The man wrote him a prescription for vitamins and Emmett thanked him. He stuffed it into his pocket when he was dressed and choked down the tears that threatened to climb back up. He ran a hand down his belly, mixed feelings swirled in his head and he desperately wanted Nathan.

  That ache blossomed in his chest. He’d never craved another person the way that he craved Nathan. The man made him feel better every time they were together. He thought about them strolling through the apple orchard together, fingers locked as the smell of cinnamon and apples filled the air.

  Why can’t I have that? Emmett snatched up his jacket and shrugged it on before he stalked out of the hospital. His emotions roared and he wanted to get away from people and bury himself in bed until it was time for work.

  Chapter 13

  Nathan

  By the time his shift rolled around, Nathan was tense. Every muscle felt wound up and he was more feral than usual. Instead of getting into a fight he’d holed himself away so that he could keep his temper under control and not start trouble.

  It will go away. When I get to be near him I’ll calm down. Declan had gone through the same thing and he knew it was because he was away from Emmett. All of the pain, pacing, and need to run would stop once he saw those clear blue eyes and that soft smile.

  Nathan tugged on a pair of dark jeans and combed his hair until it was nice and neat. He’d tidied up his beard making sure it was presentable and slipped into a blue shirt that clung to his body and showed off his muscles. He’d seen Emmett drool over him and he wanted to induce that same feeling until the omega stopped being irritated at whatever he’d done.

  When he jogged downstairs, his mom was in the kitchen getting dinner ready. The smell of fresh vegetables picked out of the garden filled the space. She stirred a huge pot.

  “What are you making?”

  “I thought it would be a great night for beef stew and fresh bread,” she exclaimed as Nathan kissed her cheek. “Are you joining us or are you going to work?”

  “Work,” he said as he picked up a spoon, dipped it into the pot and tasted it. “Gods, that’s amazing.”

  “I know it is. If you stick that spoon back into this pot though I’ll beat you. Don’t think you’re too old for spankings.”

  Nathan grinned. “Mom, really?”

  “Really,” she scoffed. “Hey, when are you bringing that Emmett home?” She asked as she wiped off her hands and propped them onto her hips.

  “Why would I do that?” He muttered.

  “Well you two have known each other for awhile and you’re clearly in love with him.” She held up a hand as he began to protest. “Don’t even think about lying. Ever since you got back from that little trip with him you’ve been pining.”

  Nathan stuck out his chest. “Burns men don’t pine.”

  “Bullshit. Declan did it, your father did it, and you’re doing it now. You all put on that alpha front very well, but you think you’re better at hiding it than you are. There ain’t nothing wrong with telling someone how you feel. Especially when you’re supposed to be with them.”

  “Declan talked,” Nathan narrowed his eyes. “Didn’t he?”

  “A little bit,” she grinned. “Who wouldn’t be excited that there’s another fated pair running around? You need to tell Emmett.”

  Nathan groaned. “Mom, no. We have to work together and lately he’s not exactly speaking to me. He just gives me this glare and mutters a few words at a time before he shuts me out completely.”

  The woman picked up her wooden spoon and stirred it around the pot. “Obviously, you did something. Figure out what it is and apologize.”

  “Why do I have to apologize?” He scoffed. “And how the hell can I figure out what I’ve done when he won’t even tell me?”

  “Boo hoo, sunshine,” she waved a hand as she tasted the stew and her eyes lit up. “Delicious. Now, you go to work and fix things with your man.”

  “Mom—”

  “Or end up a lonely old bastard,” she interrupted. “Son, I love you,” she said as she slipped a hand against his cheek. “You are my fiery, wild darling. You’re also extremely thick and if you think this bond will go away quietly you’re losing it.” The woman patted his cheek a little too hard and he frowned. “Seriously, fix it. You’ll be a lot happier once you do. And don’t argue because I’m always right.”

  “She is,” his father grunted as he ambled into the kitchen and parked himself in his usual seat. “Don’t fight it.”

  Nathan groaned. He felt like they’d both ganged up on him, but the butterflies that fluttered through his belly said they were right. He needed to fix things with Emmett.

