The next morning…
Pancakes.
I’ve woken up with pancakes on the brain. Blueberry pancakes with whipped cream, lashings of butter and maple syrup, to be precise. I can’t seem to get them out of my head. Bolt’s girlfriend’s family owns a bakery in town that makes the best plate of pancakes I have ever tasted. They started as a special a couple of weeks ago and have become a fixed item on the menu. That’s how popular they are.
I’m on a deadline and working like a dog, so I’m fully aware that my pancake craving is also a good dose of procrastination.
“Fuck it!” I mutter to the empty room. I’ve been working for hours. I can take a break. I push my chair back, grab the keys to my Jeep, and head out. The bakery closes at the end of today for renovations. That might be the other reason I have this unexpected craving.
I’m only a few minutes from home when I spot them on the side of the road. “What…?” I almost can’t believe my eyes.
The car is an old rusted piece of shit. I’m shocked it’s even licensed. That thing should be condemned and sent to the scrapyard. The hood is open, and that asshole, West, is leaning over the engine. I pull in behind the broken-down car. Two things shock me off the bat. One, there are five of them – two guys who weren’t at the fight yesterday, and two, how beautiful Raven is in the morning light.
I know. I’m a fucking loser, but I can’t help but notice. Her hair is a wild tangle of black curls. It’s loose. She’s wearing a pair of messed-up boots – the kind you would wear on a building site or to a moshpit – and a floral sundress. The contrast is stark, and yet it works. I need to close my mouth. Mop up the drool. More importantly, I can’t stare at her. I walk towards them. All of their attention is now on me. West is wiping his hands on his jeans, leaving black streaks.
If I were a betting man, I would put good money on the two ‘new’ men not being human either. They’re big and— Holy fuck! The one has a mop of ginger hair. He looks a lot like…like…Forge. Can’t be, though! Can’t! It’s a coincidence. Has to be!
I realize I’ve stopped walking. I swallow thickly and continue over to them.
“Are you lost or something?” West says, a growl in his voice. “Following us, perhaps?”
Raven shoots him a dirty look, and the other guy – the manager – from the night before elbows the asshole in the ribs. West grunts.
“Having car trouble?” I ask.
West rolls his eyes. “What gave you that impression?”
“Cut it out!” the other guy says. I realize he has the same color eyes as Raven. As in, exactly the same. His hair is also dark. It’s cut really short, so I’m not sure if it’s curly as well. His skin is a darker tone. I think they’re related. Siblings or first cousins, maybe.
“Yeah,” the guy says. “The engine light came on. The car starts up, but the stick shift won’t budge. I think it seized.”
I wince. “That doesn’t sound good.”
West rolls his eyes so hard I think he might strain an eyeball if he’s not careful.
“My brother owns a tow truck company,” I start. “I can call him if—”
“Don’t bother,” West growls. “I didn’t get my winnings last night. We can’t afford a tow truck. This car is a piece of shit, anyway. It’s not worth fixing.” He looks into the engine, a look of disgust on his face.
“I didn’t say anything about charging you.” This asshole is getting on my last nerve.
“Oh, so we’re a charity case now?” He folds his arms. It’s like he’s looking for a fight.
“Stop being such a fucking asshole, West,” the ginger guy growls. I feel the hairs on my arms lift at how much he sounds like Forge. I don’t believe in coincidences. And yet, I don’t see how they can be related. Surely not! Unless— No…just no!
“Let’s just leave it,” West says. “Grab our shit, and—”
“And what?” Raven folds her arms across her chest. I see the worry on her face. Her eyes shimmer, and she bites down on her lower lip for a second or two. It looks like she’s trying to keep herself from crying, which I don’t like.
West shrugs. “We can hitch a ride.”
“All five of us?” Raven sucks in a deep breath and looks at her shoes for a second. “No one is picking us up.” She shakes her head.
“They will if we split up,” West suggests. “Or maybe we can stay in this town a little longer. I’ll see if there’s any work on—”
“It’s better if we leave,” Raven says.
“How?” West takes down the lever holding up the hood, and it crashes closed. The car rocks on its shocks. Even those sound creaky. I half-expect the bumper to fall off. Thankful when it doesn’t.
“Let me call my brother. We can tow your car to my buddy’s shop. Forge does some repair work—”
“We can’t afford any of that,” the guy with eyes like Raven’s says. He pushes out a breath. Then holds out his hand. “I’m Maddox. I’m Raven’s brother.”
Thought so!
I look down at his outstretched hand. I always hesitate. I hate seeing a person’s future. Today is no exception. I would never touch a human, but non-humans are usually okay. I quickly take his hand before he thinks I’m being an asshole. “I’m Stephanus. Call me Stephan,” I say as we let go. “My brother, Jarrod, will tow you for free. Let’s see what Forge finds. Maybe it’s an easy fix.” I doubt it. I can see from the look on Maddox’s face that he doesn’t buy it either.
“You already know West and Raven,” Maddox goes on, looking at the asshole and then his sister. “This is Barrett,” he points at the ginger, who nods, “and that’s Zale.” The last guy is tall. He’s not as built as the rest of them, but still big for a human. He has a beard and shaggy brown hair. His eyes are a blue-gray color. They shine with keen intelligence. He nods as well, looking pissed off about their situation. I can’t blame him.
“We accept your offer of a tow,” Maddox says.
“We’d appreciate the help,” Raven adds, giving me a quick smile.
West groans. “Let’s leave this piece of shit of a car, and—”
“And what?” Maddox snarls. I see a vein pop out on his forehead. I think his green eyes are looking distinctly lighter. They might even be glowing if we were in the dark. He takes a deep breath. “We need wheels, West. Raven is right…hitching won’t work. Not for us.”
“Maybe if we split up,” West tries again.
“No one in their right mind would pick one of us up,” Maddox says.
It’s true. All except for Raven. I’m sure she could get a ride in a hot minute. Only, I bristle at the types of assholes who might give her one.
The rest of them? Forget it. They’re big, mean-looking bastards. Maddox has a couple of tattoos. There’s a big one on his right arm. It’s just an outline at this stage. West has a couple too. Barrett has one peeking out on the neckline of his shirt. No way they’re catching a ride. We are all judged daily by the way we look. It’s a simple fact. “Let’s find out what’s going on with your car. I was just headed out to grab something to eat. You guys are welcome to join me…on me, of course.” I hold up my hands. “We’ll know more in a couple of hours.”