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  Kyle was roused from his memories by his sister. Her leg reached across the couch cushions to rudely poke him again. Looking up at her, he saw that her eyes were wide as she nods over Kyle’s shoulder.

  Saying nothing, he casually turned to observe his old man.

  Still transfixed by The Joy of Painting, their father reached for a smoke. Removing the softly blinking device from his well-worn ashtray, their father had successfully taken a pull of his vape without first attempting to light it. Old farmer Daniels took the device from his lips and examined it curiously, then exhaled a massive white plume of vapour. A smile creaked along his face and he immediately returned for a deeper draw. Within minutes, like some elderly wizard he was blowing all sorts of smoke rings and exhaling billowing gouts of vapor. Cromwell was slightly taken back by the display, but their father was evidently quite pleased with his newfound talents.

  “Holy shit. I think we’ve converted him,” Jess whispered happily as she scooted over.

  “This is so good.” Kyle shook his head in hushed agreement. “Every six weeks we can lower the nicotine in the oil. Maybe when we’re in town we could try to entice him toward flavoured vaping. I know he’d love mint chocolate. Or caramel.”

  Jess raised an eyebrow. “We? I thought that you couldn’t wait to get out of this hick town?”

  “Well, yeah… I mean, you’d be changing it up on him, but we’d talk about the direction of his progress together, right?” Kyle wasn’t aware of how much he had missed Shale River.

  And as strange as it would’ve sounded even a week ago, Kyle could not have expected how much that he was hoping that Jake would be at McRorie’s. It would be painful for the both of them, but words needed to be spoken and heard.

  Seven

  The general mood of the Daniels pack had swung completely around. A measured amount of nicotine back in his system and dad was back to his cheery self. Jess was prepping for her hot date. She decked herself out in a flowery headband designed to look like laurel to hold back her wavy chocolate hair. She wore a splashy, strappy hot pink top, a checkered white and blue wrap that doubled as a dress, and suede cowgirl boots. Despite her insistence otherwise, her “all-natural, totally casual” attempt at make-up took no less than ninety-two minutes.

  With her bright eyes and sweet freckles, Kyle had to admit that she did pull off the ‘attractive farm gal from down the road’ look off pretty well. But when he caught her rubbing some of her sweaty gym clothes from her morning run along her arms and neck, he chuckled. “So, you’re basically going to start on that litter with Briggs tonight then?”

  “Privacy much?” his sister retorted as she kicked at the bathroom door. “And for your information, there’s nothing wrong with stacking the deck in my favour. I just really want to make sure that Jarett knows who he’s dealing with. Plus this way, if conversation lags, he’ll still be glued to every word I say.” She blinked sweetly as she topped her outfit off with a well-placed cowboy hat complete with a strip of artificial snakeskin.

  “How do I look?” She struck a pose as she fumbled for her phone. “Nat’s going to flip when she sees me.”

  “I’d be more worried about the pack of two-hundred and fifty pound Alphas fresh from the farms and fields. Some of them haven’t seen a gal in weeks, let alone gotten wind of one in heat. Let’s just hope that you don’t bring the place down the second you step in the door,” Kyle spoke with crossed arms.

  Especially right before a heat, intentionally slathering oneself in pheromones could be a little risky in a room full of hot-blooded Alphas. Sure, they’d never actually lay a finger on any Omega presenting herself in such a manner, but they might pull one another apart in order to be first in line.

  Still, Kyle couldn’t judge. In truth, he’d done similarly many times before and was planning on doing so tonight. He didn’t exactly want to bed Jake. Well, probably not. But he definitely wanted to ensure that he had the Alpha’s attention.

  Kyle didn’t want to stick out too much while enjoying the local fare. The accusation of being a ‘Bay Street shit-heel’ still rang too freshly in his ears. While he couldn’t bring himself to pull on his old cowboy boots, his all-terrain hikers gave the impression of a boot with about a quarter of the pain when dancing. He wore a neatly pressed wrangler shirt and dark, well-fitting jean.

