The Littlest

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  Jude hoisted Kane onto his other hip. He was slowly chewing his way through the enormous steak in his mouth.

  Riley sighed and threw up his hands.

  “Thank God we have another platter of steaks.” Riley smiled at his daughter. “Are you having fun with Uncle Jude?” Maggie drooled and cooed as she looked adoringly up at Jude.

  “She sure is,” Jude kissed Maggie’s forehead. “Although, we had a powder accident.”

  Mateo’s brows rose. “She grabbed it when you weren’t looking.”

  Jude nodded. “Yup.”

  “Let me see my little girl.” Mateo put his hands out and Maggie wiggled in Jude’s grip. Jude handed her over and Mateo held his daughter close to him.

  “You are getting so big!” Mateo kissed her cheek.

  Riley looked at his watch. “We have to get the grills going. I think Caden and Kellan are at the park by now.”

  Jude nodded. “They are; I saw them on my way in. Kellan’s there with the ambulance, showing the kids all the cool stuff.” Jude laughed. He, Scott and Kellan were paramedics, and sometimes he forgot how awesome the equipment was.

  “Don’t let them shock each other,” Riley pointed at Jude.

  Jude pouted.

  Riley laughed and picked Matty up. “You need to shift, buddy. Way too many people are coming and they might freak out, okay?”

  Matty huffed, but shifted.

  They all looked to Kane, who was still chewing on his steak. He eyed all the people looking at him and continued to chew.

  “I don’t think he’s going to shift until he finishes his meal,” Hayden said with a smile.

  “Well, let’s get going.” Mateo hoisted the diaper bag over his shoulder.

  ~*~

  The sun was high in the sky and the day’s heat was coming to a peak. The kids were spread out among the center, the park and the water. Nikolai Markov and his boyfriend, Colin Greystone, were helping on Derek Jacobs’ boat. They were taking kids water skiing in intervals. Mateo had volunteered as well. They watched as one of the kids struggled to get up on his skis. They were out far enough to avoid running into other boats anchored near Gas Works Park to catch the fireworks show.

  Mateo clapped as the kid finally got up on the skis. Justice took a straight shot out further into the water and they glided across calm waters. Mateo sat back and looked around the crowded boat. One of the kids who had been at Camp Pride had joined them this year. Mateo’s brows furrowed as he tried to remember the kid’s name. It was something uncommon.

  “You look like you’re about to explode.”

  Mateo snapped out of his daze. The kid he’d just been thinking about stood with a small smile in front of him. Short brown hair styled in spikes and doe brown eyes looked at him.

  “Oh, funny you should say that – ”

  “It’s Stone,” the young man grinned.

  “How did you know?”

  “Well, you were staring right at me with this look of either constipation or deep thought,” Stone chuckled.

  Mateo patted the chair next to him and Stone sat down. The kid was maybe seventeen, but he looked younger. Wayne was paying for him to attend a private school for the gifted after his parents had refused to move, or send him to a new school, when he was bullied at his public school.

  “How have you been since camp?” Mateo sipped from his bottle of water.

  “Good,” Stone nodded. “I’m going to the regular high school next year with Elijah.”

  Mateo sat back in surprise. “You are?”

  “Yep. I moved in with Skylar after school got out this year. I appreciate what Wayne has done, but he knows and understands about this. Skylar’s been real nice to me; so have Ryder and Elijah. We have a lot in common so…” Stone trailed off and looked out onto the water.

  “Were you being bullied at the other school?” Mateo asked quietly.

  “No, I just felt – I don’t know. Weird or something? It’s like those other kids didn’t know how to be kids, ya know? I mean they didn’t play video games or anything like that. I have some good friends there and even they are thinking of switching back to public school.”

  “Well, you do what makes you happy, okay?” Mateo mussed Stone’s hair.

  “Not wearing a uniform would make me happy,” Stone chuckled. “I can’t wait to wear ripped jeans and a freakin’ T-shirt.” Stone motioned to Elijah. “Something’s up with him lately.”

  Elijah was sitting by himself, just staring out at the water. Mateo got up, getting ready to make his excuses for interrupting, but then noticed Jaxon was making his way over.

