Page 30 of Pack Apollo

"It's okay," I tell him loudly to be heard.

"Would you mind if I ask you your name? And not in a weird way or anything," he states. "You just remind me of someone that I can't quite put my finger on."

I shake my head both in denial and refusal. "I doubt it. I'm not from around here."

Moving back completely to my side of the counter, I start to walk away when he calls me back. "Would you at least tell me your pack's name? I don't think we personally have crossed paths, but your mother or father maybe."

"I didn't grow up in a pack," I tell him unashamedly. "My mother had an alpha get her pregnant then run out on her the second they found out. Not just him. His entire pack."

I go to turn away, but the word he says next chills me to my bone. It's so low this time that I almost don't even hear it.

"What?" I ask, whipping back in his direction.

He's already out of his seat and pushing through the crowd again, but that doesn't stop me from calling out to him again. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?"

As I turn, thinking about jumping the counter and going after him, Ross gets in my face to be heard as he asks. "Everything okay?"

I look from him back out into the crowd where the stranger is already lost and know there's no way I'm catching him.

"Yes," I answer. "It's all good."

Diligently, I finish my shift and don't even take pleasure in counting my money tonight. I barely remember to tell the others bye before I make my way outside. Trinity quit using Palmer as her ride as soon as she found out that his pack was courting me even though we told her that we didn't mind. She confessed to having a new boyfriend anyway and wants him driving her home...when she goes back to campus and not to his apartment.

He's waiting patiently in his car for me. As soon as I crash into his seat, I lean over and give him a hug.

"Rough night?" he asks, his tone worried.

"Something like that," I tell him, taking deep breaths and soaking in as much of his scent as I can.

"Anything we need to talk or worry about?" he asks, rubbing circles in my hair.

"No," I answer. "I'm okay. The past two nights have just been really busy and I'm worn out. Still have one more night to go."

"Want to come over and stay the night tomorrow after work?" he tempts me.

I pull back into my own seat. "Is that a real question?"

He chuckles, knowing I'm teasing him and will be staying over. "Remember it'll just be three of us home this weekend. Brent is at his teachers’ seminar and Roz had to go out of town for work."

I remember that the other two are gone for sure. I'd been sad when they told me they were going, but duty calls. Brent had offered for me to come with him and Roz probably would've, too, if he hadn't heard me telling Brent that I couldn't because I didn't want to ditch work. My brain was definitely playing tricks on me earlier when I thought I saw Brent in the crowd. Must mean that I miss him or something.

I make it through the next night at work with no weirdos popping in and asking a bunch of questions, thankfully. By the time I'm cuddled in the bed with Palmer, the very last thing I have on my mind are the strangers from the night before.

We get up earlier than I normally would on a Sunday, but not by choice. Cordell had come in early this morning and asked if Palmer would drive him upstate, saying they'd only be gone a few hours. So, I give them both a kiss and go off in search of food in the kitchen.

I'm buttering a slice of wheat toast when Jake strolls in shirtless and raking a hand through his hair. "Good morning."

"Morning," I tell him.

He lifts an eyebrow at my sad, lonely piece of toast on my plate and frowns. "That's not a very good breakfast. Aren't you hungry? I'm starved."

He rubs his belly while opening the refridgerator and it makes me laugh. Turning to peer at me, he smiles like we're both sharing a joke. "Where did Palmer and Cordell rush off to?"

"I'm not sure," I answer. "Cordell just said he required Palmer's assistance and they left."

"Hmm," he murmurs. "Never can tell what's going on inthat mind of Cordell's. He could be doing something really sweet or really crazy. Want to take bets on which one it is this time?"

I laugh again. "Do you normally?"

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