by V. Vaughn
I'd love to believe that was her reason, but I don't. Instead of getting mad, I remember my commitment to not let my mother get to me, and I return her smile. "How thoughtful." It takes all my willpower when I turn around not to cross my arms and stew.
Sugar Explosion, the bakery, is in the center of our little town, and like all the businesses in Smokey Falls, the owner is a werewolf and not used to weddings. Wendy was beside herself with excitement when I asked her to make the wedding cake. A bell jingles on the door when we walk in, but it's not necessary because Wendy is waiting for us.
I called ahead to let her know Rosemary was coming, but Wendy can't contain her joy. "Jayden!" The surprisingly thin natural blonde comes over to give me a hug. "Can I thank you one more time for choosing me?"
I chuckle. "I'm grateful you wanted to do this. I can't wait to see what you did with my ideas."
"I can't wait to show you." Her eyes dart between all of us. "Do we need to wait for anyone?"
I shake my head. "Byron and Dean should be here soon, but we can get started. Wendy, this is my mother, Rosemary."
Wendy nods to my mother. "Nice to meet you."
Rosemary says, "It smells divine in here."
She gazes around at the smattering of tables and chairs for customers. A couple is at one table, and a single woman is typing furiously on a computer at another.
My mother stops looking around when she spies the bakery case. "My goodness, Wendy, however do you stay so thin? Look at those pastries." Rosemary lets out a sigh.
"Good genes and the fact I only taste things. I don't think I've eaten a whole cookie or piece of pie in years."
Alex says, "I'm not sure how you stop. Rosemary, you're in for a treat. Wendy is practically a magician."
Rosemary squints at her. "Hmm. I thought I sensed some kind of powers." She looks her up and down. "And you certainly drink the same water everyone else in this town does, because I can't believe a baker is as fit as fiddle."
Before my mother can dig any deeper, I jump in. "Let's see the cakes. Byron and Dean don't care about how you decorate, but I'm dying here. Don't leave me in suspense."
Wendy lets out a little squeal. "Okay. Go have a seat." She points to where three square tables are set up to make one large one.
Chairs scrape over the floor as Alex, Rosemary, and I get settled. My mother sets her cake down on the table with a thump. Wendy comes out with a large tray that holds five small round cakes and sets it down on a table near us.
"Okay," says Wendy as she lifts a cake off the tray and places it before us. She says to my mother and Alex, "Jayden asked me to do flowers to match her bouquet. Since she's chosen orange, pink, and white blooms, I used some edible flowers on this cake done with a basket weave design of buttercream frosting."
"Buttercream is divine, Jayden," says Rosemary. "If you're thinking about flavor, this is an excellent choice."
When I feel my brow furrow, I force my expression to relax.
"Exactly," says Wendy. "And it's a classic design."
She proceeds to share the other designs with us, which include a pink-and-orange-ombré fondant base with sugar flowers, fondant with edible gold leaf, a damask design, and one with hand-painted flowers.
"These are all so beautiful," I say. I turn to Alex. "What do you think?"
He holds up his hands. "I'm just here for taste testing, babe."
Knowing what I do about the flavor of fondant and Alex's preferences, I'm sure the buttercream is going to be the winner for frosting. In fact, it's been what I've wanted since the first time I tasted it years ago, but since my mother was quick to pick it, I'm hesitant. I scowl as I consider if there is another one I like better.
I'm so focused I don't notice the guys have arrived until I hear Byron's voice call out, "There better be cake left! We got caught up in our last call."
I look over to see he and Dean have damp hair, as if they just got out of the shower.
As they approach us, Dean says, "We got called in to help Rapid River. A horse farm went up like a box of matches."
Wendy says, "Oh no. Any casualties?"
"No, thank god," says Byron. "But the barn's a goner."
"That's too bad," says Wendy, and she offers a sympathetic smile before she switches gears. "Let me get plates for the tasting."
She rushes off and returns with a large stack of plates as Byron and Dean join us at the table.
She says, "I'd like you to focus on the frosting and the cake separately if you can. Any combination of these can be done."