  A sly smile curved his lips. Elijah had a crush on the older Salvatore brother and it was entertaining to watch. Mateo sat back to catch the show.

  ~*~

  “Hey.” Jaxon sat down next to Elijah.

  The teenager had been quiet and reserved all morning. Jaxon was starting to think something was wrong; Elijah hadn’t even hit on him. At all.

  Elijah looked over and nodded.

  “Hey.”

  “Are you okay?” Jaxon scooted closer to him.

  “I’m fine,” Elijah said quietly.

  Jaxon leaned in closer and noticed Elijah’s jaw clench. “You don’t seem fine. You’re very quiet. It’s not like you. Normally, you’d be feeling my ass and asking me to kiss you,” Jaxon said teasingly, barely bumping Elijah’s shoulder with his.

  “It won’t happen anyway, so what’s the point?” Elijah moved over on the bench.

  Jaxon sat back and regarded the younger man. “What’s wrong, Elijah?”

  “I said nothing, okay?”

  “No, it’s not okay. Is everything okay at home?” Jaxon put his arm around Elijah. A soft hiss escaped the younger man and Jaxon pulled back.

  “Did I hurt you? What’s wrong?”

  “I said I was fine!’ Elijah stood up and backed away, wary of the confined space.

  Jaxon searched the young man’s features. His eyes caught what looked like a black mark on Elijah’s upper arm, right under the sleeve of his T-shirt. Jaxon stood up and immediately crossed the space between them. He reached for the sleeve and Elijah backed up again.

  “What are you doing?” Elijah looked around in a panic.

  “Let me see your arm,” Jaxon requested calmly.

  “I don’t have to show you anything.” Elijah made his way to the back of the boat. He felt a hand around his bicep and swung around. Jaxon had a hold of his sleeve and gently pulled the fabric up.

  Elijah froze as a murderous look crossed Jaxon’s features.

  “Who did this?” Jaxon seethed through clenched teeth.

  “It’s nothing. Just got hurt in gym.” Elijah removed his arm from Jaxon’s grip. “You know those dodge ball games are brutal.”

  “Don’t lie to me, Elijah.” Jaxon raised his eyes to Elijah’s. “If someone is hurting you, I want to know about it.”

  “Like I said. Gym.” Elijah backed away again.

  The feel of the boat slowing down caught Jaxon’s attention. He had to go reel in a skier. He turned back to Elijah.

  “This conversation is not over.”

  Mateo waited until Elijah was out on the water before approaching Jaxon. The anger coming from the man was palpable. He’d caught some of the conversation, but not on purpose. Damn, werewolf hearing was spectacular. Mateo sat next to Jaxon on the stern.

  “So, what do you think? Bullies or parents?” Mateo asked softly.

  Jaxon sighed. “I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”

  “You care about him, don’t you?” Mateo looked over at Jaxon. He stiffened and Mateo patted his shoulder. “Hey, don’t worry about it. He’ll be eighteen soon, and legal. Riley is younger than me.” Mateo grinned as Jaxon shot him a look.

  Justice’s loud whistle brought them out of their talk and Mateo waved out to Elijah who gave them a thumbs up. The boat reared up and then shot like a cannon through the water, pulling Elijah up on his skis.

  The kid wa
s a natural. Mateo whistled and clapped as Elijah sped through the water on the skis, even putting one foot up and showing off.

  “He’s good,” Jaxon smiled.

  “Watch out!” Justice shouted.

  To Mateo, it seemed to happen in slow motion.

  A speedboat came out of nowhere and headed straight for Elijah. And then, right before his eyes, a huge wave rose up and pushed the speedboat out of the way.

  Mateo’s mouth dropped as Elijah skirted right between the boat and the wave, coming out the other side unharmed.

  “What the hell?”

  ~*~

  Austin could hear the frantic cries on the other boat. The group on the pontoon watched in horror as a speedboat came from nowhere and headed straight for someone on the water.

  “Oh my God! They’re going to hit him!” Austin shouted.

  His husband, Tucker, blinked – then blinked again as a wave rose from the calm water and knocked the speedboat off its course.

  “That’s Elijah!” Tucker gasped.