  Seeing that his kin were dressed to the nines and heading to McRorie’s, for dinner their father surprised them with a double meat lasagna from Walmart. The Bud was carefully poured into chilled Nascar beer steins from the freezer and topped with cubes, while the meal was served on the fancy China usually reserved for Christmas. For a variety of reasons, it hadn’t been reached for in nearly five years. The meal went well enough and everyone was eager for the night ahead of them.

  Kyle was impressed that his dad was on some of his most respectful behaviour. Maybe the vaporizer had evened him out? Most of his conversation centred around the weather, “this new cigarette of mine,” and delightfully ham-fisted attempts to determine the relationship status of his children.

  The Omega’s mind happily floated elsewhere. What would he say to Jake, his former friend? He wasn’t sure if he should open by slapping Jake or kissing him. Would Jake even want to speak with him, after Kyle had left town so suddenly? Maybe he resented Kyle for storming off after what had happened to Tyler. It made him upset to even consider that line of thought, but in fairness, Jake did have the right to be upset and mourn the loss of their friend. It was all so uncomfortable, and brought back a fresh peal of stinging thoughts and bitter heartache. Kyle was a quickly turning into a wreck: he was furiously aroused but knew that there was an equal chance that he’d utterly break down upon seeing Jake. He took a long, slow pull of his icy beer. It chilled his heated flesh only momentarily.

  Glancing over at his family, he watched his sister and father as they spoke. He missed them, and was jealous of what they had. Jess and his dad always got along because whenever the old timer ruffled her feathers, she ended up smoothing things out. She was the good Omega who did what everyone expected of her, and with a smile on her face too. Since they were twins, why couldn’t he do that too? He frowned slightly as his thoughts drifted toward gloomy shores. Why did he and his father always fight? Was something wrong with him? Wasn’t he supposed to want to patch things up with his kith and kin?

  While his sister and father spoke, Kyle watched in amazement as his father mopped yet another slice of white bread through the red splatter on his plate. He had scoured the dish so thoroughly with an army of slices that Kyle wondered if soap and water were even necessary at this point.

  He downed the last of his beer and welcomed the gentle dullness that it brought. He admired the strange whorls of froth upon the glass and watched a single drop of condensation race along the side. He wondered how long he should wait to grab another beer. Someone would be sure to ask why he was drinking so fast. Screw it.

  “Anyone want another?” he asked as he rose from his seat to grab his third from the fridge.

  “Welp, I guess I’m driving tonight,” his sister snarked at him playfully before turning back to their father.

  “Speaking of that, don’t be afraid to call a cab. Cromwell and I need you home in one piece. I don’t need to remind you what happened to the Jacobson’s boy…” Their father wagged a parental finger at his adult children.

  “That was twelve years ago.” Kyle chafed slightly at the warning.

  “We know dad, we know.” Jess glanced at her brother. “I’m only having one right now, and I’m not drinking at McRorie’s. I want to keep a clear head for when Jarett and I discuss what we want from life.”

  Kyle could’ve been certain that his father’s eyes twinkled joyfully upon hearing that. The old farmer probably translated her words into ‘will I become his den mother in the spring, or in the fall?’ Based upon recent conversations he’d had with his twin sister, however, his father probably wasn’t far off.

  “So when can I expect the two o
f you home? Just so Cromwell doesn’t wake high heaven with his yappin’ and fussin’ in the wee hours.”

  “Well, probably home before wee hours I’d say, right?” Jess nodded thoughtfully at her brother.

  “Yeah, just some dancing and drinks with old friends,” he agreed. “You know, before I get going.” The tone of his afterthought wavered slightly, as if he were trying to convince someone else of that fact.

  His father nodded respectfully as he used the spatula to messily deliver another chunk of meat-laden lasagna to his plate. The spatula went back to scoop up the innards that had spilled out into the tray and soon they too were dumped triumphantly upon his meaty prize.

  Midway through a heroic mouthful of ground Italian sausage and mozzarella, their dad nodded at Jess.

