find her foot beneath the table.
There it was again, the sound my home craved so much. Gone were the silent mornings, they were replaced by his laughter, his beating heart, and of course music.
I closed my eyes for a moment to shake the thoughts which kept coming, no matter how often he spent the night. I should be used to it by now. But I wasn’t. And it wasn’t a bad thing to feel this way.
“Hmm….” Right then the image of Paul flashed before my eyes, making me push them out as fast as it came. “Spirits… No…” shaking my head “Nope… Not even touching that with a barge pole. And if he doesn’t show up with nothing but a Mankini, he can be the one to explain to Emily why her little niece was made to witness his stupidity.” Safe to say, I’ll have kicked his arse by then.
“Oh… moms… the elders… they will keep Paul in line too. Maybe I won’t ever need to get my foot dirty after all.” Smirking at the new image of Ma and Ms C smacking Paul upside the head came to life. (Of course, the man was fully dressed in this image.)
His foot found its way to mine under the table, making my eyes lock on his with a perfectly raised eyebrow. “Are you turning into a Footsie player now Embry Call?” My foot stroked the curve of his.
By the spirits! What was this man doing to me? Clearing my throat, I moved to stand up before my mind went to places, we didn’t have time for this morning. Taking my dishes over to the sink.
“Do you want more coffee?” I asked over my shoulder towards him sitting at the table.
She truly was 100% here right now, even with us talking about the car wash… she was still all ours. I bit my lip when her foot grazed mine. Laughing at her reaction… “He will keep it family friendly. He might be all talk but when he sees the Aunties and Nieces and Nephews it’ll change his mind.”
Paul was the kinda guy you had to trust to read the room… He was always going to talk big, but when push came to shove, he would behave himself when it was needed. “I’m turning into an anything-it-takes-to-touch-you player, Trouble.” I smiled watching her move across the room…
“And it was clearly effective if you had to jump up to avoid temptation…” I teased, my foot still tingling where hers had stroked. But I didn’t need to point that out, right?
As badly as I wanted to say yes to that second coffee, I didn’t. There was plenty of time for morning coffees with her. “I should probably take a shower and head out… The boys will be on the move around the village early today.” I smiled. I didn’t say I needed to not smell like her before I left, we both knew that already… My jeep was in the village centre car park, and I wasn’t planning on going home before heading to the bar to help with the set-up. “They are all very keen to impress the Clearwater women today.” I teased. They did want to make Leah proud, Sue too… But with Leah spending more time with them outside of patrol and training… they were eager to prove themselves in this way too.
I stood up and took her my dishes. I set them next to the sink and grabbed a dish towel… the little routine we had established where she washed, and I dried made me smile. In Mom’s house, the cook didn’t clean… But Leah seemed to like her process; so, I just found a way to fit myself into it and make myself useful.
“Shut it, Dimples. Like I said. We have a plan to keep up with.” That small touch of his foot had bolts of electrical energy shooting all over my nerves. But we didn’t need to give him a big headfirst thing.
“Jake and Sam have changed today’s runs up a little, giving all the guy’s time to come enjoy the show, and participate too.” Filling the sink with soap and hot water, I began to wash, handing the clean dishes off to Embry for drying.
“Ma and the elders will be impressed with anything the pups will do; they are good kids. Even if I still like kicking their arses.”
Speaking to them, spending time with them off runs, and opening myself up had given me the opportunity to learn so much more. Like Brady … and his stage presence and shyness. I didn’t know the pup could perform the way he did at the open mic night.
Handing off another dish, I smiled. Yet another moment that felt so familiar and open between us right now.
“Why don’t you go jump in the shower now? I can finish these off?” He was right about the pups being up and raring to go as soon as possible today. “I don’t want you bumping into anyone... don’t want you to find excuses or tell lies.”
I didn’t do it. I wasn’t going to put him in a position to need to do it too.
I chuckled and played dumb. “That is exactly what I have been doing… I have been on my very best behaviour, thank you very much!” I nodded when she mentioned the runs. “He told me yesterday that I won’t be running because Mom would wonder where I went. But I told him I’ll sub in if she goes home early. I don’t want the boys thinking I’m slacking.” I chuckled. I did feel a little guilty about that, but I would be happy to take a spot tonight and let the young ones enjoy a few drinks in celebration. It was the least I could do after a whole day off.
“They’ll work hard… I know they will. And bet or no bet the moms will get their dream budget for the centre. And a little arse kicking is good to keep egos and work ethics in check.” I laughed. “Once it’s balanced with a little praise.” I couldn’t help the grin; Leah had made such a huge stride with the younger ones… And they were responding. There might even be a few budding but innocent crushes forming, not that they would ever act on it. But that is just how these hormone bombs reacted to people they looked up to, it was hard to separate those feelings at that age.
“I can spare five minutes to help clean up since you cooked... It's still weird to be letting you wash up. And if you ever tell Mom that… I’ll tell her you threatened me with bodily harm.” I smirked. I dried the dishes as she passed them to me, setting them into their correct places. “And I wouldn’t need to lie. They rarely hear me tell them to mind their own business, so when I do say it they leave it alone… Probably because they assume they really don’t wanna know if I’m not willing to brag about it. But it gets the desired result in the end.”
I couldn’t say I was 100% opposed to lying. I lied every day to my mom, keeping her in the dark about what I was. I lied when I needed to protect the pack… I lied to the pups about my past… by omission, but it was almost the same thing. But I have managed to never lie about us. I knew how Leah felt about lying, and it wasn’t as though I enjoyed the sensation either. But her honesty was ingrained into the deepest parts of her being. It made lying about something that so profoundly included her at its core; feel like a betrayal.
It was when we finished up the dishes and I hung the dish towel back up that I leaned in and pressed my lips to her forehead for a long moment. My hands (respectfully) on her waist, because anything else would have me breaking the schedule. I kissed the end of her nose and then her lips just once, softly. Telling myself all the while that I had innumerable days ahead to kiss her and touch her as much as I wanted. Then I rested my cheek against her hair and inhaled her scent deeply. I couldn’t get this close to her once I showered, not today. When I was going on patrol, I left my clothes behind and on other mornings I normally went to see Mom or take her to appointments… her human nose couldn’t tell who I had been with beforehand. It was just one day that I needed to show a little restraint. Next time I had her all to myself, I’d find a way to make up for it.
With my lips so close to her ear I couldn’t help but whisper. “Try not to miss me too much today while I’m right in front of you.” I dropped my voice low, knowing those words would sink in.
I closed my eyes letting his low whispered voice sink in deep. Everything about this morning felt so good, so together, like we had found a rhythm, and the true beat of our hearts and life. Even if the sound of his voice and the heat of his breath on my skin sent a ripple through my nerves. I turned into him, my arms moved to wrap around his neck, and I held him to me. The feel of his breath on my ear, the warmth and strength of his arms and body, the promise of what we had built and how we were on this journey together too.
“You’re only asking me not to miss you, because you know… you’re the one who is going to crack.” Whispering it right back to him.
I kissed him below his ear, the feel of his lips still lingering on mine as I pulled back to look at him. Resting my forehead to his I took a count of five, then glanced at him.
“You need to shower. And then so do I. Chop, chop, Dimples. Before I roll up a towel to spank your arse.”
Thoughts of the pups and all their hard work in the run-up to this car wash are still fresh in my head. I knew what Embry was saying about them trying so hard, I wasn’t blind to it. Maybe I could ease up a little on them the rest of the week. Or at least give them a chance to get some fun while we trained?
Letting my arms drop, I kissed Embry once more. Soft, light, gentle before taking a few steps away.
“Are you waiting for me to kick your arse now?” My hands crossed over my chest with a smirk on my lips. Nodding my head towards the hallway. “Get to it Call, we haven’t got all day.”
That intense yet still subtle energy passed through me… over my skin and down my spine like it only ever did when I was near her. I told myself again that we had plenty of time for these moments later. But that thought slipped away when her arms came around me.
I smiled… the kiss on my neck caused a tremor that I knew she felt. “Oh, I have no doubt.” I brushed my nose to the tip of hers. It didn’t cost me a thing to admit that I would crack first… We were built differently and somehow… unbelievably, built to fit together perfectly. It was how the Spirits kept bringing us together. “But… you’ll still let me in. So that counts in my book.”
She was right, I knew she was right. But it felt wrong to step out of this hold, to break the contact between our foreheads. “Threatening me with a good time is not going to get me outta here any faster, Trouble.”
The kiss had that one-last-kiss sort of vibe. So, I lifted my hands to her cheeks and leaned into it. Then I stepped away at the same time as her. “Still threatening me with a good time…” I said, turning on the ball of my foot and grabbing the clothes she cleaned the night before. Thankfully my usual style of black jeans, a band tee or a V-neck meant no one would ever notice if I wore the same thing two days in a row.
In her bathroom, I grinned at my reflection as I grabbed a towel and set my clothes down. When the water was running; I stepped under it and started to sing as I washed away the lingering scent of her from my skin… my wolf grumbled in the back of my mind, but he knew we had to. To keep him at bay I kept singing.
“By the spirits…” Shaking my head as I walked towards the cupboard with my cleaning supplies in it. “What has this man done to me.”
The answer was clear for me to see, he had done what the Spirits had guided towards, but more importantly what we both agreed to.
‘His voice is blessed by the ancestors.’ My warrior lazed within the walls of our soul. We both stood still listening to the sound of his singing with the running water and the beating of his heart. We both smiled getting to work.
The day was going to get away from us at some point, of course, I’d planned time in for it too. But it meant the chores around the house couldn’t wait until after my shift at the bar. Walking into the living room, humming along to his voice I began to set the furniture straight, dusting the table and the bookshelf. The TV had a good layer coating it, telling of how little we felt the need to turn it on.
‘He fills our time with more delight than a TV show could provide.’ She wasn’t wrong. ‘And music. Let’s also not forget the facts… He imbues our time with the pleasure of music too.’ Okay, not where I thought that was going. But. Also, true.