  “Alright, alright,” Nathan growled. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.”

  “Be honest with him!” His mom called as he rushed for the door. “Don’t let love slip away from you, son.”

  “Oh my God,” he muttered.

  How was it possible that he could be embarrassed by his mom at his age? She was great at it. He felt better once he was seated in his truck and ready to head for the bar.

  “Everything’s going to be fine,” he said as he nodded at his reflection in the rear-view mirror.

  He had to believe that. If he didn’t, Nathan wasn't sure what he would do One thing at a time. Nathan drove to work and the closer he got the more his heart raced. He was so ready to see Emmett. The smile that touched his lips grew and grew until his cheeks hurt.

  Nathan hopped out of the car and strolled into the bar. It felt good to be back in Crown Parlor. It was like home. The familiar sights of their regulars, the smell of beer and alcohol that clung to the air. It was comforting. He walked into the back and ditched his jacket before he headed for the bar.

  “Nathan,” Emmett said as he poured a drink. “You’re here. And on time.”

  “Yep, ready to help,” he beamed and waved to Colten.

  “Colt, mind the bar,” Emmett muttered before he grabbed Nathan’s arm and led him into the back. “We don’t need any extra help tonight. It’s pretty tame.” ‘

  Nathan raised a brow. “It’s the weekend. You and I both know this place is going to get flooded in a bit.”

  “We can handle it. Why don’t you go home?”

  As much as Nathan wanted to believe it wasn’t personal, Emmett avoided his eyes. The way he stared at the ground instead of at him stirred something deep in Nathan’s stomach.

  “Alright, that’s enough,” Nathan said firmly as he grabbed Emmett’s chin and forced him to meet his gaze. “What the hell is going on? You’ve been shoving me away since Rosewater. What did I do?”

  Emmett yanked his chin out of his grasp. “Nothing. I told you that we’re slow right now and we don’t need the help. I’ll give you the money you earned in Rosewater,” he mumbled as he fled for his office.

  Nathan pursued him. No way in hell was he going to let Emmett run away and pretend everything was alright. Something was very wrong and he wanted to know what is was.

  “Emmett,” he growled as he stood in the doorway. “Either tell me what I did wrong or stop treating me like an asshole. If I know what I did, I can fucking fix it. I can’t do that when you keep pushing me away.”

  “I’m not doing that,” Emmett snapped as he yanked open his safe and pulled out the money. “It’s not my fault that you won’t believe me.”

  “Enough,” Nathan said as he shut the door to the office behind him. “Tell me what’s going on with you. It’s pissing me off that you’re acting like this and I’m supposed to what? Sit around and take it?”

  Emmett stared at Nathan, but the alpha wasn’t going to back down. How was he supposed to make things better if he didn’t even know what he had done? They had so much fun back in Rosewater. When did it all go wrong?

  “I am you boss,” Emmett finally stuttered out. “Don’t talk to me like that.”

  “Like what?” Nathan scoffed. “Calling you out on the bullshit that you’re trying to spoon feed me? Am I supposed to swallow your words and go back to being what we were before? We both know there’s more going on and you insist on keeping me at arm’s length. What the hell is going on?”

  “Get out,” Emmett growled. “I don’t need your macho, alpha attitude in my bar. This is my place, not yours. You can’t just march in here and demand shit from me like you own the place!”

  “Emmett, I’m not leaving until you tell me the truth.”

  “You are leaving. Now,” the omega growled. “As a matter of fact, you’re fired. Get out of my bar.”

  Nathan’s eyes widened as he stared at Emmett. Fired? Was he really firing him? He tightened his hands into fists and his nails scraped against his palms.

  “For what?”

  “I already told you. This is my place and I don’t have to explain myself to anyone in it. I want you out. Here,” Emmett said as he grabbed the envelope with Nathan’s name scrawled on it and tossed it at him. “Your earnings for Grand. We don’t need to talk to each other ever again. Leave.”

  Nathan had no words. He had been so excited about seeing Emmett and now he was being fired? The mental whiplash had left him speechless. He didn’t even bother to scoop up the envelope.

