Jason - Silverback Redemption Page 4

“You’re a growing young man, so I’ll let the two French fries go, but I think two steaks might be one too many. Maybe order a salad on the side instead.” Her suggestion was met by a scowl. “It was worth a try.”

  “Do I look like a rabbit?” Lorcan asked, his mood lightening as Shannon chuckled. “That’s better.”

  “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t easy.” None of it was easy. Their lives had been turned upside down in the space of a couple of short weeks. As they both scrambled to make sense of the new world they found themselves in, they also contended with the knowledge nothing would ever be what it was before.

  “We’ll get through it together.” Lorcan’s eyes crackled as if a lightning storm passed through him. The other side of him...if it truly was real, was getting stronger. “I’ll protect you.”

  “And I’ll protect you.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “From eating too much red meat.”

  “There’s no such thing as too much red meat.” Jason appeared at the edge of the alcove. “Does that mean you are ready to order?”

  “We are. Thank you.” Her shoulders slouched forward as the weight of her responsibilities hit her. There was no way she could keep Lorcan safe on her own. Her father had helped her raise Lorcan from a baby, but he was not here now. She was alone and she needed help. “And thank you for the dinner. I’m sorry I haven’t been a more gracious recipient of such a wonderful prize.”

  Jason’s eyes darted from her face to Lorcan’s as he tried to figure out what had changed in the last five minutes. Since his last visit to the table, her hostility had gone, and he was searching for a reason. “No problem.” His forehead creased. “I suppose it’s not every day a man approaches you and tells you you’ve won a competition you never knew you entered.”

  “No, that’s true.” She handed him the menu. “I’ll have the garlic chicken, please.”

  “And I’ll have a steak. Medium-rare.” Lorcan licked his lips at the thought of his dinner. “And fries.”

  “And a salad.” She tilted her head to one side and raised an eyebrow, challenging him to argue with her.

  “And a salad.” Lorcan rolled his eyes as he handed the menu to Jason.

  “Can I get you another drink while you are waiting?” Jason asked, lingering at the table as if he didn’t want to drag himself away.

  “No, we’re fine, thank you.” Shannon glanced up at their host. He was tall, dark and handsome, although his dark hair was tinged with silver at his temples. She’d put his age at mid-forties, or maybe late forties, but it was hard to accurately gauge his age due to his physical appearance. Wearing a smart sky-blue button-up shirt over dark blue slacks, Jason oozed strength and control. She suspected he’d been in the Army at some point in his life, there was a kind of reserved calm to him that reminded her of the soldiers she’d met over the years in the recruitment agency where she’d worked for most of her life. Not the greatest career but the hours were flexible meaning she’d been there to take Lorcan to school and pick him up almost every day.

  “I’ll get your order to the kitchen.” Jason left the alcove, just as Shannon realized she’d zoned out again.

  “You were off in your own little world again.” Lorcan sipped his soda as he watched her.

  “I know.” She picked up her cool glass and took a long drink. “So, what’s the plan?” Shannon didn’t want to explain to Lorcan about the feelings and emotions raging inside her. So many memories had been dredged up as their lives spiraled out of control. So many secrets that were only now becoming apparent. She’d been a fool to bury her head in the sand and think they could live a normal life.

  “The plan is…you sweet-talk Jason into helping us.” Lorcan leveled his gaze at her as she snorted into her soda. “This is important.”

  “I know, which is why I don’t think we should rely on me sweet-talking anyone.” She wiped her mouth on a napkin.

  “Don’t underestimate yourself.” Lorcan grinned. “That’s what you tell me.”

  “I always knew there would come a day when I hear my own advice pushed back at me.” She shook her head. “I don’t know if this is going to overcomplicate things.” She was scared. Scared to open herself up to new people. Scared to let them in. Scared of getting hurt.

  Scared of getting someone else hurt.

  “We need help, Mom.” Lorcan was deadly serious as he looked at her across the table.

  “I know.” She also knew, deep down in her soul, that Jason was the one to help them. Although she had no idea why.

