Page 17 of Mane Full Of Stripes
“Okay. I’m going to ask. Did he like you drinking or not because I don’t have a problem with it. I like a few beers too, but I don’t drink and drive. At all, so I don’t have a problem with you having a beer or two.” Apollo watched Jost’s face tighten as he began to speak, then relax.
“He did have a problem with it, so I stopped in the end.” His voice was low, so low Apollo struggled to hear it. He wasn’t having his mate afraid to talk to him. He wanted to grab this ex and beat the shit out of him, but for now he’d make sure Jost knew he had no problems with him having a drink. Damn, to even have to say it…
“So, in case I didn’t make it clear, you can have a beer or two. If we go somewhere and neither of us are driving, I’ll be joining you.”
Jost gave a wobbly smile. “I’ll have a beer then, please.”
“Let me place our order, then.” Apollo left the table and waved at Dev, who shook his hand as soon as Apollo reached him. “How are things?”
Dev gave him a close-lipped smile. “What do you know about Brenner?”
“I know he’s a pain in my ass. Has he said anything?”
“He’s told people my food gave him food poisoning, even though he hasn’t eaten here in months. Now I’m struggling.”
Apollo clenched his teeth together. “Shit, I’m sorry. He’s causing nothing but problems for me, but I had thought it was just me. Do you have proof it was him?”
“Just hearsay so I can’t do anything about it, but it’s clearly having an effect.” Dev looked around the restaurant and Apollo copied him, seeing that the place was less than half full. “I know it’s a weekday, but I’m usually busier than this, and weekends have taken a hit as well.”
“I can’t say anything to him without proof, but I can make it known that the food and service here is excellent, and so can Jost. I’ll also get my parents to help.”
“If I didn’t know better, then I would think he wanted me to close so he could have this place. I heard rumors he wants to set up some out of towner.”
“I’ll look into it, but in the meantime, I’ll get the word out about how amazing the food is here.” He placed their order, then returned to the table, smiling when he saw Jost. God, his mate was beautiful, and Apollo watched him mess with his cutlery. “You’re beautiful, Jost.”
Jost’s eyes snapped up to his and his cheeks reddened. “Oh, well. Er. Okay.”
Apollo grinned. “I wanted you to know. Tell me about the nursery you work in. It has to be easier than dealing with hormonal teenagers.”
“Oh, I don’t know. One of the lovely little cubs in Sed’s room didn’t want to put his diaper on, so shifted and ran off, then pooped on the floor.” Jost leaned over the table. “They give you these cute little faces like angels, then become the devil.” Sitting back, Jost smiled. “I love my job.”
Chuckling, Apollo agreed. “There are some hard days. Days where we question why we’re doing the job we are, but then you have days when you see a student understand what you’re teaching. You see it click for them. I teach for those days and those students.”
“I love seeing the little ones begin to understand letters and words. See the way their eyes open wide with happiness when you praise them.”
Apollo nodded. “Tell me more. I want to know all about your job and the children you look after.”
Jost’s face lit up, and Apollo smiled. Seeing his mate happy made him happy, and he hoped to have many more dates like this.
Chapter Nine
Thefollowingweekpassedquickly, and even though he didn’t see Apollo after their ice-skating date, they’d talked and messaged plenty. Over the phone, Jost felt he could ask questions he might not have face to face, and Apollo always answered them, which gave immense relief to Jost.
They had another date lined up and Jost was equal parts excited and nervous. He liked Apollo. Thought he was gorgeous, and he wanted to do more, but his fear held him back. Jenrick. When would he be able to move on from the shifter and what he’d put Jost through? It tainted his growing relationship with Apollo even when Jost tried to push him out of his mind. Apollo knew some of what he’d endured and Jost was lucky Apollo understood why Jost needed to go slow, but it shouldn’t be that way. They were mates and usually things between mates progressed far quicker than this.
Sighing, Jost lay back on his bed and closed his eyes, picturing Apollo in his mind. The shifter made his body heat up, and it was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time. Maybe when he first began seeing Jenrick, and he’d stupidly moved in with him within a couple of months of dating. A mistake he paid a heavy price for, but one he’d learned a valuable, if painful, lesson from.
He wouldn’t make that mistake again, even if Apollo was his mate, so they would date for a while until he felt comfortable enough around him. Apollo was also a prey, and Jost was a predator. He knew they had their human side, but would Apollo really let Jost chase him and catch him? Maybe he would, but it would be a long time before Jost tested that.
Just thinking about Apollo made Jost sigh. His gorgeous mate seemed genuinely kind, but he’d been led down that path before, so he was being extra cautious now. He didn’t want to think about his ex, but since meeting Apollo, he found he couldn’t stop thinking about him and comparing what little he knew of Apollo to what he didn’t want to know about Jenrick.
Why did love have to hurt so much? Jost knew not everyone was hurt the way he had been. Not physically, at least, or emotionally. The things Jenrick had said to him made Jost question everything about himself and he hated that he became so weak because of him. He would do and say anything to keep Jenrick happy, even when it was detrimental to himself, because he thought he loved Jenrick. But over time, he realized he didn’t. He’d been living in survival mode, and when Anslem came that day, Jost found the courage to walk away.
It hadn’t been easy. He’d changed everything about himself and lost who he was in the process, but now he was finally happy again, or as close as he had been before Jenrick and then Apollo appeared.
“Jost?” Jost sat up as his door opened and Ella’s face appeared. “You hungry?”
“I guess I am a little.”