  “You know what? Keep it,” Nathan snapped.

  He stalked out of the office and through the bar. Eyes followed the pissed off alpha, but he didn’t care. If Emmett was going to treat him like shit, he would have nothing to do with him. Fated or not.

  Chapter 14

  Emmett

  The days dragged. Emmett wasn’t sure what he’d expected. Of course Nathan wanted nothing to do with him after he had fired the man and thrown money in his face. Emmett wrapped an arm around his belly and sighed.

  What now? He wished he could say that he had pushed Nathan aside and forgotten about him. Of course he thought that would happen when he fired him, but nothing could be further from the truth. Nathan lingered in his brain, prodding and poking while he tried to ignore it all.

  Except, there was one problem. The work that Emmett normally threw himself into did nothing for him. He ran the Crown and even visited Grand, but nothing gave him pleasure. It was like he couldn't focus no matter how hard he tried.

  Keep it together, Emmett. He walked out of his office and ended up behind the bar. Crown Parlor was nice and busy, but it was missing the vibe he’d come to love. Nathan slinging drinks and laughing was sorely missed.

  “You could hire him back,” Colten said as he strolled up to him. “I’m nowhere near as good as him and you obviously miss him being around.”

  Emmett scowled. “I don’t need all that. I just want my bar to run smoothly. Stop assuming I’m looking for him.”

  “Well you’re the one that comes out here all forlorn before you sneak back into your office. It’s pretty obvious what you’re looking for and he doesn’t live far from here. Why don’t you go to his place and check on him?”

  “Thank you for the advice, but I don’t need it,” Emmett said as he scanned the room. “I think it’s best if we keep our distance.”

  Colten shook his head. “Even though you fired him for no reason,” he muttered.

  Emmett spun on the man. He was ready to tell him to mind his own business when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He glanced sideways. Jaron waved happily as he settled onto a stool.

  “What are you doing here?” Emmett asked as he grabbed a beer for Jaron and passed it to him.

  “I figured I’d come and say hi. Everything’s running so smoothly at Grand I figured I could come and visit you.” Jaron looked him up and down. “And I’m glad I did. You look like a hot mess.”

  Emmett sighed. “Yeah, I don’t feel great either. Honestly, if we weren’t short staffed I would take off and go home.”

  “Are you sick?” Jaron stood up and slapped a hand over his forehead. “No fever,” he muttered.

  “Stop fussing,” Emmett said as he slapped his hand away. “Just drink your beer. I’ll be fine.”

  “I hope so,” Jaron said as he sat back down. “Where’s Nathan?”

  Emmett bristled, but tried to hide it as he shrugged. “Don’t know. I fired him.”

  Jaron gasped. “You did what! Why would you fire him?”

  “He was always late and he talks back way too much and...and…”

  He leaned toward Emmett. “Tell me the truth.”

  “I don’t know. I think I went temporarily insane. I can’t handle all these hormones and side effects and I’m just so tired,” Emmett whispered and quickly wiped his eyes.

  “Hormones?” Realization lit up Jaron’s eyes. “You’re pregnant?”

  “Yes. A few weeks along.”

  “And it’s Nathan’s?”

  “Unless this is immaculate conception, yeah it’s Nathan’s.”

  Jaron jumped out of his seat and was behind the bar before Emmett could protest. He dragged the omega into the back office and kicked the door closed after them.

  “Have you told him yet?” Jaron asked after he pushed Emmett into a seat.

  “No,” he muttered. “We haven’t spoken since…”

  “You fired him. Yeah,” Jaron said as he picked up a stack of papers and smacked Emmett on the head with them. “No. Bad. What the hell were you thinking? Nathan’s a great guy.”

  “Hey, ow! Stop that,” Emmett growled. “Yeah, he’s a great guy who can’t keep it in his pants. I saw the two of you on opening night all over each other. If he would go after you and you’re my best friend he would go after anyone.”

  “Oh boy,” Jaron sighed as he sat the stack of papers on the table. Slowly, he rolled them up and Emmett tilted his head, confused, until Jaron whacked him on the nose.