I worked around the house, cleaning and tidying while my warrior worked off a list of things which had evolved since the night Embry Call showed up on my doorstep to kiss me. And because she was on a roll, she reminded me of the fact that I’d punched him in the jaw for pleasure, before running across the street to kiss him back.
‘And now…’ She was bloody talkative this morning. ‘…He is a part of our bubble, and we like it this way.’ I rolled my eyes at her. Reminding her that she was the reason Dimples hadn’t been killed ten times over.
She has stopped me in my tracks. When he had said something or done something like he’d said before going into the shower; “Stop threatening me with a good time, my arse.” Rolling my eyes and smiling at the same time as I thought about it.
‘Look, how you have evolved too.’ This deserved a snap of my teeth, but I was too busy hoovering the floor, still feeling the lingering effects of him around the house.
She knew I could hear her, but that just made me smile even more. All those things others would miss… all those things that showed her openness. Her willingness to feel things out loud.
By the time I stepped out of the shower I heard her moving around the house… was she cleaning? By the spirits, it wasn’t even 7:30 yet! Or was it? My phone was still on her bedside table. Regardless, it was too early for chores!
I chuckled as I brushed my hair and shaved… all in the name of putting my best foot forward for the tribe. My mind drifted to the night before. Nope!
I put a stop to that right away. How about the first night we spent together? How well we had both fit together on her couch. I smiled. That one would do. I kept that feeling close, living in that moment as I dried off and dressed then hid away any signs I had been here. But I knew the only people that came here were Seth and Sue… they would be too busy to stop by today. Everything else I needed was in the Jeep waiting for me.
I stepped out of the bathroom and grabbed my phone and the hospital beeper, shoving both into my pocket. I found her in the living room cleaning. I chuckled. “You had housework on your list? Really? At this hour?”
The sound of the water in the shower turned off, and I could hear him padding about the bathroom. The thought of how I could tell what he was doing next made me smile again.
This was the unexpected part of this journey. The way this had become my mornings when he stayed the night. Breakfasts, showers, sounds of laughter and teasing.
Shaking my head, I turned to face him. “If I don’t do it now, I will have to do it tonight. And knowing the pack, I have a feeling it’s going to be the last thing I’ll want to do.” Keeping the house and the bar clean and tidy were things I could control. It gave me a sense of security in some ways, to know no one else could control the tasks.
Leaning on the hoover I tilted my head. The overnight growth was gone from his face, his wet hair drying before my eyes, and his freshly laundered clothes giving off the fragrance of clothes softener.
My gaze lingered on his lips a bit too long. Especially when I knew that o couldn’t walk over to him, and I definitely couldn’t kiss him now.
I grinned… leaning against the doorway… not daring to step all the way into the living room… not while she was looking at my mouth like that. Any other day? I chuckled. “Oh… right… of course. How silly of me to forget that the world would start spinning in the opposite direction if you skipped a day of dusting.” I teased her.
“They’re gonna work hard today. We need to let them celebrate afterwards.” I knew she would, she was starting to see the other sides of the guys, understanding the need to blow off a little steam with everything else they had going on.
I looked at the lightening day outside her window. “Looks like the weather is on our side today.” I gave her that smile, the one that was only hers. “I told you today would be perfect. But… Time continues to be a cruel mistress.” I straightened up and stepped back from the doorway. “I should get going… The Jeep is in the village. Gotta have the boys test their skills on a real beauty.” I winked at her.
I checked the group chat. “Seth is on his way…” I laughed. “Littlesea is threatening to climb through Fuller’s window because he deadbolted the door and won’t answer it.” The pup had clearly seen the messages, is status read ‘online’. It was perfect timing. If I was the first to arrive it would raise eyebrows. Early mornings weren’t an issue for me… but being on time? I could probably try a little harder. “Looks like I’m right on time!”
I headed down her hallway and slid my feet into my boots by her door. “See you soon, Trouble,” I said, sticking to our rule.
I wasn’t OCD by any means when it came to cleaning. But when the majority of your time was spent rolling and running in, weeds, and mud in a forest, wanting the comfort of your home to remain in some form of order had become a necessity.
In the early days of moving in it had also been a ritual for me to calm that temper of mine. And now. It was a habit. One which helped when I needed time to think.
“Hey. I have fully given in to the fact that all of you need your time to celebrate any achievements. Now tonight unfortunately is going to be licking of wounds for you guys.”
Trash talk was all a part of the fun of the day, and it didn’t hurt to start now.
“Just make sure they don’t cut themselves on that rust bucket. We don’t need the pups showing off their healing skills to the rest of the tribe or townies as a sideshow.” I knew they wouldn’t, but didn’t hurt to remind the ringleader of Trouble of the dangers of showing off, right?
My eyes were on the sky past the windows, the storm from last night had passed leaving the day fresh.
His phone began to come to life, making me turn to face him again. Watching as he made his way to his boots and the front door.
“See you soon, Dimples. Have a good time today.”
Giving him the answer to that smile, with one of my own backs. His rule to never say ‘goodbye’, still going strong. As soon as he closed the door to my home, I began to replace parts of my wall. Today was going to be a test for both of us.
I knew that her cleaning was all about routine… she liked to do things a certain way… it was one thing in the vast number of details that made up Leah Clearwater. Something I thought I knew before our evolution. But honestly… it was exactly and nothing like what I thought I knew back then. And I had a feeling that my view of it would probably be a little different at some stage. Because this woman was constantly growing before my eyes.
“Oh!” I smirked. “Are you going to lick my wounds personally? … that might be worth throwing the game entirely.” I laughed. “Hey!! My baby doesn’t have a spot of rust on her…” Then I added. “Anymore.”
I flashed her that smile… My hand was on her door. “You too, Trouble. And please… feel free to think about me in the shower.” I said before I slipped out and closed the door. Damn! I wanted to kiss her!
But the door was closed, and my feet were moving. There was no turning back. I needed to get into the village before more of the Pups hit the streets to get their jobs started for the day. As I walked, I texted the group and told Seth I would meet him at the parking lot in fifteen minutes. Then Brady to tell him if he wasn’t out of bed in five minutes; I was going to send Paul over.
And right on cue Lahote texts back. With: [Can I leave marks?]
Followed by Brady: [I’m up! Leave me alone!]
I grinned to myself. “Mission accomplished.” I reached my Jeep and climbed in. “Showtime!”
The house was silent once again. The sounds of life were waking outside, but here in these four walls, things were different.
I couldn’t help but glance towards the small hallway and then my front door. How could one man make all my senses feel so much? My feet took me to my speaker, turning it towards the heart of my home. Before hitting play on shuffle.
Take It From Me (Stripped) – Jordan Davis
“Of course!” Biting the inside of my cheeks, I continued to smile, then went back to work, singing along to the song. My playlist shuffled from song to song, each one growing in tempo, leading to the perfect tune to set me up for the rest of the day.
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
The song played low so my neighbours wouldn’t be disturbed, but to me, the sound was crisp and just what I needed. The shuffle gods were moving me along.
With most of the cleaning, I gazed at the time. “Spirits! I need to get a move on.”
Running into my room, I slipped out of the t-shirt I’d slept in, leaving it on the made bed. I knew I should change the bedding, but I’d run out of time. And then again, my warrior reminded me, he wouldn’t be back tonight. The pups would want to celebrate, and they deserved it.
“I’ll change it later tonight, before I sleep.” It was a good plan. So, I pushed the thoughts out of my head. “By the spirits! What is that man doing to me!” Shaking my head I ran into the bathroom to shower and dress.
I connected my phone to the sound system and hit shuffle on the playlist I had put together for the day. I smirked and started the engine with a little love tap on the gas… She purred to life. “That’s my girl!” I stroked the wheel affectionately and pulled out of the car park a little quickly… but it was empty, so it was fine.
Imagine Dragons | Symphony (Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles Version) | Coke Studio
I sang along as I drove through the village, tempted to crank the volume and wake people up to get them to the car wash. But I decided to behave for now.
“So, tell my mom I love her, call my baby sister…
Should’ve hug and kissed her…
‘Cause life is just a mystery.”
I pulled into the bar’s parking lot, and I wasn’t shocked to see people there already. Seth was laying out cones for the different lanes. Sue was setting up a table with the cash box and all kinds of community centre pamphlets. Nessie was setting up a sound system. She was the closest to me, so I stopped the Jeep and called out the window. “Hey… where’s your lesser half?” I asked.
She didn’t even blink at the joke. ‘He’s picking up the meat for the barbeque. Sam didn’t want it in his car. The smell of raw meat makes Emily nauseous.’ She spoke. I instantly thought we needed a spot for her away from the cooking area, but Ness continued. ‘Text me the link to your playlist. I’ll add it to the mix.’ She said as she stripped a wire with just her fingernails and disappeared behind a speaker that was big enough for her to hide inside. I chuckled and told her I would send it.
“It’s gonna be a party.” I laughed and pulled over to the other side of the lot close to Seth.
I jumped and header to see where we were in the setup. I wasn’t surprised to see Mac come out from behind the bar. He waved and I waved back… Seth looked me up and down. “See something you like kid?” I teased.
‘You wish!’ He teased back, and it was all kinds of gross considering I just climbed out of his sister’s shower. I covered by shoving him playfully. ‘Seriously though… are you going to wash cars in jeans and motorcycle boots?’
“Is that a bad idea?” I looked at myself with a perfectly straight face, then back at him. “I thought I looked good.”
Seth looked at me like he thought I was serious. “Kidding!!! Dude, I have shorts and trainers in the Jeep.”
He laughed and shook his head. ‘Sorry… haven’t had my coffee yet.’
“You should have said… The twins are on the way I’ll get them to pick it up.” I pulled out my phone.
‘No, Mom and I drove by, and Gemma was only arriving, they aren’t open…’ He started. But I already had my phone to my ear.
“Hey Gem!... How is my absolute favourite waitress?” Seth just rolled his eyes.
Gemma was happy to help us out with our charitable endeavours today. I gave her all the coffee orders, teas to the mom and one of those weird, iced milk drinks with a tiny bit of coffee for Claire. I’d tell Quil it was decaf… but she could have a treat. I was sure she’d earn it. And texted the Pups to pick them up along the way.
