Page 7 of Mane Full Of Stripes
“I don’t think so. Years are not the only way we should age someone. You seem mature.” Jost shrugged and sipped his drink, his eyes in constant motion but rarely on him.
“Are you an only child, er, cub?”
“No. I have a younger brother and a sister. I live with them and my parents. They’ve been great.”
“Did they help you?”
Jost swallowed, blinked, then nodded. “Dad saved me.” Jost reached up and touched his face, then let his hand fall. The movement confirmed what Apollo already knew. His ex-partner had hurt him physically. It would never happen again. Apollo would rather cut his own hand off, than raise it in anger at Jost.
“I’m sorry you went through that,” Apollo whispered the words softly. “You should be able to trust the person you’re involved with.”
Shrugging, Jost sipped his drink, then pulled his phone out of his pocket. He quickly typed something, then put it on the table. “Tam.”
Apollo nodded, but had no idea who or what Tam was. “Do you need to go?”
“Not right now. I can stay, if you want.”
“It’s up to you. Do you want to stay? I could order you a taxi home if you’d prefer.”
“Will you always be this nice to me or will you change too?” Jost didn’t look up when he asked the question, and it hurt something deep inside of Apollo. This beautiful shifter had been so hurt he was scared to trust.
“I’m certain we will argue, maybe say things we don’t mean in the heat of the moment, but I will never raise my hand to you.” Apollo paused when the waitress asked if they needed a refill. Once she’d left, he added, “I hope in time you’ll come to see that.”
“Really? How can I believe you?”
Apollo slowly slid his hand across the table and pushed it under Jost’s. He felt Jost jerk as he turned his hand over and laced their fingers together. He waited to see what Jost would do, but when he remained still, he spoke. “All I ask for is time. We can date and get to know one another. Meals out or the movies. Things in public until you’re comfortable around me. We go at your pace. Do what you’re comfortable with. What you’re happy to do.”
Jost’s lip wobbled, and he sucked it in. His fingers trembled in Apollo’s hand, so Apollo slowly withdrew his hand and leaned back in his seat. “I’d like to go home now.”
“Of course. Do you want me to order you a cab or can I drive you? Whatever you want.”
“A cab,” Jost blurted out, then winced.
“A cab it is.” It didn’t take long for the cab to arrive and as Jost was leaving, Apollo said, “here’s my number. Can you message me when you get home?”
Jost noted the number but said nothing. Apollo stood and watched his mate leave and had no idea what he was going to do. It was apparent how hurt his mate was, how scared and afraid to trust. All emotions Apollo understood, but the need to comfort him was strong, and he knew he’d have to push it back and go at Jost’s pace. Whatever he wanted, Apollo would give him.
Hs phone rang, and he saw DAD on the screen. “Dad. Everything okay?”
Arvo grunted. “Only two voted against you. We know who they were.”
“Dad.” Apollo paused, licked his lips, and sighed.
“What is it?”
“I met my mate,” he murmured. “Dad, he’s…” A lion, and who hated lions in his dazzle? Shit.
“You can tell me, son. It can’t be good if you’re stalling.”
“He’s omega.”
“And what species, or do I already know?”
“Guess.”
“Shit, Apollo.” Apollo heard Arvo mutter something. “This is bad timing, but I’m happy for you. I mean it. You’ve found your mate at last. We all want our mates. I was lucky to find mine when I was young, but now you have yours. When do we get to meet him?”
“Not for a long time. He’s been hurt, Dad. Some ex did a real number on him, and he’s scared and doesn’t trust me at all. I lifted my hand to help him, and he protected himself. Covered his face.”
