help with the aches."
"And you're doing good," Vic said. "Learning faster than I did. Don't worry, the aches only last for a couple of weeks."
"Thanks, guys," David said. "I'm just thrilled that I can finally walk. I still feel like a drunk wolf, but at least I now feel like a wolf."
There was a round of "good nights" and then we all headed to our cars, leaving the three bears and Lev behind to handle the last of the mess. I climbed into my truck, and Pax joined me. Ian and Lane took his SUV. We waited for Kim and Bridget to leave first, but I pulled out before Ashley could.
"This just killed our chance for a date this weekend," I told Pax.
He huffed as if that should've been obvious. "Damon earlier, the boy this evening. Starting to feel like the universe is trying to tell me something."
"Don't say that," I warned. "Shit, every time we get things going the right way with her, it's like something pops up to ruin it."
"So what's Plan B?" Pax asked. "Seriously, Trent. You're so hung up on this idea of a date, but we're running the largest pack of shifters I've ever heard of. The reality is that we might not get a day off. Between Ian and Elena, the pack is always going to come first, so how do you get your proof that this is real if you're basing it on some bullshit night in town?"
I could only shrug. "I just want..."
"What?" he demanded when I let that trail off.
"I want to prove to her that we're as good as Ian and Lane, ok?"
For a long moment, Pax said nothing. The whole time, Elena's house kept getting closer, and I knew this conversation was coming to an end. Then, just as I pulled my truck into our driveway, he looked over at me.
"Then we prove it," he decided. "We do the same shit they are. You put in more time with Gabby. I'll help with the house. The things we're good at that we know she needs. We make it clear to her that we're a benefit, not something else for her to take care of. The handle to her bathtub faucet is sticky and leaks if not turned off all the way. The carpet's coming up on the stairs. These are things we can do for her, Trent, so let's do them."
"That's not a relationship, you moron," I said. "Pax, that's being her handyman. I'm talking about emotions. About showing her that we actually do care. How the fuck do we make that clear?"
He just opened his door and stepped out. "How did Seth? How did Lane? How did Ian? They took care of her, Trent. They held her, they made her feel beautiful, and they did things without needing to be asked. Know how I know?" He waited until I was out of the car and standing. "I asked Lane."
"And he told you that?" Not what I was expecting.
Pax nodded. "He said he just wants to see her happy, and we make her feel beautiful. I figure that means we're not doing half bad, right?"
"So now we make her feel important," I decided. "Strong, competent, beautiful, sure. But most of all, we need to make it clear that our mate is important to us."
"Wanna crash at her place tonight?" he asked.
I just laughed. "Duh."
He nodded, still thinking. "Breakfast in the morning for the kids, since I'm sure a few will still be here. Let her sleep in, and play the middle man so she can relax for a bit?"
"Sounds like a plan," I agreed just as Ian pulled in beside us. "Hey, if she's taking company tonight, it's our turn," I said as soon as the first door opened.
"Works for me," Ian said. "Means I can make sure Heather's honestly ok with this arrangement. I'll drag Ashley into it, just so none of them feel like I'm ordering them around."
"I'll help Ian," Lane offered. "Dunno if Seth's already invited himself, though."
"I'll sleep as a wolf if I have to," Pax said. "We'll make it work."
As a group, we headed around to the back to enter her house. The scent of Elena's tacos hit me immediately, making my stomach growl. I glanced over, caught Pax's eye, and made a straight line for the kitchen. Lane paused to strip off his muddy boots. Ian headed for the living room. Pax followed behind him.
"How do we help?" I asked the moment I