Page 91 of A Broody Mate for the Human

Awkward silence engulfs us.

“And what have you been up to recently?” Jun asks begrudgingly. His tone isn’t really inviting, but I can’t blame him.

“There is no use lying to you anyway because you have seen me at my shittiest,” I mutter. “So… well… I lost my rank and mate, but I got a second chance here in the pack. I’m training to become a warrior and work in the infirmary.”

Jun looks at me, surprised.

“Is something wrong?” I ask nervously.

“No,” he says earnestly. “That was just… surprisingly honest.”

His friend suddenly chimes in again. “I’m Luca, by the way.” He smiles. “We only met briefly, but I think we weren’t introduced to each other yet… not properly, at least. I’m Jun’s mate. Seems like he forgot to introduce me, so I will do it myself.”

Jun looks panicked for a split second, and I have to fight hard not to grin. “I didn’t forget,” Jun hurries to explain. “I just was too… shocked.”

Luca giggles. “So the infirmary?” he asks me. “Are you going to become a nurse?”

A warrior nurse,Dash muses.Doesn’t sound too bad.

“I’m not sure,” I admit. “I’m trying both at the moment. I’m not sure what I want to do with my life.” I can’t help but sound super weak and pathetic when I say it. Like I’m throwing a pity party for myself while talking to two of Dave’s friends. The man who I have hurt in the worst way possible.

“It’s the same for me,” Luca says. “I have no idea what I want to do with my life, so I just started with one thing I feel I might like. I’m becoming an electrician for now.”

“Oh really?” I blink in surprise. I didn’t think he would like handiwork. He looks a bit fragile, but then… never judge a book by its cover, as I’ve recently learned.

He nods, talking about his recent class and how he is doing. I’m thankful for him being here and lightening the situation. Otherwise, we would have waited in awkward silence the whole time. When Deacon arrives, I’m still relieved, though.

I nod at them politely. “It was nice meeting you,” I say while gazing at Jun. I lick my lips nervously… I so badly want to know if Dave is alright. I know I have no right to ask, and I certainly don’t want to meddle with his business… but the last time I saw him, we broke our mate bond, and that shit had to be hard on him too.

Deacon looks a bit surprised by my indecisiveness, but to my utmost surprise, Jun catches on. “He is doing fine,” he says quietly. “Really well. It seems like he met someone, and he is traveling.” He pauses. “He is moving on,” he finally says. “Maybe you should do the same.”

Chapter thirty

Road Trip

*DAVE*

Thenewcarisso much more spacious. I love it already. I should have upgraded long ago, might have made the road trips with Ella and Annie a bit more comfortable, too, but then we would have missed out on the AC-less fun in the summer.

It’s a long drive, and we just stop a few times for snacks and to walk Sugar. Stella is supposed to live pretty much across the country. We won’t make it in a day for sure, but I want to get as many miles down as possible before we rest for the night.

Both Raffy and Sugar fell asleep an hour ago. I don’t mind, though, and instead listen to some music, humming a bit to myself. Sometimes my gaze falls upon Raffy, noticing how his nose curls slightly in his sleep like he wants to itch it.

My heart warms at the sight.

But I try to shove the thought away. The last thing I need is another broken heart. In one year, I had my breakup with Jun and my breakup with Matthew. Now it’s break time for me.

Raffy shivers slightly in his sleep, his eyebrows furrowing, and he growls quietly. His sleep always seems to be haunted, probably due to his memory being recovered when he is asleep. I feel sad for him; I know he has a difficult past. I know he is facing his own mistakes and decisions. Maybe I didn’t have to make the decisions he did, but I made mistakes too. Just imagining having to face them all at once is disheartening.

Another shiver goes through his body, and it seems like he is tensing up.

I keep my eyes focused on the street while I reach out my hand to put it on his shoulder. I don’t want to hit on him while he is asleep, but I hope a bit of contact will help him calm down. Just knowing that someone is there might help… maybe.

Raffy’s body tenses for a moment, and then suddenly I can feel his big hand on top of mine. He snuggles into his seat, a calm expression on his face. For a moment I thought he was awake, but it seems he was just subconsciously seeking my touch. His breath is even now, an indication that his brain finally allows him to rest.

I continue to drive, squeezing Raffy’s shoulder whenever I feel him getting restless again. It surprises me to see him react to my touch like that. Maybe, somewhere in his heart, he trusts me and maybe even likes me… a tiny bit.

I shake my head. No, Dave, don’t go there.