Walking around the large wooden table I gathered the empty plates, almost all the pack members had finished and simply left their plates behind. Balancing the plates I headed into the kitchen, helping clean was the least I could do for Arorua and Aliya after they had made an entire meal for us. Berry and I had both volunteered to help but they insisted for us to go mingling with the others. Prepping the sink with hot soapy water I had just dipped my hands in when the kitchen door swung open.

"We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Either way, I will be winning" Zeke announced striding over to the sink.

"I'm doing the dishes Zeke" I stated firmly.

"alright. hard way it is"

"RO!" he shouted back over his shoulder.

"Did you really just call Aurora to fight your battle?" I hummed smirking at him

"yes he did, and you are not doing those dishes, Micah." Aurora informed striding into the kitchen

"Aurora, cleaning up is the least I could do after you and Aliya cooked us dinner" I stated

"The least you could do is go join the others outside by the fire" She stated matter factly

"Just out of curiosity, I'm not going to win this no matter what am I?" I questioned turning to fully face the two.

"Already made Roman get one of the outsides throws for you from the closet" Aruroa beamed, I let out a heavy sigh.

"Fine" I semi pouted at the two of them, as I passed Zeke he stopped me using his index finger to push my cheeks up into a smile

"haha," I mocked swiping his hands away before letting out a small giggle.

Zeke chuckled as I shook my head, leaving the kitchen I made way down the hallway to the back door. Walking out onto the back porch I made my way to the steps, holding onto railing I paused for a moment looking over the backyard. Out of all the times I'd been to the packhouse, this was the first I'd actually been in the backyard. It was large open space the sidelined with large fences overtaken with various foliage the far end leading into the woods, separated only by a small creek.

Looking over the yard I watched as most of the pack gathered around the large fire pit, while some sat in chairs or on shaved down logs other stood around the circle, most with drinks in hand murmuring to each other. A hand dropping around my shoulders caused my body to tense for a moment.

"Chill, they don't bite" Rocky teased pulling me down the stairs with her.

"I know" I defended

Rocky walked me over to the pit standing in front of one of the makeshift benches she dropped down pulling me with her. Rocky immediately jumped into the conversation being held between Adrian and Ash, while I, on the other hand, sat there watching. A few moments passed before a cold wind caused me to shiver to wrapping my arms around myself.

Even with the heat of the fire against the front of me, a bite from the cold night air caused me to shiver. A gentle nudge on my arm pulled my attention from the fire, turning my head I was surprised to see Luciano sitting on the stump closet to me. He didn't say anything handing me a slight stained gray fringe lined throw blanket. The one I'm assuming Aurora had made Roman pull out of the closet for me.

With a soft smile, I nodded in thanks as I took it from him, Luciano nodded back putting his attention back on the group's conversation. My eyes lingered on Luciano for a while, It was amazing how much he and Mateo looked so much alike, the biggest differences being the fact more of Mateos freckles were prominent on his face, while Lucianos eyes held more of a mossy green tone, while Mateos favoured an amber hue.

The biggest difference between the two however was the fact Luciano didn't make me want to jump off a cliff and drag him with me. There was something calming about his presence, he was strong something solid to lean against. Even just being near him made me feel safe.

"So Tater tot, hows the bruise?" Ash chuckled their voice pulling me from my thoughts

"Bruise? what bruise?" Rocky question her interest instantly

"It's nothing," Mateo grumbled from his spot avoiding eye contact.

"The bruise he without a doubt has on his abdomen shapes like Michas foot" Ash smirked her eyes going from Mateo to me I could feel the faint blush growing on my cheeks as I bowed my head.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Luciano look at me with a raised brow, a half-amused smile pulled at the edge of his lip. Mateos self grumbling topped by Rockys laugher fit pulled my attention from him once more and back to them.

"I wasn't ready, doesn't count" Mateo defended.

"Dude, you basically called her a toddler. what did you expect her to do? take it?" Ash challenged

"Yes!" Mateo stressed throwing his arms out "That's how this relationship works, I tease her, she takes it. If anyone else teases her I beat the shit out of them. It's simple" he revealed 

"You know, if I didn't know any better I'd say someone took the infamous "If a guy teases you he likes you" a little to seriously and got himself stuck in an unfriend zone" Adrian announced taking a swig from his beer.

Mateo's face fell as all eyes landing on him, even I stared, wondering... That couldn't be what it was, could it? the reason he'd spent the entirety of our highschool days harassing me because he liked me? You don't irritate someone you like, at least not if you expecting them to like you back. You didn't have to be a brain surgeon to know that much.

"Shut the fuck up Adrian. You've never even kissed chick before!" Mateo barked.

In that moment Adrian's face dropped as the entire group was now focused of the two young men. It was clear Adrains comment had hit a nerve with Mateo, but that his reaction to it was still harsh and uncalled for. I could see the guilt and shame washing on Adrian's face as he dipped his head. Luciano shifted in his seat next to me as if preparing to scold his younger brother. That fire in the pit of my stomach that had been flickering more and more recently once again reignited. Raising from my seat I  knew I what I was about to do border the fine line between brave and stupid.

I could feel eyes shift to me as I stood up,  forcing my head high I marched towards Mateo, as I got closer I could see his hand shifting migrating to where I had previously kicked him.  He opened his mouth to speak as I reached him, but I didn't say a word nudging him back as I passed him, my eyes locked on Adrain who hadn't even noticed he was no longer the focus of attention.

Moving closer I took I a weary breath. the voice in the back of my head contemplating if this was a good idea but as I reached Adrian my hands cupping his dark skin there was no turning back. Without a word or a warning, I crashed my lips onto his closing my eyes as I did. Gasps filled the night air as Adrian tensed under the pressure of my lips. A few moments passed before he returned the motion and we pulled away.

"What did I miss?" Berry questioned a look of horrified shock planted on her face

A chuckle escaped most of the group as Mateo stormed passed Berry inside the house.  Shrugging she brushed it off to find herself a seat. Looking back at Adrian he gave a gentle smile with the faintest nod as thanks. Giving him a small smile I patted his arm returning to my seat preparing for the flurry of questions I was sure to receive from both Strawberry and Rocky, for my unexpected moment with Adrian