“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 -
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.
-
“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 >
< 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.
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. -
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.’ -
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 >
‘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 -
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 -
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 >
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 -
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.
#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 >
< 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.
“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 -
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-
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? >
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
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 >
< 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 >
@HotHeadSheWolf
< quiet atmosphere.
“Cause it's you and me
And all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
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
There's something about you now
That I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right.”
There was that unexplored world behind Leah’s eyes. All those things that no one ever figured out. Things that couldn't be unseen once you caught a glimpse >
@HotHeadSheWolf
< of them. Things that I suddenly needed to know.
“'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 and me
And all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
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
What day is it?
And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive.”
It was only when I >
@HotHeadSheWolf
< ran out of words that I remembered I was singing... Again. Because of Leah again... To Leah.... again.
“So, you are admitting that it’s not Ms.C who has the bad taste? So…. If she were to set me up… it would be with a good guy… if only I needed a man to make me whole.”
The fact that he jumped to his moms defence was exactly what I wanted to see. Our moms did that crap to see us happy. #MsC or Ma setting me up, was irritating at times. But I saw the meaning behind it.
My eyebrows pulled together when he got that look in his eyes, it was one of gotten to know now. -
One I’d missed for years. And the shot of #Paul’s moonshine was telling too.
The whispers and murmurings disappeared into background noise. Because as soon as he started to play, I heard nothing else. Wind blew in through the open windows, engulfing me fully.
She was listening to the words with me. And his heart was pounding once again just as it had in the bar earlier. But it the the whispers of the spirits, they were singing and dancing. They were being pulled into -
This world of his, pulled into his gravity like his voice and his playing was a planet they wanted to be a part of.
‘Leah?’ My wolf whispered to tell me to be here, but his eyes had taken a hold of me. His dark eyes, with those black flex speckled in them saw something I didn’t want others to see.
He came too when he realised the song was over. And the room was silent all eyes on him.
I titled my head to the side. “You do realise that’s three for three wins for -
Leah Clearwater? You do like losing to me don’t you?”
Did I want to punch him for doing that? Whatever 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 was…. 𝙔𝙚𝙨! But with the outburst before. And now this… I’d end up doing the one thing I didn’t want the wolves doing in front of the pups.
‘Look who is learning.’ My wolf scoffed with amusement.
@HotHeadSheWolf
I had to shake off the fog, remembering that there were still people her. This was supposed to have been a joke, to tease her with a mock serenade... but...
I huffed a laugh at her comment and dropped my eyes from hers. Willing my heart to keep a steady pace. It did.
I bit my lower lips and smiled. "You can twist anything to make it sound like you won, can't you?" I teased her, I knew this round was a draw. she had gotten a little too, I knew... because this time I saw >
@HotHeadSheWolf
< deeper into her than she'd let me before... Here... With the pack and the pups.
I walked over to the counters again and poured to doubles of the moonshine and then walked back to hand on to Leah. "Well played, Clearwater." I held my glass out to her.
The room came back to life, all the faces who had been waiting with baited breaths let them out all at once when my fist didn’t meet his face. And let’s face it, I only held back because he was holding a guitar. I couldn’t have him saying I only got the hit in because his hands were full.
‘Sure, sure… keep telling yourself that. I know you called him a friend remember?’ I could snap at her, but it would have to wait until later.
-
‘She didn’t twist that one ‘Bry, she won fair and square.’ The Kid said laughing, as he pushed up to stand to go get himself another beer.
“If that’s what you need to tell yourself to get a good nights sleep Call, fine by me.” I took the new glass from him, setting the other now empty one on the table. “Moonshine? Still in need of the liquid courage?” I asked clinking my glass to his.
‘Oh, so we don’t get any of that?’ #Brady scoffed, jumping up -
to go pour out a few shots of the moonshine for himself and a few others.
“I only play to win, you know that.” I told Call and hit the shot back in one swoop.
Closing my eyes, I made a face as the clear liquid burned it’s way over my tongue and down my throat. The heat burning in my stomach.
“Is…. Is it me… or is this crap getting worse with each batch he makes?”
@HotHeadSheWolf
"Nah! Just need something strong to toast with." I knocked back the shot and felt the burn all the way down until the heat settled in my stomach.
I rolled my eyes at #Seth. "Thanks for the backup Kid."
I scoffed at #Brady. "You know where the glasses live! And go easy on that. #Collin has better things to do than babysit your wasted arse!"
I turned back to Leah and nodded. "It's like he's trying to find a brew that can make a wolf gor blind."
#Collin glanced up, he was sat on the floor now, his back resting on the couch and his furball curled up with her paws over his lap, and her head resting on top of it.
‘He’s not been too bad of late.’ One of the other pups called out winking at #Brady, giving him some back up.
“That just means he is due a firestorm, let’s not have that happen tonight huh.” My eyes were set on the pups, and without words they knew it was a one and done deal on the moonshine for them.
-
‘Hey, Sis get’s back up first.’ Quickly the Kid held his hands up. ‘Not that she needs it… Never… Not at all...’ That trademark #Seth cheeky smile was back.
‘You need to back away slowly.’ #Mac whispers into his ear, but of course we could all hear it.
“I smell Pizza and popcorn, is there any left?” My burning stomach needed something to settle it, as the low hum of the moonshine kissed my mind.