“Okay!” I stuffed my phone into my pocket. “Where do you need me Pup?”
He tossed a traffic cone at me, and I caught it, laughing… Then we got stuck in.
The call to feel the wind in my wet hair was too strong this morning. Rushing to leave the house once I was showered and dressed meant I got my wish.
As soon as I received a text message from Michael telling me my order was ready, meant I had no time to waste. The cloud cast over the sun for a little while, but it didn’t take away from the pleasure of ridding my baby down the still quiet streets.
Those who were up, waved a hand as I rode by. I knew Ma would be told once again; her daughter was racing the streets of the Rez without her helmet on.
So much for wishing people would mind their own business. The less they knew about me, the more they were intrigued to learn. But as much as I allowed it to annoy me in the past, now it just made me nod my head and smirk.
Kicking up a gear, I went into the speed and the call of Grandfather as he sang my name telling me to take in his light and let it shine bright. Words danced on my lips, a song unheard, forming into something I’d never felt before. I could feel it deep inside my soul, and it made me want to live this day with all its beauty and strength.
As I came to the parking lot before the bakery, I could hear the conversation between June and her daughter Jessica inside.
June may be a Clearwater by marriage; however, she had the blood of a warrior, and the heart of a mother rolled up in one. Most of the time she was kind, sweet, and easy-going. Until someone crossed her with the wrong intentions. She must have seen me through the window parking my baby, because the next thing I heard made me groan.
‘Let’s see what your cousin has to say about this. Why can’t you be more like her? Look how she carries herself.’ The words no girl wanted to hear from the lips of her mother.
‘Mom! Stop… Leah doesn’t need to hear about this.’ Jessica moaned, defeated.
I walked across the lot, acting as though I heard none of what was taking place inside.
‘We are family. She will want to know.’
Really. No. I didn’t want any part of this conversation. Pushing the door open, the chiming sound from the bell over the top sang, and their heads turned at once towards me.
“Hach Chii.” (Good morning.) I said stepping inside.
‘I’m so glad you are here Leah. Hach Chii.’ My auntie moved to come around the counter.
“Hmm… your husband messaged to say my order is ready.” Hoping if I reminded her, I had to go, she would back down. ‘Sure… Sure…. But I need your opinion on a situation first…’ she didn’t wait for my response and continued. ‘Your cousin is planning to wear this today at the charity event. Tell her how inappropriate it is, it will make the aunties talk, and what will the uncles think?’
Jessica shrivelled up her shoulders and looked so uncomfortable as her mom held up a short cut tank for a top and ripped tiny shorts.
The first thing I thought was she would freeze! The sun was out today sure, but it was still spring. With the water spraying all over the place. She would be hypothermic before the morning was out. But it’s not what I said.
“What’s wrong with it?” This time I didn’t wait for a reply. “She isn’t a baby; Jessica is a young lady with her head on the right way. You can’t expect her to live her life in fear of what people will say. Or think. If this is something you are happy to wear Jess. Then fine. As long as you are wearing it for yourself.” As much as Embry’s words about the Rez girls bugged me. I would never stop them from their choices. I would just punch anyone who looked at them inappropriately in the face.
No…. Spirits! Apparently, my warrior told me evolution meant, using my words and not my hands first!
‘Leah… you know how they all—‘ June started, I knew where she was taking the conversation, and from the look on her daughter’s face, she knew too. But June was cut off. ‘That’s enough!’ Michael came out from the back with four bags full of buns and doughnuts. ‘This topic is over. We have work to do.’ He smiled warmly at his daughter and then me.
My heart stopped, his side profile was the same as his brother, my father! But he was taller, a little more rounded, a little more worn in his face. The first thought I had was about my Da. And if he would have the same look about him if he were here today?
‘Hach Chii, this is your order, I’ve doubled checked, and everything you paid for, is in these bags.’ Setting them down on the counter. ‘And Jessy is meant to be packing the things we are planning to donate.’ He turned to his daughter. ‘Jessy will set it all up for sale. And when the Bakery closes, I will come by with more to help. Your mom works so hard for the community, this is our way to help too.’
“Thank you.” I said gratefully. “But I’m not sure how I will take all this.” I should have known to bring a car and not my baby.” I told him. I hadn’t expected the extra boxes they had set aside.
‘It’s okay. I’ll bring it all with me now.’ Jessica told me, she’d taken the morning off from the practice to help. Her boss would be joining us a little later once today’s appointments over.
Seth and I finished laying out the lanes… making sure they were wide enough to accommodate trucks and still let people move around them. I watched as more people trickled in. Sue gave them jobs and then tried to do three jobs by herself. A light breeze came around us in circles. Sue scrambled to keep her flyers from scattering across the lot, weighing them down with little wooden carvings and totems… because of course, she came prepared. I knew this little whispering wind meant Leah was on the move. Watching Sue I realised how much of her mother she had in her, despite being entirely unique… “Clearwater women.” I laughed and shook my head.
‘Huh?’ Seth said from behind.
“Just noticing how well prepared the Clearwater women are and wondering what the hell happened with you,” I teased him.
‘Shut up.’ He laughed and shoved me. ‘I’m surprised Leah isn’t here yet.’ He took out his phone like he was checking for a text.
“Oh, I’m sure she’s off doing something that no one else has thought about.” I looked up and saw Littlesea’s truck pull in; with a hungover-looking Brady in the passenger seat. Seth made a beeline for them, craving his caffeine fix.
‘You got Gemma to open early?’ The Pup asked getting out with the tray of drinks, while Fuller passed one out of the window to Seth, then climbed out with more. ‘You know she already works ten-hour days, right?’
“Not open early… Just help us out with the early start. I’ll make it up to her.” I told him and Brady slapped my back. ‘I bet you will!’
I rolled my eyes. “She’s a baby… don’t be gross.” Gemma was a pretty girl, but I remembered when she sat in the corner of the diner, colouring pictures for her favourite regulars. She always preferred Jake… I never knew why.
‘She’s like… nineteen…’ Brady said like that wasn’t what I just said. The three of them started debating whether she was eighteen or nineteen.
“Guys!” I called to get their attention. “Can you continue this debate after I get my coffee, please!” And Littlesea handed me mine. “Thank you! Besides… if you’re all so concerned with Gemma… maybe one of you should take her out and treat her.”
‘Maybe I will.’ Brady waggled his brows.
‘What would your date from last night think about that?’ Collin asked.
‘Who?’ He asked and Collin proceeded to fill us in on the details of the half-naked guy in Brady’s house this morning.
I left them to it and took Sue her tea, setting a green tea down for Mom when she got here. ‘Thank you… Well, aren’t they all rowdy this morning?’ Sue laughed.
“Just getting them energised for the big day.” I smiled at her.
‘Well… Let’s stick to one coffee each. Shall we?’ She suggested as someone called out to Ness to remember to act human… She’d crossed the lot a little quickly… and apparently the irony of what they said and how loudly they said it, was lost on them.
“Good idea… Excuse me while I go crack some heads.” I said and by the way Sue nodded I knew she’d heard it too.
Crossing back to the guys gathered around the truck, they each got a swift slap upside the head (apart from Ness). Then I promptly reminded them all that we were in civilian mode (including Ness). And that Mac was still here, and other humans could show up any minute.
A few more texts came into the groups saying that people were on the way. Then Collin looked at me and said. ‘Hey, ’Bry… are you really going to wash cars in that.’ He pointed to what I was wearing.
“Why is everyone so obsessed with what I’m wearing today?” I grumbled.
‘Honestly…’ Nessie chimed. ‘I’m just glad you didn’t show up in a thong.’
‘Please don’t give him ideas!’ Seth groaned and I smirked at them all like it might just happen. They all cracked up.
The scent of the pups was in the air as I turned the corner and began the straight run towards HwH. Nothing could prepare me for what the day held. ‘You will thrive today. We are helping Ma and the tribe. The young who will become our future.’ I knew she was right, but I also knew I had to ready myself for it too.
I never really did well in a crowd, I wasn’t a bloody wallflower in any way. But I knew my limits on how much craziness I could take too. ‘Well… today is a test.’ She sounded so happy and ready to dive into the depths of the madness!
Turning into the parking lot of our bar, I slowed down seeing two of the younger pups trying to put the big banner up on the road. They joked and teased until they heard the purring of my baby. They knew the sound, so I wasn’t shocked by the wave and the call of my name. Stopping I winked at them. “That banner needs to be straightened out pups.” Pointing to the side which had been dropped.
‘Sure, Leah. Right away.’ One of them said, while the other smiled his eyes coveted my baby.
I shook my head smirking. “You got to win the bet first pup, daydreaming about riding on the back of my boy… isn’t going to happen by itself.”
‘Sorry… he is just so beautiful…. and the sound….’
I knew what he felt so well. The rumble vibrated in our chests, the speed made you feel as though you were flying, and the revving of the engine… It was spectacular! Reaching out my hand, messing his hair up. “Get back to work. I’m sure there will be some breakfast waiting for you when you head back.”
Kicking off, I rode nice and slow. Taking in the sound, sights, and smells of the surrounding area. Everyone had put in a lot of hard work. My bike stopped behind the table and cover set up for Ma, as she worked on the flyers. She saw me coming and gave me her heart-filled smile. ‘Good morning, Usdi, how were your uncle and auntie?’
Parking up, my long leg flew over the top of my baby, before I stood up. “Nothing new there. Michael said he is coming over after they close later.” Walking over, leaning down I kissed her forehead. “And June…” Shaking my head. “I wish she would stop using me as an example for her daughter.”
She listened to me as I explained the situation I found myself in before. Her brows pulled together, head nodding. ‘It’s not her fault, Usdi. We were brought up to be unseen. Because it was safer that way. I’ll speak with her.’ She squeezed my arm.
‘Finally! I’ve been waiting for you.’ Mac came up from the back of the bar. ‘The delivery came in last night as you planned. I don’t know what’s for today, and what we need to keep for stock.’
Ma smiled patting my arm. ‘I think the boys have everything in hand out here.’ Her way to give me leave to get to work.
