by Liv Rider
“I know how you feel about my approach regarding my councils and the decisions I make.” His father was still looking at the lake and the trees on the other side. “I know you disagree. I know you think I force my opinion on people. That I don’t listen to their objections, and that I push people around.”
Mitchell remained silent. There was no point denying it, since he had told his father exactly that several times over the past decade.
His father sighed. “And maybe, sometimes, occasionally, I went too far.”
Mitchell turned his head sharply. His father looked uncomfortable. A dragon shifter, admitting they’d been wrong? Especially one as proud and sure about himself as his father?
“Very rare occasions,” his father muttered, then coughed. “Maybe your approach has merit to it. Maybe I could’ve let people decide more for themselves.”
“Thank you.” He didn’t know what else to say. Not that his father never said Mitchell did a fine job of being a Keeper of the Peace, but he’d rarely complimented Mitchell’s way of doing it.
“But they’re too used to it now. I’m too used to it.”
Mitchell nodded. It was a habit for his father, and habits were difficult to change. “I only do things the way I do them because I don’t want to do them your way. And maybe sometimes I go too far the other way. Sometimes I need to be the one making tough decisions. The one who pushes people into a certain direction.”
He thought of the annoyed sigh Katherine let out whenever he countered her ‘what do you want us to do?’ with a ‘what do you think is best?’ He’d never pried or asked what frustrated her, but he realized it now. She wanted him to take the lead, and he kept refusing, afraid of being too much like his father.
It looked like he’d have to talk to her when he got back on Monday. Maybe he should try to change some of his habits. There had to be a balance between what his father did and always doing the opposite.
“Hah!” his father exclaimed, then remained quiet. His smile was smug, though.
“But you sound like you’ve been thinking about this for a while,” Mitchell said. “About your way of being Keeper.” It seemed his father was ahead of him there.
“I’ve been Keeper for such a long time now. I think it’s good if I pass on my duties to someone else. In two or three years Dale will be ready.” He looked at Mitchell. “Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve talked to your mother about it. She thinks it’s best if Dale gets a few years of a normal marriage before adding this burden.”
“That sounds like a sensible plan.” Mitchell was stunned by the revelation. He could see the logic behind it. Dale was old enough to become a Keeper of the Peace, and he knew his father’s district very well. It was a natural fit. But he hadn’t expected his father to want to step down. “And it’ll give Emily time to get used to the idea.”
“Oh.”
“You were thinking of her when planning Dale’s future, right?” Mitchell already knew the answer.
“She seems very capable,” his father replied dismissively.
Mitchell could hear the unspoken ‘for a human.’ “It’ll still be a big change for her when Dale becomes a Keeper of the Peace.”
“I suppose so….”
Mitchell hoped his father would discuss it more with his mother, and later on with Dale and Emily. “But that was what you wanted to talk about? You wanted to know what was going on with me?”
His father gave a firm nod. “Yes, we were getting worried.”
“Please don’t tell Mom.” He’d only get more advice he didn’t want. Dale and his father knowing was bad enough.
“Only if you tell her yourself, either today or tomorrow.”
“Fine,” he grumbled. She’d only keep worrying otherwise.
“And if you consider taking some action regarding your mate, it doesn’t have to be something big. You won’t need to force anything. But talk to him. Let him know you want to keep seeing him.”
His heart ached at the thought of trying to be friends with Shaun and nothing more. Maybe in time he’d get used to it. And maybe in time Shaun and Chris would break up, and then Mitchell could wait until Shaun was ready for a new relationship.
Maybe in time Mitchell would stop wishing for destiny to have better timing.
“I could ask for his number.” Shaun would still have the choice to say ‘no’ and then Mitchell would respect that. It was that or visit the bar Shaun owned a lot, and that bordered on stalkerish if Shaun wanted nothing to do with him.
“Worst he can do is refuse.”
He didn’t want to think about that. “You’re right.” This way, at least, he’d have done his best. He got up, figuring he might as well corner Shaun and ask him right now before his nerves took over. “Thanks.”
His father smiled up at him. “I should say the same thing.”
He hesitated before heading back inside. “We should have had this conversation years ago.” They finally seemed to understand each other now.
“Maybe the time was finally right. Just go. Talk to your mate.”
13
Shaun
After the family portraits, Shaun brought the pet carrier back to Emily and Dale’s room. Emily still beamed from ear to ear as they went up the stairs.
“I told you, didn’t I? The cats behaved perfectly all weekend.”
“Well,” he replied, and told her about Rumple’s escape attempt yesterday. It didn’t matter anymore. The cats had performed their ring-bearing duties, and he had to give it to his sister. They had done it perfectly.
Emily stared at him at the top of the stairs. “You almost lost Rumple? How could you!”
“She lost herself! Besides, Mitchell caught her. It was fine.”
She shook her head as she headed to the hotel room. “But what if he hadn’t been there?”
“Then she would have run off to Dale.”
She paused as she grabbed her key card. “Yeah, that’s true.” She opened the door, and she followed him in. “So, Mitchell saved your ass, did he?”
