Chapter 7
Louis's POV
Frowning, I attempted to get away from my mother, who was constantly teasing me about my hair and tutting. She thought I was in desperate need of a haircut. I didn't think so; in fact, I preferred it at this length. It was only a few inches long and coiled at the base of my neck.
My mother's side of the family gave me the most of my characteristics. My red hair, freckles, and the gap between my two front teeth are all things I'm proud of. All I acquired from my father were his black onyxy eyes. I didn't get my height or size from either of them. When my family comes to visit, they're all tall and muscular, but I'm only five and a half feet tall.
I shifted my weight from foot to foot by pulling down on my jacket sleeves. Even though it was only six o'clock, it was already dark outside. Melvin was on his way home, and we were waiting for him. Mom claimed she informed him of the dinner plans for tonight, but when she called, he claimed he had forgotten.
I looked up from where I was standing on the porch when I heard the muscle car's purring rumble as it drove down our neighborhood. I could only see the headlights as the car came into the driveway, so I hopped down the stairs, tripping a bit before getting my footing and sprinting to them.
I was astonished to see Jason in the backseat as I excitedly opened the driver's door.
"At the very least, someone is always pleased to see me." Tomy directed his remark at no one in particular. Although I rolled my eyes, I couldn't help but smile. "Do you wish to accompany us? Hmm? Do you know what I'm talking about?" I inquired, my gaze falling between Tomy and Jason, their faces cast in harsh shadows by the streetlight. Jason furrowed a heavy brow as Melvin chuckled from the passenger seat.
"I think that's a fantastic concept." Mom murmured as she approached me from behind.
"Squeeze in there with them, Sweetie, and we'll meet you at the restaurant," she says. Mom had not inquired. She grabbed her father's arm and followed him to the SUV.
I was giddy from being crammed in the back with Jason. With excitement, I was practically wriggling.
Tomy gave me a knowing grin that made me blush. "Remember, we can smell arousal." As he stepped out of the car, Tomy spoke in hushed tones that only I could hear.
My face was burning, but I gave him a stern look before crawling in. He was just being cruel and teasing me; I wasn't even aroused.
"Hello, Jason," . Even though I sat closer than I needed to, I whispered hesitantly. Tomy snorted, his dark brown eyes twinkling, as he adjusted his seat. I shifted my gaze away from him and toward Jason.
"Hey, Louis," he said
"Little brother, did you hear what I said? Louis has secured employment." Tomy remarked this as he stepped out into the street. Mom got me the job, but I wasn't going to tell him that.
My calf brushed against Jason's as I nodded enthusiastically. He's so warm. "Cool."
After a period of quietness, Tomy turned up the volume on the radio, filling the room with soothing music. I rubbed my fingers across my knee, forcing myself not to look at Jason while glancing outside at the dark forest and fields we drove through fast. Tomy began to accelerate as soon as he turned onto the straight back road that headed to the next town over.
As the speedometer continued to rise, I sat up taller and looked over the male's shoulder. When it got thirty miles over the speed limit, I started becoming nervous.
"Ugh, Tomy..." I began to stutter.
"Yeah?"
"I think you should take it a little easier." It was never a good idea to advise an Alpha what to do, I replied tentatively. Melvin and Jason were laughing, but I could feel the automobile slowing down. I sat back and took a deep breath, allowing myself to relax. "Thanks."
Tomy followed the speed limit the rest of the way to the restaurant.
When we arrived before Mom and Dad, I wasn't shocked. We all agreed to stand outside the car since Jason was itching to get out of the confined back seat and stretch his long legs.
I looked up from kicking at a lone rock, bored and hungry, and saw Jesper on his phone.
"Are you, um, ready for school next week?" I inquired, a little sarcastically. When he took his gaze away from his phone, my face brightened.
"I suppose."
I bit my lower lip, unsure what else to say. I moved away from him, my hands stuffed in the pockets of my olive green jacket. Jason was always attractive to look at, but I was never interested in conversing with him. I didn't want to be that way; I wanted to joke around and have casual discussions, but his responses were always so brief. Maybe it was just him or he was shy, but I thought it was his one problem.
From where he was leaning against his car, his arms crossed across his chest, Robby smirked at me. I poked my tongue out at him, and he did the same, which made me laugh.
We all went inside to find a table when Mom and Dad arrived. Melvin sat across from me with Tomy beside him, and then Jason sat across from dad, between the window and mom. I guess it's a good thing he was at the far end of the table since I would have been staring at him the entire time if he hadn't been.
Everything in the restaurant was white and very modern, including these fantastic ghost chairs. The bar area was lit by colorful LED lights, and circular lights hung over each table so you could see who was at your table in the dark.
I danced in my seat as I read the menu, knowing just what sushi rolls and shrimp hibachi I wanted.
Mom began questioning Tomy about his travels after he placed his order. She didn't say anything about Mates because she knew he hadn't found his yet. Unlike Melvin, who seemed unconcerned, Tomy was always after his. I overheard him telling Melvin that he was looking forward to meeting his Mate and what he hoped they would be like.
I stared out the window at passers-by, tapping my fingers against the table. This town was larger than ours and drew tourists, so there were no random folks wandering around our small community. It was kind of like a small city but I've never been to a city so I really wouldn't know.
"Are you going to leave again?" When Mom inquired, I returned my attention to everyone.
"We're headed to one of those major cities," I took his place in the conversation. Tomy cocked his head and shrugged.
Mom burst out laughing. "Sweetie In the city, I don't think you'd know what to do."
I grumbled.
"I'd visit a gay bar." I made Dad choke on his drink as the rest of the room laughed.
"I guess we're headed to the city then," s Tomy laughed. I gave him a friendly grin before perking up when I saw the meal approaching.
Mom opted to visit some of the small shops within walking distance after leaving the restaurant. I was supposed to ride with them back home, but I ended up waiting for them by the car. Tomy and his friends planned to remain with me until Mom and Dad returned, so I wouldn't be alone. It was a pretty Alpha thing for him to do, I thought. He was concerned about his packmate's safety. Even the smallest.
"Look, I was intoxicated, and that felt like the best damn bargain I could ever make at the moment." Tomy smiled as he explained.
"You swapped your bike for a keychain with a teddy bear." In the midst of his hilarity, Jason managed to escape.
Tomy handed up a pink teddy bear keychain, which I glanced at in surprise. "You could have purchased one on your own."
With a shake of his head, Tomy expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation.
"I had my heart set on this one." He laughed and put his keys back in his pocket.
I told him, "That's dumb."
"Is that correct? I received my keychain and have a bizarre story to tell." Tomy drew me under his big arm, and I struggled to free myself, only to pout and be pressed against his side.
"Are you planning on looking for your mate?" Tomy inquired of his brother, his tone solemn.
"No, not for a while. Next year, I'll be attending college. Perhaps I'll run into him there."
My pupils dilated to double their normal size.
"Him?" I screamed. Tomy pinched me because my smile had taken over my face, and my hope had skyrocketed.
Jason massaged the back of his neck and chuckled nervously. "Um...him, her, anybody," I say.
I wasn't really bothered about him leaving for college. I was giddy with anticipation. After all these years, I've been on the lookout for even the tiniest hint that Jason could be my Mate. This was something I was going to run with. I'm homosexual, and he's gay. We're meant to be. It's a matter of fate.