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It took me longer to get to the cemetery than I wanted, or thought. Reason? I went back home because my want of trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with Easton all of a sudden took my lack of hygiene for the day, out of sorts. 

When I rushed back into the house, my Dad poked his head out with his brows raised. 

"Forget something?"

I nodded, rushing past him and back down the hallway towards my room and into the bathroom. I grumbled under my breath as I was placing toothpaste onto the toothbrush whose bristles were starting to curve in various directions---a sign of needing a new toothbrush soon. 

Shoving the toothbrush in my mouth and brushing away with one hand, my other reached over to open the cabinet next to the mirror and grab my deodorant. I paused from brushing, pulling the cap of the deodorant off and quickly rubbed some on. I slammed the cabinet shut, finishing brushing my teeth before spitting into the sink and washing it away. 

I spun around, back into my room and jumped onto my bed to hop over to the other side of it. I stumbled a little into my dresser with a grunt, then snagged my house keys off it. Knowing my Dad, he'd go over to my Aunt Emeel's for a while which would mean that I'd be locked out of the house whenever it is that I'd get home. 

My aunt and Dad had this twin thing that they did where they were trying to regain a connection or whatever the hell Dad described it as. I mean, I get it, I really do... I just think my Dad uses his "reconnecting" with Aunt Emeel as a way to keep an eye on Mr. Dennison. 

Though he was the younger twin, my Dad felt it was needed to constantly remind Mr. Dennison that the most infamous Werewolf Hunter... the Great Emeel Ray... was his sister. And just because she had this title attached to her name, didn't mean my Dad was going to go easy on the Werewolf. 

Mr. Dennison always looked amused whenever my Dad would shoot him a look because the Werewolf was always touching my aunt on the border of "inappropriate". 

Made me figure out where the hell Dennison gets it from whenever I'd eyeball him for touching my cousin in his own inappropriate manner. 

Werewolves...

My door slammed as I was rushing back down the hall, and my Dad shouted from the kitchen, "Stop slamming your door, Kale!" which was followed by a loud chuckle before his appearance at the kitchen entrance. He grinned while watching me pass him, shrugging that he just wanted to see how that would sound if he was a normal parent. 

I muttered with barely a glance in his direction that he was anything but a normal parent. 

Dad just laughed. 

So now I'm back through trudging the woods and I kept nudging tree branches out of the way because of how ridiculously often they'd snag to my t-shirt. A few curses were grumbled under my breath as I hopped over a log that was covered by some bushes. 

It took a bit longer taking this pathway to the cemetery, only because my house was on the opposite side of the pack grounds which were much closer. That would just make my life easier to be honest if Easton would have just gone to the pack grounds instead. Less tripping over branches, and the lot. 

I glanced up to start seeing the familiarity of my surroundings. I quickened my steps, hopping over another boulder that must have sprouted over the past weeks because I know it wasn't there last time. 

Unless it was... 

I'm coming the right way... aren't I?

Crap!

I stopped, frowning as I looked around and then faced forward to the way the furthest trees were bent to the side towards one another to form this leafy archway. Recognizing that part of the woods, I knew I was going in the right direction after all. 

When I made my way further, my foot happened to snag on something and felt my eyes widen as I yelped on the way down. I ended up slamming hard onto my stomach and my chin smacked onto the dirt floor with enough force that I was sure I'd bitten my tongue. Groaning as I lifted my head, I narrowed my eyes forward before looking over my shoulder at the uprooted branch sticking out of the ground. 

Like I said... Less tripping had I gone the other way. 

I pushed myself onto my knees, huffing out a grunt in the process, then stood myself up. Making my way along the dangerous pathway, I made sure to keep my eyes out for anymore boulders or uprooted branches. 

Eventually I made it to the cemetery. 

It was still as lonely as it always is though not as gloomy as you'd expect when the trees surrounding it left open space above for the sun to shine onto it. The rays from the sun hit particular spots of the graves with that glistening gleam creating this sort of... well, serene place to stand in. 

The only problem with the cemetery is that Easton wasn't there. 

I'd missed him. 

Grumbling to myself at the thought of having to go trenching through the woods again, I stomped over to the other side of the cemetery to hop over the fence (this time I manged to not get stuck, thank you very much!). 

My eyes fell to the dirt in front of me where I saw the barely visible feet prints that most likely belonged to none other than Mr. Moody Pants. They looked to be heading back towards the pack grounds, so off I went; following behind the footprints until reaching the clearing with the dirt path. 

