Page 6 of Building My Pack

“What the h-e-double-hockey-sticks?” I say to my phone, going to my call log. Not a chance in hell did I call that jerk last night. Unless it was to PG cuss him. But no, there it sits. An outgoing call made to George at two thirty-six in the morning, lasting an entire minute and a half. So, either someone answered, or I left some weird voicemail on his phone. Either way, mortification burns a hole in my stomach. They probably think I’m still so heartbroken over him leaving that I’m acting like a creep calling him in the dead of night.

“Why me?” I ask, tossing my hands into the air. I’m beyond humiliated which makes it impossible to sit still, thinking about it. Even though it’s already spotless, I decide to deep clean the kitchen. Once I get started, I can’t seem to stop. Going from room to room, I vacuum, dust, wash baseboards, and mop floors. It’s late in the afternoon when I’ve done every single one, but something still doesn’t feel right. The strange sensation that I felt earlier in the gym with closing the blinds is back, and I don’t like it.

Plopping down on the sofa with my laptop, I yank down my messy bun as it fires up. I picked out every single decoration in this house from the drapes to the rugs. All of it. But right now, it feels like I’m perpetually living in a wool sweater. My skin gets itchy just looking around the space. Thankfully, I did what I said I’d always do and made something of myself without the help of any alpha or pack, so I can afford to drop a ton of money on redecorating like I’m doing now as I add more stuff to my cart.

Chapter 4

Bryce

Walking into work the next day is ultimately worse than the normal Monday morning seeing as I got next to no sleep last night. Spent the whole day cleaning and then shopping, yet I still went to sleep with that same restless feeling that had been bugging me relentlessly. I tried to get myself in work mode in the car on the drive to the office by divulging into my guilty pleasure of singing along with some hard-rock songs. Even the amazing vocals of my favorite band couldn't pull me out of the funk.

Which is my excuse for keeping my head down, avoiding eye contact, as I make my way into my office. Plus, I saw George's car outside when I parked. I'd rather not have an accidental run in with him or Stephanie in my current mood. Not for the first time since our split, I wish that my boss would allow me to do the clerical work at home. It's literally the only reason I have to be here anyway. Other than when I'm meeting a new client. I'm sure they'd rather a more professional setting. The thought of a stranger being in my space while I'm so unhappy with it right now makes pins and needles breakout underneath my skin, so it's not even an option at the moment.

Pasting a fake smile on my face, I pretend everything is completely normal all morning as my coworkers stop in to say congratulations on the award. By the time lunch rolls around, I'm ready to sprint out of here if I have to. Thankfully, I've got a few showings this afternoon which is the perfect excuse.

"Hey, Bryce," Rita, my boss’s secretary calls out as she knocks once on my door. "Sean wants to see you before you leave for lunch today."

"Sure thing," I tell her, leaving my stuff on my desk and following her out.

"Where are we going?" I ask as she detours away from Sean's office and heads toward the break room.

She doesn't answer and doesn't have to, for as soon as we round the corner, I get a glimpse of everyone waiting inside through the glass windows. A pair of congratulation balloons are tied down on either side of a big cake on the table that every single person in our office stands around.

"Congratulations!" they all yell when we walk in. Both Sean and Chloe, who are already standing the closest, come in for one-armed hugs.

"You didn't have to do this," I tell him as someone sets to cutting the cake and passing out pieces.

He shrugs with a smile, "When one of our family makes us proud, we celebrate it. Speaking of which, where did Rita...? Oh, there you are."

Coming to stand beside him, Rita slips a white envelope into his waiting palm. Then he turns back to me. "I know you've already gotten your bonus for the quarter, so this is just a little something to say thank you for all your hard work. You're appreciated for it and for giving our agency a boost this year."

Inside I find a two-hundred-dollar gift card to the swanky steakhouse across town. Sad thing is, that's only two dinners’ worth. Not to mention the reason I know that is because that was George's choice in location to announce his betrayal. Popping on a grateful smile, I tell my boss, "Thank you, Sean. This wasn't really necessary."

Ignoring me this time, he gives my shoulders a solid squeeze before making his way over to the cake table. For being such a nice guy and caring for all his people, there's one area Sean is lacking. The man hardly does anything for himself. Which means that someone else bought that card. Immediately, my focus zooms in on the two figures in the far corner of the room. Obviously not wanting to be questioned by the big man as to why they weren't in attendance, George and Stephanie have come in and positioned themselves as far away from the activity as possible. My ex's face is glued to his phone screen, but she's staring daggers directly at me in challenge. I have to fight the whine that comes out of nowhere because it’s in that one look that I know exactly who purchased it. Hammering that thought home, she grins manically. It kills the sweet-and-innocent vibe that her petite, blonde hair, and blue eyes give off.

I'd rather be anyplace in the entire world than in this crowded room that seems to be closing in more and more with every second under her intense scrutiny.

Chloe elbows me gently in the side, quietly mumbling, "Is it just me or does super slut have a staring problem today?"

Lowering my head, out of the corner of my mouth, I murmur, "I thought it was just me who noticed that."

She snorts rather loudly before snaking her way through a few people to grab a couple slices of cake and bringing them back.

"The sooner we eat this, the sooner we can get out of here," she tells me smiling.

As much as I'd like to wolf it down to leave, I take an appropriate amount of time so as not to offend Sean and this little impromptu party he's thrown in my honor. After, though, I thank him and a few of the others, excusing myself with the reminder that I've got showings this afternoon.

Chloe is hot on my heels on the way back to my office to grab my things and wolf whistles as we step inside. Two huge bouquets of flowers are resting on my desk, taking up practically the entire space.

"Wow," she says in a complete understatement.

Sean pops his head in the open door just as I make it to the other side of my desk. "Don't forget to suggest to your buyers tonight about the house on Dunn that I emailed you about earlier. There's a big bonus in it from the seller the faster we can get it off their hands."

"Sure, no problem," I toss back absentmindedly. Then before he can leave, I add, "The gift card and cake really was enough of a surprise."

Confusion crosses his expression before it smooths back out into a smirk as he waves his hands at the monstrous bouquets. "Oh, that wasn't me. I'm sure you'll be putting that card to use soon by the looks of these, though."

Chloe rolls her eyes as he chuckles at his own joke whilst leaving. Something he said sparks an idea in my mind, however. Spinning the first vase full of colored flowers. I can't help but admire the yellows, pinks, and oranges of the mixture that vary from roses to lilies to a couple tiny sunflowers thrown in. By the time I've found the stick holding up a playing card, I'm already wearing a smile. The small token is confusing until I pull it off and get a good look at it. There's a goddess holding a moon in the middle with a bunch of numbers written off to the sides. Once I flip it over, my heart feels like it skips a beat in my chest. Magic. There's only been one person in my entire life who's even mentioned these cards to me. Kennedy Kane. And if these are from him, I'd bet my left boot, the roses are from Santiago. Sure enough, when I pull the larger envelope from the deep-red bouquet, it reads “Beautiful flowers for an even more beautiful woman.”

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