Roman and Lucas will be inside. They’re both so moody lately it’s like living in a freaking mine field,” Lazarus answered.
Riley huffed a laugh. “And here I thought you were the moody one.”
“Oh, hell no. Not even close,” Lazarus said, lifting his baseball cap off his head and readjusting it before pulling it down snugly over his eyes.
“Be glad when Base and his family get back. Even if Roman’s mate hasn’t come around yet, Base and Kaiser seem to cheer him up a bit,” Riley said.
“Yeah. I think he’ll be a bit easier to live with when they get home. When are they coming back?” Lazarus asked.
“They been traveling a bit since baseball season wrapped up. They’re in Disney World right now. Should be back the week of Christmas,” Riley said.
“I guess we can hold on that long,” Lazarus grumbled.
“Got to, it’s what you do when your people are hurting,” Riley said.
“Got a good mind to go snatch that woman up and bring her back here myself,” Lazarus said.
“Let’s wait and see if she comes around on her own,” Riley said, chuckling and watching Lazarus from the corner of his eye. He knew Lazarus wouldn’t actually snatch a woman up against her will, but it was hard for him watching one of his closest friends hurt over not having access to his mate. “Besides, if you snatch up Talie, you’re going to have to snatch up Libby, too. We can’t be having that. She’s one of us,” Riley added.
“Yeah, but you know what? I told him time and time again. Do not get attached to that woman. She is not yours. So, what does he do? He gets attached. That one’s on him.”
“I don’t think Lucas realized how attached he was getting until it was done,” Riley answered.
“Maybe. So, what are we going to do for the next few weeks?” Lazarus asked.
“Relax. Enjoy family. Let our animals run. Christmas shop. Get ready for the holidays. You know we do it big,” Riley said, pulling the truck into his regular parking place.
“Yeah. I do. Just not used to it. I can go shopping, though. See what I can find,” Lazarus said, getting out of the truck and closing the door. “You need help with anything today?”
“Naw, I’m good. Gonna go inside and see what Maia’s got going on,” Riley answered.
“Alright, then,” Lazarus answered. He looked back over his shoulder and smiled. “They both inside. I’m heading home, gonna have some lunch and catch a few Z’s.”
“You should call Alex. She may have something she needs help with,” Riley teased.
“Hey! Now that ain't funny,” Lazarus said, pointing at Riley as he walked backwards.
“If you can consider snatching your Pride brothers’ mates and bringing them home to make your Pride brothers happy, I can certainly suggest you bring yours while you’re at it.”
“Yeah, uh-huh, I see what you doing,” Lazarus said grinning. “Me and Alex are just fine,” he said firmly.
“Yeah, I bet you are. When you go shopping, consider a gift for her, too. I know Maia’s inviting her here for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.”
“Really?” Lazarus asked.
“Really,” Riley answered.
~~~
Roman let himself in his home and closed the door, leaving the room in shadows since he didn’t turn on any lights. He looked around the living room and his eyes fell on the doll house he’d bought for Darcie, and the pretty linen and lace tree skirt he’d bought to place beneath their tree. He’d not gotten the tree yet, he was hoping that Talie and Darcie would be there in time to go with him to pick it out. But lately Talie had stopped calling him, and stopped answering his calls.
He couldn’t help it, he knew something wasn’t right. No matter how many times Riley, and Maia, and even Richie and Constance told him to be patient, he couldn’t help but feel there was more to it and that she needed him. He’d asked her the last time she’d answered if there was a problem, something he could help her with, and she’d insisted that everything was okay, she was just a little stressed. Then she lowered her voice and whispered that she’d have to call him back. But she never did. And she didn’t answer her calls anymore. The calls went to voice mail now, which to him seemed like she didn’t even turn on the phone anymore. He knew some males were rejected by their mates, and he was beginning to think he was one of them.
Roman looked over