Behind the Eight Ball (28 page)

Kirk walked in the kitchen, a huge grin plastered on his face. “There’s this rumor about brownies. Please tell me Heller wasn’t just jerking my chain.”

I didn’t say anything, just pulled the pan out of the oven.

“Holy mother of God, will you be my new bestie?” Kirk gushed, leaning against the counter.

“Remi will be heartbroken,” Tal added as he joined us in the kitchen. “Poor thing. Being thrown over for baked goods. Hey there, Lawson.”

“Hey, Tal,” I said. “Glad you guys could make it. And if Kirk’s that fickle, maybe Remi should find out now before he gets in any deeper.”

Tal snickered.

“Knowing Remi, he has a T-shirt that says something along those lines.” Dolf smiled as he joined us too. He poked Kirk in the back but grinned at me. “Hey, Lawson. Thanks for having us over.”

“My pleasure,” I said.

Heller came in, walked over to me, and checked out the brownies. “Hmm. Can’t say I blame Kirk for kicking Remi to the curb, though. Those
are
some decadent-looking brownies.”

“My brownies and I thank you. But I wished I started them a little later. They’re going to be cold by the time the pizza gets here.”

Heller started pulling down paper plates. “No law says we can’t eat them now. Get the ice cream out, babe.”

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Kirk bumped Tal out of the way.

“Hey!” Tal stumbled a few steps over and then hissed at Kirk. “Don’t make me get my claws out.”

I placed the ice cream on the counter next to the brownies.

Dolf stepped between the two. He popped Kirk on the ass and pulled Tal’s long hair. “Okay, you two, don’t make
me
get the claws out.”

“No shredding clothes in the kitchen,” Heller added as he hunted up some forks.

As I cut the brownies, I sincerely hoped he was kidding about the whole shredding clothes thing.

“Behave, mates, or Lawson won’t know what to make of us,” Dolf said as he eyed the brownies.

Heller snorted, waving the spoon he planned to use to scoop out the ice cream. “He’s friends with Marshell. Trust me, there’s not much that can top him.”

“Jeez, put that down before you brain me with it.” I knocked shoulders with Heller so he’d know I was kidding. “And yes, Marshell is one of a kind.”

Heller just mumbled under his breath.

Dolf raised an eyebrow, which I saw. “They’re getting along now, so don’t let Heller’s mumbling fool you. Marshell explained why he acted like an ass to Heller. It’s all good now.”

“Really?” Dolf asked Heller.

“Yeah, he and I came to an understanding.” Heller shrugged. “I know why he acted like he did, and I’m cool with him.”

Dolf nodded. “That’s good. He’s very… strong. Is he an Alpha, Lawson?”

I put the brownies on the plates, and Heller added the ice cream. “An Alpha? Huh. I’m not really sure. Janelle is just as bossy as Marshell. They also don’t live in packs or clowders like you guys, so there’s no ranking assigned to them. Either one of them could lead, if there was someone to lead… or they wanted to.”

“Did you say they hunted in pairs?” Heller asked as he dug into his brownie.

“They do hunt in pairs if possible, but sometimes that doesn’t work out,” I answered.

“Why?” Tal asked, nibbling at his ice cream.

“Okay, let’s say you’re a Vetala, Tal. You’ve moved down here by yourself, and you don’t know anyone. You hunt alone until you run across other Vetala,” I said. “If they’re a hunting pair, they might set you up with a Vetala they know who also needs a hunting partner. Win-win.”

“Yeah, except you keep calling it hunting,” Tal said. “That gives me the shivers.”

“I can see that, but they’re no more or less dangerous than any other paranormal out there. Most—and yes, I said most, not all—don’t kill when they feed.” I took a bite of the brownie. Damn, these were delicious. Go me. “They have to have blood to survive, so I guess I’m not as freaked as you guys must be. I need water to live. They need blood. End of story as far as I’m concerned. Every group has their bad seeds.”

“Which we saw not long ago with the threat to Kirk,” Dolf said. “Lawson, I have to say, I tend to push these two to eat healthy, but those brownies are wonderful.”

We talked as we finished the brownies. Just as we finished, the doorbell rang.

“Oh good, pizza’s here,” Heller said.

“Here, let us help.” Dolf and Tal hurried after Heller.

Kirk stayed in the kitchen with me. “I swear, shifters and food. They go together like peanut butter and jelly.”

