Page 8 of Warrick (Rocky Mountain Pack #1)

Warrick

“Can I have another?” I ask the bartender as he walks past me.

A single nod is the only answer that I get.

The ice swirls around in the amber liquid as I follow it with my eyes.

The barstool beside me slides back, and I can feel the presence of someone beside me.

Inhaling softly, I recognize the scent as Xavior.

A sigh of relief comes out. I needed a friend tonight.

“This better not be you wanting me to act as a wingman tonight. You know I can’t stand hyping you up to some girl you only intend to bed tonight and never speak to again.

” Xavior always hated my self-destructive behavior, especially when it came to women.

But young Xavior, the pre-military Xav, he at least would drink with me and hang out.

Post military Xav? He is more likely to give me a twenty-minute lecture about all the reasons my behavior is a call for help and how I’ll never have my mate if I keep this up.

The cool touch of the glass against my lips is a calming reprieve from the thoughts rolling around in my head. I don’t feel the sting of the alcohol anymore, probably since I am on my third Old Fashioned of the night. As I set the glass down on the bar top of Pour Me Another, I look at Xavior.

“Don’t worry, Xav, I didn’t invite you here to be my wingman. Actually, I need some advice.”

His eyebrows shoot up.

After serving in the military for a few years, he came home to find Silas only focused on being the best wolf he could be and me drinking my life away while finding any available female to go home with that night.

Many nights, he saved me from a drunken fight or face planting into the edge of the bar.

I don’t think he’s ever actually been a wingman, more like a babysitter.

The Xavior who left here isn’t the same one that came home.

“I know, you weren’t expecting that, but I need someone to talk to that might have the answers I need.”

A look of understanding passes over his face. “What can I help you with?”

“Aspen is my mate.” His eyebrows are back in his hairline.

They will probably be there for most of what I am going to say next.

My head rolls back on my shoulders as I look up at the ceiling.

“Nobody knows. Well, except her and Silas. And all her friends. Before you ask anything, I will try to bring you up to the present.”

The bartender, Nix, comes back with my next Old Fashioned. I should probably slow down, but it’s not like I have someone to go home to or plan to bring anyone home with me, either.

“Can I get you something, Xavior?” Nix asks as he wipes down the bar in front of us.

“I’ll take a pint.”

Nix nods his head once before walking away to grab it.

“Not that I mind, but why wouldn’t you talk to Silas about this?”

The ice chinks against the glass as I set it back down.

“Silas has Nova, and they are busy with their new bondship. I don’t want to take him away from that or bother him while he enjoys it.

Plus, it’s not like anyone can really help me.

” I shrug. “You know she is dating a mountain lion shifter named Chase?”

He shakes his head, “No, I can’t say that I did. Then again, I really keep to myself and pay little attention to what others are doing.”

Nix comes back with Xavior’s pint, sliding it across the bar top to him.

“Can I ask why you aren’t with your mate?

Why is your mate dating someone else?” he says, with a look of confusion written across his face.

Fuck, I forget how much he missed in the years that he was gone.

You know the shittiest part about losing your parents?

One of your best friends shipping out with the military and finding out your mate is the same girl you broke the heart of.

He’s only been home a few months, arriving not long before I convinced Silas to challenge Orion for the Alpha position.

A heavy sigh leaves me with a full body drop. “You ever made a horrible decision, thinking it was such a great one at the time, only to find out that what you did would forever change the course of your life?”

Grabbing the new Old Fashioned, I lift the glass dome off as the smoke billows out from underneath it. The smell of burning applewood fills the surrounding area. I’ve always loved this smell. It’s probably one of the few reasons I really order these drinks.

The look on Xavior’s face is one I can only describe as someone pondering his life choices to see if he can relate to mine. It’s okay. I don’t think most people can say that they have been through the same thing. At least, not as specific as what I did.

He seems to sit in quiet contemplation for a while before shaking his head. “I have done some dumb shit in my life, but I can’t say that it's been anything that is life altering. Does joining the military count?”

