- ( @BadBoyEmbryCall )

“One of these days…” I knew if I didn’t check, that would be the day we ended up locking someone in here.

But tonight, they were clear and empty.

I combed my fingers through my hair, standing by the pool tables. My eyes working over the now silent bar. Then the stage and I shook my head.

“Guess it’s a new chapter Da.” I said to myself, and the spirits who could carry my message to him.

And then with the Spirits in mind, I couldn’t help but think of #Jake and -

- ( @BadBoyEmbryCall )

Call. What in the name of the spirits where they playing at tonight?

Rubbing my hands over my face, I turned to walk into the back. Taking the last of the struggling glasses on the bar as I went. Setting them into the glass washer I turned it on before making my way to the office.

“In the name of the spirits!” As soon as I opened the door, I saw it sitting on my desk. “How did Call forget about you?” I asked the Gibson.

@HotHeadSheWolf
I connected my phone to the speakers in the corner and hit shuffle.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AmZhRBz8A_E&feature=share

I laughed at the first song that came on and then checked my messages for the first time since I started MCing the night. A few from Mom about my singing and then three about Sumina. I smiled and set my phone on the counter to charge.

The first car pulled up outside and it was a few of the pups who let themselves in and helped themselves to a few beers.

I slid the pizzas into the >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< oven and immediately the Pups stomachs started to growl.

'Nice one, Call! I"m starving.' One of them piped up helping himself to a handful of popcorn.

@BadBoyEmbryCall I rubbed my face again, I knew what this guitar mean to Call, tonight’s conversation or the fact that he wasn’t wanting to have it with #Tony had been telling.

But it was the fact that this instrument to belong to his grandmother that meant more to him.

It wasn’t like it was going to go missing from my office right?

‘Really, you know you won’t leave it In the office over night.’ My wolf chastised me.

“How do you know?” I blurted back. But we both know the truth.
-

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

‘Leah Clearwater….’ She started, but I put my hand around the handle of the case.

“Fine!” I growled. “Fine…” I knew better now. And the fact that he had done such a good job for the bar tonight.

‘Don’t even try it. You know he would be worried about it. He always keeps this baby safe. And that’s why you will take care of it.’ My wolf needed to go to sleep. She was way too on top of what was in my head. ‘You’re welcome.’ She scoffed.

@HotHeadSheWolf
Another truck pulled up outside, and I recognized #Seth’s scent before they they even opened the door.

‘I’ll never get used to just walking into someone house without knocking’ I heard #Mac say to Seth.

‘Feel free to knock and wait for an answer. But you’ll be left waiting.’ The Kid teased. When they stepped inside I noted the were both empty handed. But it was okay, I knew Leah would keep it safe. Even if she did leave it in the office over night.

I grabbed two beers >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< from the fridge and opened them. If #Mac was feeling off about just walking into the house helping himself to the stash in the fridge was probably a no no.

“Any sign of the #Goofball?” I asked #Seth. “He left before us all.”

‘He’s probably collecting #Nova from his mom’s house. You know what he’s like.’ Seth gave me that knowing look.

I just rolled my eyes. But that fluff all was growing on me. “How about your sister?” I asked curiously.

‘Still a maybe… we’ll see.’ I >

@BadBoyEmbryCall

“It’s not like I’m his keeper you know” I muttered to myself locking up the back door to the bar, double checking the basement loading door before I stepped around the empty kegs and made my away towards the front of the building.

She didn’t reply, I could feel her sitting there and watching.

“At least the rain has stopped.” It was only a light drizzle now, not that I minded it. But the case in my hands and the instrument inside of it may.

“Are you just going to keep -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

Giving me the silent treatment?” She still didn’t answer by the time I was stood before my baby.

Combing my fingers through my hair, I stood there looking down at my bike, and then the case in my hand. “Embry Fucking Call is more headache and I deserve.”

‘You wouldn’t be in this situation if you hadn’t kicking Embry and #Jake out of the bar.’ She finally said.
-

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

“I did not kick…. Okay… but they deserved it!” It wasn’t the first time they had a disagreement. But the comment about #MsC had hit a nerve.

@HotHeadSheWolf
As the pups arrived I started to notice that some of them avoided me and others were giving me sympathetic looks. I hated both. The impact of what I had said was hitting me.

I never have had an outburst like that around them. I could have weak moments like that with #Quil or #Jake... But I shouldn't have let them hear that.

Especially when I didn't even believe it... My mother is a fighter, and she was doing so well lately. But it would be a lie to say it didn't cross my >

@HotHeadSheWolf

< mind sometimes.

