Page 15 of Dubious Match
“No,” Lars says, sliding his hand into mine. He doesn’t do hand holding, he’s very standoffish typically, but the rules are different for us. “All we know is that she’s not at Omega’s Haven. Our hope is starting to dim, Hollis. Are you going to tell us she’s dead?”
“No,” I deny. “Nothing that I’ve been told or researching points to her no longer being alive.”
“Then we put a pin in it,” he says, squeezing my hand.
Caleb drives like he stole my car, weaving in and out of traffic before sliding into the alley that opens up to the back door ofBrewed Awakening. I love this coffee shop, and it’s also easily saved a few lives too.
That’s just the kind of alpha Lars is.
Sliding out of the back seat, he jogs to the door, unlocks it and slams his way inside.
“Hollis?” Caleb asks, twisting around to see me quietly falling into a panic attack. “They’re yours, aren’t they? Couldn’t you have chosen a pack that’s less arrogant?"
“That would involve having any choice in the matter,” I gasp. Breathing is getting harder with each word, and Caleb looks worried.
“You just found out though, huh?” he asks.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I can’t have them. You know how I feel about this. Without Maree, I’m half a person, Caleb. I’ve looked for her, but she was a baby when she was kidnapped. No one that looks like me comes up anywhere but here on city cameras when I send the image to see what pings back.”
We were identical when we were born, so I feel like I’m basically looking for myself. We slept in bassinets next to each other, and someone decided to take her and leave me. What are the odds of something like that happening?
My parents searched and searched for her, but any leads have long gone cold. I’m never going to find her.
“What if she’s dead, Hollis?” he asks, swallowing hard. “How long are you going to punish yourself for something that happened when you were a baby?”
“I could say the same thing for you!” I yell, the feeling helping to push back the anxiety and sadness.
“That was different. I should have protected Alisa better,” Caleb says.
We’re interrupted by Lars getting back into the car with his hands full of trays.
“You both need food,” Lars says. “Don’t yell at each other.”
Sighing, I nod. Inhaling sharply, I moan. “Do I smell bread?”
“I have a catering job and they ordered subs. I accidentally made extras, so I pulled these for us. I also have lemon bar squares and brownies. I’m not sure what this kind of conversation will need,” he says.
“Hollis found her scent matches and they’re sex toy selling twats,” Caleb says, turning back around after selling me out.
“That’s colorful,” Lars mutters as his brother drives the short way to his bar.
Finnegan’s bar is a neighborhood staple and does very well. The two of them are comfortable if not completely happy.
“They flew off the handle over an invite to the mixer, and you know, Cian warned me this may happen,” I grumble. “I just didn’t think they’d be the hot heads.”
“I bet they’re wondering now if you’re even available,” Lars says wickedly, shoving open the door. He has a hard time with big emotions typically, but I’m different.
They helped me keep skinned knees from my parents for years. What’s a few tears between friends now when I’m freaking the fuck out!
“Shit is going to get complicated,” I mutter, following him out of the vehicle.
Aisling told me about how once she knew she had a scent match, her body craved him. It didn’t matter if she didn’t know who the alpha was, her body begged for him. I can’t deal with heats that leave me a mewling, begging mess. I’ve been handling my own shit for ten years, and that’s what I’m going to continue to do.
Following the brothers up the steps into the bar, I lock up behind me and move to a booth that typically doesn’t get many customers. I don’t know why that is, but it is where I will usually sit when I come in.
“Whiskey, Hollis?” Caleb asks, heading behind the bar. “I have your favorite.”
No one really notices what I drink, but they do.