He knew where this was going as he headed over to put the pet carrier down next to the window. “Well done,” he told the cats, who were both quiet. “Had a busy day, did you?” He got some kibble from the bag, and both cats stood up at that. “They can have some food, right?”
Fussing over the cats meant not thinking about Mitchell’s fingers brushing against his neck when he’d fixed Shaun’s tie. It still made him shiver. He had to get a hold of himself.
Emily nodded as she walked over. “Yes, just put it in there. I’ll get them some water.”
Once the cats had their food and water, and Shaun had left the linen bag with all the supplies in the armchair, he planned on making a swift retreat. Emily stood in the doorway, looking thoughtful.
“But you and Mitchell?”
“What about it? I’m here with Chris.” It didn’t matter how much he wished things were different.
“And? Talk to him. There’s no harm in that.”
Shaun grimaced. “Look, it’s not going to happen. I don’t know why you’re so hung up about this.” She’d never been this pushy about him dating before. Maybe it was because she’d just gotten married that she thought everyone needed a happily ever after.
“You’re not attracted to him?”
“Does it matter?” he shot back. “I’ve felt attracted to plenty of guys I didn’t ask out.”
“And it doesn’t bother you that Mitchell will be one of those guys? That you won’t be seeing him again any time soon?”
Of course it bothered him. It bothered him far too much. “It’s fine.” Maybe if he said it often enough, he’d believe it himself. “Let’s get back downstairs and enjoy those cocktails.” He offered her his arm.
She took it. “Have it your way,” she told him, closing the door behind her. “But think about it. Please.”
Once they were back downstairs, Shaun took the beer Chris offered, clinking their glasses. Now that he no longer had to take care o
f two adventurous cats, he could relax a little and enjoy himself.
Avoiding people he knew from Millersburg wasn’t too hard. They wanted nothing to do with him, and there were plenty of people from Dale’s side of the family he didn’t know that he could make small talk to. The cats were always a good conversation starter.
He didn’t see Mitchell anywhere. The other man was probably outside, and Shaun told himself that was great.
He went down the hallway to find the men’s room, and wondered if he should get another drink when he got back, or if he should wait until dinner. Hopefully that wouldn’t be as awkward as it had been last night.
On his way back, he bumped into Natalie’s husband. He nodded at him in passing, but then Aaron called his name.
“I’ve been meaning to talk you.”
He turned around, frowning. “Why?”
Aaron, who was still the same broad-shouldered jock he’d been in high school, looked alarmingly pleased. Shaun sighed, preparing for another round of snide remarks. “What is it this time?”
“We know.”
“Okay.” Shaun wasn’t sure where the other man was going with this. “If that’s all?”
“We know you don’t own the bar.” Aaron lowered his voice. “And we know you’re not in a relationship with Chris.”
Icy dread slid down to his stomach. “What? Why wouldn’t we be?” How did they know?
Aaron raised an eyebrow. “Because your Facebook status says you’re single. And so does his. And he’s tagged in pictures from a party a month ago where he’s all over some girl. Only took Caroline two minutes to find that.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” How the hell had they forgotten to check their Facebook accounts? Why hadn’t he googled himself before coming here?
“Either he’s cheating on you, in which case I’m sorry to be the one to tell you,” Aaron told him in a tone that was not sorry at all, “or you’ve been lying. Now, let’s review the evidence. One, we all know about your past lies.”
Shaun huffed, knowing it was useless to argue.
“Two, you don’t own that bar. Natalie checked the Facebook page and the Orion’s website. They both list an Orion McKinnon as the owner, if that’s his actual name.”
“His parents were hippies.” From how his boss told it, he was the one who’d gotten off easy in that family.
Aaron’s smile grew, and Shaun swore under his breath when he realized he’d only confirmed the truth. “You’re just a bartender there. So, since you lied about that, you’re probably lying about this relationship too.” He shook his head. “Which has to be saddest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”
Shaun’s face reddened. “I don’t—I mean—” His brain was going a million miles of hour and panicking. What the hell was he supposed to say? He’d done nothing to cover his tracks. He should have known someone at the wedding would look into it and find out the truth within seconds.
“I mean, dragging a fake boyfriend to a wedding?” Aaron whistled. “How sad is your life, man? Did you think he would impress anyone? He’s as much of a loser as you are.”
“Chris is awesome,” Shaun replied, stepping closer. “Don’t drag him into this.”
Aaron laughed. “What, hoping the fake boyfriend would become a real one? How pathetic.”
“What? Me and Chris?” Shaun had to bite back a laugh. Not in a thousand years. Chris was awesome, but not that awesome.
Aaron eyed him. “It didn’t surprise us. I mean, we all knew you would be a failure. But trying to spin some pathetic lies? That’s extra sad.” His smile turned cruel. “Don’t worry, we’ll help you come clean. We’ll tell everyone at the party the truth. Maybe you’ll feel like ‘fessing up to some other things while you’re at it.”
Sweat broke out along his back. Aaron and Natalie would. They definitely would. Caroline and Raymond would too. “All because you think I stole some cars?”