  “D’you know if this Briggs has a brother?”

  She tilted her head ever so slightly. “Not that I’m aware. Why do you ask?”

  “Ah, you know, just curious. Wondering what his kin are like… and, uh…”

  “And?” she echoed his words.

  “…and maybe he’s related to a good feller who’s, you know, interested in steady companionship?”

  The siblings bellowed with laughter, to their father’s chagrin.

  “My father the pimp! Trying to set me up?” Kyle clapped his old man on the back.

  “Oh god Dad, it’s not the fifties! You can say if you think someone would be a good fit for Kyle,” Jess replied.

  Except that normally, their father never would’ve. Even the barest hint of such an utterance from her dad would’ve forced her to mediate between her father and twin brother, but the mood in the Daniels household had become more generous that evening. Whether it was the beer, the nicotine, or the camaraderie, all parties seemed to agree to remain friendly for at least another day.

  Eight

  In less than an hour their father was on the back porch with Cromwell. An otherwise starry expanse peeked through the wispy veil of clouds that someone had lazily scraped across the sky. Happily puffing away at his vaporizer, their father sat on the back porch while he chatted with his wife in the humid evening air. He was in a great mood.

  Saying their goodbyes to their father, Kyle and Jess headed out the door of the groaning old country house. Its ancient boards would be creaking and moaning for weeks due to the damp. With a splash of water from the edge of the flagstone at the bottom step, they bounded across the gravel driveway and back into their father’s Country Squire.

  “We’re rolling out in wood-paneled royalty.” Kyle smirked as he got into the musty old car. The heavy door whined shut with a low thud.

  “Hey now!” Jess wrinkled her brow at him. She danced her fingertips along the dash for good luck. “She hasn’t let me down yet. Besides, I hear that wood’s due to come back in style any moment now.”

  The station wagon’s engine growled a few times before turning over. A few moments more and the engine evened out. Jess pet the steering wheel. “See, what did I tell you?”

  “Fine. It runs… for now.” In a much better state of mind, Kyle had some genuine concerns that his sister and father were relying on a nearly three decade old car to get around the vast expanse that was rural Shale River.

  The headlights revealed just how muddy the road had become as they pulled out of their father’s place. The main strip was little different.

  “I think she’s fine, ‘cause Jarett’s pretty handy. Every time he’s over he gets under the hood with some new part or piece. It can’t be easy ‘cause dad comes out and talks his ear off. You know, his pet theories about who broke a certain fence, or who stole so-and-so’s toolbox, but Jarett’s pretty polite about it all.”

  “Shale River’s finest make house calls? I wasn’t aware that you two were that serious.”

  “Jarett and I have been on and off since just before you left, but we kept it under wraps for a while.” A more somber tone crept into her words. “He’s actually super patient, which is weird. You know, for an Alpha. Seems lately that every time I get upset and storm off, he’s still there waiting for me. And I mean, you’ve seen him. He’s basically like the perfect guy.”

  “Hmm. I’d say that I’m happy for you, but can I ask you something?” Kyle eased into a potential conflict with his ride to the bar.

  “Okay?”

  “Those men that you were… uh, chatting with, on your phone?”

  “Yeah, right.” Jess sheepishly nodded. “Jarett and I got into a bit of a fight over something stupid. I thought that he was a little too flirty with the precinct’s new receptionist, but he swears that he was just being friendly and welcoming her to the area. I dunno, I just got super territorial…”

  A few mailboxes flashed past at the edges of the dark road.

  “Well, jealousy before a heat isn’t really… unheard of, I guess?”

  “And I mean, I’d never swipe right on any of those guys that I was chatting with. I guess I just wanted Jarett to know that I’ve still got it, or that he wasn’t settling for some gross chick that nobody wanted.” She sunk in the driver’s seat a little.

  “Wait… where’s this coming from Jess?”

  “I dunno. I’ve really been thinking of starting a family a lot. Nat joked that if you haven’t had a litter by 30, your hormones will just make you pull some poor unsuspecting guy into the nearest bathroom stall and get down to business.” She forced a few laughs.