A laugh bursts out of me. “Was it that bad?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t want to talk about it, but, yeah, there are some demons that I will never be able to outrun because of it. Either way, no, I don’t think I do. What could you have done that is that awful?”

“Before I knew Aspen was my mate, we were dating. Casual high school dating. The kind that nobody takes that seriously. How was I supposed to know that the goddess brought us together for something more?” I take another sip of my Old Fashioned, needing the alcohol-induced courage.

I am about to confess something that nobody knows.

He sits silently beside me. Almost as if he is afraid to say anything, or maybe he doesn’t know what to say.

Deciding to continue on, I set my glass down on the bar top.

“Because I was young and stupid, I thought it was only casual dating and I wasn’t only seeing Aspen.

She didn’t know it. Really, only the girl I was seeing on the side knew about it.

We had just won the final game before the State Championship.

My adrenaline was pumping, lust was crowding my mind, and Lily caught me as I was walking off the field to find Aspen. She was begging to suck my dick.”

Xavior sputters out his beer. His fist hits his chest a few times. “Sorry, I wasn’t prepared for that. Continue,” he says as he shakes his head, laughing to himself.

“What was I supposed to do? I mean, I know now that I shouldn’t have encouraged this and, knowing that Aspen was there looking for me, I shouldn’t have gone with Lily.

I couldn’t see around the adrenaline and lust to see that I was about to make the biggest mistake.

I allowed Lily to pull me under the bleachers.

The fucking bleachers that Aspen would have to walk by.

Before long, it was hot and heavy. That is where Aspen found us. ”

“Oh, fuck man. Alright, I can see where this would be the big fuck up, but surely she isn’t still holding that against you?”

I rub my hand across the back of my neck before another sigh escapes me. “I wish that was the worst of it. Try showing up to her eighteenth birthday with a girl dry humping your dick and sucking on your neck the minute the bond snapped into place.”

He sucks a breath through his teeth. “Please tell me that is the last worst thing you did to your mate.”

“I wish I could say that my dumbassary quit there. She took off to college, and I thought I would never get another chance with my mate. Surely, she would find some guy that would show her the world she deserved and I would never hold a candle to them. I couldn’t blame her.

The winter after she left for college, she came home to visit.

Of course, Willow and Hazel decided we should have a party to celebrate.

I might have shown up with another woman. ”

His pint glass slams down on the bar top as his mouth hangs open in shock. “You are a fucking dumbass. I don’t even understand how you are getting all these girls into your bed at this rate.”

“Getting them in my bed isn’t hard. I offer them exactly what they are looking for, say all the right things, and bam! They are putty in my hands. We aren’t talking about a lot of work since there are no strings involved. It’s just sex and they go on their way.”

Xavior is still staring at me.

I swipe my hand across my forehead, nose, and mouth. “Do I have something on my face?”

“No, I just can’t believe the things coming out of your mouth. I’m staring because the way you talk about women is demeaning. Why am I here, Rick?”

I know he is getting agitated, and I don’t blame him. I have been a complete ass, not only to these women, but especially toward Aspen. It’s time to put that all behind me and hopefully win my mate over.

“I know I fucked up in the past. You are here because I need help winning my mate over. How do I get her to forgive me?” I paused before admitting, “I should probably also mention that I showed up yesterday at Find Me Between the Pages, where she works, and demanded she give in to the mating.” I drop my head and close my eyes.

After a few moments of Xavior not saying anything, I finally lift my head to see him glaring at the sign behind Nix. “Say something, Xav.”

He whips his head to me. “You’re a fucking asshole, Rick. Plain and simple. After everything you did, your brightest idea was to demand that she give in to it?”

“Look, I know I fucked up.”

Nix snorts from where he is cleaning the glasses. I cut my eyes to him and narrow them. He just shrugs his shoulders and keeps working.

Xavior lets out a deep breath. “In order for this to really work, you are going to have to show her you are serious about being what she needs in a mate. Didn’t you listen when the elders would teach us about the mating process?