“Glad we got plenty for tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to that. I’ve never been one for celebrating the holidays, but doing this… well, I might be able to get my mates into it. So thanks.”

“Again, my pleasure, believe me. Come on, help me fix the drinks?”

“I’d love to.”

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking. By the time they left, I felt much more comfortable around them. I had high hopes for tomorrow.

Heller

THURSDAY DAWNED
cool and crisp. Lawson and I had dressed then had a light lunch. We passed the day watching football until it was time to go pick up the food.

I glanced at my watch. “It’s about time to go. Will you go with me? I might need some help with all this food.”

Lawson turned off the TV and stood. “Sure. I’d planned to anyhow. You ready?”

“Yeah, let me get my keys. I left them in our bathroom.” I hurried to the master bath, and my keys were on the counter, right where I’d left them.

I grabbed them and a jacket. When I returned to the living area, Lawson was waiting, also in a jacket. It was cool but not downright cold yet. We took my truck and drove to Arches. We entered the restaurant the back way and spoke to Sam for a minute.

As we talked his employees brought the food trays in boxes. After I saw the amount of boxes, I was glad Lawson came with me. I paid Sam, and he helped Lawson and me lug all the stuff to my truck.

“Thanks, Sam.” I stood next to the driver’s door with Sam next to me. “I really appreciate this.”

“We both do,” Lawson added from the other side of the truck.

“I’m glad I had the means to help out. Oh yeah, Lawson, Janelle wanted me to ask if we could bring anything,” Sam said.

“Nope. Just yourselves. We have everything else,” Lawson said.

“Okay, then, I’ll tell her.” Sam stepped back from my truck.

“Thanks again. See you guys in about an hour.” Lawson hopped in the truck.

“See you shortly.” I waved good-bye and pulled out of the restaurant parking lot. On the way home, I reached over and took Lawson’s hand. “Thank you.”

Lawson raised an eyebrow. “And just why are you thanking
me
? It should be the other way around. You did all this, pulled all this together. So why thank me?”

“Because without you this would’ve been just another day that I sat at home by myself and did nothing but either work or watch TV. I certainly wouldn’t be having friends over because, honestly, I’d pushed them all away. I tried to push
you
away too, but I just couldn’t. Without you…. Lawson, you’re my everything. I, ah, just wanted you to know that.”

Lawson picked up our joined hands and kissed my knuckles. “You’re a sweet guy, you know that? You’re my everything too.”

“Yeah, well.” I sniffed quietly. My damn eyes were threatening to leak. “Don’t tell anyone about that. I have a reputation as an uptight, narcissistic ass to maintain.”

“It’ll be our little secret.”

Lawson and I held hands all the way home. When we arrived I parked and helped him carry in the boxes. I got the down the plates and set out silverware. Lawson set glasses on the counter but didn’t fill them with ice just yet. We still had thirty minutes to go.

“Think I should get some bowls or something to put the side dishes in?” I asked. “Or should we just leave the stuff like it is? I guess we could set it up to work like a buffet. Do you think that would be okay? I mean, they know we ordered the stuff from Sam, but I still want it to look nice. What do you think?”

Lawson set out the various trays but didn’t open them. Then he grabbed me and backed me against a counter. “Breathe, hellcat. It’s going to be all right. Everyone will have a good time, don’t worry.”

“But I—”

That’s as far as I got. Lawson slanted his mouth across mine and ended whatever I was going to say. My eyes fluttered closed. Every thought flew out of my head as his mouth demanded my attention. I opened and he swept his tongue inside, owning every part of me.

He threaded his hand through my hair, cradling my head, and I rested my hands on his hips, holding him close. Our tongues dueled and sweet need spread through me. Happy. I was happy. How long had it been since I’d felt that emotion?

I started purring, and Lawson lifted his head, his hand still buried in my hair. “That is the absolute coolest sound ever.”

It took me a second to find my voice. “Cats, um… we tend to purr when we’re happy.”

“In that case I fully intend to hear more of it.” Lawson stepped back and adjusted his cock. “But for right now, stop worrying about stuff. Our guests don’t care what the food is in. They’re here for
us.
”

I ran a hand through my hair. “You’re right. I just want it to be perfect.”

“You’re here, so it is.”

Oh goddess. How did he always know that to say? I shook my head slowly, overcome. “How did I ever end up with such a mate as you?”

“You stopped running long enough for me to catch you. Now come on, let’s fill the glasses with ice. It’s about time.”

