FULL NOVELXO Chapter 7
Chapter 7 Brooklyn
"I'm just saying," Jolie says as she slides an omelet out onto a plate. "It's a red flag when a guy doesn't want to meet her friends and family. I mean, who even is this guy, anyway? She's never even told us his name."
I stop dead on the stairs at hearing her words, just three steps away from the kitchen. I stay still, hoping to hear what Jolie and Dad really think.
Hopefully, they haven't scented that I'm home yet, and are too wrapped up in their conversation to be tuned into their wolves.
"And I'm just saying, I think you should trust Brooklyn a little more. She's a smart girl." Dad turns and looks directly at me. "Aren't you, kiddo?"
I scowl, embarrassed to be caught eavesdropping. I should have known that Dad's senses were too finely honed to miss that I was there. I take the final steps down into the kitchen and give Dad a kiss on the cheek, sitting down in the chair next to him.
"I'm smart, but I'm not a kid anymore. Time to update the nickname."
"Never," he says, smiling at me. "You're my kiddo forever. Or, I could go back to calling you 'puppers' instead."
I mock gag and roll my eyes.
Jolie brings me a plate of eggs, patting me on the head. Even though we're not related by blood, she treats me just as any condescending big sister would.
I came to live with Stephen and Jolie when Stephen married my mom, and we all became one big happy family.
Even after Mom died in a car accident only two years after the wedding, Stephen never gave me any reason to think of him as anything besides my dad. I love him just as much as any blood relation. I have no memories of my biological dad and no idea where he is. He could be human or vampire for all I know. Though, if I were something other than full wolf shifter, I'm sure I'd know by now.
"So, what is it about this guy?" Jolie asks, settling in her chair across from me. She's always excited to talk about boys. "There must be something about him, especially because you've never called anyone your boyfriend before. Are we thinking...possible mate?"
I blush. She's right but...well, they don't know yet that my first relationship has already ended in disaster. I'll make something up in a week or two and hope their wolves don't pick up on my lies.
Apparently, my pheromones stink worse than most when I lie. Sigh.
"Well, he's really sweet to me." I pick up my fork and dig into my eggs. "He's not like the other guys I
meet. They're always so loud and annoying. He's...different. A gentleman," I say with a small smile.
And as gay as the day is long, I can't help but add internally. The smile falls from my face.
No wonder he was fine with taking things slow. He probably didn't even want to kiss me.
I've had a couple of days to think about it, and as hurt as I am, I do understand why he would do what he
did.
In a lot of packs and shifter
communities, being gay is one of the worst things you can be. Bloodline is everything Continuing on your
family and pack legacy is everything. If you're gay...you aren't doing that, typically. Some packs accept surrogacy in order to continue the bloodline, but some don't and feel that having someone else carry the pup "taints" it.
The funny thing? Most wolves don't actually care about the being gay part...it's all about the pups. So weird. And stupid, if you ask me.
Especially since my family isn't related to me by blood. Maybe that's why I have a different perspective. But really, Dad and Jolie don't need to know anything yet. I eat my eggs quickly, eager to get away from the conversation.
"He's...gentle?" Jolie asks, raising an eyebrow, her voice skeptical.
I look up at her, confused, and nod.
She laughs. "Oh, poor Brooklyn!"
I put my fork down, and my spine stiffens. "What? What's wrong with that?"
"What, he only touches you very delicately? Squires you around town?" Her voice is sarcastic, as if these are bad things. "Talks to you about books?"
"Yes?" I say, drawing my brows together, getting a little angry. "What's wrong with that!?"
"Brooklyn!" she says, leaning forward and laughing. Come on, don't you want a man beast who gets your blood running a little bit? Someone who makes your wolf want to shift and rug and howl because you don't know what to do with all the ways he's making you hot? Not someone Who gives you a little peck on the cheek, but someone who throws you down, makes you want to climb all over him like-"
"Oooookay," Dad says slowly, interrupting her and holding out his hands between us. There's a smile on
his face, though. "That's a little more than a dad needs to hear."
Jolie laughs, popping another bite of eggs
loo her mouth. "Okay, touche,
Dad. But still. Brooklyn, baby..." She looks at me imploringly. "Are you sure this guy isn't gay?"