I frowned a little when I stuck my hands into my pockets and realized that I didn't have my headphones with me. I knew I forgot something... 

I didn't like the quiet, it bothered me. It made me think when I preferred not to. Listening to music, to a good rhythm, was more calming and kept me from overthinking things like I was doing now as I wondered what could have gotten into Easton. 

He was fine one moment, then switched around completely. 

What had my Dad said that set him off? 

I was replaying the conversation in my head, yet... yet I couldn't pin point anything that would make Easton pull his crap. My lip curled in annoyance at, not just Easton, but more at myself because I knew going into this whole "befriending the Moody Asshat" that there were going to be ups and down. More major downs than ups, but still. I knew. I knew what I was getting into.

I just think it was hard to see through. That saying, 'Actions speak louder than words' really was hard to chew on. 

The pack ground came into view about forty-five steps in (Seemed a lot shorter of a walk from what I anticipated). My shoes crunched the gravel as I made my way to the fence opening for the pack, and I lifted my head from staring at me counting steps to scan in front of me. 

There wasn't that much going on today it looked from the small amount of pack members on the grounds. Kids were playing soccer on one part of the grassy field, a few older pack members walking around to and from parts of the grounds, and then there was a young teenage couple sitting on a blanket where the girl was feeding something to the grinning boy. 

Other than that it was pretty empty. 

Sighing, I decided to cut across the grass to shorten the amount of time to get to Easton's without going all the way around. The soccer game was on the opposite side anyway so I wasn't very fearful of my head taking a few knocks from the ball. 

I could hear the gravel crunching with every step, and it made the walk feel so unnerving. I'd been trying to figure out what to say to Easton, how to question him of what was bothering him without him losing his shit. But this was Easton we were talking about. The guy goes from zero to a hundred real quick.

Pursing my mouth to the side, I shrugged a shoulder to myself that maybe just flat out asking him what was bothering him wouldn't be the greatest approach. Perhaps if I bargained that I'd kiss him that he'd tell me then. 

I'm kidding... I think. 

I could hear the sound of laughter coming up ahead and I turned to the opposite side of the way Easton's house was in. There was a group of Were males all hanging around on a front porch; some sitting on the porch rail, others on the steps, a few stood, and another was lying down on the red couch that was set out. 

The chatter raised in volume as I was passing by and then the laughter broke out again. And in the midst of that laughter, broke out a voice that I'd hadn't heard in a few days. 

"Kale!" 

I blinked, frowning as Thorton's grinning face appeared from the group that was now looking in my direction. I felt my shoulders raise with my nerves, but stopped anyway since Thorton jumped over the porch rail and jogged over to me. 

Glancing behind him as he made his way over, I noticed that a few of the guys leaned towards one another and were whispering something. I frowned, deciding to focus back on Thorton who halted in front of me. 

"Hey!" 

It was actually kind of nice to see him smile, to be honest. He was always smiling whenever I saw him and wondered why Easton couldn't be like that. I knew he was capable of it, it was a matter of trying to keep him smiling that was difficult. 

"Hi, Thorton. How's it going?"

Thorton smirked, winking at me as he claimed that his day was much better now with me talking to him. I felt my face grow hot, and he noticed since he laughed---not in a condescending way though---and shook his head. 

"I'm sorry, Kale. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable." 

I grinned a little, nodding, "Thanks... I'm used to it though." 

Thorton smiled, looking over his shoulder then back at me before nodding if I wanted to come join him and his friends. They were all just trying to stay out of the heat after their game of football. I noticed he liked that sport a lot. I had no clue how to play, so I wasn't much of a fan. 

That's when I couldn't stop my eyes from dropping a second to see that Thorton had no shirt on. It was actually tucked into the sides of his shorts. I must have lingered a little too long on the way the sun made the still-visual sweat on his skin glisten. I'd be lying if I couldn't admit that his chest was nice to look at. 

I frowned at myself, glancing off to the side as I wondered where the hell thoughts like that were coming from. 

But then I remembered the six foot two Were who had been working such thoughts into my head since the moment he'd pinned me against an ivy wall and let me touch him. 

Grumbling mentally, I looked back to Thorton to shrug, "Maybe some other time. I'm actually," I looked over my shoulder in the direction of Easton's house. "Actually coming over to talk to Easton. He kinda left my house this morning a little upset and I'm trying to figure out why."