  Kyle remained silent. She clearly needed to get something off of her chest.

  “I mean, at first I thought that all of this pup talk was going to scare him but he’s been pretty into it as well. It’s sometimes…featured prominently in… our respectful adult time? But that worries me, because of how many things that it changes. He’s a great guy and even though I believed him when he told me that he wasn’t hitting on the new gal at work, I guess I lost it. I started thinking about how in a year or so, I’ll be his boring, big-as-a-house baby mama stuck at home away from my friends, while that receptionist will still be this hot twenty-something with an Insta account full of pictures of like, her super tight body and perky tits, and mountains and eating brunch and shit…”

  “Well I mean, change is hard. But you said that he’s a great guy. He’d probably help out with the pups. And I mean, there’s Nat, and dad. Have you said any of this to Briggs?” He wanted to be as understanding as possible. Kyle could scent the shallow fear that had wreathed Jess since they began talking.

  “No, because I don’t want him to think that I’m some crazy, needy bitch before we even try to start our litter. I don’t want to scare him off.” Hot tears welled up in her eyes. “I guess that I just don’t want to go from this cool, sexy party girl that he wants to hang out with all the time, into some nagging, frumpy den mother that he feels he has to be with. I don’t want him pissed that he has to bail on hunting with his buds, or that he has to bitch to his cop-pals because he has to chill with his sad, boring house wife.” She began to fan her face with a free hand as she tried not to ruin her makeup.

  “Jess, honestly, if he’s even half as excited about being a father as you say he is, I really don’t think that he’d do that. And I mean, I could try to be a better member of this pack. I could try to make it back home more often.” It hurt Kyle to know that his family needed him as badly as they did.

  “Shit, that’s sweet.” Jess pulled over to the side of the dark road, the headlights illuminating some dried brush and gravel. “I just…”

  “Everything alright?” A look of concern swept Kyle’s face.

  “…you’d make such a good uncle and I love you, and miss you so fucking much.” She began to sob as she leaned over for a hug.

  Confused, Kyle leaned over and embraced his sister.

  “I’m sooo fucking happy that you said that, but really sad about this shit situation.” She laughed as her mascara began to trail down her face. “Fuckin’ heat, eh?”

  Kyle teared up a little. “Yeah, fuckin’ heat.”

  It was goo
d to reconnect, and get everything out in the open. Jess must’ve been a lot more serious about pups than Kyle had originally imagined. They spoke about family for a few minutes more, and Jess was soon smiling about her future with Officer Briggs. Drying her eyes with some old Wendy’s napkins that she’d stuffed into the glove compartment, she carefully touched up her mascara.

  The trees of a nearby pasture cast a dim silhouette against a dark, cloudy backdrop. They whipped to and fro energetically. He frowned and checked his phone. Pulling up the Weather Network, he exhaled glumly when he read that another series of raging storms would be galloping across Shale River in the next twelve hours.

  Her eyes restored to perfection, Jess pulled away from the gravelly shoulder. Less than half an hour later, and over a few hills, the first signs of Shale River began to creep along the landscape. Just past the waving, illuminated flags of the John Deere dealership were a dingy strip mall that housed the area’s most popular watering hole. It was barely seven o’clock and the place was only starting to fill up. Strings of patio lanterns and candle-lit mason jars gave the place a warm glow, while the booming thud and earthy twang of electric guitars and Toby Keith called to the faithful.

  Wheeling around a few times, they finally found a parking space big enough for their father’s Country Squire. The ancient vehicle came to a thudding halt.

  They exited the car but Jess bade her brother to wait for her.

  To Kyle’s utter surprise, she casually fiddled with the white straps holding her body wrap up. In an instant it fell free, and was balled up in the back seat in no time flat. What little she was actually wearing were some of the shortest, snuggest-fitting Daisy Duke cut-off jeans that Kyle had ever seen. They showcased her plump booty perfectly, and fully illustrated the cross-fit that she’d been taking at the YWCA.