7

QUINN

I whip my little blue car into the parking lot of the squad complex, steering into a spot and slamming it in park. It’s my first day and I’m already late- what a great first impression.

I hate being late for anything; it gives me major anxiety. Dad drew out our goodbye, like he didn’t want to let me go, and while I knew it was going to make me late, I didn’t have the heart to rush it. For the past five years, it has just been the two of us at the packhouse- this new chapter is definitely going to be an adjustment for us both.

And speaking of new chapters and fresh starts, what a way to begin mine!

I don’t even bother grabbing my bags- I can get those later. My only concern right now is getting in there. I’m only ten minutes late, so hopefully I’m not the last to arrive.

I toss my keys into a tote that I sling over my shoulder, climbing out of my car. At least I’m already dressed for training in leggings, a cropped t-shirt, and a pair of gym shoes. My hair’s still down, but I’ve got a hair tie on my wrist just in case. I jog around the side of the building, approaching the gate of the complex. I’ve never been here before, but Brooke described it really well when she was in Summervale over the weekend.

Things have been pretty crazy on that front lately- Brooke, one of my closest friends from high school, is my brother’s mate! I did not see that one coming, but I can’t say I’m disappointed. The two of them actually seem great together, and Brooke will be even more like a sister to me now. She’s promised that I’m going to love it up here at the complex, so I’m holding her to it…

I’m relieved when I jog through the gate to find that people are still filing in; the field is packed with people, and it doesn’t look like anything has started yet. I heave a sigh for the bullet I dodged, sliding my tote off of my shoulder and looking around for familiar faces. I’m looking for Brooke, Theo, Kyla, or…

I swear my heart stops beating in my chest. I wasn’t looking for him- but it’s him, right? Sexy stranger. He’s standing twenty yards from me, and though he looks a little different in the light of day, dressed causally in his workout gear, I know it’s him; I’d recognize him anywhere. He’s chatting with someone happily, flashing that dazzling smile. Smoothing back that unkempt wavy dark-blonde hair. It’s him.

“Quinn!” a voice calls out, and I realize that Theo’s standing right near sexy stranger, waving an arm at me. I don’t even have time to process what’s happening- Theo starts to walk over to me and I plaster on a big ol’ smile.

“Hey, big bro,” I breathe as he approaches.  

He wraps his burly arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. Before he releases me, he ruffles the top of my hair with a hand. Ugh- he’s been doing that to me since I was a kid and I fucking hate it.

“Glad you made it,” Theo beams as I scowl and run my fingers through my now disheveled hair. “C’mon, I want you to meet the guys.”

He throws an arm over my shoulder, leading me back in the direction he came from. Back toward sexy stranger.

I start panicking. Does Theo know? That’s stupid- how could he know? We didn’t even exchange names and I haven’t seen the guy since. But then who is he to Theo? Is he one of ‘the guys’? What the hell have I gotten myself into?

We’re almost upon sexy stranger and the cluster of dudes around him when he looks up, his eyes meeting mine. Within a few seconds, it’s like a host of emotions passes through his eyes- first, recognition, then amusement, and then, when his eyes flit between Theo and I, dread. I wonder if I’ve got the same look of absolute panic in my eyes as he does.

He looks away quickly, and I’ve got a few seconds to take in the people around him- I recognize Alpha Gray and Alpha Reid, as they’ve been to the packhouse for council meetings before. The twins are standing with them, who I went to high school with- Fallon is mated to Alpha Gray, while Brooke is mated to my brother. This must mean the other two guys, my sexy stranger and the dude next to him who looks like Jason Momoa, they must be…

No fucking way. I’ll bet they’re the sons of the other six-pack alphas. Theo’s best friends. Holy shit.

I feel bile rise in my throat. What are the fucking odds?

“Quinn!” Brooke squeals, breaking away from the little group and giving me a big hug in greeting. “I’m so glad you’re here!”

My throat feels like sandpaper. “Glad to be here,” I say hoarsely, forcing a smile. I’m still trying to process this whole situation.

Theo slides his arm around my shoulders again. “Guys, this is my little sister, Quinn.”

All of them give me warm smiles- except sexy stranger. He’s still avoiding eye contact. Is he freaking the fuck out as much as I am?

“Quinn, this is Gray, Brock, Reid, and Jax,” Theo continues, pointing out each guy.

Theo slips his arm off of my shoulders and moves beside Jax, tossing it over his shoulders instead. “You’re gonna get to know this guy real well,” he chuckles. “He’s one of my best friends but he’ll be your worst enemy for the next month. He’s gonna be heading up recruit training so be prepared for him to work you over.”

I nearly choke. Oh, he’s worked me over alright…

Sexy stranger- err, Jax- looks up at me, offering me a faint smile. “Quinn,” he repeats, like he’s trying out how it feels on his tongue.

I’ve gotta get my shit together before Theo picks up on this weirdness between us. I put all thoughts of that night out of my head, straightening and plastering on a fake smile. I stick out my arm confidently, offering him a handshake. “Nice to meet you, Jax. Is that short for something?”

“Jaxon,” he says as he takes my hand in his. I swear I feel a zing of electricity when he touches me- like there’s a lingering spark between us.

I nod. The name suits him. “Jaxon… I like that,” I say, unable to hold back the hint of a smirk as I pull my hand away. He still looks profoundly uncomfortable- he’s not playing this off as well as I am. We’re still just staring at each other.

“It’s just Jax,” Theo corrects, and I’m reminded that he’s right here and how fucked this situation is. Jax can’t be my sexy stranger anymore, not when there’s so much at stake here- his friendship with Theo, my relationship with my brother. Theo would probably kill Jax if he found out what we did. I don’t really know the guy, but I’d prefer him breathing.

“We can probably go ahead and get started,” Gray suggests, looking to the other guys.

There’s my cue. “For sure, you guys… do your thing,” I say, backing away. “I’m just gonna blend in with the other recruits.”

Jax’s eyes are still fixed on me, and his gaze is so goddamn heavy. I feel like I’m being crushed under the weight of it. Dude needs to play it way cooler if we’re going to get away with keeping our secret.

I spin around, taking a few steps away to lose myself in the crowd. I still feel his eyes on me, though.

“Quinn!” Kyla greets, rushing up to me with Tony in tow. “Oh my gosh, this is wild, isn’t it?!” She looks around, gesturing.

“Yeah,” I laugh. “I’m so glad to see you, girl. There’s…”

“Holy shit,” Kyla interrupts, peering over my shoulder. “Is that…?!”

“Shhh!” I hiss, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her closer. “Don’t say a word.”

Kyla wrinkles her nose in confusion. “What? Why? Isn’t that…?”

“Yes,” I whisper harshly. “And he’s a friend of my brother’s.”

Understanding washes over Kyla’s features, then amusement. She realizes how fucked I am.

“Got it,” she chirps, smirking as she drags her fingers across her lips to imitate a zipper. After a beat, she looks back to Jax, then at me again, arching a brow. “Does he…?”

“Yeah,” I grind out. “He knows who I am.”

Kyla lets out a laugh, doubling over. “Oh fuck, this is too good.”

“Would you quit?” I whine, folding my arms over my chest indignantly. I can’t help but crack a smile, though. As ridiculous as this situation is, it’s a little amusing.

I’ve had one one-night stand in my entire life. I thought the guy was a complete stranger and we maintained anonymity by not even exchanging names. And now it turns out that he’s not only a six-pack alpha, but he’s one of my brother’s closest friends.

A laugh escapes my lips as I think it all over, because honestly, it’s so ridiculous that it’s comical.

What are the fucking odds?