Shrugging out of my jacket, I raised my eyebrow seeing the group standing around the orange truck we all knew belonged to the Littlesea Pup. Embry in the middle, as a king holding court with my kid stood right beside him.
“Work. Doesn’t happen by standing around. You gonna move those arses!” I said, walking away from the madness.
‘But it’s such a fine arse, Lee!!’ Ness replied without missing a beat, making me smirk.
“Keep it up little Cullen, we’ll see where that lands you.” She giggled; it sounded like sweet bells chiming in the wind.
‘I lo… L… LIKE YOU TOO!’ She sang over the sound of the music. Followed by a mutter from a pup. ‘Wow, Ness didn’t even get a snap for that one?’
Another voice added. ‘Don’t push your luck.’ Making me smirk. The sound of Jessica’s car engine came down the street as I made my way inside to see what Mac needed my help with.
I gave a quick glance to acknowledge Leah’s arrival… no one could ignore the beautiful bike… the sound of the engine. If I did… it would look like I was hiding something if I acted like I hadn’t heard her ride up.
I laughed at Ness and Leah’s banter. “Should I toss your coffee too then and Mac can just have his?” I called across the lot (just for the sake of the human) to her with a smirk. I handed two cups to Seth and told him to take them to his sister. I could see the minute he took them he was confused. “Cappuccino for Mac and Mocha for Leah,” I told him.
‘Since when does Leah drink Mocha’s?’ He chuckled and headed over like he knew she was going to send it right back.
“Chocolate is NEVER a bad idea.” I laughed… plus… she had made me breakfast, and I could repay it a tiny bit with a sweet treat.
As Jess pulled up noses lifted into the air, subtly enough that I didn’t need to correct them. ‘Is that breakfast?’ Brady groaned. As Jess parked the car, the door open and it was indeed breakfast. The boys almost swarmed her with the boxes in her arms.
“Oi!” I called to them. “Stop.” They did. “Stay!” I smirked and stepped between them to hand Jessica a coffee cup. Patting the youngest pup on the head as I did. “Good boys.”
Jessica laughed. “Vanilla latte for the lady…” I smiled.
‘How did you…’ She shook her head and took the cup. ‘Thank you.’
I asked her if she’d eaten, and she told me she had and couldn’t eat another bite after all the baking happening this morning. I relieved her of the boxes and grabbed a cup. I walked over to Sue’s table and offered her first choice of food. “Auntie. Tea and first pick?” I smiled. She touched my cheek and smiled. ‘Such a good boy.’ She whispered.
Then I took the food back to the truck and set it on the open tailgate. “Have at it you savages! Save a doughnut for Emily and a cinnamon roll for Rachel.”
‘I see what you are doing Embry Call.’ Jessica wagged her finger at me and sipped her latte.
“And what exactly am I doing?” I asked and bit into a bear claw.
‘You are being all sweet and considerate to the girls to get them on your side today!’ She set a hand on her hip and gave a sassy little pop that made me laugh.
“Am I?” I asked, my expression full of suspicion.
‘Dude!’ Brady slapped my back. ‘That’s genius! Hey, Jessica. You look gorgeous today.’
She clearly flushed but managed to effortlessly look him up and down and say ‘Eww’. Which was received with raucous laughter and the pup faking a heart attack… or a gunshot wound. I shook my head… whatever it was it was very dramatic.
They were all having a good time… it was a good thing. “Okay, eat up and then back to work guys.” The two pups that had been hanging the banner came back and I waved them over. “And save something to eat for Leah and Mac too.”
‘Who is tossing coffee?’ Mac questioned as I dropped my jacket in the office and pulled my hair up over the top of my head into a messy bun.
‘Wow… Miss Clearwater!’ Turning to face him with a questioning raise of my eyebrow. ‘Are you trying to steal hearts today?’ This earned Mac an eye roll.
“Are you looking for an arse kicking?” He just laughed and reached a handout towards me. ‘You best save me a dance today. That’s all I’m saying.’
The sound of Seth’s footsteps saves me from replying. ‘So, there is a cappuccino here with your name on its bro. And sis…’ he handed Mac his coffee and then came to place mine down on the bar before me. ‘A mocha… for you?’ Shaking my head. ‘I think Call is trying to butter all the ladies up. He should know better than trying it on with you.’ I didn’t say anything in reply, just got myself to work.
“Less talk and more work. Bring me up to speed while you drink your coffee.”
Both quickly rattled off a progress report as I moved stock around. What was meant for the event today, I placed on a couple of tables in front of the bar, and the other things I set down on the bar themselves.
Once I had most of the boxes in place, straightening up, to take the cup from the bar top, sipped on it. Would I buy one of these for myself? No. But it was nice, and I could tell Gemma had been the one to make it. Her scent lingered in the background of the cup.
Under the sound of the music outside, I could hear the way Embry had taken some form of control over the pups. They were all good kids, but I couldn’t tell the excitement of the morning meant they needed a little nudge to remind them why we were doing this.
“Mac. Why don’t you go grab yourself some breakfast? Jess is out there with some stuff from the bakery.” His eyes widened and he didn’t need to be asked twice. As soon as he was out of the door I turned to The Kid. “What is the plan for the runs today?”
He took the cup from my hand, trying the drink tentatively. From his reaction liking it. ‘Sam, Jake, and Jay have it covered, I’ll slip out later on, so Sam can bring Emily and Kishil down.’
Nodding my head as I listened. “You don’t need to slip out. I’ll do it. Take the late run too so you can kick back with the pups.”
He shook his head now. ‘We’ve got it in hand. So nope. You need to keep all this rowdy bunch in line.” He nudged me in the arm.
“Sure, sure. But it looks like Embry has it in hand.” Seth stopped sipping from the cup. ‘Wow. Was that praise coming from your lips, Sis?’
It didn’t take long for the boys to start polishing off whatever they had selected for breakfast. And then I assigned the jobs that Seth and I had talked about. Most of the kids were unloading supplies at the end of the temporary lanes. Making sure what we had was evenly distributed and each lane had everything we needed. We had a separate area for anyone willing to pony up a little extra for a full-on polish and buff, with the repaired buffer from the carwash in Port Angeles.
I sent Collin and Brady to organise the hoses, Brady was, in general, a joker… but when it came to making sure everything was safe, those two worked the best together. They would make sure nothing was going to be a tripping hazard for us and anyone stopping by.
‘Someone told me there was food out here!’ Mac came back outside. I told him to help himself and he went to eat with the last kids who were finishing up their food.
I heard a familiar car pulling up and I smiled, already walking across the lot to meet it. Quil pulled up right next to the table where Sue was still sitting working away with only two bites of her muffin taken. I opened Mom’s door and helped her out.
‘Good morning sweetheart!’ She beamed… she looked good… she was even wearing just a little make-up. She was feeling good today. I was so glad… she’d so looked forward to this.
“Hey, you look great!” I smiled and hugged her. Walking her to the seat set out for her as Claire and Quil climbed out of the car. “Hey, Little Bear!” I turned just in time to catch her as she jumped up for a hug.
‘Look!! Momma T painted my nails!’ She was trying to show me her fingers before I even set her down… each one was a different colour. I looked at Mom and laughed.
‘She couldn’t decide.’ Mom shrugged. ‘I was teaching her that a girl can have everything she wants.’ I grinned… I knew if I asked; what about boys? She’d tell me they grew up in a different world and she was right.
“Hell yeah, they can!” I gave Claire a high five and Quil went to move his car out of the way.
‘So… it’s looking good out there. When will we be up and running?’ Mom was all business.
“I’d say we could start washing cars any time now… I’m not sure if we are supposed to wait on the food and everything, or if all that is for later in the day.” I told her.
‘We can get everything ready, but I don’t think we need to fire up the grill for a while. No one will want a burger at nine AM.’ Sue said.
‘Burgers?’ Quil said walking back… ‘There’s burgers?’ He looked around. The moms laughed.
‘Well, we can’t count these boys… they never stop eating.’ Mom teased. ‘They have to keep those muscles fuelled up.’
Claire complained when we asked her to stay here and help mom and Sue, only agreeing to stay put because we promised she could help with the fun part.
I was about to walk off and get back to work when Mom called out. ‘Sweetheart… are you really going to wash cars in those?’
I rolled my eyes. “Why is everyone so obsessed with my clothes?” I huffed. “I have shorts in the jeep.”
‘What are you waiting for then?’ Mom crossed her arms and popped a brow. There were snickers across the lot.
I surrendered and went to grab my backpack and change behind my jeep.
‘Oh, my goodness! Leah…. You didn’t tell us there would be a show to watch this morning. I didn’t bring any ones with me!’ The mother, daughter duo who were our cleaning team came shaking their heads, and butts as they shrugged out of their coats. ‘Yeah Leah, I’d have offered to help that one out there with changing!’ The daughter added laughing.
Seth beelined it out the back with the cooler boxes to fill them with ice. ‘Of course, Embry is putting on a show.’ He was laughing. Because of course, he heard the full conversation taking place outside. ‘He is setting up his dates for tonight.’ Then the sound of the ice machine came to life.
‘Jokes aside, I just told Sue this is such a good idea. And look at the young ones all coming to help out there.’ The mom moved to pick up the hoover.
‘Looks more like a photoshoot for Abercrombie and Fitch if you ask me.’ Her daughter leaned over to look out the windows at the front of the bar. ‘We have some fine-looking boys and girls on our Rez.’ I mean, could we really disagree with her?
“Okay ladies, you know the drill. Could I ask you to give it a once over? And then you’re back tomorrow for a deep clean.” They got themselves to work. Singing around to Nessie’s playlist.
Picking up two cases of beer (even if I could take more. But… humans…) I made my way outside. Stopping at the doorstep to let my glance fall over the view before me. The place was starting to come together.
‘Lealea!!!’ Claire came bounding up from behind the table next to Ma and Ms C. Setting the cases down I caught the teenager before she jumped up, giving her a look. Bringing her to my side and kissing the top of her head.
“You’re growing a mile a minute, Bear. Didn’t we talk about slowing it down on your last visit?” She beamed giving me a full 360 turn. ‘Dada says I’m not allowed to grow. But Mom told him girls grow up too fast.’ A conversation I was sure she wasn’t meant to overhear.
