Page 25 of Bitter Discord

“I know this won’t ease the hurt… but one day, you’ll meet friends who are willing to stand beside you when it’s hard for you to stand at all. The ones who will look fear in the face with you and stay as they hold out a hand to help you up. Those will be the ones you take with you as you get older and face harder challenges.”

Heath was nearly done getting everyone water. I loaded them onto a tray, wanting to expedite taking everyone a drink. Zuri looked across the bar at me, a passing glance before she refocused on Carey.

“Yeah, I know. It’s just hard realizing people you liked aren’t the people you hoped they were,” Carey said softly.

I lifted the tray, sticking my tongue out at Heath as he tried for it. Landon met me halfway to the table, stealing it while Dirk moved chairs. Heath and I sat together while Dirk grabbed the last chair and Landon put down the drinks. I was next to my sister, Heath taking the seat between Carey and me.

“Yeah, it’s really hard to deal with that,” Zuri agreed once everyone was seated. Dirk, the last to sit down, was on her other side, not subtly trying to figure out how much space he could put between them. “The longer the friendship lasts, the more it damages you. The closer the relationship, the more broken it could leave you. You will learn to accept that it’s not your failing. It’s theirs. That eases the pain until it becomes a distant memory.” She lifted her drink and sipped the water, frowning at the quality of my tap water before putting it down.

“Let’s move to lighter topics. Like when you two might have a wedding. Are you planning a long engagement? Are you going to run off to a courthouse? I want to help plan the wedding.”

“We’re planning to have an engagement long enough for the world to stop trying to kill us,” I said, huffing.

“The moment Jacky wants to get married, I will be at the altar,” Heath answered at the same time. He smiled after I finished. “Whether or not people are trying to kill us.”

Zuri laughed. “I like that.” She pointed at Heath before narrowing her eyes on me. “How long are you going to make this man wait for you?”

“I… don’t know.” Feeling sheepish, I realized I hadn’t put any thought into an actual wedding. “I want things to be more settled. We’ve only been living together for six months, and there’s a new werewolf pack to take care of. There’s just a lot on our plates right now. It’s been a difficult year.”

“It has,” Zuri agreed. “Kushim and I aren’t officially married yet, either. He’s my husband in my heart, and no one would dare question it. There’s no reason to rush.”

“Don’t tell her that,” Heath said, chuckling. “I was lucky she said yes as quickly as she did. Don’t make me wait ten years to marry her.”

“Seriously, Pa? Are you really in that much of a hurry for your third wife?” Landon’s annoyed expression made everyone chuckle.

“I don’t know… maybe he just wants to get married to his third wife before his son has his first husband,” Zuri murmured, lifting her hands innocently. “I’ll help plan that wedding too if you need it.”

Speechless, Landon turned to her. Dirk’s mouth was moving, but nothing came out.

“You’re a handsome couple, now that I see it. Jacky told me, not out of maliciousness, I assure you. I couldn’t believe it, but now I do.”

“We don’t need your approval, belief, or anything else,” Landon growled softly. A painful thump was heard, and Landon winced. I looked at Heath to see his glare, smelling his anger.

“Youmight not need it, Landon Everson, but she’s notyouraunt,” Heath snapped. “Don’t you ever take that attitude with someone when they’re only offering you kindness.”

“Yeah, Landon, that was a dick move,” Carey mumbled.

“Sorry, we’re a bit private,” Dirk explained, leaning closer to Zuri. “But thank you. Really. I appreciate the sentiment.”

“I hope I didn’t step too hard. Was Jacky not supposed to tell me?” She looked at me, a little worried.

“She was. I just didn’t think you would… bring it up.”

“Why wouldn’t I want to bring up that my nephew seems to be in a happy relationship?”

While Zuri spoke, I watched Landon’s expression. It was a combination of shame and surprise, but he kept it well masked. His scent was the reason I was able to put it together.

“I… I don’t know,” Dirk said finally, sharing his own portion of the surprise. “Okay then. Is there another topic we can move to, or…”

We moved on to planning a family dinner on Friday. If the men would have her, Zuri wanted to stay through Saturday for our pancake breakfast.

Carey and I were clearly on her side.

10

CHAPTER TEN

We left after an hour. Zuri and I had to head back to Dallas. I kissed Heath before getting back into my car, now fully loaded with my luggage. He didn’t let me close the door, holding it so he could lean in.

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