Page 87 of The Pact

Taking a sip of my beer, I watch as Thea chucks the axe at the target. The blade’s edge sinks into the wood right outside the last ring. She’s frustrated that she isn’t landing it closer to the bullseye.

She turns and the glare in her eyes is deadly. I chuckle. Thea’s so fucking cute when she’s mad.

I still can’t believe three days ago she was about to leave our lives forever—ready to give all of us up because she thought I didn’t want her. That’s my fault and I’ve let her know that. Opening up is hard for me, but I’m going to be better. Thea deserves it.

It’s a balancing act. I’m trying to communicate how I feel without overdoing it. She has needs and if I come on too strong, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop her or myself.

“Wes? Hey man, I thought that was you.” The clap of a hand on my back pulls me from my thoughts. Turning, I see Taylor.

I smile widely. “Hey, how’s it going? It’s been a while. Bethany doing good?”

Taylor pulls a seat out and sits down. He’s cut his hair since I last saw him. I almost didn’t recognize him without his mess of black curls.

I catch Thea looking back at us. She doesn’t soften her scowl despite seeing Taylor sitting next to me. That axe is besting her and I’ll need to step in to help her.

“She’s great. Married life is where it’s at. What about you? She’s new,” he observes, motioning his head towards Thea. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you with anyone.”

My jaw clenches. He’s referring to Victoria. That was the last woman I cared enough about to take on a date. Now, there’s Thea. There were women after Victoria, mostly flings and nothing exceptionally satisfying.

“Yeah, it has been a long time. How’s business?”

I only half listen to him go on about furniture sales and that craftsmanship isn’t what it used to be.

“What about you? I gotta have you take me out climbing again soon.” I glance over at Taylor. His eyes crinkle from his broad grin—I match his expression.

“Of course. I’d love to get you out there. Call me anytime. We’ll set something up.” He gives me another clap on the back as he stands. “See ya soon, man,” I call out as he walks away. Only then do I let my smile falter. I hate this need to keep up appearances. But I’ve dug myself in too deep.

Everyone knows me as the happy Wolfe brother. The one whose voice carries across the room and who makes it a point to talk to anyone I meet. The one who always has a smile on his face. It’s tiring.

Thea throws another axe, too high this time. “Damn it!”

“Let me help,” I offer as I walk to her.

She looks at me over her shoulder. “Who was that?”

“Just a client.” I place my left hand on her thigh. “Now, move this leg to the throwing line.” Thea steps forward, planting her foot. My right hand moves to her other leg. “This one stays here.”

Being this close to her is unbearable. She shakes her long wavy hair back off her shoulders and I get a whiff of warm vanilla. Why does she smell this good? My grip on her thick thighs tightens. I have to force myself to relax.

“What now?” She’s too caught up in wanting to throw the weapon again that she hasn’t noticed how my body’s reacting. “Wes?” She asks impatiently. I have to force myself to focus on teaching her. It’s so hard when I’m turned on seeing her like this—eager for a little violence.

“Cup one hand over the other.” I reluctantly take my hands from her legs and show her how to hold the axe properly. “You’re going to bring it overhead, like this.” I move to the side and guide her arms backward. “Take a breath, then exhale and send it.”

Her chest rises. Thea takes a moment to steady herself. Good. She exhales—the axe flies down the lane. Her whole body is tense. I don’t watch to see if it lands. Instead, I keep my eyes on her.

Thea’s shoulders drop and my heart follows. “Yes!” She screams and smiles widely as she jumps up and down. I can’t breathe for a moment. She turns to me. Jesus. Sutton was right. Her fucking eyes are sparkling under those inky lashes and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

She throws her arms around me. Well, she tries, she’s too short. I bend down and let her wrap around my neck before I pick her up and swing her around. Hugging her to my body, I have the sudden thought I don’t ever want to let her go.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she repeats.

“It’s nothing,” I tell her as I set her down.

Thea gazes up at me, her hands resting on my chest. “It isn’t nothing. I’ll take the little wins these days.” Her eyes drop. I know what she means. Her life’s been unraveling. While landing an axe on a target seems minuscule in the grand scheme of things, it’s important to her.

Lifting her chin, I force her to look at me. I want to tell her it will get better soon, but I don’t know that. I can be here for her. I can listen to her when she needs it. But I won’t lie to her, just like she didn’t lie to me when I told her I was scared that she would ruin me.

I like that about us. We don’t sugarcoat shit.

---