Page 78 of Brazen

“Dude. You’re going moon mad from being apart from your mate. Have you even tried to work things out with her?”

The sense of drowning returned. I stared blankly at Johnny.

“Sam?”

“What?” I snarled.

“Why haven’t you gone to see Clio? It’s been days, man.”

I glared at him.

“Wes said Joy, Audrey, and Becky visited her last night and said she seemed like she’d cooled off. He said he texted you that. So what’s the deal?” Johnny stopped squirting mustard on the bread and looked me in the eye.

What was the deal? I didn’t fucking know. All I knew was that I was drowning in a sea of frustration and grief.

“Are you…mad at Clio?” Johnny asked tentatively.

My brows slammed down. “No!” I growled although I realized it wasn’t completely true. Maybe some part of me had been a little insulted by her lack of faith in me. The twelve-year-old in me who’d wanted his family to lean on him in the crisis but whom no one had valued. That kid who still believed no one saw how much he was capable of.

Fuck. Just like Clio, I was living in my past.

“I just–I don’t know what I can do. She doesn’t see me. All she sees is her ex.”

“Sounds like she’s scared of getting hurt again.”

Fuck. My mate was scared. My mate was scared, and some part of me was mad at her for it? How did that make sense? I needed to be there for her.

Right fucking now.

I snatched up the sandwich Johnny had made and took a giant bite. “You’re right. I’m an idiot. Can you cover for me again this afternoon?”

Johnny grinned. “You know I always have your back, right?”

I nodded. “I do.”

He slapped me on the shoulder. “Then why the fuck are you standing here? Go tell Clio what’s in your heart.”

I pushed off the counter. “On it. Thanks, Johnny.” I held up the sandwich but hoped he knew I meant thanks for everything. The food. Covering my ass. The runs. And especially, the talk.

“Good luck, man.”

“Thanks.” I took a deep breath as the fog in my brain lifted.

Mine, my wolf snarled.

That’s right, I told him. Let’s go claim her.

I grabbed my Stetson and ran out of the bunkhouse and to my truck. It was time to put my mate first.

32

CLIO

* * *

I drove to the stable and parked. I didn’t see Sam’s truck anywhere. Shit.

Shit!