I knew there was only one way to move past it. I slipped into my bedroom and emerged with my own guitar, kicking one of the kids off the couch. #Quil turned off the music when he saw the guitar in my hands. and I played.

I played to the only thing I could think to explain how and why I acted the way I did tonight.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Aci2ZgyFUm8&feature=share

@BadBoyEmbryCall

The roads at this time of the night were empty. Not a soul on them other than me and my baby. I had the Call’s Nana’s guitar tied onto the back of my bike, as I made my work to his and #Quil’s place.

I didn’t like going to their sanctuary, I had always thought it was a place the pups let their hair down, and seeing me there wouldn’t let them do it. But, then Call and #Seth had talked me into stopping in, and I saw what it had meant to the pups to see me arriving. -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

Still, I didn’t want to make a habit of it.

As I turned into their street, I saw the Orange truck in front of me and smirked. There was only one person with that truck. Making my roll my eyes, every time I saw it.

My ears honed into the sound of music. Someone was playing already?

I pulled up behind #Collin as he carried #Nova out of the cab. ‘Hey Leah!’

He followed my eyes. ‘Oh I dropped Jess off at home safely, she said she had an early start.’ -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

As he placed the fur ball down, she came running over to me.

I held my hand out. “Sit your prego arse down.” I told her. And with her tongue ready to lick me she did. “No licking either.” Patting her on her head. I was still listening. I knew the song, and the words to Demon danced on my lips.

@HotHeadSheWolf
I could tell #Collin’s truck apart from the others just by sound, he was the only one on the Pups with his head screw on enough to save up a down payment for a new truck.

Then Leah’s bike, well… we all knew that one. Some of the pups were trying to sneakily glance out of the windows. I give #Seth a smile and he just tilts his head with a grin. Still playing the song when I hear the two of them outside.

‘My turn!’ One of the pup said and took my guitar finding a seat and >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< started to play. I moved the cupboards and pulled out the bourbon that only Leah drank, and the pup was here often enough to know how to help himself to whatever he wanted.

I filled a pot (because we didn’t have a dog bowl) with water and put it on the floor for the tiny terror. “No get the dog drunk!” I said to the room. “At least not while she’s pregnant… after that it’s fair game.” I laughed and so did a few of them. It really wasn’t and they all knew they’d earn a >

@BadBoyEmbryCall

‘Come on, Leah, she’s only a pup.’ #Collin gave me that open smile of his. And I knew it. I liked his pup, she was a handful but I’d take the husky over the pack most days.

“I know, got to teach them early. It’s how they stay in line.” I said undoing the case from the back of my baby.

‘She’s not that bad is she? We are doing training classes.’ He looked to #Nova and patter her head.

“She is fine, it’s the ideas the rest of you pups would get that I am -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

counteracting here.” Patting the side of my leg. “Shall we head in?” Both #Nova and #Collin fell in line making me smirk. Yup. They were both pups.

I knew, anyone else would be asking after #TheNerd, but I didn’t. It was his life and his new relationship to deal with as he felt right.

‘Looks like they started the party without us.’ He pushed the door open, letting his husky run in first and then he was inside too. I stood on the door step, my hand tight around the -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

handle of the case. “Spirits.” Their name a whisper and a prayer.

Stepping inside and closing the door behind me.

@HotHeadSheWolf I grabbed myself about her beers while I waited for the two of them to finished their chat and come in.

Some of the pup were already murmuring about Leah showing up here for the second time. And a few of wondering if it was her way of saying thanks to me and the kids that played tonight. Without using the words ‘thank you’ because they knew she could hear them.

My smile broadened when she stepped in. The fur ball flying past my to start sniffing at…. Well, everyone.

“Thank >

@BadBoyEmbryCall

It was a habit to glance around, to see where everyone was. There place was sparse and open plan.

The red couch which I heard opened into a bed, the dinner table and chairs they had gotten from #Mac’s parents and the TV. Two door leading to their bedrooms on the left, the bathroom between, and the back door directly in front of me. Leaving nowhere for anyone to hide.

The pup who sat on the chair with his fingers running over the guitar strings looked up and smiled, and -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

Started to play the song Call had played the last time I came to one of these. And the look on his face, the way the pup chuckled, welcoming me in it all spoke louder than words.

https://youtu.be/514OEdx4ehc

#Mac stood towards the windows, and #Seth lounged on the couch.

“Hmm?” My eyes were back on Call and the outstretched glass. “Next time don’t forget it. I’m not a delivery service.” I told him, taking the glass and slowly and carefully replacing it with the case.

@HotHeadSheWolf
I shook my head and laughed. I should have expected as much. “At least you got a drink out of it right?” I grinned. “The bottle is on the counter if you want another.

