Page 6

Chapter Six

Y ael walked out of the station with his shoulders hunched. He could feel the sheriff watching him, but the sheriff didn't stop him.

He sat in his car for several minutes, thinking about what Simon said. It felt like a rejection, even though he’d said he meant differently. He’d said Yael needed to take time to think about if he wanted someone like Simon. While that was fair, it still felt like the ending when it should feel like a beginning.

Simon might have been right. Was he judging him? Probably, but they met while Yael was bailing him out of jail. If there was any scenario in which it was even just a little okay to judge anyone, it should be that one, right?

And it didn't mean Yael didn't like Skippy. How was he supposed to know if he liked him? They’d just met and talked for ten darn minutes. That wasn't enough time to get to know Simon beyond liking his appearance.

Even the way he smiled was sexy. One corner of his mouth went up before the other, as if his smile was in a race with itself. Yeah, that was super sexy. He’d always been a sucker for green eyes and dark hair. He’d never pictured his mate to be more on the rugged side, but Simon was. Or maybe it was all that leather. He probably looked sexy straddling his motorcycle. While Yael didn't want to ride with him, he could hug him from behind.

So, attraction wasn't a problem. At least not on his end of things. And he could sort of see why he might not be Simon's type. He was a dad to his little brother and probably looked like one. He didn't have muscles everywhere the way Simon did. He might be lean, but he had love handles. Simon probably felt them when he was holding him on his lap. Was that why he rejected him? If it was, then Simon was right. Only he could apply all that he said to himself instead of Yael.

But how did Yael find out?

Did he confront him? Demand to have an actual conversation? Maybe he should just let him go and not say anything at all.

Yael put his forehead against the steering wheel and shut his eyes.

He should put up some sort of fight. Simon, whether he liked it or not, was a part of Yael. That made him as much a part of the family as Eryn, and Yael would fight to the death for his kid. Which reminded him, he had parents to talk to.

He sighed and reached for the ignition, but someone knocked on his side window scaring the life out of him. His heart went to the car roof, trying to escape his body. And he screamed.

He tried to hold his heart in as he glanced at whoever was outside.

And there he was, scowling at Yael through the window, telling him to open the door as if he had a right to make demands.

Simon took up so much space. Nothing was left to see beyond his big frame and his stupidly handsome face.

Yael sniffled. He didn't even know he was crying until the tears made his nose run. He searched in the center console for tissues and came up with a fast-food napkin left over from one of Eryn’s after practice food runs.

"Open the door, honey." Simon jiggled the door handle of Yael's car.

"It's not necessary." That’s when he realized his keys were still in his pocket. Instead of putting them in his coat pocket, he stuffed them in the pocket of his pants. It was a little harder to get out because they ended up in the crease when he sat, but he wore slacks to work every day. They weren't made of heavy material, so that made it a little easier than it would have been.

"Yael. Open the door, now." The demand didn't sit right. In fact, it made Yael angry.

He put the key in the ignition but didn't start the engine. Instead, he turned to meet Simon's gaze.

He turned the key, enough to get the windows to roll down. "What do you want, Simon?"

Simon pressed the unlock button before opening the door. He squatted in the opening. "Only to know if you're okay. What's going on in your pretty head, baby? Nothing good, if you're crying. I need to know what you're thinking so we can clear some stuff up."

In a million years, he wouldn't have pegged Simon as the communicative type. And he wouldn't let Yael get away without speaking up. That much was apparent.

"We don't know each other, Simon. You assumed a lot without actually confirming anything." Yael averted his gaze. If Simon was going to reiterate the rejection, it would be the next thing he'd say, and Yael didn't think he could watch the words come out of his mouth.

"I don't need you to say it directly to me to know you were judging me back there."

"The first time I meet my mate, it's to bail him out of jail." Yael shook his head.

"I will not promise it will be the last time. I wouldn't be able to keep it. But you're right. It is a fucked-up way to meet each other." Simon held out his hand.

Yael stared at it and then met Simon's gaze. He raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"Let’s start over." Simon smiled. "Hi, I'm Simon. Everyone calls me Skippy on account of me skipping out of legal charges all the time."

