“Good morning, honey. That’s a pretty outfit you have on. Are those new heels?” asked Hunter.
Smiling at his big brother, Quin nodded, pleased someone had noticed. It had taken him three days to decide what to wear on the first day of the trip, but luckily it was worth it. “When are we leaving?” he asked.
“Sometime this morning,” Hunter replied. “Did your stuff fit in your bedroom?”
“Yes, Mason helped me put everything away. The outfits I’ll be wearing on the trip…well except for this one…are hanging in the tiny closet along with the one I’ll change into before we arrive. That was Mason’s idea,” smiled Quin, pleased to give his brother the credit.
“Are you excited about going?” asked Sawyer.
“No, but I’m focusing on the trip home when we stop in Vegas. I made a list of all the shows I want to see,” Quin replied.
“We’re going to Vegas? Woo Hoo!” shouted Sawyer.
“Vegas? When?” asked Robin, walking around Quin and Hunter on his way to the coffee machine for his morning fix.
Raising an eyebrow, Hunter said, “Good question. Mason? Do you know the answer?”
“I do,” Quin replied, “Mason said we’d stop on the way back, after visiting our cousins. Isn’t that fantastic? I always wanted to go there, but…” his voice trailed off.
Hunter grimaced, knowing why Quin hadn’t said more. Glancing at Mason, he saw the pain in his eyes. “I guess with all that’s been happening, I forgot,” Hunter said, smiling at his youngest brother.
“Forgot what?” asked Mac, squeezing in between his brothers, as he headed for his coffee. Snatching a mug from the rack, he filled it and took a sip, savoring the caffeine rush.
“Hey, dudes!” Mason called loudly, trying to get his brothers’ attention. “You’re in my way. Get outta here and go sit down. Sawyer, here, take this,” he said, handing his brother the platter of bacon. Then he opened the refrigerator, grabbing the juice and creamer.
Bringing in the rest of the food, Mason surveyed the table making sure everything was there, before taking the empty chair next to Quin. It was a rare meal when all of them ate together, but his older brother had insisted on it this morning.
After getting their attention by clinking his spoon against a glass, Hunter cleared his throat and began. “There’ll be four hours of driving for each of you to prevent any possibility of falling asleep at the wheel. So after your driving stint you have the rest of the time off to rest, eat and tend to personal needs, but that also means someone will be sleeping while you’re up so I expect you all to be respectful and quiet. Sawyer has rigged a tent around the queen size bed that was the sofa. It might be tight but two will fit. The dinette will remain as is so there’s a place to eat and sit when you aren’t driving or sleeping. With stops for gas, and averaging 50 miles an hour, it should take a little less than three days. This trip won’t be a picnic, anyway you look at it, so I expect all of you to be understanding and patient with each other. Is that clear?” asked Hunter.
“What if Mac needs me?” asked Robin.
“Then you go and I’ll make the appropriate adjustments to the driving schedule,” Hunter replied. “Anything else?” Looking around the table, Hunter was relieved that his brothers were on board with his plan except for Quin, who was chewing his bottom lip. “Quin, honey? Is there a problem?”
“Uhmm, you still plan to stop some place so I can get ready before…” Quin asked nervously, as he looked down at his hands in his lap, twisting them together.
“Absolutely. There’s a gas station on the outskirts of the last town before our cousins’ pack house. I plan on stopping there to fill up and ask if they mind us parking there for an hour. Will that be okay?” asked Hunter.
“What if they say ‘no’?” Quin’s voice wavered.
“I don’t think they’ll mind, especially if we buy something there. But don’t worry, I promise, I’ll find a place for you, okay, honey?” asked Hunter.
“Okay.”
“One question.” Sawyer held up a finger. “Who’s driving first?”
“Me. So check the list and make sure you’re ready when it’s your time,” Hunter replied, “I want to leave as soon as possible, so Sawyer, KP duty for you…Mac, do you need any help?”
“Yes, gimme fifteen minutes.”
“No problem. Robin, please see if Quin needs any help,” Hunter said.
“Will do.”
“Mason, I’ll leave it to you to make sure the house is secure.” Standing, Hunter watched as his brothers dispersed before heading to his office. Closing the door behind him, he walked over to the lone file cabinet and, slipping a key out of his pocket, unlocked a drawer. Reaching in, he flipped through the file folders until he found the one he wanted. Opening it, he sorted through the documents, making sure they were all there. Then, picking up copies of his emails with Jackson, he tucked those and the file folder into his messenger bag that held his laptop.
After checking the time, Hunter sat down at his desk, mentally checking off his list of what he needed to bring.Shit! Unplugging his phone charger, he slipped it into his bag. Taking a moment to breathe, Hunter prayed to the gods he was doing the right thing by going to California. His biggest worry was making it there in time and, if they didn’t, what he’d do about it—and whether his brotherswould back him. That was the iffy thing in his book. When he gave up the Alpha position in their pack, it also affected how his brothers looked at his role in the family—Hunter understood the reason why.
His mother urged him to start another pack, but he refused, telling her he didn’t need a consolation prize. But that wasn’t the real reason. Seeing the different emotions ranging from disbelief to anger on his brother’s faces when he renounced the Alpha position, Hunter nixed his idea of forming a new pack at that moment, unwilling to face the possibility some brothers would refuse to join, electing instead to stay with the Rolling Hills Pack.