“Besides…. Next time I won’t be singing.” I teased her. It was code for I won’t need my Grandmother as back up. But at the meant of my singing some of the pups started piping up with questions about why I told them all I couldn’t sing!

“I never said I couldn’t… I said I didn’t sing! And I still don’t!” I >

@HotHeadSheWolf

< laughed and disappeared into my room to put the guitar back where it belonged.

When I returned I finally noticed the song being played. And gave Leah a smile. “This is one of you favorites, right?” I knew it was an understatement it was more like her anthem.

@BadBoyEmbryCall

“It’s nice know you think your bourbon is worth my time.” I rolled my eyes, but my ears were tuned into the pup and how is played.

I hard some of them talking about how Embry had kick started the night, and it clinked in my mind. My eyes were back on him. He had been music.. to say what he couldn’t in words?

‘When did you teach him that trick.’ My wolf asked, and I told her I hadn’t. He had been the one playing Demons when Collin and I got here?

I shrugged out of -

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

jacket, placing it on the back of one of the chairs. Letting him go, as I pattered the furball on her head. She some how made her way back.

‘Leah are you going to let him off like this? One and done?’ My eyes moved over the the pup stool talking to #Mac.

Raising my eyebrow I shrugged my should taking a sip. “It’s not my fault he is looking for an out, and doesn’t want to share his voice with any of us. You’d think the MC for open mic night at the #HwH would want to open-

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

The show each time. Just to show the others how it’s down.”

I didn’t look at him, I just took another sip from my glass.

“Maybe Embry Call only had one performance in him?” I asked them all.

Setting all the pups off, they started telling Call how he needed to step up, and do it for the pack, and do it for tribe.

When they were all lost in it I whispered “Do it for yourself, for the look on your moms face at watching you up there.”

@HotHeadSheWolf
I shook my head. Were the pups teaming up against me... with Leah Clearwater!

I chuckled to myself. This was a hell of a shift in pack dynamics. I smiled to myself, but it was a good thing. It was bringing the pup closer to her... one inch at a time.

"I don't need an out... I lost a bet and I paid up! That all there is to it. I can still open the sows with my guitar!" I gave them all a smile.

That last comment Leah had me raising a brow. "Really? Were gonna go there? >

@BadBoyEmbryCall

Rolling my tongue over my teeth I narrowed my eyes at him. Where had I gone and where was he taking it?

“Hmm…” I leant back on the table, crossing one arm over my chest as I took another sip from the glass in my other hand.

The kid sat up in the couch, his eyes darting from Call and then too me. #Quil and #Mac turned to look and they all gasped.

“I don’t know Call, how did your last set up with that nurse go? Has Ms C update her setting up skills?”

All the eyes shifted

@BadBoyEmbryCall -

From me to him. And that sounds of burning came from their months. #Brady took #Nova, and went to sit beside #Seth whispering. ‘It’s about to go down?’ Making me roll my eyes.

“It’s okay Call, you paid your bet… guess your too chicken to show what your made of.” I raising my eyebrow at him. “We all get it.”

@HotHeadSheWolf
“That wasn’t Mom’s fault!” I laughed. I knew in theory Sophie was likely perfect for me, she was pretty (not that pretty was my type), she spent her life looking after other people, she was a musician… and she an amazing ear for music and she listened to everything… just like me. But there was nothing about her that pulled me in. There was no... Okay so I didn't a have a word for 𝕚𝕥... But 𝕚𝕥 wasn't there. “Its not mom's fault I'm and arsehole.”

All eyes moved to me when >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< implied I was chicken. And I could let the lie.

I made my way to the cupboard and pulled a bottle of #Paul’s best pouring a good half a glass... For courage and let it burn its way down. “Prepared to eat those words Clearwater.” even with my moonshine my heart still did that thing. I held my hand out to the pup with the guitar and he handed it over.

I pulled the strap over my head and played. I wasn't sure how far into the song is make it without her killing me. But I >

@HotHeadSheWolf
< certain it would be the last time she would ever ask me to sing.

“What day is it
And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up, and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time.”

I sang the words, moving slowly back across the room towards Leah.

“'Cause it's you and me
And all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me
And all of the people
And I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you.”

I locked my eyes on >

@HotHeadSheWolf

< hers with a shit-eating grin. Hearing the murmurs of ‘What the hell is he doing?’ and ‘He’s gone mad!’ alongside variations of ‘Leah’s gonna kill him.’

“What are the things that I want to say
Just aren't coming out right?
I'm tripping on words
You got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here.”

Then they were all quiet. Too quiet, like they were all holding their breath and keeping still. All but Leah. I could her breathing and her heart stood out in the weirdly >