Lawson hadn’t finished speaking when I heard someone in the drive. My nerves jumped and my breath shortened. Lawson patted me on the ass on his way to the back door and everything leveled out. My nerves settled, my breathing steadied… and all the worries just slid right away.

Lawson was right. It didn’t matter what the food was in—our guests wouldn’t care. Besides, until recently, most of us guys had been bachelors. While he let our guests in, I set out the plates and silverware over by the food and moved several two-liters onto the counter along with pitchers of tea.

Remi was the first one through the door.

“Hey, Lawson.” Remi joined us in the kitchen. “Oh, something smells good.”

“Man, does it ever. Wow, suddenly I’m starving.” Aidric came in behind Remi. “Hey, Lawson. Thanks for inviting us. This is going to be great. Oh, and Dolf and his mates are right behind us too.”

“Hey. Glad you guys came, and thanks.” Lawson stood by the counter. “Why don’t you guys go ahead and fix your drinks?”

Dolf, Tal, and Kirk greeted Lawson and followed him to the kitchen. I offered them a choice of drinks. Once they each had a beverage, they joined Aidric and Remi in the living area.

I poured myself a glass of tea. “Okay, that just leaves—”

Lawson’s cell rang, the ringtone blasting away. Frowning, he took it out of his pocket. “Huh. It’s Marshell.”

“Wonder why he’s calling?”

“I don’t know,” Lawson said.

“Well, I hope he—hold that thought. Someone’s at the door.” I set my tea on the counter. “It must be Sam and Janelle. Be right back.”

“Okay.” Lawson answered his cell. “Hello? Hey! What’s going on, Marshell?”

I opened the back door to Sam and Janelle. “Hey, guys. Glad you could come.”

“Thanks for inviting us. Is everyone here?” Sam asked, grinning. “Janelle’s starving.”

“Uh-huh. That’s why
your
stomach was growling in the car,” she said.

“Ha! She told off on you, Sam. Everyone but Marshell is here, and Lawson’s talking to him now.” I led them to the kitchen. “Not sure what’s going on, but come on in and fix yourselves a drink.”

Lawson hung up. “Hey, you two.”

“Hey back.” Janelle fixed a drink and looked at Lawson. “Okay, so what’s Marshell done this time?”

Dolf, Tal, and Kirk came back to the kitchen. Remi and Aidric were right behind them. Everyone exchanged greetings. Lawson just shook his head once everyone finished saying hello. Remi leaned against one of the counters while Aidric refilled his drink.

“He had a flat.” Lawson poured himself a drink. “He hasn’t left yet, and it takes twenty minutes to get here once he does leave.”

“He is coming, right?” Janelle asked.

I started uncovering trays, and Janelle helped me. “Thanks,” I mumbled to her.

“Yeah, he’s still coming,” Lawson said. “He said to go ahead and start without him, and he’s sorry. Okay, food’s ready. Just fix a plate and head to the dining room.”

Lawson moved out of the way so they could start the buffet line. I stepped up to him and pulled him a little out of the way of everyone else. Quickly I hugged him. I wished we could have a private moment, but we couldn’t disappear on our guests, so this was the best I could do for now.

“He’ll be here. He knows how important this is to you.”

“I know. He was sorry, but I could hear how stressed he was,” Lawson whispered from my arms. “Marshell was mad. Really, really mad. That’s never a good thing. I guess we better join them. Everyone’s about ready to eat.”

“They can wait if you need a minute,” I said.

“Naw, I’m fine, but thanks, babe.” Lawson stepped back. “Come on, let’s eat.”

Lawson and I fixed a plate and joined our guests at the table. No one spoke for the first couple of minutes since they were so busy stuffing their faces. After the first rush of hunger was appeased, conversation was struck up.

“Sam, this is great. Hell, this is better than anything I’ve cooked. I want to say thank you again for doing this for us,” Lawson said.

“Yeah, this is the best dressing I’ve ever had,” Aidric said.

“I agree,” Remi said. “Turkey is nice and tender too.”

“I swear to God,” Kirk said as he ate. “I’m probably going to have to be carried out of here later.”

“Not a problem, mate,” Dolf said. “And I agree, Sam. This is wonderful.”

“Thanks, everyone. I’ll make sure to pass that along to the cook,” Sam said.

“With my thanks too, Sam. I dumped this on you at the last minute, so I really am thankful,” I said.