The green eyed Were lowered a brow, tilting his head. He crossed his arms over his chest which happened to make his arms a little bigger. Thorton frowned, shaking his head that he'd seen Easton leave the grounds this morning, but that he hasn't come back since. 

I frowned, shoulders slumping, "You're kidding..."

"Not," he shook his head, shrugging his shoulders, "Sorry, Kale. He hasn't come back at all yet. He's probably in town." 

Cursing mentally to figure out where he might be now since I knew little about the guy, I sighed, "Oh." as a lame response. 

"What was Easton doing at your house?"

I blinked, looking at him again, and Thorton grinned, "You don't have to tell me, I was just curious, since you mentioned he was upset. But since the very beginning of him mentioning you, I didn't think him being upset and it involving you would come to pass." 

"I didn't do anything if that's what you're suggesting..." 

Thorton raised a brow, his eyes falling a little from my eyes before meeting mine again and fought the look of amusement I could see anyway. He then chuckled, "Your swollen lips suggest otherwise." 

My eyes widened, my hand shooting up to cover my mouth. 

The Were laughed a little, shrugging that it wasn't a big deal. He just wondered what happened that made Easton so upset that he'd leave me of all people. 

"You make it sound like we're together," I scrunched my nose. 

Thorton lowered a brow, staring at me for a second then asked, "Aren't you?"

I frowned, shaking my head that Easton and I were just friends. I rolled my eyes, muttering, "Or at least trying to be."

He nodded, "And it doesn't help that he makes passes at you."

Grimacing, I nodded and added that I may or may not have gotten into a heavy make out moment with Easton in my room before my dad walked in. The Were's green eyes widened, brows raised and I groaned, "Yeah. I know..." before sighing and continuing to relay what happened before Easton just made a complete one-eighty and took off on me. 

"Hm..." Thorton frowned, looking down between us, then stared off in the direction of Easton's house. "Maybe your dad has a point, Kale."

"About what?"

Thorton raised a brow, nodding to the side before glancing up at me. 

"Maybe Easton thought you'd just be like Leo---" He slightly grinned when I sneered at his suggestion, "---and that you'd be an easy game to him. Maybe he doesn't realize that you are more than one dimensional in his world. One... you're a challenge because you're," Thorton paused to grin, "Straight..." which I narrowed my eyes at him for. 

"But in truth... Maybe Easton's realizing that if he continues to pursue you there is going to be some complications. Meaning that he's going to have to acknowledge that you're not just an easy lay."

"Hey!" 

Thorton laughed, resting a hand on my shoulder. I huffed a small breath as he explained that that was what he meant by Easton realizing I wasn't Leo. 

The Were frowned, scrunching his nose as he explained how when Leo first met Easton when they were in middle school, Leo would follow Easton around like a puppy dog. That anything Easton asked for, Leo gave. That Leo was that eager to please Easton for his attention. 

"Of course, when his sister was still alive," Thorton frowned, shaking his head, "Easton didn't really give a crap about Leo that much. Langley was Easton's world because of the twin bond they had. Just like Auric and Jonah had with one another. It was just a little different with Easton and Langley because Langley being a girl."

Thorton shrugged, "He was more protective over her. Especially when it came to guys."

I remembered those years ago when Maddox became an interest to Langley, and how Easton was totally against it. He would eyeball Maddox the whole time and warn his sister from touching him. Course, that didn't see well with the she-wolf who took it upon herself to work her magic on Maddox. 

I grinned a little when remembering how Thea told me about Langley and Maddox's last moments. How they both gave in to the pull that started way before. I could hear the guilt in Thea's voice whenever she mentioned to me that our departed friends should have been given a chance to live out that happiness. That it was too short lived for them. 

I agreed whole-heartedly. 

I nodded in understanding, then Thorton shrugged, "But with you... With you it's a little different because I think Easton said that he liked you because of how cute you were---which I agree with---" Again, I felt my face grow hot and shot him a look. "But Easton wasn't realizing that he just might turn that physical attraction to more emotional." 

Squinting my eyes, I stared at Thorton who raised a brow at my lack of reply. That is until I muttered, "You take some sort of philosophy class or some shit? You seem to be a little wiser than you should be at your age." 

The guy laughed, shaking his head and sighed, "Thanks. But no, I didn't. I just like to read a lot, I guess, and have a lot of time on my hands."

We fell quiet, me thinking about where Easton could possibly be now, before Thorton asked if I was sure I didn't want to hang out with him and his friends. They were planning to have a small barbecue later and Thorton said he wouldn't try to be discreet in being completely happy to see me there. 