@HotHeadSheWolf
I laughed at the pups. It had been a while since #Brady went full Monty after too much moonshine. We all knew it was because he was behaving himself while Collin figured this whole, imprint outside of the tribe thing.
I had completely forgotten about the pizza. “Shit!” I made my way to the oven opened it, there's a lot of steam but nothing was burnt. Just extra crispy crusts. I slice them and the pups started linens up and stealing slices. I put two slices each on plate for >
@HotHeadSheWolf
< Leah and #Mac and grabbed one for me.
“To the victor go the spoils.” I grinned a Leah and handed her the plate. “And I won't make you battle it out with the peasants since it's only your second time dealing with this bunch.” I said, handing Mac his plate.
‘I think it’s burnt.’ #Mac said low, leaning into me. But I knew it wasn’t. It’s was close but it had tipped over that edge just yet.
“You think so huh?” I asked, because how would I explain to my human friend that I could smell it and I could tell it was safe to eat.
Music, teasing, talking where all forgotten as soon as the oven door opened the the house filled with the scent of pizza. Even a couple of pups who had been standing outside to cool down came running in. -
“If you need crowd control, you know I can help.” It would take two words and then would fall in line.
I took the plate from Call and smirked, still watching the madness unfolding.
‘It’s okay, you can just forget about me. I’m only your best friend and house mate.’ #Quil jumped around the pups to grab some for himself.
“I’m special Quil, special enough to make Call forget about his wife.” Grinning as I said it. Because it wasn’t true. Their friendship went deeper -
than blood.
‘Looking to take over my job?’ #Quil teased me coming to stand beside us all now too.
“Spirits NO! You couldn’t pay me enough.” Shaking my hand I picked up a slice and took a big bite.
I laughed at #Quil. “Thanks bro’ that really takes a weight off my shoulder.” I smirked at him. “I really appreciate that.” he just rolled his eyes at me and murmured. ‘And he says Leah can twist anything to her advantage.’ I could hear the chuckle in his voice. The wife comment was so normal now we hardly acknowledged it?
I took about from the slice of pizza. “I really should have put in the effort the add more to these...” I laughed. But I was distracted when I came home. >
@HotHeadSheWolf
< The fight with #Jake was still fresh.
I caught a glimpse of Leah smoking out of the corner of my eye, I covered my reciprocating smiley taking another big bite of the pizza.
I didn’t say anything, just leant on the table. My legs crossed at the ankles, eating the pizza and listening. Watching. Taking in the conversations breaking out in the room. Everyone of them had their own subjects.
There was talk about the pups who stepped on stage. I was never one to praise them. But they would know, I’d show it in my own way.
Someone wanted to slip out to give my baby a once over. I turned my head slightly and that conversation stopped. They all knew-
I could hear them. And I’ve kick their arses if they touched him.
#Nova was getting her belly rubbed by anyone with a free hand, and she was lapping it up.
#Quil, #Mac and the Kid joking with Call.
‘Do what to these?’ #Mac asked with his mouthful.
‘He loads them up. You need to try one of those.’ #Seth replied, rubbing his stomach eyeing the slice on my plate.
“Touch it and you will pay.” I told him, looking around for my glass to refill it with the bourbon.
I nodded when said #Seth said that #Mac needed to try my loaded pizza. "Oh yeah... these supermarket pizzas aren't quite a full meal, extra cheese, whatever meat we have in the fridge... Adding german sausage to a pepperoni pizza..." I made an approving grunting sound. "So good!!"
I laughed at #Seth eyeing up his big sister's pizza. "Even I'm not stupid enough t touch her food Kid!" I laughed.
And one of the pups who had been looking in the cupboard for vodka hand Leah the >
@HotHeadSheWolf
< bourbon when he spotted her looking at her empty glass. He even smiled at her... just a friendly smile.
"You were hotting the moonshine earlier..." I said to him, noting the vodka bottle in his other hand. "Keys in the bowl." I pointed to the bowl on top of the fridge.
He huffed... but he relinquished the keys and put them in the bowl, #Brady had just dumped his in as soon as he came in the door. #Paul tended to do the same.
I found myself rolling my eyes at the Kid and Call. “It’s worrying when Call has learnt a lesson, but you haven’t Kid.” I told him, finding the bourbon bottle floating in the air to my side.
When I turned to find the pup stood there smiling at me, I glanced at him and the bottle with a raised eyebrow. Why was he smiling at me? Nodding my head once I took it and filled my glass with a double, watching the exchange with him and Call.
-
I hadn’t noticed the bowl on top of the fridge, and before my mind could take a trip down the rabbit hole, I got it. I understood what was happening. And I should have known.
“Good to see the Third -in- command is taking decent care of the pups.” My voice was low so that #Mac couldn’t hear what I was saying between bites and chewing.
@HotHeadSheWolf
I chuckled at Leah and just nodded. "They know they can crash here, so there's no reason to do anything stupid" I whisper behind the bottle of beer I had half raised to my mouth
I finished off the slice of pizza in my hand... but of course, there was none left, so I pulled out a bag of Doritos and a jar of salsa that was already open in the fridge. A quick sniff told me it couldn't have been in there that long.
I scopped up some of the dip and held out the bag offering it >
@HotHeadSheWolf
< to Leah, #Mac and #Seth.
"Want some?"
ᒪEᗩᕼ ᑕᒪEᗩᖇᗯᗩTEᖇ
Embry Call