“I don’t care! You’re wrong! You wrong, you wrong, you wrong…” Sebastian sang at the top of his lungs to the rhythm of a popular song, resorting to putting his fingers in his ears and raising his voice to a deafening level in an attempt to drown out his sister — Cristie — who followed him out through the back door, as he tried to get away from her. Two more males that looked to be about Sebastian’s age squeezed around Cristie — who was yelling at Sebastian — to catch up to Sebastian.
“Excuse us,” a male that looked a lot like Richie said, nudging her just enough to the side to ease past.
“You’re just as bad as him!” Cristie accused.
“I am not as bad as Sebastian,” the male said as he slipped past her.
“Sorry, Cristie,” a younger version of Roman said as he waited for her to step aside to go join his friends.
“It’s not your fault, Cruz, they’re asses,” Cristie snapped.
Sebastian watched as Cristie turned around and stomped back into the house, then he circled around and came up to Remi, performing some complex handshake that only Sebastian fully understood. “What’s up, what’s up?! It’s me, Bastian, remember?” he asked excitedly.
“Of course, I remember you. How you doing, Bastian?”
“Good, good. Tired. Had to come home this weekend and wasn’t ready for it.” He leaned a little closer to Remi and lowered his voice. “Partied a little too much after the game last night, you know what I mean?” he asked, nudging Remi and waggling his eyebrows.
“You party too much every night,” Clay said.
“You’re right there with me,” Bastian said.
“Doesn’t mean I’m partying as hard as you,” Clay answered.
“You must be related to Richie,” Remi said.
“Yeah, he’s my dad. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Clay.”
“Heard a lot about you, too. It’s good to put a face with the stories.”
“Oh, Lord. If there are stories, they’re most likely not true. Just remember that and everything will be fine,” Clay said.
Remi laughed. “They’re good, though.”
“You sure?” Clay asked doubtfully.
“Absolutely.”
“Okay, well, maybe they’re true, then,” he said.
Remi looked over at the third of their group. “And you’re Cruz, I remember you from the wedding, too. But I’d know you anywhere even if I hadn’t met you.”
“Dad’s genes are a little strong, for sure,” Cruz said, extending a hand and actually shaking Remi’s hand. “Glad to meet you.”
“You, too, Cruz,” Remi said.
“Remi!” Lucas called from the other side of the yard where his family had joined him.
Remi turned toward him and waved.
“Come meet my family!”
“I’m coming,” Remi said. “Be right back,” he said to the guys, then made his way over to Lucas where he stood beside two lounge chairs and a folding chair where an exotic looking female sat in the folding chair and two beautiful teenage girls reclined in the lounge chairs. He approached with a smile. “Hey, Lucas,” he said, shaking his hand.
Lucas gave him one of the side-man-hugs he was known for and patted his shoulder. “Guys, this is my friend, and Cristie’s mate, Remi. He’s a Dragon. His dad is Daniel. Remi, this is my mate, Anahla. She’s got a Dragon, too.”
“My dad told me about you. He said he was very impressed with your strength and thought very highly of you,” Remi said.
Anahla smiled at him and stood up to hug him. “Thank you so much for saying that. I feel the same way about him. He’s a very kind male, and so thoughtful. And welcome to the family.”