I swallowed, brows furrowing a little and then glanced at the group on the porch. They were staring over at us and I cleared my throat, asking if his friends would be staring me down like they were now. 

Thorton's brow lowered, obviously looking confused, and then looked over to where his friends quickly turned away. All except for one who raised his hand and beamed as he waved. I grinned when Thorton looked back to me and chuckled that he could explain why they were gawking over here. 

"I might... not be so discreet in how obvious I make it that I find you an interest."

Feeling my face heat up, I rubbed the back of my head, chuckling as I nodded, "Oh..."

I dropped my hand, sighing as I stared off to the side. 

"Tell you what..." i started, letting him know that I did need to find out what was bothering Easton so much. But that I could manage to stop by later if the offer still stood. 

Thorton smiled, green eyes brightening, as he bounced a little that was similar to how I'd seen Little Maddox whenever excited, "Oh! Great!" 

The guy frowned at himself all of a sudden, his face reddening as he cleared his throat, and then shrugged a shoulder, "I mean... That's great."

I couldn't help the grin from him doing that, and I took a step towards him that made his eyes widen as his arms dropped to his sides. Thorton swallowed when I leaned a little closer to lower my voice from the fantastic hearing of his Were friends. 

"I can't guarantee anything, Thorton... Of something happening for you and I..." I sighed, shrugging, "But I think I really am learning to appreciate having your company."

The corner of Thorton's lips widened, looking down a second as he nodded, "Yeah..." He glanced up, "Until you figure this Easton thing out though... I can be patient."

With a smile and silent nod, I lifted my hand in a wave and started heading back off the grounds. I even waved to the group of friends on the porch whom all waved back before one of them---the one who waved by himself earlier---shouted, "So did he kiss you, or what?" 

"Shut up, Davis!"

"So he didn't!? What were you waiting for!? He was right there!"

Thorton growled, stomping his way over, "He's not ready!" 

"For what!? You are going to let Quinn win him over!? I thought you wanted to hang out with this guy!" 

"Davis! Stop. Talking!"  

I smiled to myself, shaking my head as I got off the grounds and turned in the direction that led to town. However, as I was making it to the exit of the fenced in pack grounds, a wide and large shadow loomed over me. 

My eyes settled on the figure's shadow; my body immediately recognizing a threat. 

I didn't even think about it when my elbow shot backwards, ramming into the figure that grunted from the impact. Twisting my other arm around in front of me to latch my hand onto the person's shoulder, I used my upper body to lift myself up and over the person; dragging them down backwards. 

The person fell, hitting the ground hard and a long pained groan snapped me out of my attack mode---as well as recognizing the face scrunched up.

"Valentine?" I frowned, stepping away after I let go of him and straightened. 

The wide-shouldered Were sat up, his long groan still active as he rubbed the back of his head. He shook his head, muttering under his breath before looking up at me when I moved around to stand in front of him. 

"The hell was that for, Kale!?"

I blinked, startled---one, for the fact that I'd subconsciously used my Hunter Mode out of the blue, and two, because Valentine isn't really known for his "way with words"... or words period. So him saying more than just one word threw me off.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Valentine! I didn't realize it was you!" 

"Didn't realize it was me!? How do you figure!? I've only said your name a thousand fuckin' times!" 

I winced, rubbing the back of my neck as I shrugged a shoulder. I apologized, trying to explain that I may have had something on my mind. 

"But I swear I didn't hear you!"

"Clearly..."

Valentine grunted as he shoved himself to his feet. He wiped at his backside of the gravel and dirt then lifted his eyes to mine. He looked me up and down before looking around us. I watched him do this, frowning a bit and then asked him what he was doing. 

"Well," Valentine lowered a brow, meeting my gaze again. "I was wondering why it has been more than ten seconds of us talking and Easton hasn't appeared somehow." 

I shot him a look, snapping at him, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

The Were narrowed his eyes, turning his chin a little. He eyed me again, asking in a slow manner that he only meant that he knew that, when I came over to the pack grounds before, was because Thea was coming to visit the Six and she forced me to tag along. 

"But lately I noticed that you and Easton are a bit on friendly terms."

I tensed, brows furrowing as Valentine went on to shrug that his friend managed to withstand a conversation with me the longest out of everyone. Even him who was the closest to him as teens. 

Swallowing, I glanced away as I shrugged that maybe Easton was just being nice because I'm socially awkward.