  Austin ran to the back of the pontoon boat to check on the kids who were swimming. Skylar Foxx seemed to be in a daze as he watched the speedboat veer away from the skiers.

  “Skylar? Are you okay?” Austin crouched down on the ladder.

  “Huh?” Skylar looked up at Austin’s worried face.

  Austin could hear Tucker calling in the speedboat to the Seattle Police Harbor Patrol. Someone had consumed too much alcohol and was careless enough to get behind the wheel.

  “Why don’t you climb back in; we’re going to go meet up with Justice and his group.”

  Skylar frowned. The last time he’d seen Justice Salvatore, he had overheard the man call him ‘horrible.’ He really didn’t feel like seeing him face to face again.

  “Can’t you drop me off? Or I could swim?” Skylar offered.

  “It’s going to take two minutes and we’re going to take the kids who have already skied back to shore. Come on.” Austin smiled, putting his hand out.

  Skylar nodded and took the offered hand.

  They met up with the other boat and picked up the kids. Elijah climbed on board and Austin pulled him into a grateful hug. Elijah stiffened in his arms, and Austin pulled back.

  “Are you okay?” Austin looked Elijah over.

  “Oh, yeah sure. Just hit the water kind of hard.” Elijah mumbled, making his way to the other end of the boat.

  Austin shook Justice’s hand.

  “Nice job out there.”

  “We got lucky. If that wave hadn’t knocked the speedboat out of the way, I’m sure Elijah would have been clipped.” Justice’s eyes fell on Skylar Foxx. His black hair was wet and clung to his face. He was eyeliner free today, but his eyes were still so dark it was frankly mesmerizing. Justice couldn’t stop staring at that perfect face.

  “Hi, we haven’t met yet.” Justice put his hand out. “Justice Salvatore.”

  Skylar looked at the offered hand and backed up.

  “Yeah. Nice to meet you.” Skylar turned and walked away.

  Austin’s brows furrowed.

  “That’s weird. He’s usually not like that. I mean, he used to be stand-offish, but he’s become a lot friendlier since camp.” Austin tilted his head at Justice. “Although, you are quite intimidating.”

  “I am?” Justice glanced over at Austin.

  “Well, you’re what? Seven feet tall?” Austin snickered.

  “I’m six-four,” Justice scowled.

  “Whatever. Look at your biceps. They’re huge and you have tattoos all over you.”

  “You think I scare him?” Justice asked quizzically.

  “I think you’re sexy,” Austin chuckled.

  “I heard that!” Tucker shouted from the bow.

  “Well, let’s head back in for food. I think the kids are hungry.” Austin yanked a thumb over his shoulder.

  Justice looked along the railing. Skylar had acted like he had the plague or something. Maybe he’d be able to talk to him once they got back on dry land.

  “Okay.”

  ***

  The party was in full swing. Between the park and the boats on the water and the overflowing center, July Fourth was going to rock.

  Riley sat on the park bench with Maggie, feeding her a bottle. Mateo and Sam were playing touch football with some of the outreach center kids. Matty and Kane had been spending time with Hayden. Riley noticed Dakota and Chance making their way over. Dakota sat down on the bench, out of breath.

  “What happened to you?” Riley asked.

  “Had to catch Kane. He’s quick.”

  “He shifted?” Riley’s eyes widened.

  “I caught him just as he was going into a room full of people. Hayden was dealing with Matty.” Dakota laughed softly. “I’m telling you, based on what I’ve heard, that kid is just like Mateo. Anyway, thank God Chance was standing there and cast a spell in case Kane got too far.”

  “I do have my moments,” Chance grinned.

  “I so need some grown-up time,” Riley sighed. “I feel like all I do all day is talk to babies. I need some grown-up conversation and a nice tall drink.”

  “Why don’t you go out with us tonight?” Chance offered.

  “Where?” Riley asked.

  “Cuffs and Stuff. It’s a gay bar up on the hill and it’s awesome. Good music, great people, perfect for you and Mateo. You and Sam should go too, Dakota.”

  Riley looked over at Dakota. “What do you think? Grown-up time?”

  “Sounds good to me,” Dakota nodded.

  “Wait,” Riley sighed. “We can’t. We have the twins.”

