Page 111 of My Broken Mate

The pack doctor just left a couple of minutes ago after patching Gabriel up. Fortunately, all his injuries are minor. He did crack a few ribs, and his ankle got twisted, plus he has some cuts from the glass shards, but his wolf will heal him fast.

Above all, however, I just can’t help but think how hilarious this whole situation is. After the whirlwind that was the dinner at Kata’s place, and then the drama at home, this just feels like the incident we all needed.

As promised, Sean fixes us some drinks before we settle down in the living room. Gabriel, as the self-proclaimed hero of the night, gets the sofa while Sean and I take two of the comfortable chairs. Just sitting there makes me realize that we’ve never done this before; we’ve never sat together and just hung out with each other.

It gives me a stitch in my chest when the realization settles in that Sean was right. It’s not all their fault. I feel like the child in me, the hurt and broken little boy, never truly grew up and left. He is still inside me, and whenever I face a strained situation, I fall back into these old patterns. Hiding away, scared and anxious. I don’t know how to do it, but I need to let go of this inner child in me.

“The drama,” I say into the silence.

Gabriel snorts. “For real.”

“Let’s just never tell anyone,” Sean suggests.

“Why? You prefer keeping your broody, dark image?” Gabriel says.

“Well, I will let go of it if you are ready to explain how you swung from the attic into your brother’s room like Tarzan,” Sean says. The fact that he can deliver this line without even moving a muscle in his face is a whole different level of mind-boggling. Hemust have noticed me staring at him because his lips tug slightly into a smirk.

“On second thought,” Gabriel says. “Let’s make a pact of silence.”

“No way am I keeping this from Kata,” I chuckle. “Or from Lyle or Kiki. I am dying to tell them!”

“In all honesty,” Sean says, amused. “I am not so sure if I can keep it a secret either. Poor Levi deserves to know, and I may have a good friend who would love a good laugh, too.”

Gabriel sighs. “Well, to be honest, Evander and Ayden would appreciate the story. But that’s it. No one else but our closest friends. For anyone else, none of this ever happened.”

I don’t have the heart to tell him that once a couple of people know, some of the truth will always slip through eventually.

“If anyone else asks,” Gabriel continues. “I fell down a staircase.”

“That’s always been a good excuse,” Sean agrees. “Although,ran against the doorwas my favorite.”

“Yeah, a classic,” Gabriel says.

While listening to them, I take a sip from the drink. “Wow, that’s a strong one.”

“Yeah, I figured we need it now,” Sean says.

“You should have fixed Remy a non-alcoholic beverage,” Gabriel mutters. “He is too young.”

Normally, his words would annoy me, but after everything that happened, I felt weirdly relaxed. Kata was right. He is just a bit weird but, apparently, doesn’t mean anything bad. I don’t even need to say anything before Sean stares at him and says, “Did you hit your head? Do I need to tell the pack doctor to come back?”

“I am just saying…”

“Gabe,” he snorts. “He is an adult! And may I remind you that I picked you up from a party once. You were drunk… and sixteen.”

“I want to hear more about that story,” I say.

Gabriel groans. “No, you don’t. But Sean did save me back then. I think Dad would have killed me. He always hated me the most.”

When Sean doesn’t react to his words, I figure it must be true. “I can’t remember that,” I admit.

“Did he ever beat you?” Gabriel asks me before he furrows his brows. “Just… imagine I filtered my words properly, okay? And didn’t come off like a prick just now.”

“We don’t want to pry,” Sean helps me out. “But Gabriel and I never really figured out how he was with you.”

It’s the first time ever they have asked me so directly. Like a flash, I can see my mom in front of me, shoving me behind her. I try to shake the feeling off, together with the memory. “I am sorry,” I say. “I don’t think I can…”

“It’s okay,” Sean says.