Tarnished(3)

“Doing what?” Cass asked. “Hanging out with his friends, most of whom are girls, none of whom are really your friends. Just his. Don’t you realize why he has so many girl friends?”

“No, Cass. But do tell me,” Kenzie mocked.

“Because girls like to hang out with gay guys. They’re safe.” Cass ducked and fled the room when Kenzie threw the empty box of cereal at her.

Kenzie’s cell phone vibrated on the table. She glanced at the text from Darrell.

“Kenz, sorry, can’t make it tonight, family plans. Rain check?”

Shit. She groaned and glanced back at her mother. “One day. I’m not attending tomorrow. Just today. And only so long as nobody tries to claim me. If they do, I’m out of there.”

Her mother smiled. “Agreed.”

— • —

Drake Spencer dragged himself out of the hotel bed and headed for the adjoining bathroom without opening his eyes more than a slit. It was late—later than he ever slept at home—but he’d needed the catch-up sleep, and now he felt groggy because of it.

“What time is it?” his brother asked.

“Sorry, man. Didn’t mean to wake you. It’s about ten. We need to get a move on. Dan and Scott are probably wondering what the heck we’re doing in here. I’m jumping in the shower.” Their brothers were in the next room down. He didn’t hear a sound coming through that wall. Perhaps they were sleeping late also. His parents had the room on the other side, and he knew they’d left earlier.

“’K.” Jerrod flopped back down and pulled the blanket over his head. He was only eleven, the baby in the family and an accident of maximum proportions, but Drake adored him, as did everyone else.

A quick shower and Drake was back in the room, tugging on his favorite jeans. “Move it, buster.” He swatted his brother on the back. “We don’t have all day.” Though, Lord, he wished they did.

The stupid gathering he attended with his family every other year made him groan in frustration. It wasn’t as though he would find a mate. Unless some unknown wolf clan from some distant planet suddenly made an appearance, he couldn’t imagine how there would be a match for him. He’d met everyone over the years. And the only woman that had made him raise an eyebrow left with another wolf at the last gathering. Drake hadn’t been quick enough.

At twenty-eight, he was a seasoned bachelor and proud of it. His life was perfect. Raised on his family’s dude ranch in northwest Texas, he had everything he could ever want. Space. Freedom. Trees. The perfect life. Several years ago, he’d built his own place on the property and lived alone. He’d never wanted to be anywhere else but right where he was, tending horses and assisting visitors with their once-in-a-lifetime vacations.

Jerrod climbed out of bed, his hair a tussled mess. He didn’t say a word as he clamored to the bathroom and shut the door.

Drake sat on the edge of his bed and pulled on his socks and boots. He flopped backward to stare at the ceiling. It was going to be a long two days. Even though he found the gathering to be a waste of his time, he was still expected to attend. Plus, his parents relied on him to be a good example for Jerrod and keep an eye on him. Daniel, twenty-five, and Scott, twenty-three, were adults. They could handle themselves, but realistically, the two of them would probably abandon Jerrod and forget about him. They weren’t as reliable. They had one goal in mind. Finding a woman.

Did Drake even want a mate? Not after the last gathering. He’d spotted the perfect woman from across the room only briefly, but he could picture her in his mind as though it had been just yesterday. Long, brown curls hung down her back, making her distinct from any other woman in the room. At least in his eyes.

He’d not noticed her before that meeting, but perhaps she’d been too young. She’d seemed rather young even that day. What stood out in his mind was the way she turned and met his gaze from across the room as though she’d felt him staring at her back. Her smile had been tentative, and she’d lowered her eyes quickly, but he’d felt something nevertheless. He’d sucked in a breath and closed his eyes for several seconds as he honed in on her scent and separated her from everyone in the room.

When he opened his eyes again, he found her being led from the room by a young guy with a huge grin. Drake had nearly groaned out loud. Fuck.

She’d never resurfaced after that, and he had to assume she’d been claimed by the quicker man. In any case, her image was burned into Drake’s retinas, preventing anyone else from taking her spot. He’d know her scent anywhere and prayed she didn’t show up this weekend to torment him.