Read Online Behind the Eight Ball by M.A. Church - Free Book Online Page A

that is,” Marshell added.
    “Oh, for….” Janelle rolled her eyes. “Shut it, baby brother.”
    Dolf stared out into the night, his features tight, but finally he turned to me. “I apologize for Heller’s actions. He can be impulsive, somewhat high maintenance, and he doesn’t always think before he opens his mouth. But I swear to you, he’s a good man, really, but he’s… well….”
    “Scared,” I finished for Dolf. “You both have told me he’s my mate, but this is twice he’s run from me. Now I know what a mate is since I know Janelle and Marshell. But guys, that”—I waved in the direction Heller ran off in—“isn’t a man who wants a mate.”
    Marshell shook his head. “It’s not that he doesn’t want a mate, Lawson. It’s that he doesn’t want a human mate. Your mate doesn’t think humans are good enough—that you’re good enough.”
    Dolf tightened his lips. “Heller’s certainly flawed. From how he’s acting now, I’m willing to bet a human hurt him, and badly. I’m not making excuses for him, Marshell, but I do have to wonder why you continue with the snide comments to Lawson about his mate. You must know that’s painful for him.”
    “Heller rejected him,” Marshell said. “I say Lawson should cut his losses now and move on.”
    An ache uncurled around my heart, which surprised me. Well, hell. Thinking of giving up hurt me. I don’t know what I was expecting, but that wasn’t it. Where was this hurt coming from? Mate bond , whispered through my mind. Jesus, I didn’t think it could happen this fast or to a human.
    “So that’s it?” Dolf snapped. “Make a mistake and that’s the end of that? I had no idea you were so perfect. What must it be like to never screw up, I wonder?”
    “That’s enough, both of you!” I snapped, and both men turned to me, twin looks of surprise on their faces. Good. I managed to shut them both up. I’ve met this guy twice, and look how he’s crawled under my skin. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but I knew I wasn’t willing to walk away.
    “Marshell, stop being an ass,” Janelle said. “The guy apparently panicked and screwed up. Shit happens. Just wait until you find your mate. Hormones raging out of control aren’t conducive to clear thinking. Trust me. It’s all I can do to keep my nature under wraps and not to drag Sam off somewhere.”
    “Oh God, TMI.” I was tempted to stick my fingers in my ears. “So back to why. I need answers if I’m going to fix this. If this can be fixed. He’s been clear about his feelings. So give me a reason to keep trying, Dolf. Why does Heller feel this way?”
    “No one really knows for sure,” Dolf said. “Recently he hinted something happened involving a human, but he refused to tell me what. I do know it was bad. I’ve known Heller my whole life, and somehow I’ve missed this. Don’t give up on him. He is a good guy. You just have to get through some of the other layers first.”
    “What a mess.” I was still hungry to boot. “What do I do?” My stomach growled, and then I shivered. “Inside. Whatever I’m going to do, it’s going to be done inside. I’m cold.”
    Dolf left Heller’s clothes on the table and opened the patio door for us. “Why don’t we all reorder? May I join you? I can tell you a little about myself and Heller while we wait.”
    I looked at Marshell. “That’s fine by me.”
    Marshell shrugged.
    Janelle glanced down at her hand and sighed. “Well, I’m certainly not leaving any time soon, so why not?”
    Dolf’s table was more secluded, so we sat there. After reordering, Dolf sat back. “So a little about us. We number about forty members, and most of us live in and around West Falls. We own close to a hundred acres right outside the city line and that backs up to the Crowley’s Mountains State Park. My dad is the current leader, and I’ll take up the reins when he retires.”
    “And Heller? I heard what Marshell called him outside.” I