Page 15 of Jacob

Jacob hadn’t eaten breakfast this morning because he’d been too nervous to do so.He felt like he might puke, which wouldn’t be a great impression on his mate.

“You’re too nervous,” Taylor declared.He was already wearing his uniform, but he was slouching on the couch, drinking coffee, and trying to wake himself up.

“I’m not nervous,” Jacob said, even though he was.

“You look like you’re about to shit yourself.If you’re not nervous, you’re scared, and I don’t think there’s anything to be scared about.”He straightened slightly and squinted at Jacob.“Tony’s a good guy.I’ve been working with him for several weeks, and he hasn’t done or said anything questionable.He doesn’t care that I’m a shifter.He doesn’t think it means I can’t do my job or that I’m dangerous.He treats everyone with the same respect and care, including the people who report raccoons digging through their trash cans.You could’ve done a lot worse.”

Jacob rubbed his face with both his hands.“I’m aware.”He’d hoped that fate wouldn’t be so cruel as to give him a mate he wouldn’t like, which had always been a fear of his, even though he’d never heard about that happening.

“Did you call him?”Taylor asked.

Jacob shook his head.Taylor had given him Tony’s number, but he hadn’t found the courage to call or even text.For one, he didn’t know if Tony would be fine with Taylor giving away his number like that.He couldn’t help but wonder if Taylor had done the same with his.Had Tony asked for Jacob’s number?Had he wondered if he should call or text the way Jacob had?

Taylor huffed.“Why did you ask for his number, then?”

“I didn’t.You decided you wanted me to have it.I remember it because you winked like an idiot as you typed it into my phone.”

“What was I supposed to do?My boss and my best friend are mates.I’m going to facilitate their relationship.”

“What does Tony think of this?”

“He hasn’t said anything.I’ve tried to bring it up a few times, but he always runs out of the room saying that he has something urgent to do.Neither of you is fun.”

“This isn’t fun, Taylor.Meeting your mate is a life-changing event, and it’s not the life-changing event I was planning for right now.I already have to find a new job.I don’t know if I can deal with having met my mate, too.”

Jacob felt lost, and having met his mate hadn’t changed that.He had no idea what he wanted to do with his life or what he’d be able to do.He was still patrolling the area and doing his job, but it felt empty.It also felt reassuring because this was what he’d always done, and maybe he should stick to it.Maybe he should focus on Tony instead of finding a new job.

Taylor poked Jacob’s thigh with a socked toe.“Stop that.”

“Stop what?”

“Whatever’s going on in that brain of yours.You can find a new job and be with your mate at the same time.They’re not exclusive.”

“Maybe not, but it’s a lot to deal with.”

“Talking to Tony isn’t going to change anything.I know him.If you tell him everything that’s going on, he’ll give you the space you need.He’ll also support you if that’s what you want from him.You should give him a chance.”

Jacob was annoyed and pushed his friend’s foot away.“Who said I wasn’t giving him a chance?It’s been two days, Taylor.I’m meeting him today.”

Taylor pushed himself up.“Right, and we’re going to be late if we don’t get out the front door in ten minutes.”

Jacob pointedly looked down at himself.He was fully dressed and already had his shoes on.“You’re the one who isn’t ready.You’re also the one who’s going to be late at work if you don’t hurry.”

Taylor rushed out of the living room.Jacob heard him stumble on something in the entrance and pressed his lips together so he wouldn’t laugh.Taylor cursed, and since Jacob knew it would take him a moment to find his shoes, he relaxed against the couch and closed his eyes.

He was nervous, but he was looking forward to seeing Tony again.He had no idea if anything would happen between them, but Taylor wasn’t wrong.Jacob was sure that Tony would give him space if that was what he needed.

Taylor knew the sheriff.If Drake were the person attempting to reassure Jacob, Jacob might hesitate because Drake always saw the best in everyone, but not Taylor.He might seem flighty sometimes, but he had his head on his shoulders and saw reality for what it was.It was one of the reasons he was a good deputy.If he said that Tony was trustworthy, then Jacob knew he could trust the man.

Meeting Tony would change Jacob’s future.It would probably change in a good way, but with how lost Jacob felt, he was a bit hesitant.He wasn’t sure that adding something so complicated to his plate would help, but at the same time, it wasn’t like he could stay away from his mate.Tony would be confused if Jacob did that, and Jacob’s tiger would never forgive him.The damn thing had been pushing Jacob to go into town and find their mate since Tony had left the house the other day, and Jacob had almost broken down and done just that a few times.

He wouldn’t need to.He and Tony were seeing each other today, and while it was for work, it didn’t mean they couldn’t talk.They could keep things professional while talking about their private lives.

Jacob groaned.Who was he trying to fool?How was he supposed to stay professional when Tony would be right there in front of him?His tiger wanted nothing more than for them to claim Tony, which they obviously wouldn’t do today, but still.The push Jacob could feel every time he thought of Tony didn’t help him stay rational.

Taylor burst back into the room, one shoe in his hand, the other on his foot.He almost fell on his face, but he caught himself against the wall.He hopped on one foot as he pushed the other into the shoe he was holding.“Ready?”

Jacob made a show of getting to his feet and stretching.“I’ve been ready for the past half hour.You know, we don’t have to go into town together.I know where the station is, and I’m taking my car, anyway.”

---