Once we all have a small slice of each option, we begin to eat.
"Mmm," says Byron. "The chocolate's really good."
"Is this red velvet?" asks Dean as he breaks off another bite of the ombre cake. "It's delicious."
"It is," says Wendy, and she smiles with pride.
While all the cakes are good, I've been waiting to try what I think will be my favorite last. I dig into the buttercream slice, which is yellow cake inside with jam in between the layers. Buttery sweetness fills my mouth along with a touch of raspberry flavor. I let out a moan of pleasure. It couldn't be more perfect, and I can definitely get over myself enough to admit it. After I swallow my mouthful, I say, "This is the one."
My mother nods at me as she chews, and then she takes a forkful of the buttercream cake too. When she puts it in her mouth, she sighs and savors the flavor. "It's just like you planned all these years. The edible flowers are lovely too. So perfect for the setting you've chosen."
I blink in surprise that she hasn't got any criticism for me. "Do you really think so?"
Rosemary reaches over and grabs my hand. "I do."
I smile back, thrilled that we agree on something. I look at Alex. "What do you think?"
"The basket one is my first choice too."
"Dude, not the chocolate?" asks Byron. "I think I might need a whole one of these, Wendy."
"He probably will," says Rosemary with a sly smile as if she has a secret. "Now that we've settled the wedding cake, I brought something to see if it'll work for the groom’s cake."
"Oh?" Wendy's frown is momentary, but I sense she's not thrilled with my mother's intrusion.
Rosemary slides her pan forward and removes the tinfoil. "Alex told me his favorite dessert is carrot cake, which is perfect for what I had in mind as party favors for guests. I added a little something extra I think they'll enjoy."
We all look at a simple cake covered in frosting that I guess is cream cheese.
"Of course, you can fancy this up a bit. Perhaps cupcakes. Or even those cute little cake pops people do nowadays would work."
Wendy's eyes narrow as she looks at me. "If that's what you want."
Since my mother was so gracious about my wedding cake choice and I've accepted the idea of a groom’s cake, I say, "Sure. I think cupcakes are a nice idea." Since I've had Rosemary's carrot cake many times, I don't need to taste it, and I get up to deal with scheduling an appointment at the bridal shop for my dress. "I'll be right back," I say as I hold up my phone.
I step outside the bakery and take a moment to look at the waterfalls the town is named for as I wait for Diana to pick up. I'm just finishing my call when Wendy comes outside to join me. Her face is clouded with concern.
"Jayden," she says. "I—" She scowls and appears to be controlling anger for a moment. "We can't use your mother's recipe. Werewolves can't handle very much of her secret ingredient."
"Secret ingredient? My mom's carrot cake is from a basic cookbook. What are you talking about?"
Wendy lets out a sigh of relief. "Oh good. You didn't know."
"Know what?"
She blows out a breath slowly. "You'd better come inside and see."
Ten
"Oh my god," says Dean over a mouthful of carrot cake. "This is the best stuff ever."
"I know," says Byron as he shoves more cake into his mouth too.
"Don't hog it all," Dean says as he grabs the pan and sticks his hand into
the cake as if he's forgotten how to use a fork.
"Stop!" says Wendy. She rushes over and reaches for the pan. "Oh my god."
"Uh-uh." Alex yanks the cake back. "It's mine." He shoves his face in the pan.
"Alex!" I step forward to try to stop him.
My mother laughs, and since Alex is clutching the pan to his chest with a death grip, I turn my attention to her.
"What is in the cake, Rosemary?"
"Just an extra herb for a bit of fun."
"Herb?" I let out a groan because I think she put pot in the cake. "You didn't."
"I did, and clearly they like it," she says as she looks at the three guys who look as if they just ate with their hands tied behind their backs.
"You need to get them out of here, Jayden. We—" Wendy darts her gaze at my mother and frowns for a moment before she perks up. "Rosemary, you know how you mentioned the people in this town are super fit?"
My mother nods.
"Well, you were right that it's genetic, but that also means mind-altering substances hit us harder than most."