‘We’ve got to make the most of it Usdi.’ The two of us had started to walk up to see the moms. Ms C nodded her head in agreement with her friend.
“Hey beautiful, ready to steal some hearts today?” Leaning down I kissed the top of her head.
‘Oh... stop…’ she blushed smiling up. Her temperature was okay for now, knowing full well the blankets were close by ready in case the wind picked up.
“You know Leo is coming with the Pizza truck. I’m sure he is going to be fighting for both your attention.” I winked at them. Turning my attention to the truck pulling up.
‘And now the party can kick into action.’ Paul was hanging out of the passenger side of his truck while Rach drove, with Kim in the back.
“Here we go!” Giving him the mother of all eye rolls. “Bear, don’t you dare listen to a word that one says.” She giggles running off to meet the girls.
I heard the conversation inside and muttered. “Dammit!” to myself.
‘Really ‘Bry…’ Quil called over. ‘There are bathrooms inside!’
I stuffed my legs into the shorts and pulled them up. I made sure not to look in the direction of the window. You know, acting human and all. “It's not like I got naked! I have boxers on.” My best friend just rolled his eyes, and I walked back towards the others. “Besides! If we have the ladies of the Rez worked up already then, we’re three steps ahead! Wait until the guys all take off their shirts.”
‘I’m not taking off anything!’ Littlesea called out and I waved him off.
‘He’ll change his mind when that sweet new girlfriend of his shows up.’ Quil chuckled. But I wasn't so sure. The pup was confident around his pack brothers… but today? Not that anyone would give him a hard time.
I had to hold back a smile when I heard LittleBear talking to Leah. But Quil’s was on full power, and he watched the two completely unhindered. “She’s in a good mood today,” I noted.
‘Leah?’ He asked me with brows pinched.
“Claire.” I laughed and he joined me. “But Leah too.”
‘Yeah… for at least another week and a half.’ He smirked.
“She’s going through a lot… She’ll be fine.” I slapped his back. “Go do some work, will you? set an example for these layabouts.” I patted Brady on the head as we passed. But he was clearly extremely busy; untangling a length of hose and he stuck out his foot to try to trip me which I side-stepped easily. “Nice try! Better luck next time.”
Claire was running off to Rachel and Kim, getting great big hugs from them both. I gave both imprints a kiss on the cheek when Claire released them. “Good morning, ladies!”
‘I heard your uncle’s game was on point on Claire’s last visit.’ Kim beamed at me when she was sure Claire was distracted by Paul trying to teach her a ridiculous not-so-secret handshake. I just shook my head.
“Not really… that was the bare minimum effort,” I admitted. “But if you deem it worthy of praise, who am I to deny you the opportunity?”
‘You know… sometimes I think you really would be perfect boyfriend material for someone out there…’ She patted my arm. ‘And then you open your mouth.’
I laughed but tried to look offended as I said. “Rude!’
‘Are you pissing off the girls already? That wasn’t the plan Call!’ Lahote jumped on my back monkey style and messed my hair. Then he jumped back down.
I whistled to the Pup nearest the orange truck and beckoned him over. He came running with coffee and whatever was left of the bakery boxes. “Coffee for the ladies.” I smiled and handed them each their cups. “And I can’t take credit for the breakfast… but only because Leah is right there, and I would like my arse to remain thoroughly un-kicked today.”
They both laughed and Paul gave me a thumbs up. Then I spoke to anyone that was gathered around the table, the moms, Leah and even Claire sipping on her weird cold coffee thing. “We are pretty much ready to go in terms of washing cars… Is there anything else we need to set up before then?”
A few more of Sam’s Pups came into the car park... walking, probably just off the night run.
I stood behind the two moms with my arms crossed over my chest. Watching, listening, taking in all the conversations, and best of all not reacting to any of them.
People were in their element with the new arrivals being welcomed, and those who were working already stepping closer to the gazebo erected over the mom’s table.
Ma’s hand came to rest on my waist as she sat, when I let my gaze drop down to see her, I found her and Seth sharing a smile and a look. “What are you both up to?”
‘Nothing at all.’ She gave me her hundred-watt smile, sharing something with The Kid for sure.
“Sure, Sure. I’ll believe you, but a full jury of your peers may not, Ma.” The Kid carried the cooler out setting it down beside the table, before going to collect the cases of beers I left beside the door.
All eyes turned to me when Embry asked the question. I just shook my head and dropped my chin down to the two moms. “This is their show… Ma… Ms C… What’s next?” They beamed glancing at one another.
Ma dropped her hand from me, and from my vantage point, I saw her taking Ms C’s hand under the table to squeeze it. ‘I think we should kick start the BBQ?’ Tiffany Call came to life.
‘I know Leah has bacon and sausage in for a breakfast grill. The scent of food will pull the crowd in.’ She pointed out the cars and trucks in the parking lot that belonged to everyone there. ‘Is it okay with Leah, Seth, and Mac’ The two boys straighten up hearing their names. ‘We could park them around the back, leaving space for people who want to spend money to park up front. Also…’ Now she was on a roll. ‘Maybe let’s begin cleaning some of them.’ She pointed at a few which had a foot of mud hanging off the sides. ‘The best adverts are visual. People driving by will notice the signs, however seeing all of you at work will make them pull in.’
My lip curled up into a grin. “You heard the lady.” I pointed to the far side of the parking lot. Mac knew what I was about to say so began running towards his truck to start the parking line.
‘This way guys, If I park in the back, you can all block me in. I’m here until closing tonight.’ I raised my eyebrow at Mac’s statement. We will see about it. He could stay until closing tonight, but he wouldn’t be working all that time.
“Hey, Mac… Hold up…” I turned to follow him before he jumped into his truck. ‘What’s up?’ he asked, pulling the door open. I lowered my voice, aware of all the ears who could hear us. “Take today easy, okay. Have fun, help. But don’t let me catch you trying to keep up with the young ones.” Mac dropped his head a little, kicking his boot into the ground, as he did when he was considering what was being said to him. ‘I’ve got this. I’m doing better these days.’
He knew I would take him at his word. But I would kick his arse if he didn’t take care too.
I gave Sue and Seth a quizzical look when Leah asked them what they were up to… I hadn’t noticed anything. But since when was Leah ever wrong about these things? Maybe today would have an interesting twist.
I was definitely not volunteering to start the grill, cooking for me and Quil was risky enough… but humans? Nope… I couldn’t inflict that on the Reservation.
“Well, I’m not cooking!” I said quickly and I tossed my keys to Fuller. “I’m gonna stick to my strengths...." Which they all knew was attracting attention. “Let’s have the twins move the cars around back. Pull up my Jeep and the goofy one’s truck into the lanes and we can wash those, let people see what they’re in for today.” I swatted Paul on the arm as his imprint laughed to Kim about how she still thought it was weird we called them twins. Which made sense for a real twin. “You with me?” I winked at Paul. The Pups were already moving the vehicles I asked them to.
‘You know it!’ He winked back.
I called across the lot to Ness (for the benefit of the humans.) “Good to go Ness?” She gave me a thumbs up. “You know the one I want! Crank It!” She skimmed the screen of her laptop and laughed before the music changed.
Thin Lizzy - The Boys Are Back In Town
Paul already stripped his shirt off and tossed it at Rachel, who rolled her eyes. I did the same as I headed back to the lanes and tossed mine at a horrified Seth. Mom and Sue were in hysterics and trying to hide it behind their hands. Sue shrugged at her son who was holding my shirt between two fingers like it was a smelly sock. ‘At least they kept their shorts on.’ She laughed.
‘For now.’ Rachel watched her man walk across the parking lot fanning herself. Paul spun and blew her a kiss. I just laughed.
‘Boys are weird.’ I heard Claire say and then Kim… ‘You said it sister.’ Then she asked Claire to help her start getting everything ready for the grill.
I didn’t trust Paul not to mess with the Pup’s truck, but he respected the, so I let him wash mine while I started on the bright orange and perfectly clean truck. The rest of the vehicles in the lot were starting to move around the back. We could drive them back around if we didn’t catch any fish this time around. Paul was singing along with Phil Lynott as he hosed off my Jeep.
Listening to Paul’s voice singing ‘Boys Are Back in Town.’ I found myself rubbing my forehead, I dropped my chin to hide the glimmer of laughter making itself known to me. She was smiling too, enjoying what we saw and heard all around us. Nessie was in her element, dancing and singing, with way more energy for this time of the day than anyone should have.
‘All the packs coming together for one goal. This is how it is meant to be. How our warriors are meant to lead the way forward. Together.’ She was correct. Lifting my gaze, to take all of it in. The ease, the teamwork, the laughter, the teasing. Things I had been blind to for so many years. ‘Well, you see them now. It’s why it’s called evolution.’ She wasn’t wrong.
Our eyes flowed over in the direction of Embry, moving over and then passed him as any other day. He had been the one to pull me down this side of the life I’d left myself out of. There was no question in my mind. Would I have ended up here by myself? Maybe. But it wouldn’t have been for a long time.
‘We want people to spread the word and spend their cash ‘Bry. No one wants you to give out food poisoning.’ Seth laughed throwing the shirt in his fingers over the back of a chair. He pointed towards the pup. ‘Hey goofball, you’re the best of us when it comes to food. Take on the grill this morning? Billy will be here in a while to -- take over.’ Collin Littlesea went beet red in his ears, telltale signs the boy was embarrassed by the compliment.
Turning I left them to it making my way back inside with two Danish pastries wrapped with napkins. “Ladies, breakfast is on the bar when you are ready for it. I’ll put the coffee pot on too. So, help yourself.” They both acknowledged me as they hummed and danced inside the bar.
Shaking my head, I rolled up the sleeves of my button-down, pulled my hair back up again into a messy bun, and began my own jobs indoors.
‘Leah?’ The pup’s voice came from the door, with only his head showing when I turned to follow the sound of his voice. ‘Uhm… well… you…’ I raised my eyebrow, telling him to spit it out. But I didn’t push him. ‘The food… for the grill…’ He finally asked.
