“No kid should have to.” As an excuse to not meet his gaze, I poke at the condensation on my beer mug. God knows what he’d see in my eyes right now. “Randy has been in trouble so many times, I have a feeling they won’t go easy on him. But I honestly think the best thing for him would be to go into a rehab program instead of prison. Hopefully the judge offers him that chance.”
“Agreed,” he says. “Otherwise, he might just get out angrier and do something stupid.”
I hesitate. “You said your parents would get drunk and fight. Did they ever get… professional help?”
He grimaces. “No.”
“I’m sorry.”
He laughs humorlessly. “Me too. But it is what it is.”
He shifts on his stool, and his leg brushes mine before resting there as if he doesn’t notice. If he were any other guy, I’d immediately move my leg away. For some perplexing reason, I don’t. Instead, I allow myself to feel the heat of his thigh against mine. I know it’s strange behavior on my part. Dumb. He’s gay, but I’m not. The last thing I should do is give him mixed signals.
What the fuck am I doing?
Embarrassed by myself, I subtly adjust my leg so that we’re not touching. I clear my throat. “So, you’re really don’t belong to any pack anywhere?”
He glances over, frowning. “Nope. But it feels normal to me. You don’t have to worry.”
I wrinkle my brow. “I’m not worried, but don’t you miss it? The connection with other wolves?”
“There’s nothing to miss.” He lets out a harsh breath. “My parent’s behavior got us kicked out of our pack. I grew up without any real wolf comradery. Being on my own feels more normal to me.”
I narrow my eyes. “But you enjoyed our run together. I know you did.”
The faintest blush appears on his high cheekbones, but he avoids my gaze. “Yes, but that’s because it was just the two of us. A whole pack would be more intimidating.”
I’m once more pleased that he likes it when it’s just he two of us. I have no idea why I enjoy that idea so much. Am I an egomaniac or something? Why else would it feel so satisfying that Jude only wants to be close with me? If I really care aboutJude as a friend, I need to encourage him to trust others too. If he stays in Golden Peak, belonging to a pack might be possible, if he plays his cards right.
As if on cue, Caleb Rourke walks into the bar with his enforcer, Evan Pike. Caleb moves through the room without posturing, but he has a quiet authority that makes people notice. He’s tall, broad-shouldered but rangy, the kind of build that suggests endurance over brute force. His dark brown hair has silver threading at the temples, and his steel-gray eyes sweep the bar with a steady, watchful calm. He’s not looking for trouble. He’s just aware of everything.
Evan Pike is a different story. He’s younger. More aggressive by nature. Caleb’s enforcer is thick through the chest and shoulders, physically imposing in a way that’s clearly intentional. His honey blond hair is cropped short and his brown eyes are sharp, openly suspicious as they land on Jude. Where Caleb reads a room, Evan challenges it.
Jim greets them with a respectful nod and starts pouring shots of whiskey without being told. Caleb spots me and changes course toward our end of the bar, Evan trailing half a step behind.
“Liam.” Caleb’s voice is congenial. He clasps my hand briefly, his grip firm. “How’s the family?”
“Good. Everyone is healthy and happy.” I smile. “Jack busts my balls every chance he gets.”
“Isn’t that what brothers are for?” The corner of Caleb’s mouth twitches. Then his gaze shifts to Jude, and it stays there a beat longer than casual. He’s not aggressive about it, but he’s reading him. Scent, posture, energy, all of it getting processed behind those gray eyes.
Jude straightens on his stool. He doesn’t shrink or posture, but I catch the subtle tension in his jaw. He knows exactly who he’s looking at.
“This is Jude Collins,” I say. “My new partner at the department. Jude, this is Caleb Rourke.”
Caleb extends his hand. “I heard we had someone new in town.”
Jude shakes it. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
“Likewise.” Caleb’s expression is pleasant. “I heard you’re from Atlanta?”
“I came here from Atlanta, but I’m originally from Florida.”
“Is that right?” Caleb’s eyes flicker. “What part of Florida? We’re friendly with a few of the packs there.”
“Placerville,” Jude says quietly.
Caleb purses his lips. “Ralph Flores is the alpha of the Placerville Pack, right?”