"Oh dear," says Rosemary. "That makes sense, because I only put a little in to give them a taste."
"Whoa," says Byron as he holds up his hands and asks nobody in particular, "Did you ever notice your veins look like a road map?"
Dean is licking his lips as he frowns. "I'm experiencing a cornucopia of frosting flavors right now."
Alex bursts into laughter.
Wendy gives us a stern look. "Get them out now before they start taste testing my entire bakery."
"Right." I move toward them. "Hey guys, it's time to go."
When they don't move, my mother claps her hands as if they're small children. "Up, up, up! Let's go."
A chair crashes to the floor as they stand, and when Byron starts to veer toward the bakery counter, I grab his arm.
"This way," I say, and I grab Alex's arm too. "Come on, guys. I think we should all go back to our house. Okay?"
Rosemary tugs Dean along as he says dreamily, "I love this place, man. It's a plethora of sensory input."
"I know, honey," she says. "We can come back another time."
When we get outside, I look at the two trucks we all arrived in. "Dean," I say. "Why don't you let Rosemary drive your truck."
He tilts his head at me in confusion.
"That way you can look out the window at the cumulous clouds."
"Oh," he says as he cranes his neck to look up and nearly topples over from lack of balance. "Pretty."
"Jeez," says Rosemary to me. "Wendy wasn't kidding. I'm so sorry, Jayden. I had no idea."
I glare at her, too concerned with getting the guys back to my place to let my anger take over yet. "Save it. Please. I can't deal with you right now. Let's just get them in Alex's truck so we can get them home safe. Got it?"
Dean tugs Rosemary into a hug so tight I hear a pop that makes me think he might have cracked her rib. "You're such a cool mom!" he cries out as she gasps for air.
I take pity on her since no matter what Rosemary's done, she doesn't deserve a punctured lung. "She is, Dean. But you need to let her go so she can drive your truck. Okay?"
My mother chuckles when he releases her as if this whole thing is funny. "Jayden, I can take at least Dean."
"No," I say as anger burns in me. "Let me do this."
"Are you sure?"
"I said I've got this." I reply a little more sharply than necessary, so I add in a softer tone, "I'm sorry. I just think it's best if I deal with them all as a whole."
"I'm hungry," says Byron, and he turns back toward the bakery.
"Oh no, you don't," I say as I yank him by the arm. "We can make nachos when we get home."
"And those little frozen potatoes in the oven?" asks Alex.
"Sure."
We've reached the truck, and sweat trickles down my back as I notice Byron lift his cowboy-boot-clad foot up to get in and miss. He giggles before he tries again. "Whoops a daisy," he says after a second miss. Finally, he manages to get it right the third time.
Dean isn't so lucky. He catches the pointy tip of his boot when it's his turn to climb in and tumbles into the back seat head first.
Alex grins at me. "Ass over teakettle. Get it?" He cackles, and Byron joins him in a joke I'm afraid only they get.
I give Alex a patient smile. "Your turn."
Dean sticks his head out the back window to look up at the sky.
"Buckle up!" I say before I turn my attention back to Alex to get him in the truck.
Once I'm in the driver's seat, my mother pulls out of the parking lot, and I fall in behind her. I jump when Byron lets out a howl that makes the hair on my neck stand on end. And ice runs through my veins as I realize this could happen in front of Rosemary too. I grab my cell to make a call for help as Dean sticks his head out of his window to howl too.
"Carol!" I yell over the noise when she picks up. "Two things. First, what do you do to take care of super-high werewolves?"
"What? Who?"
"Alex, Byron, and Dean."
"What on earth?" Her tone gets sharp. "I can't believe those boys. What were they thinking? You know marijuana is something we don't tolerate well."
"I do. They didn't get high on purpose."
"What happened?"
I glance in my sideview mirror to see Byron lapping at the air as a dog would, and I let out a groan. "I can't get into it right now."
Dean lets out another howl, which makes Byron howl again, and Alex sticks his head out the window to join them.
"Oh my god, Carol. What do I do?"