  Chapter Five – Jason

  Jason gave the food order to Michello, the chef who ran the kitchen at The Happy Bear Club. “And a steak, medium-rare.”

  “I’ll take extra special care of the food.” Michello winked at Jason. “Since it’s such a special occasion.”

  “You know, too?” Jason asked in bewilderment.

  “Who doesn’t know?” Michello chuckled. “This is a big deal for you and the whole town.”

  “But how did everyone know so fast?” Jason asked.

  “Someone told the delivery driver, the delivery driver told a couple of his customers. And so it goes on.” Michello chuckled at Jason’s expression. “After the other Silverback Saviors found their mates, we’ve all been waiting on you. The people of this town like to talk about nothing more than poor lonely Jason.”

  “They do not,” Jason snorted but color flooded his cheeks at the thought of so much attention. Then his expression turned to one of horror. “If you all know...”

  He turned away from the kitchen but before he could take one step, the door of the bar opened and in walked Patrick and Killian, followed by Kelly, Petra, and Shane.

  “Guess news reached far and wide,” Michello said as the smell of garlic filled the air.

  “I guess it did.” Jason plastered an apologetic look on his face as he strode toward his friends. “Hi.”

  “And hello to you.” Patrick’s mouth curled up on one side. “And congratulations.”

  Jason winced. “I wanted to tell you myself.”

  “That’s okay, we all know you have better things on your mind now. We’ll all just be forgotten.” Petra pretended to wipe a tear from her eye.

  “Aww, man, make me feel worse.” Jason shook his head and his gaze drifted toward the alcove where his mate was seated with her son. He could sense her, but not see her.

  At least we know she’s still there, his bear reassured him.

  “You should feel bad,” Killian said. “We’ve been waiting for this day for months.”

  “As have most of the population in Bear Creek.” Jason nodded toward the exceptionally busy bar. “And half of them have turned up to watch the show.”

  Kelly snickered. “Word sure spread fast.”

  “And you, my friend, look as if you need a drink.” Patrick walked around the bar and placed his hand on Jason’s shoulder. “Go sit down and I’ll pour you a beer.”

  “I think he needs something stronger.” Kelly patted the barstool next to her. “Come on. Take a seat and tell us what we can do to help.”

  “Because you really do look as if you need help,” Petra agreed.

  “Can I go and play pool while you grownups talk?” Shane asked.

  “Sure.” Petra nodded and her son smiled.

  “And congrats, by the way, Jason. Maybe you’ll stop being the talk of the town now.” Shane turned away as his mom glared at him.

  “Have I been the talk of the town?” Jason asked even though he already knew the answer.

  “People are invested in your happiness,” Patrick explained. “Because you’ve invested so much into this community.”

  Jason broke out into a hot sweat. “I’m nothing special. There are people who do more than me.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” Patrick placed a shot glass down on the bar. “Here, I made it a double.”

  Jason grasped the glass tightly and tilted his head back, downing the drink in one. Fire shot through his veins and he shook his head as the
buzz of alcohol infected him. Rolling his shoulders, he relaxed a little as the presence of his best friends soothed him. “Thanks, guys.”

  “That’s okay. You can spend the rest of your life making it up to us.” Killian clucked his tongue. “We thought we were your best friends and yet we’re the last to know.”

  “Not quite,” Jason replied.

  “If you’re thinking about Gunner, then I’m afraid he knows, too,” Patrick said as he filled up Jason’s glass with another couple of shots of whiskey.

  “He’s not talking about Gunner.” Petra frowned. “She doesn’t know. Does she?”

  Jason shook his head and downed his drink. “Nope. Things are complicated.”

  “How?” Kelly asked. “Because she has a son?”

  “No. And yes.” Jason looked down at his empty glass, wishing it was full but knowing if he drank anymore, he would likely tip his mate’s garlic chicken into her lap.

  “I never thought it would bother you to raise another man’s child.” Petra leaned forward and studied Jason’s face. “What is it?”

  “Jason, you can tell us anything.” Patrick set the bottle down on the bar. “Anything.”

