Page 32 of Who We Were

I don't know how my friend has done it all these years; making himself an outsider in our pack. Our animalisticcounterparts rely on instincts and a large part of pack life is spending time with one another. Leaning on each other in times of need and enjoying the company of your family.

Sam hasliterallybeen in a time of need for years, and still he refuses to eventalkto us about it. There are so many other feelings beneath the shitty exterior he gives everyone, but it's buried beneath a shit ton of anger. Hurt and rejection.

The part of me that is all alpha grieves my friend. The boys we used to be, running around town and making messes that our dads would have to clean up. We were close, and now our relationship only reaches as far as this fraying tether holding us together.

"You want to go get a drink?" Oliver says slowly as he unfurls his lean frame from the chair. "You?"

Samuel glares at him but stands his ground as his brother gets closer. I stopped trying to play mediator a long time ago, so I just lean forward and watch the inevitable carnage unfold.

"Yes," Sam grits out between clenched teeth. "Let’s go out."

Christ, that was hard to watch.

Oli justhasto poke the bear, literally. Jabbing his finger in Sam's chest, he teases, "Youwill go out withus?"

Side by side, I'm reminded why they were always teased about being twins. Only a year apart in age had them growing up at similar speeds. The only difference between them is their hair. Where Oliver has brown curly hair, Samuel has perpetually messy dirty blond hair.

Other than their hair and Oliver's scar through his lips, they are almost identical. Which you think would be weird for me being in love with the youngest of the two, but they are complete opposites.

Oliver's thin lips are quick to smile, and his toned body is always relaxed and approachable. Sam, on the other hand, never smiles, and I swear, has a fucking rod shoved so far up his asshe'll never be able to release the goddamn tension making him a crabby fuck.

"Yes, now fuck off and go get ready."

If there was ever a moment I should try to control my crazy beta, it's now. Jumping forward, Oli smacks a wet kiss on Sam's cheek before bolting away with his maniacal laughter trailing his sexy ass.

I watch amazed as Sam actually fucking swallows his roar of outrage. Judging by the way his face turns purple, I'd say it took a considerable amount of effort.

I stand and chuckle darkly. "Don't think this little distraction tactic you are so clearly reluctant to do resolves you of a conversation."

He meets my gaze, and my heart cracks just a little more when a stranger looks back at me. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I hum, and look to where Oli just disappeared upstairs. "Drag him along just to break his heart like you have mine, and no bond will save you from me." Tapping my knuckles on the counter, I refuse to look at the alpha trying to manipulate my beta. "Oh and—" I stop my exit but don't turn around. "You look like shit. Fuck off and go get ready," I quote the bastard I once thought was my friend.

Whatever the fuck is going on isnotokay if it will hurt Oli's feelings. I don't know if he realizes his brother is hiding something and keeping us from paying too much attention, but I know I spied excitement in his step when he ran off to get ready.

Nothing my pack brother is keeping secret is worth any more heartache.

Fuck knows we've suffered enough.

23

OLIVER

I'm not stupid.

I know something is off about Sam wanting to go out tonight. And I'm not naïve enough to not put the pieces together; it has something to do with our new neighbor. I just have no idea what. Shit, maybe he fucked her and now it's awkward.

Whatever it is, I don't care. I don't want to know, not tonight, at least. What I want is to hold on to this hope raging through my restless limbs.

I miss my brother.

This is the first opportunity inyearsthat I've had to mend the brokenness between us. I don't care how painfully reluctant he is to hang out with me. I'll do anything to ensure he has a good enough time that he no longer avoids my presence.

It's sad.I'msad.

Stepping through the doors of the bar—since my vote of nightclub was denied—I'm slammed with rowdy voices and far too many scents.

BUT! But. There's karaoke!

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