Valentine gave me a look, lowering a brow, and huffed, "Please, Kale. You might have not noticed that my friend has had his eye on you since the moment you met since you don't play for the same team as Easton," I felt my eyes widen and my back tensed immensely. "But of what Easton lets us read off him, the Six and I happen to notice that he prefers your company than most." 

I didn't say anything. I just stared at the Werewolf as he went on to frown, "Easton isn't here, by the way." 

"I know. Thorton told me."

Valentine's brows shot upward, turning his attention in the direction I came from a few moments ago then back to me. 

"Thorton? As in Thorton?" 

I rolled my eyes, "What other Thorton do you know?"

"Other than the one that Easton can't stand, and has hated for half his life? None."

I tilted my head, questioning, "Why is that? What's Ease's deal with Thorton anyway?"

Valentine blinked, grinning as he mumbled that 'Ease' was a cute pet name I had for Easton---which I shot him a look for---then scrunched his nose as he looked down to think. 

"You know... I remember it was a long time ago, but it had to do with Thorton being friends with Easton once."

My brows shot up since I recalled Easton telling me that he had never been friends with Thorton. 

"They were pretty close. They did everything together---even gave Easton his first kiss---"

I blinked, lowering a brow.

"---But then Easton started noticing that Thorton was drifting from him. He kept avoiding Easton at all costs and whenever in school the other kids would make fun of him for some reason. It wasn't until Easton was in the middle school locker rooms by himself that a group of boys came in and beat the shit out of him."

Valentine frowned, glaring at the ground as he growled under his breath. 

"Thorton's older brother found out about Easton being gay, and set out the order to go after Easton because of the closeness that he'd had to Thorton, who was "showing signs" of being gay himself." 

I frowned, swallowing, "But... But wouldn't his brother know about Thorton's preferences?"

Valentine shrugged, "I dunno, Kale. All I know is Easton was duct taped to the flag pole outside our school in absolutely nothing... and left for everyone to laugh at him. And Thorton had done nothing about it while standing nearby."

Valentine took a deep breath, frowning, "At the time, we didn't know the Quinn twins. They were just peers of ours. But the moment we saw Easton strapped to that flag pole, Auric lost his shit. He'd always been known around the school as a kid with a bad temper, but my former alpha has always hidden his compassion---until meeting Thea."

I slightly grinned at the mention of my cousin and how she made Dennison a fucking puddle now.

"Auric made it known that day that anyone who even looked at Easton wrong was going to feel his wrath. In front of everyone, Auric had beat the crap out of Thorton's older brother and warned him that in a few months time, Thorton's older brother was going to know fear when looking at Easton."

Valentine shrugged a shoulder that Thorton had tried to apologize to Easton after that, but that Easton wasn't having it. That he told Valentine, at the time, that he'd never forgive Thorton for not being the friend that they supposedly were. 

It was mentioned that it hurt Easton the most because Thorton had stood there by his brother, watching as everyone watched Easton's embarrassing moment, and didn't do anything about it. 

Not one thing.

"That's why, from that day forward, we took Easton in---along with Langley---and we became what Thea dubbed us as 'The Six'. As promised, in those few months of being in our group, the entire school kept their distance from us because of how much stronger we were at six people than just three. And only hidden away from everyone's eyes were we able to see how Easton really was, which was this happy-go-lucky little shit that made jokes and paraded around in his underwear while dancing to stupid girly songs." 

I grinned, chuckling a bit, then it faltered because I could only think about that story over and over. 

The Were's jaw slanted to the side, the look on his face hinting that he was thinking about that horrible memory too. I just stood there, frowning a little as I glanced in the direction I'd come from a few moments ago. 

It makes sense as to how Easton acts so distant towards Thorton, and I can now understand why Easton basically wants to punch the shit out of Thorton every time he sees him. Then there's Thorton who talks to Easton like nothing ever happened. 

Who does that?

"So..." 

I broke out of my thoughts, facing Valentine again as he raised a brow. 

"Do you need some company while heading into town?"

I blinked, pursing my mouth to the side, and then nodded, mumbling that it would be nice to have someone along who might help me find Easton faster than if I would have gone on my own. Valentine nodded, moving forward to start our way out of the pack grounds. 

We walked for a while; silently at first since we just listened to our footsteps on the gravel. 

I'd been watching my feet, falling into my counting habit again until Valentine decided to break the silence between us. 

"He's complicated, Kale."

