Page 2 of Alpha Jax

Shifter hearing can be a curse- the two of them discuss the way my ass looks in my shorts all the way back to the bar.Pervs.

“So are you gonna tell me what’s on your mind?” Kyla asks as I round the corner to walk behind the bar. She leans one elbow up on the bar top casually, tucking her shoulder-length blonde hair behind her ear with the other hand.

I sigh, stepping closer to her and folding my arms over my chest. “You already know. Don’t make me say it.”

Kyla blows out a breath. “Figured as much.” She reaches out to stroke my arm reassuringly. “That asshole didn’t deserve you, Quinn. The quicker you move on, the happier you’ll be.”

“Easier said than done,” I grumble as my eyes flutter to the floor.

“That’s it,” Kyla snaps. I look up at her questioningly and she’s got a determined glint in her eye. “You’ve been moping around this place for long enough. We’re going out tonight, and you’re gonna find someone who will make you forget all about that cheating scumbag.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think…”

“I’m not taking no for an answer,” she interrupts, holding up her hands in front of her. “The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.”

“What?!” I choke on a laugh. “Did you just make that up? I don’t think I need some rebound fling.”

“Oh youabsolutelyneed a rebound fling,” Kyla says matter-of-factly. “You’re coming to my place after our shift ends. We’ll get all dressed up and go break some hearts.”

I wrinkle my nose. “On a Wednesday?”

“Especially on a Wednesday.” She waggles her eyebrows. “Hump day.”

I let out another laugh, swatting her arm. I could continue to protest, but I know she isn’t going to take no for an answer.

If I’m being honest, I’m actually a little bit intrigued. Kyla’s from Stillwater and I’ve never been out to the bar there. Before going to work at the brewery, I never really ventured outside of Summervale’s territory- there was never any need to. I should be taking advantage of the fact that there are other packs in the area, other towns I can go to where I won’t run into Clay. That guy will never leave the cushy familiarity of Summervale.

“Fine,” I sigh.

Kyla’s lips spread into a grin as she lets out a little squeal, balling her fists in front of her and jumping up and down. “Yes! This is gonna be so fun!”

I can’t help but giggle at her reaction- she looks like a little kid. Even though Kyla’s got two years on me age wise, she looks super young. I’m not sure if it’s her short stature or her round doll-like face or the smattering of freckles dotting her nose and cheeks, but the girl could easily pass for a high schooler.

“Okay, I’m gonna text Tony and see if he’s down,” she adds, reaching into her back pocket for her phone.

Kyla’s mention of her boyfriend takes my enthusiasm down a notch. I was assuming this would be a girls’ night, just the two of us. The addition of Tony changes the dynamic.

It’s like she can sense my hesitation. “Is that okay?” she asks, blinking those big brown eyes of hers.

“Yeah, of course,” I breathe, faking a smile.

Can’t wait to third-wheel you and your boyfriend’s night out.

Kyla’s small fingers move across her phone screen quickly as she taps out a message to Tony, hitting send before she looks back up at me.

“Perfect. We’re off at nine, so I told him to meet us there at ten. Should give us enough time to get ready.”

I nod, forcing another smile. “Sounds good.”

Kyla looks past me, a smirk creeping across her face. “Looks like you’ve got some admirers at table six.”

I chuckle, rolling my eyes. “Yeah, about that…”

CHAPTER TWO

Jax

I wind my fingers around the necks of the empty beer bottles on the table, carrying three in each hand and walking into the kitchen to discard them.

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