Page 10 of Knot Stepping Down
Declan’s smile widens as he drags me into his side and ruffles my curls with his free hand. “There’s my little step bro. Didn’t think you’d show up. How’s a drink sound?”
I frown up at him, wondering what’s gotten into him when I realize that he’s found a way to touch me without making everyone notice. “Just something small?”
“Shot it is then,” he says before leaning a bit closer, the next words just for me. “I have a feeling you’re a bit wild when you let go, pretty boy.”
My entire body shudders as he yells for a shot, everyone in the general vicinity shouting ‘shots, shots, shots’ until I’m handed a hot pink cup with a generous serving of clear alcohol. One sniff and I know it’s tequila. This night is either going to be amazing or horrendous. My lip turns up in disgust as I raise it to my lips, a small whimper slipping out just as Declan hands me another cup. Same color. Same clear liquid.
When he takes my original cup and downs it, I just glare at him before sniffing my new cup and realizing it’s water. He wiggles his brows at me, pointing to my drink. “Drink up, Avery! It’s a party!”
I do as I’m told, warmth filling my chest as I realize he’s watching out for me. There’s three more ‘shots’ like that until Declan leaves my side and one of his friends all but feeds me a glass of whiskey. I sputter through it, tears glazing my eyes as the liquid burns my throat, the cup clutched into my hands.
Suddenly, I no longer want to be here anymore.
I was safe tucked into Declan’s side but now? I’m in the middle of a pack of wolves and when someone asks me about the auction night, I don’t know what to do.
So, I just leave.
declan
Ireallyfuckedupthis time.
Avery messaged me that he left but he’s not picking up his phone. I shouldn’t have left his side and I shouldn’t have asked him to show up. He would have been at home just fine, curled up in his nest if I hadn’t asked him out here.
But now, I’m doing damage control and pushing off Kade and Ethan who want to go to the after after party. I can’t get home fast enough in a cab because I’m too drunk to drive, hoping and praying that I can catch Avery and drag him into my arms to apologize like my life depends on it.
The moment I pull into the driveway, though, I know that it’s going to be a little bit before I get to talk to him. The lights are all on, Mom’s car parked in front of mine, the low music spilling out into the night air telling me she’s in a mood.
Fuck.
I’m barely in the door before her voice ruins what’s left of my night. “Declan Wolfe, we need to talk.Now.” She moves into the living room, her arms folded across her chest before she perches herself on the edge of one of the armchairs. Avery’s father is nowhere in sight, probably asleep or still out running errands.
I force a grin onto my face, keeping it light despite my racing heart. “Hey, Mom, nice to see you too. What’s up?” I toss my bag by the door, hoping to dodge whatever this is and check on Avery.
She holds up her phone. “Care to explain this?” The screen shows a blurry social media post from the party, Avery firmly tucked into my side. She swipes across the screen, showing several other pictures with Avery’s gaze firmly locked on me and one of myself where it seems that my stepbrother means more to me than he should. “I just thought it was you teasing that poor Omega like you always do but the comments are disgusting. Everyone’s asking if something happened last night after the auction or if you two are lovers? You guys arebrothers.”
I didn’t think this conversation would happen so quickly. “Mom, it’s not what it looks like. We just had dinner together after the auction. Nothing happened.” It’s a half-lie, my scent hardening a little but my mother’s never really been able to read me like that.
She raises an eyebrow, scrolling through more comments as she turns the phone back to her. “I hope not, Declan. I really like our family as it is and I don’t need you blowing things up like you usually do.”
I’m never the one blowing things up, not really. It’s the woman who gave birth to me, the woman who never knows what she wants and then chooses on a whim to uproot me from my life. For the first time, I’m actually enjoying my studies and my team and the little Omega upstairs freaking out at the moment.
“That’s not fair, Mom. You never ask how I’m doing or if we even won. Did you even know I had a game today? We crushed one of the top schools in the area and ended up at an after party but that’s not something you’d know because you never ask.” I thought about keeping it playful but honestly I’m kind of fed up with how often I’m dismissed so she can enjoy her love life.
Mom scoffs, waving a hand in the air. “Those silly games won’t get you anywhere. You need to focus on real goals, not this… gaming nonsense.”
“Those silly games are paying for my education. Full scholarship, Mom. Maybe notice that sometime.” My words come out harsher than I mean to but I’m done with this conversation, even more so when I catch a hint of burnt vanilla wafting down the stairs. “Excuse me, I need to make sure Avery’s okay.”
She calls after me as I head for the stairs. “Keep the door open, Declan!”
I brush her off, confused when I find Avery’s door ajar. I push it open more, looking around to find his nest empty. “Avery?” I step farther in, looking around, trying to follow that burnt vanilla scent when it takes me to the attached bathroom. The water’s running, steam billowing out and fogging out the mirror as I step inside. “Avery?”
My heart sinks into my stomach as I find Avery in the shower, curled up on the tile floor, his clothes still on, water soaking him through. His dark curls are plastered to his face, hazel eyes red from crying, and he’s shivering. He looks so small, so broken, and it’s my fault.
I throw off my jacket and peel off my shoes before reaching into the shower to pull Avery into my lap, his entire body shivering as he curls into me. It’s such an involuntary action, his fingers digging into my chest that I can’t help but hold him even tighter.
“I got you, pretty boy. Fuck, I’m so sorry. I should have never asked you to come.”
“Be-because you didn’t want me there?”