  Jason shook his head. “It’s nothing. Or maybe it’s everything.”

  “Is this related to the reason you came to Bear Creek and opened the bar?” Kelly asked, taking the bottle and pouring herself another drink. Jason shook his head and covered his glass when she offered him more whiskey.

  “No. Nothing about me.” He glanced over his shoulder. “It’s the boy. But until I know more, I want to keep it to myself.”

  “Jason, you’ve kept your past to yourself all the time we’ve known you. Let us help you now by sharing what’s wrong.” Killian’s voice, gentle and encouraging as always, was hard to resist.

  “Food’s ready.” Michello’s voice broke through his thoughts and Jason slid off the barstool, his legs a little wobbly as the alcohol hit him.

  “Do you want me to take the food?” Petra asked as she placed a hand on the small of Jason’s back to steady him.

  Jason held up his hand. “No, I’m fine. Thanks.” He nodded and walked away, with his friends watching him and wondering what was wrong. He wished he could tell them something, offer some kind of explanation, but how could he when he didn’t know for himself? Not for sure.

  Except that Lorcan is a dragon. His bear’s voice filled with awe and excitement. All of the Silverback Saviors knew about the dragons in Bear Creek, and those dragons believed there were no other dragons left in the world. Yet here was Lorcan on the verge of puberty. On the verge of becoming a dragon shifter.

  Or do we have it wrong? Jason asked his bear as he thanked Michello and took the two hot plates to the table where his mate and her son were waiting.

  The boy smells like a dragon, his bear confirmed. But I suppose he might be something else. It might be a coincidence.

  And if it’s not? Jason plastered a smile on his face, hoping it didn’t look as fake as it felt as he rounded the corner of the alcove. There she was, radiant in the candlelight that flickered across her face.

  “It smells wonderful.” Shannon inhaled deeply as Jason set her plate down before her.

  “It should taste good, too. Our chef, Michello, takes great pride in his work.” Jason slid the steak down onto the table in front of Lorcan, who devoured his meal with his eyes. “I’ll be back with the salad and French fries.”

  “Thanks, Jason,” Shannon spoke his name carefully, as if tasting it on her tongue.

  “My pleasure.” Jason smiled and hovered over the table, even though the rest of their order was waiting in the kitchen.

  Are you flirting? his bear asked.

  I don’t know, am I? Jason asked.

  If you are, it’s painful. Too painful to watch. His bear chuckled to himself.

  Jason left the table and headed back to the kitchen with his bear’s words stinging his ears. Was he that bad at talking to his mate? He was usually good with people, he knew exactly what to say to make them feel better in a crisis...

  “Jason.” Patrick headed his way. “Are you okay?”

  “I don’t know.” There was no point lying to his friend and telling him everything was fine when it was not. “What am I supposed to do?”

  “Talk to her,” Patrick told him gently. “It’s not as if you have to tell her she’s your mate. Not right away. But you can talk to her and find out who she is as a person.”

  “What if she’s about to leave town? What if she disappears and I never find her again?” Panic gripped Jason and he had to take a deep, steadying breath to dispel it. He’d lost so much before. What if history repeats itself?

  “Life is full of what-ifs, we both know that. But I don’t think you would have found her now for her to just walk away. From what you’ve said, or haven’t said, she needs you. It’ll work out. For both of you.” Patrick’s words made complete sense. Except experience told Jason things don’t always work out. “Talk to her. Find out why she’s here.”

  Jason nodded and gathered the remaining items from the order before he took a steadying breath. “Thanks, Patrick. You’re a good friend.”

  “We’re here for you, Jason. Remember that. You’re not alone in any of this.” Patrick gave him a lopsided smile. “And I’m not just talking about the people sitting at the bar. I’m talking about the entire town.”

  Fear stabbed Jason though the heart and robbed him of breath as his past came tumbling down on him. His fingers tightened around the edge of the plates he still held in his hands and for a moment he thought they would crack. “I should get these to the table.” He couldn’t say the word mate.

