“I’m not relying on my mate. He needs to rest and carry our babies safely. I’ll deal with Zane. I promise.” Jamie sighed. “I just don’t know how to make him see reason.”
“Well, you better figure it out. Otherwise, the rest of the crew will do it for you if that guy comes back to the station and tries to start trouble. Charlie has won over the whole station already with his baked goods. Zane better back off and you better stop letting him irritate your mate.” I had overheard a few of the other guys at the station talking about how Jamie was being a wimp by not setting Zane straight already. I knew my bestie just hated to be seen as a bad guy, but he was a mated alpha and needed to make sure other omegas respected that bond. Charlie deserved that after all.
“Jamie, can I see you in the office?” our fire chief, Jason, called out to Jamie, a serious look on his face.
“I’ll be back.” Jamie stood and followed Jason to the office, leaving me at the table alone.
Picking my phone up, I checked the last message Isaac had sent a few minutes prior. A rush of happiness filling me with the thought that he was thinking of me even in the middle of a big project for a client.
Isaac: Taking a break. How’s your day going?
Isaac: Have you eaten yet today? I can bring something over. I’ll even buy enough for everyone and convince Charlie to come with me, so they think it was him bringing his mate and crew dinner. No one would ever guess it was actually your mate.
Isaac: Hope you don’t mind me saying that. Even if we haven’t sealed the bond, I will always consider you my mate. Even if just in my own head.
Isaac: Damn, why am I talking so much?
Me: No, don’t shut up. I like it when you go on a bit of a verbal tangent. It’s cute.
Isaac: You think I’m cute?
Me: You’re passable, I guess. LOL. Seriously though, I appreciate the thought, but Trevor and Chance made a bunch of lasagna and garlic bread for dinner, so we’re good here. But I will keep your offer in mind for another time.
Isaac: Deal. Just tell me when.
“I have a feeling another one has bit the dust.” Erik, another firefighter on the crew, sat down next to me. “Should we be marking off time on the schedule for another mating leave?”
“Shut up.” I nudged him in the shoulder and put my phone away. “Or I’ll start interrogating you about a certain little redhead bank teller that you’ve been rumored to be dating.”
Erik made a motion with his hand zipping his lips and stood up again. “Nope. Got nothing else to say about anything. Actually, I think I need to go check my uniform and make sure nothing needs cleaning. Catch up later, yeah?”
I swear he left faster than that time he got sick from Jason’s cooking.
Maybe I am being dumb by not admitting we are together publicly yet. It seems almost everyone knows already anyway.
My phone buzzed again and I checked it, hoping it was my mate.
Rebecca: Are you busy this weekend? Holden needs to travel again and the boys each have practice at two different parks. I will need you around ten in the morning.
Me: I’ll be off Saturday morning and can come by right after the shift. I can be at your house by nine and make sure you all eat something before we leave.
Rebecca: You’re the best brother ever. Thank you.
Me: Anytime.
Rebecca: No, seriously. I’m not sure how I would do this without you.
That was why I was taking my time with this mating. I loved my sister and her kids, but I didn’t want to end up like her and relying on anyone else when it came to my family. Sometimes, I wondered if my nephews even knew what color their father’s eyes were since he was hardly home.
They made their choice.My dragon reminded me that my sister and her mate had free will and chose to live the way they lived.
I just don’t want to make the same choice,I pointed out to my dragon.
You won’t. Isaac says he will stay home.
I know. Just give me time.
I wasn’t sure anymore why I kept fighting for time. I just had to.
