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.He couldn't figure out what it was, butit had to be attributed to his weekend with Drake and Keith.Gathering his courage, he slipped inside to a much quieterbar.The last time he'd been here he hadn't been able to hearhimself think.It was a lot toned down, now.He could seewhy people would come here, at this time of day.It waswhy people would come here, at this time of day.It was nice.A quiet neighbourhood pub atmosphere.He scented his friend before Adam popped up besidehim.“Hey, Bailey! I'm glad you didn't leave.I wasn't surehow long you were going to be here.I have no idea howyou can just disappear in a town this smal, but there you go.My sisters didn't tel me you were coming.How long areyou here for?” Adam accompanied his words with a warmhug, holding Bailey close.Bailey snuggled in, breathing his friend's scent into hislungs.He could definitely smel the wolf on Adam, but it wasa surprisingly nice combination.Friendly.Comforting.Notat al arousing as Drake and Keith's scent.Hmm.hewondered what that meant.Was it because they had sex?“Come on, let's grab a table in the back.It's prettyquiet this morning.Not a lot of people come to the barduring the day.We're a lot busier at night.Of course.”Adam laughed, bright and cheerful.They had barely sat down when the werewolf fromFriday appeared at their side.“Food for you boys?”Adam shrugged, turning to Bailey.“Maybe we can just have a few oh doves, orsomething.” Bailey wasn't sure he could keep anything moredown.He was feeling a bit lightheaded again.Rick cocked his head.“Pardon?”“Um.horse durves?” He glanced at Adam, imploringhis friend to jump in at any time.Adam started to snicker, shrugging his shoulders.Rick didn't even crack a smile.“I'l gather up a fewappetizers for you two, then.Just sit back and enjoy.”Bailey glanced at Adam when the wolf had left.“Whatare they caled?” he whispered.“Hors D'Oeuvres.Don't worry about it.Marcus had tocorrect me the other day.You'd think they'd print thepronunciation somewhere.”“Hmm.” Bailey wasn’t sure what to say.He stil hadn’tfigured it out.“I'm glad you're here, Bailey.I missed you.”“I missed you too.How.how are you?”“Good.I'm.wel, I guess you know I found my mate.”Bailey nodded.Yeah, he’d figured that out already.“When?”“Just last week, actualy.I wasn't expecting it, trust me.I.wel, I'l be honest with you.I haven't had the best timeof things up to this week.I got into a bit of trouble with mylandlord, and couldn't figure out how to get out of it.”Bailey sat forward.Trouble? Oh, that didn't soundgood.“Scott, my landlord, emptied my bank account.Icouldn't tel dad, you know why.He hasn't exactly been themost supportive person and I realy didn't want to hear himsay I told you so.I managed to get a job here, though.Mysister gave me Rick's phone number and he's been realgood to me.Even when I didn't do a good job.I owe him alot.Besides, he's the one who introduced me to Marcus, soI'm a bit in his debt right now.”“So, you're good now? What happened to yourlandlord?”“Oh, don't worry about him.Marcus and I took care ofhim.He won't be bothering me again.” Adam grinned, amischievous tilt to his lips.Bailey figured there was more to the story, but he'd letAdam tel it at his own pace.It was nice, just sitting here like this with him.Like old times.Back when they'd been nearlyinseparable.“I guess you won't be coming back.” He didn't evenbother to make it a question.“No.Marcus is here.I think I can make a life here.I'lmiss my sisters being around al the time.I'l miss you, andthe rest of our friends.But, Marcus is my life.I can't evenimagine being away from him.”imagine being away from him.”Something inside Bailey's chest loosened at the words.Strange.He wasn't even upset.Adam's words felt right.Like they were supposed to be.What did that mean?Adam stood up, scratching behind his ear.“I'm justgoing to run to the little boy's room before Rick comes backwith our food.I'l just be a minute.”Bailey nodded, distracted.There was something sittingjust outside his senses, but he couldn't quite figure out whatit was teling him.Some days he wished his father had spentmore time talking about practical stuff and less time pushinghim into his academic studies.He felt like he should knowsomething.Only, what?Chapter Nine“Hey, Drake.You off?”Drake glanced up at the voice, sliding his books into hisbag before slinging it over his shoulder.“Yep.Glad to beout of this joint.” He watched his friend come closer,practicaly loping across the room.Jake stopped in front of him, throwing his own bagdown to the table that Drake was vacating.“Tel me aboutit.Hey, when you defending?”“Week from tomorrow.” He wished it were herealready, but he was confident his thesis was solid.It'd be apiece of cake standing in front of the panel and talking abouthis work.“Nervous?”“Nah.I've got this one.” Drake shared a grin, wavinggoodbye as he headed out of the room.“See you in themorning.”“I'l be here.Have a good night.”Heading to his parking spot and his trusty rust bucket,Drake quickly made his way off the campus.It'd been anearly start for him, and despite the fact that it was stilmorning, he was practicaly ready for bed.This had been the only time he could schedule time in the lab.It was ridiculously hard to do lately, which was oneof the reasons he'd had to leave Keith's house yesterday sohe could hit the lab in the afternoon.When you managed toget one of the research labs booked you did not miss yourtime.Especialy this close to finaly finishing for good.He didn't want to go home, though, no matter how tiredhe was.He fuly intended to go back to the scene of thecrime.He wasn't sure why he hadn't mentioned the truth onFriday night.Or Saturday.Or yesterday, for that matter.He'd even been given the opportunity, back when Keithslammed his home.Al he'd had to say was that he couldn'tafford anything more when al his money was going towardtuition, but he hadn't said anything.It wasn't that he was embarrassed or anything.No, itwas more that he was used to people looking down on him.What he'd said to Keith was right, he'd had to fight foreverything he had.He had nearly dropped out of HighSchool, but had hung on by the skin of his teeth.Nothingcame easy to him.Not that he expected it and honestly heknew there were people worse off than he was.Stil, going to University was the first thing he had thathe'd been proud of [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]