  “Take your time, I’ll man the bar.” He looked up as the door opened and Gunner and Sadie came in. “Backup has arrived.”

  Jason glanced in the direction of the door leading from the bar into the parking lot. Maybe he should ditch the plates and run and keep running. It might be better for Shannon if he did.

  Not if she truly needs our help, like I think she does, his bear answered.

  You’re right. He rolled his shoulders and straightened his back. Time to set aside his own hopes and fears and get on with it. It being his relationship with his mate. His first mission was to find out why they were here in Bear Creek. His second was to figure out what kind of shifter Lorcan was. Had he made a mistake when he sensed a dragon under the skin of the young man? If so, where the hell had his mate met a dragon?

  It didn’t bother him that she had a son. Even with another shifter. But a dragon. They were thought to be virtually extinct.

  “We thought you’d gotten lost,” Lorcan said as Jason entered the alcove. The young man had practically finished his steak.

  “Sorry, I got delayed.” He placed the fries and the salad down on the table.

  “Is it usually this busy?” Shannon asked. She was halfway through her meal and paused as Jason stood back from the table and half-turned to look at the people in the bar.

  “No. Not usually.” He couldn’t exactly tell his mate they were all there to catch a glimpse of her.

  Because they care, his bear told him. We have to accept that and deal with it.

  I shouldn’t have allowed them to care so much, Jason answered.

  You never allowed them to care. They do things by their own free will. That’s what people do. You don’t have control over them, you never did. His bear’s temper flared. This same argument had gone on for years between the two sides of the whole that was Jason.

  “Any particular reason?” Shannon asked. “Or is it because the food is just so darn good?” She skewered another piece of chicken with her fork and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes rolled up into her head in pleasure and Jason swallowed hard. She was so attractive she took his breath away. He wanted to sit down next to her and watch her every move.

  “The food is good. But it’s good every night.” He gave a small smile. “Maybe everyone in town had the same idea. Nothing on TV, it’s too dark
to go for a walk or play sports outside, so why not go and eat at the best bar in town?”

  “And is this the best bar in town?” Shannon asked between mouthfuls of her chicken.

  “Yes. But then I’m biased.” Jason leaned on the wall, his intention of leaving Shannon and Lorcan to eat in peace gone.

  “Hi.”

  Jason jumped and nearly slipped off the wall. He’d been so preoccupied with watching his mate that he’d failed to sense Shane’s approach. “Shane. What can I do for you?”

  “I thought I’d ask Lorcan if he’d like to play pool.” Shane held up a cue. “It’s not much fun on my own.”

  Lorcan glanced down at his fries. “Give me two seconds and I’ll join you.” He looked sideways at his mom. “If that’s okay with you?”

  Shannon nodded but her eyes narrowed as she watched Shane walk away. “How did he know Lorcan’s name?”

  “Oh, he’s the stepson of one of my best friends. Who is also a co-owner of the bar.” Jason waved his hand in the air. “I told them the names of the competition winners.”

  Smooth coverup, his bear said with admiration.

  “Ahh, that explains it.” Shannon didn’t seem fully convinced of the story, but she didn’t stop Lorcan from swallowing down his fries and heading for the pool table.

  “He’s a good kid.” Jason watched the two young men as they set up the balls and flipped a coin to see who was going first.

  “He is.” A sadness slipped over her as she watched her son punch the air as he won the toss.

  “What brings you to Bear Creek?” Jason’s question jerked her attention back to the man standing before her.

  “Why don’t you sit down?” She nodded toward Lorcan’s empty chair. “You can eat his salad if you want.”

  Jason chuckled. “You should have told him he couldn’t leave unless he ate his greens.”

  “I should have,” she admitted. “But it’s nice to see him spending time with someone his own age. We haven’t had too much of that lately.”

  “Is that related to why you are here in Bear Creek?” Jason picked up a clean fork and plunged it into the bowl of leaves coated in the special recipe dressing Michello kept to himself. “Lorcan doesn’t know what he’s missing.”