“Hmm… Yeah. Of course.” Nodding my head towards the stock room behind the bar. “It’s in the big fridge back there. Want me to help you take it out?” He slowly moved to stand in the doorway and then slowly ran around the bar.
‘No… no... It’s all good. I got it.’ His red ears were still a beacon.
“Take out only what you need for now. We can always add to the grill later.” I called out behind him.
‘Yes… Sure. We need to serve the food fresh and hot.’ This was why The Kid picked him to work the grill. The pup got it.
I heard Seth assign the pup to cook and smiled. A glance over confirmed that he had turned red, and I chuckled. He’d do fine and he was even fussier than Leah so any humans eating his food would be safe as houses… like the houses the Pup built for a living… He was going to do just fine. Brady and some of the younger pups came over and started helping us out.
We took our time with the jeep and the truck since we just wanted to draw people in. It didn’t take long before we had a car pull in. The smell of the food on the grill blew across the lot. Fuller looked up from where he was scrubbing his best friend's alloys and told me to go ahead and start and he would finish the truck.
The driver stepped out and I knew immediately… I threw the Pup a glare. This was the date… He had showered… but any Spirit Warrior worth his salt could smell the Pup and night’s activities still clinging to him. And Fuller was currently doing everything possible to avoid the guy.
Any other day I would be all for wing-manning his way out of this. But there were bigger fish to fry today. Of course, I talked to him about cleaning his car. I let on I knew none of this, I’d never met the guy after all. “There’s food over by the bar doors… and the lovely ladies over there can tell you all about the event today. Why don’t you help yourself? We’ll get started on the car.”
He just mumbled a ‘Sure thing.’ And handed me the keys. Then seeming to think that might have been rude he gave a more enthusiastic ‘Thank you’, before weaving carefully through the cones.
“Really! You’re just going to act like you don’t know him?” I sprayed the pup with a hose as I passed him.
He tried to play dumb and gave up. ‘He wanted to come today and volunteer… just a little clingy… Not sexy.’
I looked back over at the guy. “He looks good from here,” I smirked. The Pup rolled his eyes. “What did you tell him?”
‘I told him it was private property, and we’d already filed all the names of volunteers with the insurance company.’ He spoke as we each worked on the separate cars. Paul was now driving my gleaming Jeep around the back.
“That was quick thinking,” I laughed. “But if he is going to hang out for a while you will have to speak to him.”
He groaned. ‘I’ll tell him I’m not out and I’ll text him later.’
“No!” Paul and I said in unison, as he walked up to help me now. The pup's furrowed brow was all the question I needed to continue.
“I think you’ve forgotten that we had a front-row seat to you coming out, Pup. You can tell him anything you want but you won’t disrespect yourself like that.” Paul slapped me on the back with a soapy sponge.
‘What he said!’ He agreed and I glared and pulled the sponge out of his hand.
The pup huffed. ‘Fine, I’ll go say hi! I’ll park this first.’ He drove the truck around the back. I glanced over to see Mr Clingy talking to Collin across the grill.
‘Is that how you’re going to react when your previous hookups show up?’ Paul teased.
“They won’t…” I glared…. Teasingly… mostly.
‘Or they will… and you won’t remember them.’ He laughed.
“Shut up and get to work Lahote… it's an actual paying customer this time.” I tossed the sponge at him. Even though there was no doubt that both Collin and I would drop a few bills into the kitty today.
‘Do you think the Pup knows his date is loaded? This car isn’t even a year old, and this model starts at thirty-five grand?’ Paul was looking over at Mr. Clingy.
Then he started to sing along with the next song Nessie played.
Someone To You – The Banners
As the Banners blared out of the speakers, I stopped chopping the fruit for the bar. My phone pinged in my pocket; it was Leo’s son letting me know they were on their way. I hadn’t expected them to both come over, as I knew Leo liked to be present at their permanent truck in Port.
Replying to them quickly, giving some extra directions I spoke to The Kid through the havoc taking place outside. “Kid… Leo and his son are on their way. Can you make sure the generator is in a place where we want to park them up?” I didn’t shout or call out. No one but him would know I was talking to him.
Pocketing my phone, I went back to finishing off the morning setup for the bar. No customers would be allowed inside other than to use the restroom until midday. But I wanted to make sure that the place was clean and set to go.
‘Are you planning on coming outside anytime soon?’ Rach stood at the door smiling in my direction.
“Why, are you bored of watching your hubs already?” I volley back.
She rubbed her hands together giggling. ‘Never… that man keeps me wanting more each and every day.’
“Rachel! Stop!” Screwing up my nose. “I’ve told you a million times. Some things need to stay out of my head.
‘Leah Clearwater! Are you imagining my husband in bed?’ She pretended to look shocked.
Not missing a beat, I replied. “Nope… I’m imagining your cum face and hearing your climactic moans!”
She went red in the face and cried laughing as she pulled her small frame up on top of the bar stool. ‘Okay… okay… you win!’ Lifting her hands into the air.
“You should know better by now, woman.” I couldn’t sell alcohol, and I knew she was there for it. So, I turned my back on her, pouring coffee into the takeaway cups we’d bought.
‘The Aunties really did a great job putting all this together.’ She said changing the subject.
“Hmm… You should tell them.”
‘I did, but I wanted to tell you too.’ I raised my eyebrow looking at her through the mirror in front of me. Rach was watching me work.
“Okay….” Facing her with a tray full of paper cups I crossed to set it down in front of her. “Why does it feel like there is more you’re trying to say?”
She smiled shaking her head. Jumping down to pick up the tray. ‘There isn’t. Other than…. It’s good to see our family all together doing amazing things.’ She started to walk back towards the door. ‘You should come out… we have our first paying customer.’
I called out after her. “Oh, trust me… the first two will be paying too.” It didn’t have to be with money. But they were working hard for Ma and Ms C and the children of the Rez.
Another familiar truck drove past from the direction. Jacob was hanging out of the window wolf whistling and catcalling at me, and the guys washing the car. I just laughed… even with her headphones on Nessie heard him… But she managed to react like a human. She waited until he pulled in and ran to him. Almost forgot to take off the headphones attaching her to the decks, she jerked back and slipped them off before sprinting (though it probably felt like walking to her). Jumping up into Jake’s arms before he even had both legs out of the door. He caught her one-armed and laughed about only having seen her two hours ago and still covering her face with kisses.
Brady’s clinger watched the scene with a big goofy smile that made me like him more… even if the pup had a point about the clingy thing.
‘One day someone will be that excited to see you, Call.’ Paul would have sounded like he was teasing anyone else, even in his own pack. But I knew him in ways other people didn’t. He meant it… he meant to tease too… but more.
I just laughed and shook my head. “You think I’m pining?” I scoffed and tossed a chamois at him while I went to get a dry one. “I’m just happy for my friends.” And who knew when we would all be in the same place as this again? I looked over to Mom, the pup was handing her a bacon sandwich. And she was quizzing him about his new girlfriend, he was only too happy to gush about her, which would, of course, make my mom’s day. She loved nothing more than a real-life love story.
And as he walked away, he said, for my benefit. ‘It’s turkey bacon.’ I think they all knew what Mom’s stomach could and couldn’t handle from listening to my internal monologues… no matter what pack they were from.
‘She looks really good today.’ Paul noticed with a goofy grin. ‘I’m glad she made it… she worked so hard… Hey, remember when I used to have a massive crush on your mom when we were kids?’ He whipped me with the cloth he had been using to polish water spots off the chrome finish of this fucking beautiful car… I mean it would be nicer in red… but damn!
I laughed remembering a recent conversation with Leah regarding passed crushes and I tried hard not to look at Rachel, who picked this exact moment to come back outside.
Brady was talking to Mr. Clingy now, he even leaned in and kissed his cheeks. “Do you know who that guy is?” I asked Paul.
‘Not his name no… he just moved here from Neah Bay. He’s looking after the Fox kids… while their grandmother is recovering.’ He explained.
“Wow… kinda young to be an uncle. There’s what… three kids in that house?”
‘Had to… or they’d have probably been placed with townies. And there’s four… the eldest girl had a baby last year.’ Paul said this like it was a normal thing. And it was around here. We really needed this community project.
Okay… So maybe I liked this guy a little more, now. Brady needed to make up his mind about this guy before letting it get too far. I’d always told all of them to make the boundaries clear if it was a one-and-done situation.
“Might be a good idea for them to use some of the money made here today for sex-ed,” I muttered.
‘Didn’t you read any of the pamphlets they printed up?’ Paul scoffed and I looked at him as if to say Did you? ‘They want to have sexual health talks and a parenting class. It’s a little bit of a contradiction… but I guess those kids need support too.’
“Wait… Hold up…” I stopped and looked confused. “You can read?” I said it with near-perfect conviction, right before he tried to tackle me around the middle, but I was ready for him, and we tussled a little.
Giving the ladies inside a helping hand to reach the taller areas, I gave them their cheques for the last month. Thanking them for their hard work and reminding them to help themselves to food outside and to stay or come back depending on what jobs they had going on. I wasn’t surprised to hear they had changed their work plans around a little, so they could hang out and see how the morning pans out here.
Handing two of them sodas I went to give the bar its final wipe down before standing back. My ears heard the song, making me smirk. The girl had been busy finding the right tunes from playlists to set the mood today. This one had to have been pulled from mine.
Car Wash (Remix) – Rose Royce
As soon as the first notes played, I knew the song. It was one Ma and Ms C would appreciate. I heard my name coming - from outside, so I set the cloth in my hands down to the side making my way to the owner of the voice. “What’s up, Jess?” I asked.
My eyes found Jake, giving him a nod, getting one back telling me the run had gone well this morning. And then I saw the reason, Jess called me.
I crossed my arms over my chest at the sound of the bike turning around in the street to come back towards the parking lot. “Is this your doing?” I asked her. My young cousin vehemently denied having anything to do with the new visitor with the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250.
