Page 22 of Eddie

EDDIE WAS GLAD HE HAD work to distract him, although unfortunately for him, that wasn’t working quite as well as he hoped. As soon as he got to the site, he could feel eyes on him. He was sure that Les hadn’t told anyone he’d called in late again to see Matthias off because that wasn’t something his boss would do, but he was also sure that the people who knew about Matthias, like Valentine, could tell exactly what happened. It made him want to tell them to fuck off, although he realized that was probably because he was grumpy. He normally would never be that rude with his friends, especially when he knew they only wanted the best for him. They cared, which was why they were nosy. Hell, he’d been the same way when his best friends had met their mates recently. He’d wanted to know everything about the new man in their lives and to ensure that they were being treated right.

But there wasn’t much to his relationship with Matthias yet, so what was he supposed to tell Valentine? Hell, he hadn’t even talked to Dennis and the others yet, and he was sure he’d get an earful because of that. He just hadn’t had the time. Everything with Matthias had been a whirlwind, and it felt like it was only now starting to settle, and that was because Matthias had left.

That hurt way more than it should considering they’d only met a few days ago. Eddie was done fighting it, though. He felt what he felt, and that was that. He couldn’t change it, and he didn’t want to. Matthias was his mate, which was the reason Eddie felt like this. Anyone he told about the mess would understand and agree.

“You’re late again today,” Valentine said, a teasing tone in his voice.

Eddie glared at him. “You’re not my boss. What do you care?”

Valentine’s eyes widened a bit, and he took a step back. Eddie instantly felt guilty, but he couldn’t help it. He was sad and a little mad. He wanted to go after Matthias. He wanted Matthias’s family to fuck off and leave him alone. He wanted Matthias to choose him, especially since they’d just met. He should be focused on his mate, right?

Eddie snorted and turned back to the wall he was supposed to be working on. He needed to stop being an asshole. He couldn’t be Matthias’s priority, and that was okay. He’d be his priority for the rest of their lives. Missing a few days together wasn’t going to change that. It might even make things easier for Matthias. If he didn’t have to worry about his family and what they were up to, it would be easier for him to focus on Eddie. That was what Eddie had to keep in mind. They’d still be together. It would just take a little longer, but that was okay. It wouldn’t touch their bond. It wouldn’t change the fact that they were linked together because someone somewhere had decided they were perfect for each other.

“Things aren’t going well?” Valentine asked as he leaned against the wall.

Eddie sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.”

“That’s okay. I remember when I met Simon. I was all over the place.”

“Did you snap at your friends, too?”

“Probably, although you’d have to ask Niall.”

Valentine and Niall were best friends. Eddie had his own best friends, and maybe he should be talking to them about this, but they weren’t here. He knew they’d understand. They were all mated. Eddie was the only one who wasn’t, which made sense since he was human. He hadn’t actually expected to have a mate.

But he was glad he did. They’d be okay. They just needed to get over this hurdle, but the fact that it was there didn’t mean their relationship wouldn’t work. It would. Eddie was sure of that, not only because they were mates. He wanted the relationship to work. He wanted what Valentine had with Simon.

“He had to go back home. It wasn’t only his sister, although she was part of it. Apparently, his brother ended up in jail.”

“In jail? What did he do?”

“No clue. Matthias said he was going to text when he could, and I’m waiting for an update, but he’s driving.” And he was probably giving his sister an explanation after kissing Eddie in front of her. He wasn’t sure what Matthias would tell her, but he didn’t care, even if Matthias didn’t mention their bond. He knew it had nothing to do with him and everything to do with Matthias’s family. Matthias hadn’t told Eddie much about them, but he’d said enough. Eddie wouldn’t be angry if Matthias decided to keep him a secret, at least for a little bit. It felt like the easiest way to deal with whatever was going on.

“So he had to leave,” Valentine said. “How are you feeling about that?”

Eddie snorted. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“Anyone would be grumpy if their mate had to leave right after they met. You at least have a good dinner yesterday?”

“We did.” Eddie found himself smiling. “He confirmed I’m his mate, which I already knew, but you know, it was nice to hear the words coming from him. From what he said, his family’s a handful, but he wants to come back.”

“Of course he does. You’re his mate.”

“Is that going to be enough, though?”

Valentine frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’m his mate, but his family is important, too. They need him.” Maybe a little too much, but that wasn’t Eddie’s place to say. He couldn’t tell Matthias that, from everything Matthias had told him, it was clear his family was taking advantage of him. He suspected that Matthias knew, anyway. He’d allowed it until now, and he might continue doing so. Eddie didn’t know how their relationship would change Matthias’s relationship with his parents and the rest of his family. He was a little scared to find out, if he was honest. He didn’t want to come second. He wanted to be the center of Matthias’s life, as he should be.

But it was way too soon to think about any of that. Eddie needed to give Matthias a chance to deal with his family and find a solution. He was sure Matthias would, and if he couldn’t, well, maybe Eddie could help.

“I know it’s hard to understand for us because we’re human, but to shifters, their mates come before anything and anyone, even their family. Has Matthias said when he was planning to come back? I assume there’s also his job to think about.”

“He mentioned a few days.”

Valentine looked skeptical, which was how Eddie felt. He was sure that Matthias wanted to come back in a few days, but would he be able to? Probably not. Would he do everything in his power to come back as soon as possible anyway? Eddie was sure of that.

He just wasn’t sure it would be enough.