Aaron glared down at him. “All because we know you stole some cars. If you’re this bad at covering your tracks, we should do a little more digging into those car thefts. See what else we can find.”
He wasn’t worried about that. The police in Millersburg had dug around plenty. They had found nothing to tie him to the thefts, apart from being friends with some of the thieves. But having them tell people at the wedding…. How the hell was he supposed to face anyone at dinner? During the party later on? “What do you want?”
“Just tell the truth about Natalie’s car and the others. That’s it.”
“I told you before and I’ll tell you a thousand times. I had nothing to do with it!” Frustration and anger were bubbling up inside of him, along with the fear.
Aaron nodded. “If that’s how you want it to be. Think about it during dinner. If there’s anything you’d like to tell us after dessert, feel free. Otherwise we have no choice but to talk.”
Before Shaun could reply, Aaron stalked off, clapping him on the shoulders once.
Shaun stood frozen in shock for a moment, before turning around and heading back to the bathroom to lock himself in a stall to think.
He could stay here and have Aaron and the others tell everyone else the truth. The thought of that made him sick to his stomach. Not only would it be humiliating for him, it would also ruin tonight’s festivities. Emily and Dale didn’t deserve that. His parents’ disappointment wouldn’t be anything new, but on a night like this? Not to mention the disdain from Dale’s family. How was he supposed to look Mitchell in the eye again at a family birthday?
He rested his forehead against the door, trying to fight down his rising panic. The only out Aaron had given him involved confessing to a crime he hadn’t committed, but there was no way he would do that.
There had to be another way.
Well, there was always the option he’d taken years ago, wasn’t there?
He could pack his bags and leave.
It would be a risk. Aaron and Natalie might still tell people what he’d lied about, but he knew what they were like. They wanted to humiliate him in front of an audience, and what was the point if he wasn’t there? They’d take his leaving as an admission of guilt again.
He thought of Emily and Dale, and his heart ached at leaving now. How was he supposed to tell them? Would they even understand?
First things first. He couldn’t just leave by himself. He’d have to find Chris and tell him to pack his bags too. Chris would no doubt argue against it. Shaun could handle that.
He took a deep breath, steeling himself to get out there and mingle while pretending nothing was wrong. All he’d have to do was find Chris and get out of there.
So, the moment he headed into the hallway to get back to cocktail hour, he ran into Mitchell. The other man looked so relieved to see him that Shaun’s breath caught for a moment.
He really hated this hallway.
“Shaun!” Mitchell walked over to him, still smiling. “I was hoping to talk to you.”
“I have to find Chris.” He couldn’t be around Mitchell. Not right now. His nerves were frayed enough as it was.
Mitchell’s face turned serious. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he lied, then realized it would be weird if he left without giving a reason for it. He could tell the truth to Dale and Emily, but not to anyone else. Great. More lies upon lies. “I mean, um, something is wrong, but not with me.”
“Right.” Mitchell’s frown deepened, and he put a hand on Shaun’s arm. “Then what is it?”
Shaun felt that touch burn through his jacket. With Mitchell looking at him like that, so sincerely worried and concerned, he was tempted for a second to tell him everything. How worried he’d been to come here. How he’d lied all weekend. How everything was so close to being ruined, and he couldn’t see a way out. “I—”
“Yes?” Mitchell nodded encouragingly, moving closer.
He couldn’t. Mitchell would hate him if he knew everything. “It’s a work emergency. At the bar. I have to go back
. Now.” His stomach squirmed as he looked up at Mitchell. He stepped back, needing some distance, and walked around Mitchell to get back to the party and Chris.
“Shaun.”
He froze at Mitchell’s calm, serious tone, and turned around slowly. “What?”
Mitchell was silent for a long moment, looking down before meeting his eyes again. “You’re lying.” He sounded reluctant.
It was like a brick had dropped into his stomach. “Um,” he managed, feeling his cheeks redden and hating himself.
Mitchell looked like someone had just punched him in the gut. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”
He laughed at that. “I can’t,” he replied, even as a part of him screamed at him to tell Mitchell what was going on.
“Why not?” Mitchell moved closer. “What is it you can’t tell me?”
Part of him wanted to run like he had last night.
That was what he was good at. Running away if things got tough.
He could turn around and get Chris, and leave Mitchell like he’d left Millersburg all those years ago. That had been the best decision of his life.
Leaving Mitchell, though, felt like it would be the worst decision of his life.
He looked into Mitchell’s eyes, so filled with concern. “Shaun, I want to help you, but you have to tell me how.”
No, this time, he wouldn’t run.
His stomach felt like it was about to leap out of his throat. He swallowed, reminding himself that he’d been nervous about telling Mitchell about his past last night, but that Mitchell had been nothing but encouraging.
Except he hadn’t been lying about his past to make himself look better. Mitchell would think he was an idiot and want nothing to do with him.
But helping people was Mitchell’s job, right? Hadn’t he mentioned last night how much he loved figuring out solutions to people’s problems?
Even if Mitchell wanted nothing to do with him romantically, hopefully he’d still be willing to help Shaun find a way out of this.
“Okay,” Shaun said, his mouth dry. “Okay, I’ll tell you.”