Juan Diaz was the part-time vet on the Rez, and a helping hand to the pup’s new imprint. The man seemed full of himself until you got him alone without an audience to play up to. He had taken care of the Pup’s imprints practice giving heramuch-needed break from working 24/7! Which she had been doing happily alone until my cousin talked the vet into offering Jess a job. Juan’s family had agreed to partner with the practice here on the rez.
He parked his bike, sitting there smiling in our direction. “Have you lost your way?” I called out. “The Practice is about three miles down in the other direction from here.”
Setting his hand on his heart he laughed. ‘You wound me, Miss Clearwater. I saw the sign.’ Pointing his thumb over his shoulder. ‘And wanted to see if you were willing to give this beauty a once over?’ From his direction, I could tell Juan had stayed the night in the shared Rez accommodations Billy had helped to assign the practice, so that they didn’t have to travel back and forth from La Push and Port each visit.
The moms sat up taking notice, and the pups all rushed forward, I could sense them trying to fight one another to get there first. “Hey. Stop!” I called out, they all did. “Take two steps back.” They took three. “I believe the man was asking me the question. This is a competition after all. Just because we gave you guys the first ride; doesn’t mean you get the next.”
Juan sat on his bike smirking, watching it all unfold. ‘Gotta love a woman in charge boys.’ He winked at them.
“Kim, grab my bike kit from the back office?” I called out.
Kim jumped to action, overly excited. ‘I’m on it…’ she told Claire to head back to the Aunties.
“Jess, you can help me,” I called out next.
‘Yes, Leah.’ She ran over to Juan hugging him, the sound of her sweet giggles making my lips curl up into a barely noticeable smirk.
‘Hey, sunshine. Did you miss me?’ He asked her. I turned my head distracted when the wind changed and it brought the scent of the new guy sitting to the side, but it was the mixture of him and…
“Pup?” I called out to Brady who came half running, and half moseying on over. “That’s not going to be a problem today, right?” Raising my eyebrow. Ma didn’t need drama today or any day.
‘Nope…’ Popping the P. ‘Not today…’ He gave me an attempt of a charming smile, which didn’t fool me the slightest.
“Hmm…” Waving the pup off to get back to his tasks. My ears picked up on Ms C’s voice asking Ma who the cute guy on the bike was. And I stopped listening.
‘Here you go, Leah. It’s all here.’ I took the bucket from Kim with a wink.
“Thanks. Now we need a score board. I’m not having the guys accusing us of cheating when we wipe the floor with them.” Kim giggled running over to the gazebo to see if there was something she could use. Seth met her halfway, telling her he would go grab one of the special chalkboards from inside.
Mine and Paul’s little wrestling match was over fast… mostly because I won. I saw the bike pull in… It was a thing of beauty but still paled in comparison to Leah’s. Until Leah spoke, I wasn’t quite sure who it was, I smirked... this dude liked her… I remembered him trying to flirt with her that same night he realised the Pup’s new girl only had eyes for the Pup. To his credit it wasn't that one girl blew him off and he moved on to the next; he had cast a wide net. Kept his options open… until he laid eyes on Leah. And who could blame him? He had good taste. No chance… but good taste.
‘Oh, I call dibs on that one!’ Paul grinned at the bike.
“I think the girls already called it.” I laughed.
‘Damn! I mean… About time!’ He called across the lot. ‘Leaving us lads out here to do all the dirty work! Get moving ladies!’
I muttered. “You are going to pay for that!”
I refused to let Paul drive the fine car out of the lanes because:
I won the wrestling match.
C. Didn’t trust him to not take a little joy ride.
Leah was rubbing off on me.
In hindsight, I should have let him, the car was automatic, which was an instant demerit in my book. Also, the second I turned the key something started rolling against the small of my back making me flinch until I found the button that turned it off… So, this thing was nice to look at… but definitely not for me.
I parked the car close to the exit hoping that Mr. Clingy would take a hint and not make the rest of the day awkward for the pup. I headed over to him and gave him back his keys. “That is one good-looking vehicle,” I told him.
‘Thanks…’ He looked at me far too intently. ‘You are really tall!’ I laughed… he was not looking at my height. Jake came to stand next to me just to make a point. He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled it back fast, brushing off the sleeve of his shirt… ‘Ugh!! You’re wet!’ he groaned… I snorted and just shrugged as if to say… It is what it is.
‘Wow! I guess everything is bigger in La Push.’ He was shameless! And I could appreciate that. I sensed restrained laughter all around me.
“Actually, I’m Makah.” Jake elbowed me and quickly realised I wasn’t just wet but also covered in something a little sticky… bordering on slimy. I was blaming Paul. “And Quileute... but most of my family is from Neah Bay.”
‘Ah! A hybrid… Like me… my mom was from Beecher Bay. But I grew up in Neah Bay. Do you have any family there?’ He asked genuinely interested.
“Other side of the border!” I chuckled. “Not anymore… but a lot of people will still remember the Call’s up there,” I explained.
‘Oh!’ He snapped his fingers. ‘It was after I graduated but... the high school got a new auditorium, and they named it the Call Memorial Hall.’
“The Chenoa Call Memorial Hall… I voiced my complaint about the lazy rhyme, but I was overruled. But yeah... that would be my grandmother. She was very dedicated to all the arts programs in the high school.”
‘DUDE!’ Brady looked shocked. ‘Your Grandma has an auditorium?’
I laughed. “No, they just named it in her memory.”
‘Everybody knows this!’ Claire chimed in and Jake nodded.
I saw Seth re-emerge chalkboard in hand, and I rubbed my hands together. “Oh! If you’ll excuse me… I have a contest to win!” I made a beeline for him to make sure we got our fair shake.
Mom rattled the cash box to me as I passed, kissing the top of her head… ‘This isn’t a charity mister… you had your car cleaned!’
“Yes, it is, and all my cash is in the jeans you bullied me into taking off! I’m good at it… probably!” I teased her and she laughed.
I glanced briefly at Leah; the sight of the specials board reminded me of the bet I lost that prompted me to sing in public.
‘Feeling lucky?’ Seth asked.
I shook my head. “You chose this one on purpose, didn’t you?” He just nodded.
‘Hey, it’s not my fault the spirits are with my sis when it comes to you trying to bet with her.’ I heard The Kid teasing Embry. When I turned my head back to look in their direction, Seth had placed an arm over Embry’s shoulder and promptly removed it. ‘Yuck, ‘Bry!’ Jumping back away.
‘You have an…. Interesting bunch to keep you company.’ Juan had returned to my side, kneeling with a microfibre cloth in his hand to help.
“Yeah… you know what they say about that...” I said nodding over my shoulder.
‘If you can’t beat them, join them?’ He laughs.
“No…” shaking my head. “Kick their arses until they fall into line,” I smirked.
‘Oh… I like yours better.’ He agreed.
‘You know, you’re not meant to help with the cleaning. It’s the point of a car wash.’ We both glanced at Claire with her hands on her hips standing over us. I felt her coming so wasn’t surprised, but Juan jumped a little unaware we were being watched.
‘Okay…’ he looked at me, but I wasn’t going to help him. ‘I have to get to work soon, so thought I’d help Miss Leah here?’ He added with a shoulder shrug.
Claire was now tapping her foot on the wet ground. ‘You know this is a boys versus girls competition. You are on the wrong side.’ She added.
I pressed my lips together. “So, does that mean you’re going to pick up a cloth and help me Bear?” Asking without looking away from the frame.
She went quiet, shifting on the spot. ‘Oh look… Mama T is calling me.’ Ms C was not. But I let it slide. The teachable moment would come later. I’d let her go for now.
‘Damn… All the girls in this place are ball smashers!’ Juan let out a heavy sigh.
“It’s in the water.” I was amused at the way he handled the interaction with my young imprint. My ears picking up the sounds of another car pulling into the lot.
‘Thanks’ Mom… don’t worry I’ll find a lift home.’ The youngest pup of the pack jumped out from the back seat waving at his mom who drove him. Running towards us all. His mom was turning her car around when she saw Ma and Ms C and decided to park up to go see them before she left.
‘Auntie, would you like us to clean your car while you have some breakfast and coffee?’ Rachel put on her charm. ‘Kim and Jess will do an excellent job for you.’ The keys were exchanged, and the girls jumped around excited to have bagged another vehicle.
“Hey... young one… come here,” I called him over to the bike I was cleaning. His eyes widened with enthusiasm. I wasn’t sure what for exactly. The bike, or that I called him over? Probabilities were high that it was due to the bike.
‘Morning, Leah…’ he acknowledged Juan too. ‘Sorry, I’m late.’ I waved the comment off. “Don’t worry about that. Why is your mom driving you?’ I asked.
‘Oh… Uhm...’ he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Spit it out…” giving him my no-nonsense glare.
‘My kid sister crashed our other run around. She’s still learning, you see… and she didn’t make the turn…’ he shifted on his feet.
“So, your ma came to drop you off after working nights?” I asked. “You didn’t think to call one of us?” Raising my eyebrow. “Next time you need a lift. Call me or Seth. We will make sure you and your siblings get to where you need to go. Let your ma sleep.”
He looked at me with doe eyes. And my heart was locked down, otherwise, it would have dropped.
‘Thanks… thanks Leah… can I help you with the bike?’ He asked.
“No, go and eat something first. Littlesea is on the grill.” I sent him off.
‘That was nice of you.’ Juan had remained silent during the exchange.
“We look out for those who are younger than us.” Now my brown eyes were on him. “Not so different from when you let our vet have the time she needed, when she told you she had a family emergency.” I saw him. He may be trying to hide behind this persona he had created. But I saw the good, the bad, and the not so ugly. Just as I did with most people.
Sounds of cheers came from the guys. ‘Leah just spoke to me!’ I smirked hearing the pup telling the others as they clapped him on the back welcoming him.
I laughed at Seth. “It was Paul! And its shampoo… it may be sticky… but it's clean…” I sniffed myself and muttered. “I think.”
‘We’ll hose you off later.’ Seth laughed and somewhere near the grill, I heard Mr Clingy mutter. ‘Oh, I’m definitely sticking around for that.’ Fuller bristled… Maybe he likes this guy more than he lets on.
