Page 35 of My Broken Mate
“Still, wouldn’t it be nice?” Joel sighs. “I could hit it off with Alpha Sean ‘Hot Ass’ Temple, Kata could date Remy, and you could court Gabriel.”
Eve furrows his brows. “You are starting to piss me off. Why would I court Gabe? We are friends, and neither of us is gay.”
“As far as you know.”
“Well, I know for certain that I am not into guys,” Eve says. “Did you drink too much last night? What’s going on for you to be this annoying?”
I listened to the whole exchange with an open mouth. Joel is known for spouting all kinds of nonsense, often also to distract us from something or to raise the mood. I do think at times it is a strategy he very skillfully uses; however, sometimes he truly can be silly.
Yet he has never said so much bullshit at once. Something about it is so hilarious, I can’t help but start giggling. “Goddess, be glad that Eve and I have your back. Just imagine we would secretly record you and show the video to the pack.”
“You wouldn’t,” Joel pouts.
“I actually am so close to doing it,” Eve mutters.
“Oh, Sandwich,” Joel sighs. “Don’t be so jealous of my charm!”
“What charm?” Eve exclaims.
Joel finally breaks character and bursts into laughter. “You two are so easy to mess around with.”
“I can’t believe it,” I say.
“Actually, the fact that we could so easily be tricked should be a warning sign to you,” Eve tells Joel. “Seriously, both Kata and I believed it was very much in character for you to act like that.”
Joel ignores him and turns to me. “Kata,” he says. “I meant it. If anyone could break this boy’s shell, it’s you. You won’t even need a white stallion to ride to him and save him. I bet you can do it like you always do.”
“What do I do?” I ask, confused.
“You are a genuinely good person and people subconsciously notice that,” Joel says. “That’s why they usually build up trust in you. Remy will, too.”
I blink at him for a moment before I laugh. “You are being silly again.”
“He is not,” Eve jumps in. “It just so happens that I agree with him.”
“I am getting whiplash from you two,” I mutter.
“I am just saying, you are awesome, and I bet your positivity will rub off on him,” Joel says.
“You think so?” I ask.
“Definitely, and if nothing helps, just melt his barrier with food.”
“He didn’t even try my cookies,” I admit.
“He didn’t?” Eve ponders. “Then we will have to double our efforts the next time.”
“Make the Kata-approved special chocolate cookies,” Joel says. “They are the best! You can make chocolate ones and—”
“And the blueberry ones in case he doesn’t like chocolate,” I finish his sentence, before high-fiving him. “Good idea, Joel.” With newfound motivation, I jump up, ready to make plans for my next meeting with Remy.
I am Kata, and I am not ready to give up yet!
“I got it,” I blurt out into the silence, making Joel and Eve flinch in surprise. “I will continue to follow our family credo!”
“Exactly,” Joel exclaims, reaching out his hand. I put mine on top of it before we both look at Eve expectantly.
“You can’t be serious,” he sighs. “We are not the three musketeers!”
