“You don’t sound that torn up about it.”
“Well, I’ve had a lot of time to think since he bailed, and honestly, Vicky was right. I was settling.”
“Vicky?”
“My sister.” She swiped her hair over her shoulder with a sigh. My eyes caught the purple mark at the base of her neck, and my blood pumped faster. “She told me he was a jerk from the start. But the thing is—ugh, it’s so stupid.”
“I’m sure it’s not.”
Angie unbuckled, twisting in her seat and frowning. "I’m not exactly a good catch, okay? I draw pictures on people’s skin for a living. I can’t stop dyeing my hair like it’s going to fix my problems. I can’t get anywhere on time, even to my job. I’m the literal definition of a hot mess.
“Even if it’s not me, my family is crazy. Not in the endearing way that you call your family crazy. Like certifiably crazy. My dad has been stepping out on my mom since I was a kid, and they fight constantly. My mom is a chronic drinker with a violent streak. For some reason, I keep coming back. I’m like a kid who thinks that my parents will miraculously be better like they said they would and things will get easier. Most people can’t handle that.”
Her hand waved around the space in front of her, and she sucked in a breath. “I thought I was lucky to find someone whocould tolerate all that. He wasn’t perfect, but I’m not either. He was as good as it got. I just wanted someone to stick around.”
She gave me a self-deprecating smile, trying to distract from the unshed tears in her eyes.
“So, that’s the deal with him. Now you know all my embarrassing insecurities and dark secrets.” She snorted a wet laugh. “It’s kind of freeing, isn’t it? Sharing all this baggage. It’s not like I can scare you away. This is fake. Temporary.”
I heard what she was saying, and panic was flaring inside me as I fought against the wordtemporary.I tried to think of anything slightly coherent and comforting to tell her, but all I managed was a blurted, “You are perfect.”
“Huh?”
“I said you’re—"
Thump.
Angie screeched, and I instinctively yanked her out of her seat and away from the threat.
There was another thump, followed by my brothers chuckling.
“Are you guys done making out, or should we go without you?”
I snarled, holding Angie to me. The front seat of my car was too cramped for both of us. Her back hit the steering wheel, and she wriggled awkwardly with her legs across the center console.
She squeezed my arm, climbing free from my hold and throwing open the passenger door. A rush of cold air came through the opening, and Angie gasped.
“Why is it so freaking cold here?”
Ross went to drop his arm over her shoulder, pausing halfway as his brain kicked in, and taking a step to the side. He eyed me as I leaped from the car, coming around the hood and filling the space between Angie and my brothers.
Both of them dipped their chins. Message received.
I took a subtle whiff of her hair, sucking her scent into my lungs and shuddering. She wasn’t going to leave my side. Dustinwould run his mouth and make sure everyone knew she was my mate within minutes. No sane shifter would intentionally step between fated mates—except my idiot brother.
Actually, even Dustin knew better.
Unless…
“Did Mom put you up to it?” I elbowed him to get his attention before he could follow Ross through the wooden door leading into the basement of the pack house.
His reaction was too slow to hide the flash of guilt. “Put me up to what?”
Mom knew I hadn’t told Angie the whole story. She was trying to force my hand.
“Traitor,” I muttered, giving him a shove toward the door.
“What are we talking about?” Angie asked, following Dustin down a set of wide, carpeted stairs.