  “I can watch them if you want,” Jude offered with a grin. “They’re pretty well behaved for me. I can take them to Nicholas and Sebastian’s house; they have a fenced-in yard.”

  Riley looked over at Dakota. “Well? What do you think?”

  “Don’t you trust me?” Jude raised his brows.

  “We like you, Jude. That’s why we’re contemplating letting you have our kids for more than just an hour. They have a way of running you ragged.”

  “Well, I’m sure Sebastian will help. He loves the kids.”

  “Don’t say we didn’t warn you,” Dakota chuckled.

  “It will be dark soon; they’re getting ready for the fireworks show. Let’s get our blankets.”

  Hayden came through the bushes with a wiggling Kane and Matty. Dakota took his son and kissed him. Matty was barely in a diaper, and was trying to crawl over Hayden’s massive shoulder.

  “Hey, you,” Riley grinned at his son.

  Kane was in human form, but Dakota heard a low growl rising from his son’s throat. He looked around the park; kids were spread out all over. Dakota leaned into his son’s ear.

  “What is it, Kane?”

  Chance stiffened. “Someone’s using black magic.”

  “What do you mean? How do you know?” Riley held Maggie closer to him.

  “There’s a shift in the atmosphere.” Chance closed his eyes.

  “Can you tell who?” Dakota asked.

  Chance shook his head. “No. Someone is hiding it very well.”

  Matty’s head swiveled, and a low growl rose from his throat as well. Hayden stepped in front of both of the babies and scanned the area. Skylar and Elijah were walking towards the parking lot. Elijah had his head down and Skylar was rubbing his back. A couple was waiting by a parked car.

  Hayden narrowed his eyes.

  “Isn’t that Elijah’s adoptive parents?” Hayden glanced over at Jude.

  Jude’s eyes scanned the park and parking lot. “Yes it is. Jaxon’s headed that way, too.”

  “Something’s up.” Dakota held Kane closer to him. His son was not happy about something.

  Jaxon ran across the grass to catch Elijah. The kid had gotten away from him after the boat had docked. He spotted Elijah’s parents, and his hackles rose. If they were the reason Elijah was bruised, someone was going to die painfully.

  “Elijah!” Jaxon
called out.

  The couple by the car grabbed Elijah by the arm and hurried him over to the passenger door.

  “Elijah! Wait!”

  Elijah shook loose and came around the front of the car. Jaxon finally reached him and put a hand out to him. Elijah shrank back, and Jaxon almost growled. What had happened to him?

  “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said calmly.

  “Um, I hafta go, okay?” Elijah moved back toward the car.

  “Come on, Elijah! We’re going to be late,” the woman snapped.

  Jaxon took Elijah’s hand and searched his eyes.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked in a lowered voice.

  “Elijah!”

  This time it was the man who had spoken and Jaxon looked up. Something wasn’t quite right with either one of them.

  “I’m fine, just please go.” Elijah lowered his voice. “Please?”

  Jaxon searched Elijah’s face. “This isn’t over, not by a long shot. Something’s going on with you.”

  Jaxon stood by helplessly as Elijah was carted off by his parents. Every single nerve in his body was telling him something was very, very wrong.

  “Something’s going on with him.”

  Jaxon looked over his shoulder to see Skylar frowning.

  “I noticed it today on the boat. He has a bruise on his arm.” Jaxon turned to face Skylar. “Has he said anything?”

  “He just keeps telling me that everything’s fine and I should keep my distance from him, that he’s not safe to be around.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Jaxon’s brows furrowed.

  “I don’t know, but I don’t like it.” Skylar eyed Jaxon. “Why do you care?”

  Jaxon started at the question.

  “Why wouldn’t I care? Of course I care!” Jaxon almost growled.

  Skylar grinned.

  “Oh shut up,” Jaxon grumbled. He noticed Justice approaching and smiled at his older brother. Skylar glanced over his shoulder.

  “I have to go,” he said quickly.

  “Wait, why? Aren’t you going to stay for the fireworks?”

  “I’m going to go find Ryder. Later, Jaxon.”

  Skylar stepped away and began quickly walking toward the beach. His flight was interrupted when a very large form came into view, almost blocking out the sinking sun. Skylar stepped back in surprise.