"There isn't much you can do!" she yells. "Just keep an eye on them until the effects of the drug wear off. Where's Rosemary? Oh goodness, she doesn't know what we are. Should I send Dave over to help with the boys?"
"I've got the guys covered, but I could use help with Rosemary."
"Is that my mother?" Alex hisses.
I dart my gaze over to my mate, whose hair is standing on end from the wind. I reach over and place my hand on his thigh.
"Of course," says Carol. "I'll give her a call and take her out for drinks."
"Thank you."
When I hang up, Alex leans into my space, oblivious to the fact he’s blocking my view. "Did you tell my mom we're high?"
I push him out of the way. "No, babe. Don't worry. Your mom still thinks you're squeaky clean."
"No, she doesn't." Alex turns around and yanks on Dean to pull him back in. "Remember that time we camped out in the field?"
"The field," drawls Dean. "Hey, we should watch the stars twinkle tonight."
Alex strains against his seat belt to grab Byron too, and I notice the paw on my seat, which means my mate has partially shifted.
"Oops, I shifted again," he sings to the tune of a pop song and then breaks into giggles like a kid.
"Alex, sit back in your seat," I order.
He listens, and when he's settled again, his mood shifts to something serious before he turns to talk to his friends again. "Dudes," he says. "Where are we in between man and wolf? Like did you ever think about what would happen if the world ended right at this moment? Would I be stuck as half wolf and half man?"
"Like that time when we tried to see if half shifting could make us run faster?" asks Dean.
"Yeah. Yes!" Alex gets excited and lifts up to lean in between our seats again. "And we—we. We—" He laughs so hard he snorts. "I forgot what I was going to say."
"Bro," Byron says as he holds up an arm, and they fist bump.
I roll my eyes and speed up to get home before they decide to jump out and run behind the truck. But even though they're amusing right now, worry won't let me enjoy it. When we finally get home, Rosemary is waiting for us.
I say, "I've got this," and I direct the guys, who thankfully are all completely human, to the backyard. I use a mom voice and tell them I'm going inside to make snacks and that they need to stay on the porch.
When I get there, Rosemary is wringing her
hands. "Jayden—"
I hold up my hand. "I know you didn't have any idea what edibles would do to them. But, Rosemary!" I take a deep breath to calm myself and continue in a more reasonable tone. "Why? I thought we were getting along. I was trying here."
"So was I." She offers me a tentative smile. "C'mon, they're funny."
"You gave them drugs against their will."
"And they're enjoying them."
"Agh! Do you not even see what you did is wrong?"
"Hello!" calls out Carol as she lets herself in.
I'm sure she heard part of our conversation, but Rosemary doesn't know that and she smiles at her. "Hold on one minute. I just need to freshen up."
"You look perfect," says Carol.
"Says the married one," replies Rosemary. "I'll be ready in a jiffy."
The moment she's out of earshot, I point to the deck, and Carol rushes over to peer at the guys through the window. They're all lying down as Dean points at the sky. "Oh dear. They’re higher than kites."
"They sure are."
"Keep feeding them. I'm told that food helps absorb it."
I walk over to the fridge to grab fried potatoes out of the freezer. Carol comes over to help, and a drawer scrapes open as she tugs on it to grab a baking sheet. "I've got this," she says. Take them chips or cookies — or something."
"Thanks, Carol." I look at her with longing, because it occurs to me that my mother is the one who should be getting me out of this scrape instead of being the one who caused it. I blink as tears fill my eyes.
"Jayden." Carol opens up her arms to me. "Honey."
I step forward and let her hold me tight, and she strokes my hair as tears stream down my face in a silent cry.
"Shhh. It's not that bad."
I pull back to look at my soon-to-be mother-in-law, and Carol stiffens.
I ask, "Isn't it, though? Whose mother gets grown men high without their consent?"
As soon as the words come out of my mouth Carol cringes, and I realize Rosemary is right behind me.
"One who thought that maybe her daughter was being too uptight and wanted people to have fun today," retorts my mother as she walks into the kitchen.