  “What the fuck!”

  “You’re an idiot. First of all, you’ve been pissed about this for how long? And never said anything? Gods, Emmett, open your damn mouth when you’re upset about something. No one’s a mind reader! Second of all, you are serious moron. I don’t want Nathan, he doesn’t want me. What you saw that night was him hugging me while I was crying my eyes out.”

  Emmett rubbed his nose and frowned. “Why were you crying?”

  “My boyfriend was being a massive dick and said some really screwed up stuff to me. Nathan came to take the garbage out and saw me crying so he hugged me. That was it.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me what was going on with your boyfriend?”

  Jaron shrugged. “You were swamped, Emmett. I wasn’t going to put more stress on your shoulders. And I know you. The minute you knew I was upset you would have dropped everything and you needed to be able to focus.”

  Emmett wrung his hands. “So, he didn’t do anything wrong and on top of being a shitty best friend I’m also a massive asshole.”

  “Your words,” Jaron shrugged and crossed his arms. “Not the shitty best friend part, you’ll never be that. You are kind of acting like a jerk though.”

  Slumping down in his seat, Emmett groaned. He’d put his foot in his mouth plenty of times in his life, but this was way worse.

  “Well, I really fucked that up, didn’t I?” Emmett deadpanned. “I should have talked to him first.”

  “Well, you can go and talk to him right now. I’m here and I can fill in for you. Go talk to him and tell him that you’re pregnant.”

  “I doubt he even wants to see me. I wouldn’t want to see me after the way I treated him.”

  “Please,” Jaron scoffed. “If anything I’m sure he misses the hell out of you. There’s no way that you can be without your fated mate for long.”

  Emmett shot up. “What did you just say?”

  Jaron’s arms dropped. “You don’t know? Nathan said he felt it and he wanted to talk to you about after we closed on opening night. He wanted to know if you felt it too or if he was just going insane.”

  “Gods,” Emmett muttered as he clutched his shirt. “I-I knew it was something. I mean, I’ve never felt things the way I felt them with him. There’s no way,” he said as he stared off. “Then again, I thought there was no way I was pregnant either.”

  “Hey, don’t freak out,” Jaron said as he reached out and squeezed Emmett’s arm. “Go talk to him. You two have been fighting for long enough. Just be honest with him and stop shutting everyone out. We’re supposed to see the vulnerable parts of you.”

  Emmett’s bottom lip quivered. As soon as the tears splashed down his cheeks, Emmett pulled him into a tight hug. He held onto him as he let out the frustration and loneliness that he’d felt for so long. Maybe he’s right. I have to stop hiding. The last thing he wanted to do was be hurt, but living the way he’d been living? It was just as painful isolating himself from the world.

  When he pulled away, he wiped at his eyes. Jaron passed him a tissue and he sniffled as he shook his head.

  “I have to go see him.”

  “Yeah, you do. Are you going to be okay driving?”

  Emmett nodded. “I’ll be fine. I just really need to see him. Hold down the fort for me?”

  “Anything for you, man,” Jaron grinned. “Go make up already.”

  “Thank you. I owe you.”

  “I’ll call in that favor sooner or later,” Jaron laughed. “Go, go!” He called as he waved him away.

  Emmett slipped behind the wheel of his car and sucked in a deep breath. Time to grovel. His hand gripped the wheel, but when he caught his reflection in the mirror, he smiled.

  Fated. If that was true, and his wolf was positive it was, then he could think of worse people to be tied to for the rest of his life. He’d seen a different side to Nathan and whether it had always been there or he’d matured, Emmett was happy to have him around.

  The Burns house couldn’t come into view fast enough. He had only been there a few times in the past, usually to drop Nathan off when his car was down. His eyes scanned the driveway and he saw Nathan’s truck parked off to the side. Butterflies took flight in his stomach and he took a long, slow breath.

  Everything is going to be fine. Emmett forced himself out of the car, but the minute he started up the drive, excitement made him move even faster. He could already see Nathan, that cocky grin on his lips and those warm eyes.

 

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