You know, the courting phase? The one where you are supposed to show your mate what you can provide them? ”

He looks at me as I just stare at him. Honestly, I never took those classes seriously. I went because our parents and elders forced us to. I didn’t know other people actually listened.

“Oh, fuck me. You didn’t pay attention during them, did you?

I can see it written all across your face.

Well, that is the exact reason why your mate hates you and why you are out here floundering like a fish out of water.

Step one, show up for her. Not for your benefit, but for hers.

You also have your mating gifts to purchase.

You know, something to show she will never go without food, so her favorite food.

There is something for her home, showing you want to build a home with her.

Some kind of jewelry or expensive gift to show off your wealth and what you will provide.

The final item is a comfy item, to show that she will always find comfort in her mate. ” He looks at me expectantly.

“Yeah, I don’t remember any of that from the classes. Got any suggestions on what to buy her?”

Xavior throws his hands up.

“I’m kidding. Well, kind of, but I will figure those out on my own. I mean, I have something in mind, but I don’t know how she will feel about it.”

He slams back the last of his pint before he slides the glass across the bar to Nix.

“He’s paying for that pint.” Standing up from his bar stool, he grabs his jacket from the back of the chair.

He shakes his head as he says, “Listen, you got this, but for once think with the head on your shoulders and not the one dangling between your thighs. You know the goddess has her reasons. But I am out. See you around, Rick.”

I watch as he exits out of Pour Me Another just as two blondes come spilling into the bar. One of them sees me looking that way and she gives me this cute little wave. I turn back to the bar to see Nix looking at me with that look. You know the one that says, you’ve got to be kidding me right now.

I shake my head once as I pick up my drink. I have to stay away from other women. No matter how enticing the offer is, I can’t give in to these women, especially since this town is small enough that it will get back to Aspen.

Rapping my knuckles on the bar top, Nix looks up to me as I give him a nod.

Not long after, he’s dropping my tab in front of me, and I quickly sign off on it.

The bar stool squeaks as I push it back.

My navy peacoat is just warm enough in these colder temperatures, especially since it’s not a far walk to my cabin from here.

My hand grazes the door when a small hand grabs the crook of my elbow.

“Hey, handsome, where are you off to? Care to have some company?”

I follow the arm up to the woman staring at me with lust and hope swirling in her eyes. I give a gentle shake of my head as I pick her hand up from my arm. “Not tonight. Have a good time.”

Her mouth drops open. I know she is shocked. I have a reputation, after all. It’s not like people, especially women, don’t know that you can come here about an hour or two after me and I will want to take someone home. Without looking back, I step out into the cold, crisp air.

The bar is on the opposite side of town from the pack lands, which is fine tonight, because I need the time to think.

There is a small dusting of snow on the sidewalk.

I know there is a storm rolling in. You can always tell because we have a light dusting of snow that quickly melts a couple of days before the downpour of snow.

My hands tighten in the pockets of my coat.

I hate winter. I don’t want to be trapped inside my empty home with nothing but my poor decisions to keep me company.

A soft giggle floats across the wind as a couple walk down the sidewalk on the other side of the street.

Her face is tilted toward his as she laughs at something he said.

It’s clear even from over here just how much they love each other.

I can’t help but be envious of that. I mean, even Aspen has someone to spend time with.

My chest tightens as I come closer to Scoop, There It Is.

Aspen must be close. The window illuminates the sidewalk in front of me.

Maybe fate is giving me another chance tonight.

I shouldn’t, given how much alcohol I’ve consumed, but maybe I can fix what I messed up yesterday.

Just as the thought is fully blooming in my mind, I look into the window, only for the bubble to burst right there.

Aspen is close, but she is also on a date with Chase.

I watch as he touches her arm, and she smiles warmly at him.

Watching how she allows him to get so close to her and seeing the adoration shining in her eyes kills me.

I want that look. I want to touch her arm and not have her recoil.

I don’t know yet what will show her I am serious, but I will start with showing up each day. That has to be something, right?