“Only child, then?”
I nod, thinking how it would’ve made certain things like having no actual parents and feeling like an odd duck being raised by grandparents a bit more bearable, but I don’t think I’m ready to dump that on Forest just yet.
He nods in acknowledgment before continuing. “As they got older, the younger two—especially Hawk, being his twin and all—couldn’t stand how reclusive Wolf could be. He thought it was weird and made him look bad in social circles. River, not quite as much.”
“And you?”
“Me… I was already in my twenties when the twins were old enough to start thinking about parties and girls. For me, it came from a place of worry. This world can be cruel, especially at that age.”
I nod in understanding and soften toward Forest. “It’s nice that he had someone give a shit about his wellbeing and not hold it against him. And Hawk, well, he sounds like a real gem.” I quirk a sarcastic eyebrow.
“Oh he still is…” Forest gives a facetious look of wide-eyed wonder, and I can’t help but laugh. “So watch out, Molly Butler. Or should I say, Owens?”
“Oh shit.” The two words come out on an awkwardly breathy laugh. “I haven’t even thought about that.”
“It’s okay, and it’s not what really matters.”
“And what does matter, here?” I ask, feeling like there’s a deeper meaning to his statement. “Being that this isn’t your traditional union, as you stated earlier.”
This time, the oldest Owens brother seems to be at a loss for words as he pulls both his shoulders up. “I guess just that you’re good people, Molly. That you’re not someone who will hurt my brother in any way. I guess I’m hoping you’re not the sort to give him shit for being ... him.”
Just like I’ve been doing the last couple weeks, I gather up these little pieces of information and put them with the rest of the puzzle that is Wolf Owens. He has certain singularities that are easier understood if you just let them be rather than trying to correct them. I draw in a breath, ready to be real with this man. “I want to know him…” I admit.
Forest gives a subtle nod. “You should. Just… be patient with him.”
I take a second to consider what he means before agreeing. “Okay. And as far as other people are concerned, they should really get a life of their own and not be so worried about whether someone else in their orbit is acting socially typical or atypical. It’s not a disease, for hell’s sake.”
Forest slows us to a stop, cued by the fading music. “Thank you.” He gives me a sincere stare. “Looks like you can definitely hold your own against Hawk.”
I crack an appreciative smile in response. “Will I have to?”
Forest exhales through his nose as he gazes out at the string lights a moment. “He’s rough around the edges, and he and Wolf have always had a complicated relationship. I’ll leave it there for right now, and you’ll see what I mean. But fear not, he’s all bark.”
A small laugh bubbles out of me as I picture Hawk as a dog. “So what about you?” I ask… “Are we going to be dancing at your wedding anytime soon?” Thewepart of the statement still feels foreign.
“God no,” he snickers, before he straightens back up. “I don’t have time for that…” he explains, almost automatically, but he trails off and goes quiet. His shoulders drop, and he blinks as if seeing something far off on the horizon. “Just tell me you being part of the family now means more muffins.” He gives a mischievous smirk as he pulls me back into another dance, this one just marginally more upbeat.
Part of the family.Those four words fill my inner well with a comforting emotion I didn’t even realize I was nearly empty on.
Forest sways us a little more before giving me a light twirl, looking over my shoulder as he brings me back in. “Ah fuck,” he mutters, his gaze set on something behind me with stoney displeasure.
I crane my head to look back over my shoulder. Wolf is standing at one of the food tables with two older women seemingly cornering him. His face is turned in their direction as they both cluck at him, but his gaze is clearly staring right through them as his mind seems to be working overtime. He absently reaches for a bottle of water on the table while he stares at the ladies like he’s waiting for them to stop talking.
Forest takes a step in his direction, but I cut him off and stride toward Wolf, my dress flapping against my legs as I maneuver around the back of the long table. I’m able to cut through a small cluster of bodies before making a straight line to his side. I amble in close to him, though not sure I should touch him. I get the sense my touch would add more stimulation to an already overwhelming situation for him, and so, I just stand close, letting him feel my presence.
I may not have known him my whole life, but this stoniness is setting off alarm bells for some reason. “Wolf?” I try to get his attention, but he’s still in some kind of zone, his jaw set, except for the free hand that is grappling along at my elbow. The rough skin of his fingertips glides along my forearm until they find my hand, and without any conscious thought, my own fingers react, intertwining with his.
He still doesn’t look right at me, but almost immediately, a breath of air expels from his nostrils, enough for me to see his chest depress with it. The signals his body language sends ring out loud and clear: He’s not just reserved and introverted or even just a grouch. Being here, in a group this size, is a problem for him, and he’s struggling.
I glance at the two women hovering and recognize them now as Kathy from the beauty parlor and Judy, the cashier from the grocery mart. Though I don’t know either of them well, anytime I’ve run into one or the other they are yammering about other people like it’s their job. They didn’t pick up on Wolf’s discomfort, which makes my blood a little hot. I give his hand a squeeze and try to get his attention again; hoping to break him out of the lock his anxiety seems to have on him. “Wolf.”
This time his eyes shift to mine, and the crease in his forehead seems to ease. He looks at me expectantly, like my next course of action will be to supply words of wisdom. However, something inside is telling me addressing it won’t help right this minute, and so I offer a tight smile instead, just hoping he understands I’ve got him. Right now, we’re linked, a joint unit. No one can interact with him without getting me too.
Wolf squeezes back, and the worry in my chest fades slightly, as if wrapped in a thin blanket of relief that he feels a bit better.
“Molly, honey!” Kathy boisterously greets as if she only just saw me. “It’s so good to see you! Congratulations!” Her facial muscles rise with the tone of her voice.
“Thanks,” I say brightly, reminding myself to look like this is the happiest day of my life.
