Not-So-Fated Mates

Chapter 31: Lying to Himself

Drake POV

“Dude, what the hell?” Drake asked after catching Layla’s smile as he turned back to his friend.

“I-I was just joking. I didn’t think…” Jackson trailed off, scrubbing his hands down his face, his eyes still wide.

“Yeah, you rarely do,” Drake scoffed, sitting back and folding his arms over his chest. “What is even going on between you two? And don’t give me the bullshit about how it’s just for fun, because I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.”

Jackson sighed, playing with his food. “We’re…mates,” he whispered.

“Wait, what?!” Drake exclaimed. “You’ve known since you guys met that you were mates, and you didn’t say anything? Dude, we’re leaving tomorrow, she has to come with! You should’ve told me, I would’ve had someone move your stuff to one of the houses.”

“That’s the thing, Drake,” Jackson sighed, “she’s not coming.”

“What? Why not?”

“She doesn’t want to leave Layla, at least, not yet.”

Drake’s mouth tightened, the conflict that had been raging in his mind already coming back with a vengeance. “Well, s**t. What’re you going to do?”

“I don’t know, man,” Jackson sighed, massaging his temples. “I guess, for now, we’re going to just have to make it work over the distance as best as possible.”

“Damn, I’m sorry,” Drake sighed, patting his beta on the back.

“Why are you sorry?” Jackson scoffed. “It isn’t like it’s your fault. My mate is just a really loyal person, and because of who her best friend just so happens to be, I’m s**t outta luck until she’s comfortable leaving her friend behind. Speaking of which, how are you doing with all of that?”

“What do you mean?” Drake asked, feigning innocence as he stared at his drink.

“You know what I mean.” Jackson rolled his eyes at his alpha, clearly not buying his innocent act. “I can tell you aren’t exactly happy about leaving a certain someone behind. You’ve been a lot more pensive since announcing we had to leave. Which is kinda funny, considering that, since you’ve been hanging out with her, you’ve become quite the social butterfly. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk this much in this short of an amount of time since before the…well, you know.”

“Yeah, so I’ve had fun, what of it? You’ve been telling me for years I need to loosen up, and once I do, you become the damn Spanish Inquisition,” Drake growled. “If it will get you to shut the f**k up about it, yeah I’ve had fun with Layla. She’s actually better company than I’ve had in a female for years, and the s*x is f*****g phenomenal, but that’s all there is to it. I’d consider her a friend, but nothing more. Now stop grilling me about it, or I’ll make you regret it.”

“Damn, dude, I’m just trying to help,” his beta grumbled. “I know the s**t you went through with Jess was really f****d up s**t, and I just want you to be able to get past it and be happy. You seemed to be really taken with this chick from the get-go, and it has always seemed like it’s more than what you keep saying it is.”

“Well, it’s not, so you can drop it and shut the f**k up for once.” While he felt a bit guilty for snapping at his friend who was already dealing with enough as it was, he really couldn’t keep answering his nosy questions. Especially considering the fact that he couldn’t even admit the truth of it all to himself, let alone his best friend, and he really hated lying. Unfortunately, it would never be safe enough to admit the truth to himself or others, so it would just be better for them all if no one asked anymore.

Noticing his drink was empty, he huffed in irritation as he got up to approach the bar. What he didn’t notice, however, was the figure frozen just behind the barely opened door to the women’s bathroom. A figure that had just heard everything he’d said.