Before we hit the road
If I bring you home to mama
I guess I’d better warn ya
She falls in love a little faster than I do
And my dad will check your tires
Pour you whiskey over ice and
Take you fishing but pretend that he don’t like you
Oh, if we break up, I’ll be fine
But you’ll be breaking more hearts than mine
My sister’s gonna ask a million questions
Say anything she can to turn you red
And when you meet my high school friends
They’ll buy you drinks and fill you in
On all the crazy nights I can’t outlive
So if I bring you home to mama
I guess I’d better warn ya
She falls in love a little faster than I do
And my dad will check your tires
Pour you whiskey over ice and
Buy you dinner but pretend that he don’t like you
Oh, if we break up, I’ll be fine
But you’ll be breaking more hearts than mine
If I bring you home to mama
I guess I’d better warn ya
She feels every heartache I go through
And if my dad sees me crying
He’ll pour some whiskey over ice and
Tell a lie and say he never really liked you
Oh, if we break up, I’ll be fine
But you’ll be breaking more hearts than mine
You’ll be breaking more hearts than mine.”
When I finished, my shoulder was wet from Dakota’s tears, but the chaos tearing at his heart had calmed. Tears clung to my lashes, but I ducked my head so no one saw them. Albeit, I feared they heard the break in my voice when I nearly choked on the words my heart wished were true. Not because I wanted to cause anyone pain, but due to my desire to have a family. God, I missed mom so much. I wished she were here so I could hug her. Hell, I wished I could talk to her about being an omega and how any alpha could try to court me hoping to be chosen as my mate. Mentally shaking my head, I refocused on the boy who needed my attention to help soothe his broken heart.
“Jax would have loved that song,” Dakota’s voice was thick with tears, and a bitter smile curled my lips. I thought as much. “Thank you. I can picture him singing that every time I dare get in his car, and while it hurts, it lightens my heart too.” His voice lowered, and tenderness filled his words. “I love you too. I heard the pain in your voice, the longing, so thank you for putting aside your hurt for me. But that’s enough of that. Let’s get you settled so you and the idiots who followed you where they were forbidden to go can get some sleep before school tomorrow. You won’t get much, but hopefully enough that you can function.”
“Will you stay?” I asked softly, feeling guilty the second the words escaped. I shouldn’t ask that of him. He had a mate, and a home, and didn’t need to stay in a house that would only hurt his heart.
“Actually,” Dakota whispered with warmth filling his voice along with tears. “It might be the last chance I have to fall asleep with my cousin’s scent in my nose. So, if you’ll have me, yes, I would like to stay.” Oh, Dakota. Sniffling, I turned the knob and pulled Dakota into the house before we stalled all night.
Home Sweet Home
I flipped the first switch I found, causing light to chase away the darkness and sting my eyes. Once my eyes adjusted, I noticed the werewolves and Ryker taking deep breaths while sadness wrapped around me. So, they could smell Jaxy and it was breaking their hearts. Ryker recovered first, shaking his head with a soft sigh. “Let’s get you to bed, bunny. You still haven’t recovered from the initial excitement of your first visit to Wolfram, let alone the events of the past few days. Come, you need sleep. I, for one, expect a detailed report of what happens during school,” the vampire murmured.
Sighing, I let him pull me close while eyeing the werewolves who looked like they might cry. All I smelled was musty air, so I was thankful to have human senses. Although, I wondered if smelling Jax would bring back memories for me? I used to clutch my blanket, especially after the point in time Jaxy claimed he took himself from my mind. So even though I didn’t remember him, I knew something was missing.
After a few minutes, Dakota opened his eyes, followed by Riff and Char, with the teenagers sporting bittersweet smiles. Shaking his head, Dakota murmured, “I’ll show you to the master bedroom, bunny. Jax spent a lot of time here, but he never lived in this house. I always thought it was odd, although he said I’d understand someday. Jax knew I hated when he got cryptic, so he did every chance he got. God, I miss him so much.” Ryker let me go, and I pulled the nearly in tears Dakota into my arms. Biting my lip, I recalled the conversation that seemed like it occurred a lifetime ago and cursed myself. No wonder it was so hard for them to let go of their pain since I focused on what I lost.
With a deep breath, I closed my eyes and thought of how happy I was living with Riff and Char, letting peace take over my heart. Slowly, I breathed out my chaos, and, since I was focusing on emotions, I sensed when Riff and Char found their inner peace as well. Dakota took a few more minutes, then the chaos clutching his heart in icy talons lost its grip, and he got the better of his emotions instead of succumbing to them. Usually, I would encourage them to embrace their sadness and let it out, but I feared none of them would sleep while chaos ruled their hearts. I fear they feel on some level they’re betraying Jax by replacing him with me. Smelling him while I stand
