Page 11 of Stuck with my Pack
I hit send before I can second-guess myself, then pull up Tyler’s contact and send the same message.
Me:We need to talk. Bar in an hour.
The rain has slowed to a drizzle by the time I push off the tree. There’s no turning back now. It starts with them—with us. If I want to have any chance of fixing this, of figuring out what the hell to do about Sophie, it starts here.
As I head back toward the house to change, a strange sense of purpose settles over me. It’s not much, but it’s a start. And I feel like I’m moving toward something instead of running away.
The faint buzz of my phone pulls me from my thoughts, and I glance down to see Brodie’s reply.
Brodie:You buying?
Me:Don’t push it.
A small smile tugs at my lips.
I never thought a drink with them would feel like progress, but damn if it doesn’t feel like the first step. This isn’t going to be easy—none of it is—but I’m ready to try.
I step into the bar,shaking off the rain as I scan the room. It’s warm, noisy, and alive in a way that feels good. I spot Brodie first. His broad shoulders shake with laughter as he talks with the bartender. He turns, catching sight of me, and raises an eyebrow, his grin as lazy and self-assured as ever.
“Look who decided to grow a pair,” he says as I approach, his voice laced with amusement, but I can sense his insecurity. Brodie never did think he was worth anything. He was so wrong, though. I’ve never met a more solid Alpha.
“Don’t start,” I warn, sliding onto the stool beside him. The familiar scent of sun-warmed leather and spice rolls off him, grounding me more than I’d like to admit. God, I’ve missed him.
Brodie chuckles, signaling the bartender for another round. He looks at me and bumps my shoulder with his. “Relax, Young. It’s just a drink.”
“Yeah, famous last words,” I mutter, but the words lack heat.
Before he can respond, the door swings open, and Tyler strides in, his citrus and sage scent cutting through the room. He spots us immediately, his smile widening as he approaches. He never could keep his emotions to himself.
“Well, isn’t this cozy,” he says, dragging a stool closer and plopping down. “What’s the occasion? Group therapy?”
I roll my eyes. “Something like that.”
Brodie snorts. “Figured it was about time we had a family reunion. Thought I’d start with a drink.”
“Family, huh?” Tyler leans back, his grin fading just slightly. “Funny. Feels like we’ve been anything but.”
The weight of his words settles over the table, thick and unspoken. For a moment, none of us speak, the hum of the bar filling the space where our pack bond used to be.
I clear my throat, forcing myself to meet their gazes. “Look, I know things haven’t been…right. I…I screwed up. I gave up, and I didn’t do enough to hold us together.” The hot burn of shame rides me hard.
Brodie’s grin fades entirely, replaced by something softer, more serious, putting his arm on my shoulders. “It wasn’t all on you, Ethan. I left, remember? No one forced me.”
“Why did you leave?” Tyler asks, and I look at him. I can see the hurt that he keeps buried underneath all that easy charm.
Brodie looks away, his jaw tightening. “I didn’t think I had to explain. It felt like…I don’t know…like I didn’t fit anymore. Like I couldn’t give you what you needed.”
“And now?” I press, my voice steady but low. “Why are you back?”
Brodie glances at me, then Tyler, a flicker of something vulnerable in his amber eyes. “Honestly? Why I left doesn’t seem important anymore. And seeing you two again…it feels like maybe I was wrong.”
Tyler exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Damn right, you were wrong.” For a moment, I can see the two of them lost in each other. Tyler is the first to look away to take a big swallow of his beer.
Brodie smirks, the tension breaking slightly. “You missed me. Admit it.”
Tyler’s lips twitch, and for a moment, the sharpness in his expression softens. “Yeah, I missed you, asshole.”
“And you,” Brodie says, his gaze sliding to me. “Don’t think I didn’t notice how grumpy you’ve been without me. Admit it—you’ve missed my charm. Lily says you’ve been a total prick for years,” he laughs.