We were all chuckling at Bear. We all knew she would be helping Quil when the novelty of the contest wore off and she just wanted to spend time with him. I turned to Quil and set my hand on his chest when Juan made his comment about the girls being ball smashers. “Easy brother… it was a joke… she didn’t hear it… and he kinda has a point,” I whispered. He took a breath and calmed quickly, shaking his head and laughing…
‘It’s okay I don’t like that guy either.’ Paul added. I shook my head. We all kept our voices low.
“You don’t like him because the Pup didn’t. He’s over it, you should be too.” It was hard to separate emotions sometimes, which we had all gotten good at… but the Uley Pack had an out-of-the-blue imprint… It was a strong emotion for all of them, the protective instinct and then being bonded with the Pup’s mind too… It was a lot and Paul, for all his bravado, his biggest flaw was he felt too much and covered it with much macho bullshit that no one paid attention to it.
I heard the youngest speaking to Leah and Jake nodded to me, going to speak with Auntie to have it towed to his place. Quil and I could help with labour and if it wasn’t fixable we could make them a few dollars stripping the parts. He seemed very excited to hear the Goofball was cooking… but who wasn’t? The Pup knew food. I followed him to the grill, not until I confirmed Seth had written up the scores properly. “Hey if you need to take the bike for a few weeks let me know, okay? You know where the keys are.”
‘Yeah, that would be great… but I can’t pick up my sister from school on a bike… Mom would kill me.’ He laughed. ‘But if it's just me… then it would help. Thanks. I’ll look after it,’ He promised.
“I know… but Leah is right. Someone can help you okay. Just ask.”
He nodded and smiled wide… taking a sausage sandwich from Littlesea. ‘Leah said I could call her.’
“Well, Leah never lies. So, you better take her up on that.” I patted his back and grabbed a fork, stealing a sausage off the grill. The pup yelled after me as I fled; that it was not fully cooked yet… but it was close enough in my opinion.
‘The girls are closing the gap! We gotta pick up the pace.’ Quil called out.
I pulled out my phone. “I guess we'll be finding out if this model really is waterproof,” I muttered… it was soaked! I fired off a quick text and got a reply right away.
“Don’t worry guys I have us covered.” I grinned and Mom started scolding me about my phone and told me to leave my phone with her.
‘Earth to Leah, are you okay there?’ Juan leant over the saddle, his arched brow giving me an intense expression.
“Yeah, all good.” Shaking it off.
I froze midway through standing up. Unable to understand what had happened. My intention was to stand up for what I was doing, to go check on Quil, I knew overhearing the conversation Juan and Bear had shared and his comment, as innocent as it was, they could provoke the warrior. We all knew if unchecked, it wouldn’t end well for the vet. But before I could make it across the parking lot… No… Before I could even get up from where I was… Embry had stepped in to calm the situation.
Then when I let my gaze move to Embry over the body of the bike, catching the look shared between him and Jake. I knew… I knew what they were doing for the pup and his mom, what I had been thinking before I even had a chance to walk over and speak to Jake. This was proven right by the follow-up conversation between Embry and the pup. He… Embry… Embry Call… picked up where I left off?
‘This is the path you both walk. Now that you have let him in, he sees more than you have shared with another person in a long time.’ She watched from her lounging position. She was completely at ease here. After the initial checks we always did, she curled up to rest. Hers and my sight always returned to the mom’s and the Imprints whenever we took in the scene.
‘Of course…’ she continued. ‘We cannot take away from his own hard work. His learning… his evolution coming to life before our eyes.’ She was right.
‘Oh good…’ Juan had continued the conversation. ‘I thought you were about to go running.’
“Why would I go running? And where?” I had several places I ran, but what did he mean?
‘Far… far... away?’ He whispered. ‘That big one over there.’ Nodding his chin towards Paul. ‘He looks like he wants to eat me alive.’
At this I had to grin, standing up to wipe my brow with the back of my hand. “Don’t worry. His wife will make sure you are dead, cleaned, and cooked before she lets him get his teeth into you. She likes to know where his mouth has been, at all times.”
Winking at him. Of course, at the same time, Paul made a point to walk past snapping his teeth into the air, before offering to help his wife with the car she was cleaning.
“Spirits give me strength,” I murmured.
‘Hey, you gave me the idea!’ His low reply came with a hearty laugh.
“Arsehole!” I batted back.
‘Just, as you like me!’ another laugh.
“That wash still counts as one of ours,” I called out when Rachel handed the sponge over to her husband. “Don’t go getting any ideas.” Paul just laughed.
‘You are really competitive, aren’t you?’ Juan questioned.
‘Oh. You don’t know the half of it.’ Kim giggled skipping past for what reason I didn’t know.
“Get back to work Kim!” I growled, rolling my eyes. “If you’re going to do something.” This was to Juan. “You do it right, and become the best.” Moving on to cleaning his wheels. Spirits, it was a good-looking Harley. But my baby… he was something else!
Turning my head fully, this time making a point to look at Embry Call with narrowed eyes.
“What are you playing at?” in a low tone, but in a louder one I called out to his mom. “You tell him, beautiful. Your kid is up to no good over there!”
As I was speaking to the pup, I kept glancing back at Quil, but he was standing by the mom’s now, talking with Claire telling her she was too big to get carried around all the time when she was asking for a piggyback. We had talked about how Claire seems to not act her age around him and that he should try and encourage her to be a little more independent.
I knew it wasn’t going to be easy; I knew he would give in… but it was a step in the right direction. My wolf knew that Leah’s eyes were on me, and it was hard not to look over to where she was. I gave her a quick glance and a cheeky wink that no one who saw would believe it was nothing more than an attempt to wind her up.
“Lahote! Stop fraternizing with the enemy!” I called out. “Plan A is rolling in in five minutes!” He flipped me off and Sue immediately reprimanded him.
‘I have no idea what Plan A is!’ He called out, for the sake of the humans.
“It’s the one that comes before plan B!” I laughed. Rachel batted her eyelashes at her husband, and he got right back to work.
I saw Sam and Emily’s car coming up the street… and I turned to the Pup on the grill. “Give them some time to get settled and then let Sam take over…” I grinned at him. “I’m gonna need your eye for detail. Luckily the timing was perfect to cover a completely different smirk when the vet noticed Leah’s competitive streak… He really didn’t know the half of it, just like Kim said.
“Me? I’m raising money for the community centre.” I smirked. “Why what are you doing?” I quirked a brow concealing that smile my wolf and I consistently wanted to flash her.
And right on cue the cavalry rolled up… one van and two cars… The van emblazoned with Raindrops on the windshield and image of four boys driving in the rain printed on both sides. And contact information for the band.
“Nice one ‘Bry!’ A few of the pups called out, many of the of-age Pups met the band when I invited them to gig to make sure the guys had a friendly crowd to play to. They pulled in just after Sam and Emily. I stopped to greet the Alpha who high-fived me and smirked. ‘Well played, Call.’
‘Or cheating!’ Emily pointed to us both then laughed, hand on the belly. She knew it was all for a good cause.
“How are you?” I asked her.
‘Sore, tired, huge… full of joy… I can’t find my ankles and I need to pee.’ She was still beaming a smile.
I winked at her. “Keep it up!” I teased her. “You’ve never looked better.” I kissed her cheek, and she shuffled off to the bathroom… or so I hoped.
‘You know she really appreciates that right?’ Sam said.
“My backhanded compliments?” I chuckled. They weren’t… but the cheekiness made her smile. I grinned then, watching Collin close the lid of the grill as she walked by. He was a good kid.
‘No, the fact that you always ask about her before the baby.’ Sam said and my brows knit.
“Oh… I mean, yeah… the baby isn’t growing another human…” Sam just patted me on the shoulder.
‘You just keep on being spectacularly clueless, Embry. It's working for you.’ He said and made his way over to Littlesea. I wasn’t sure what I had done to earn the praise, but I’d take it.
Tony and his bandmates were climbing out of their vehicles now and I started heading across to them. I whistled. “Boys! Let’s get to work!”
Jessica’s head popped up from behind the Auntie’s car and she called out Tony’s name giving him an enthusiastic wave. Claire turned at that and squealed for Tony. She didn’t see him a lot, but she remembered him from when we bought her guitar. She started to run across the parking lot, and I was already too far away to get to her before she stepped into the lanes. All at once fourteen guys and, of course, Leah reacted. Hands were reached out and stops, no’s and wait’s were all called out. Jake got there just a second before Quil and the only sound for a few seconds was the music.
Ready For The Fire – Valley of Wolves
https://youtube.com/watch?v=xNDOhWxAIdc&si=nI9L46k8wmi0gxaN
Claire wasn’t fazed by the reaction however, she had seen this side of the guys all her life, but there were a few people who might think it was weird. Jake explained to her that it wasn’t busy yet, but she couldn’t be running out into the lanes without looking, probably to spare Quil the potential bad mood if she felt like she was told off.
I turned back to the band making a fuss about their arrival to deflect from the scene, Jake had Bear; everything was fine. I got loud and fired up to see the band, hugging Tony and lifting him off his feet. I high-fived and fist-bumped the guys. ‘Christ, Embry!!” he rubbed his fingers together and touched his shirt, his nose wrinkled up. ‘What the heck are you covered in?’
“It’s been an exciting morning Tony…” I shrugged and now the guys I had high-fived were taking the wet rags the boys offered to wipe their hands.
The Pups came over to get to work. Claire was working her way across the lanes now, watching carefully and I could hear all the raised heartbeats around us. ‘Hi Tony!!’ LittleBear bounced on her toes and proceeded to rattle off all the new chords and songs that she had learnt since the last time she saw him and my friend was all ears.
“Okay boys a wash and full detailing on the cars and wash and dry the van carefully, it was only wrapped two weeks ago… be kind.” A couple of the boys mentioned that they had no idea how to use the buffer. “Leave all of that to the twins.”
Fuller and Littlesea were making their way to us now that their Alpha had taken over the grill. The drummer of the band looked at them and leaned into me… ‘Wait, they are twins? They don’t even look related…’ He was amazed.
“Oh well… that’s because they aren’t really…” I offered no other explanation, it was likely they were very distantly related, but many generations passed.