I stopped, frowning up at him as Valentine was looking forward. He stopped himself, still facing away, and sighed, "I've known him since we were kids, and even with that knowledge I can't manage to bring him out of this on-going slump he has."

He shook his head, explaining that the Six all had a strong friendship, sure, but that is nothing compared to a bond between siblings. Especially twins. 

"She was his whole world, Kale," he finally looked at me. "And taking her out of it, made his world crumble." 

He paused, shoving his hands into the pockets of his sweater. 

"I wouldn't say entirely though..." he glanced at me. "Because he lets us still hang around him, but Auric mentioned to Jonah, Vi, and I what you're trying to do with Easton. And it's nice... really. The thought of you trying to piece his world back together---even a little bit---is nice. It is."

Valentine pursed his mouth to the side, frowning. 

"I just think you might be wasting your time."

Frowning back at him as he stared back with this grim look, I swallowed before asking, "You saying you think there's little chance he'll be himself again?"

The giant Were sighed, his large shoulders slumping as he looked away. 

"I'm saying that he'll never be himself again." 

I turned away, staring at the dirt road and bit my lip as I pondered Valentine's words. It was hard to swallow only because it couldn't be too late. It couldn't. I'd seen Easton smile as he'd done before. I'd seen him momentarily bring himself back--- I obviously didn't know him completely, but shit, if a complete stranger as I was to Easton wanted to try... then why couldn't the others?

When I frowned at Valentine, telling him that for being Easton's friend, he seemed to be pulling a Thorton as he was standing off to the side and watching Easton crumble. 

Valentine's eyes widened a second, his neck craning back at my words. 

I nodded, "I'm being serious, Valentine. You and the Six are all he has left. And---and you're just letting him stand alone while everyone watches on. How do you expect him to get back even a smidge of who he was before Langley died, if you won't fight for it?"

Throwing my hands up, I was practically scolding him that he was supposed to be Easton's friend! He was supposed to continue to stand up for him even when that Moody Asshat didn't want it!

Valentine's brow lowered, glancing away before looking at me and squinted, "Did... Did you just call Easton a 'Moody Asshat'?" but I didn't pay attention since I went on to tell Valentine that no matter how much Easton likes to annoy me, or how uncomfortable he's made me, I find it hard to believe that I'd rather see Easton closed off and secluded than bouncing around as he'd done before. 

I huffed a heavy breath, narrowing my eyes at the Werewolf whose brows rose and eyes widened a little. 

"Damn, Kale... Alright. Point taken. You are definitely taking this 'Easton' thing seriously."

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head as I turned to silently walk on. Valentine and I made it to town eventually, where he led the way towards the diner because he figured that was the best place with Easton's appetite. 

I followed along, looking around the streets just in case I spotted the wavy blond hair that was so familiar to me. But no. Nothing yet. 

Valentine pushed open the door to the diner that looked more like a bed and breakfast. The booths were a dark brown while the cushions were a navy blue color. The walls of the diner were a darker gray which made it more gloomy, I thought. Even the lighting wasn't the greatest but with the shades pulled up so the sunshine beamed through, I was able to see that the diner was very simple. Nothing too eccentric. 

I shook my head when Valentine mumbled if I could see Easton. I shrugged a shoulder, replying that I couldn't see anyone on this side. 

Valentine motioned for me to follow him, saying something about there being more booths near the back. I followed, looking around the diner and smiled at the older lady who looked up to welcome Valentine and I. 

While the Were I was with was looking around on one side of the booths, I took on the other side and my eyes landed at the large circular booth at the very back. 

The back of the waitress was facing me before she moved out of the way, carrying away two empty glasses, and ended up revealing a familiar blond sitting in the booth with his arms spread out on each side of him, resting on top of the booth's seat backing. His scowling attention was on the glass of water in front of him, but every few seconds, those blue eyes of his would shift to the brown-eyed Were seated beside him chatting away with the most chirpiness that I'd seen on him in a while. 

My jaw slanted to the side as my hands clenched at my sides the longer I stood there. My gaze kept switching between the two, and even at the plates of pancakes that Easton wasn't supposedly hungry for anymore. 

Leo was now scooting closer to Easton with his head tilted slightly and a small grin on his face as he said something. He even went as far as reaching up to place his hand on the back of Easton's neck, saying something else, then winked at him. Leo then raised his other hand between them and motioned for Easton to come closer to him.

That was all Easton needed apparently because after a moment of frowning at the brunette, he kissed Leo.  

And as much as it was disappointing to see, I couldn't stop staring.