Yael snorted and shook his head. "Of course, that's why you have the nickname. Why would it be for any other reason?"

"Are you going to take my hand, Mr. Stranger?" Simon might be ridiculous, but he was charming. Yael couldn't deny it, even though he rolled his eyes.

He took Simon's hand. "Yael Joseph. I don't have a nickname, but I have a little brother who I have guardianship over. He's seventeen years old and in his last year of high school. Would you like to go to his basketball game with me tomorrow? His team is in the playoffs."

Simon smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. “I can't do it tomorrow. I have something I have to do.”

Yael nodded. He tried not to let the hurt reach his eyes. "That's what I thought."

"What does that mean, baby?"

"You've been trying to let me down easy this whole time." Whatever the reason for the rejection, it wasn't in question anymore.

Yael pulled his hand out of Simon's and turned the key. The engine came to life.

Simon growled. "I'm not rejecting you."

"Really? First, you walk away. And then you turned down an offer for a date. Sounds like a rejection to me." He wanted to advocate for himself. He was a catch, and if Simon couldn't see that, then he was an idiot. Saying anything at that point in the argument would appear groveling, and he didn't want to do that.

"I walked away because I won't change to be someone you could actually like. If you don't like me now, then you never will." That made sense in some ways. He'd give Simon that much.

"I don't like or dislike you. I don't know you. It's fair to say I didn't enjoy bailing my mate out of jail before actually meeting him. And if you don't think it is fair, then you're absolutely right. We probably shouldn't be mated." It didn't feel good to accept the possibility of not getting to know his mate, but he might not get the chance.

Simon scowled as if he didn't like something Yael said, but he nodded. "That's fair."

"Well, that's something, isn't it? Plain Jane Yael could be right about that at least."

"I'm supposed to bounce at the club again tomorrow, but I can see if someone will switch shifts with me." Simon sighed. "When and where is the game?"

"Work is why you can't make it to the game?" It changed things.

"Yes. But I can try to get out of it."

"You're a very busy person, aren't you?" Maybe he was even busier than Yael. At least Yael only had one job. It sounded like Simon had two, and he volunteered to rescue people on the side.

Simon shrugged. "I'll make time for you."

"You don't have to do that." Yael felt bad. He'd pegged Simon all wrong, which made Simon kind of right about making snap judgements.

"I can't promise to make the game, but I'll try." Simon stood. "When and where, baby?"

"Seven in the High School gymnasium." Yael took Simon's hand. "Hi, I already told you my name and a little about my weird busy life. But you should also know I can be an idiot sometimes."

Simon chuckled. "You're not an idiot and whoever said you were plain lied to you. Just so you know."

"No one said it."

"So, you think you're plain?"

Yael wrinkled his nose. "Yeah."

"Stop lying to yourself." Simon kissed him. Full on the lips. And he lingered long after what was proper for a first kiss. And when he pulled away, he looked about as affected as Yael felt. "You're beautiful, baby. Do you believe me?"

Yael didn't, but he didn't want to say for fear it would start another argument. He couldn't handle an argument after being kissed like that. So he just shrugged and hoped Simon would let it go.

"You'll start believing it." Why did that sound like an order?

"I will?"

"You'll say it to yourself while looking in the mirror. At least once a day until I tell you to stop." It was definitely an order then.

What could it hurt? And besides that, it wasn't like Simon would know if he did it or not. "Fine."

"You'll text me afterward. We’ll talk about how it made you feel."

Darn it. It seemed like he would have to now.

Simon held out his hand. "Give me your phone."

Yael entered his code before handing it over.

Simon fiddled with it for several seconds before handing it back.

Simon's own phone beeped in his pocket. "I texted myself from your phone, so I'd have your number. And I programmed mine into it. Call me tonight before you go to bed."

He kissed Yael one last time before he stood. "I have to go. What are you going to do right before bed, baby?"

"Call you." Why did it feel like Yael's whole life was about to change? Did he want it to?

He wanted Simon in his life. That much he knew for sure. But what changes would that bring?

Simon shut his door before reaching through the open window to cup Yael's cheek. "We'll talk about what it means to be my boy tonight. Okay? Make sure you're ready."

How was he supposed to prepare for that discussion?