Chapter 7

Eva Gibson’s pov

Olivia smiled at us, waiting for her, but looked frazzled.

“Crazy,” she muttered as she took her seat in the front.

“They put me straight to work and some warehouse dude named Landon McDermott will be coming to pick me up tomorrow at the store. I was told to pack a suitcase and expect to be gone for a few days,” she added in disbelief.

Nodding as he pulled his vehicle onto the road Austin said, “Mister McDermott is a good guy and hard worker and near his thirties.”

Furrowing my brow at him, I looked at Olivia and asked her about what I was supposed to do. She expelled a breath through her teeth and glanced at Austin, then back at me.

“How did your day go?” She asked me with a look of hopefulness.

Smiling, I told her that we went to the park and walked around the pond after stopping at the ice cream shop.

“Were you nice to him?” She asked me quietly and I told her yeah.

“How's steak sound, ladies?” Austin asked loudly and we both laughed at him.

“I'm starving and can eat an entire steer,” Olivia said, patting her thin stomach and making me giggle.

“Theo’s Steak House it is then,” he said firmly and turned at the lights.

“You haven't answered me on what I'm supposed to do, Sis?” I questioned her again for the answer.

Glancing over at me, she started, “Well, I was thinking that maybe Austin could stay at our house with you for the days I'm gone. He can stay in our parent’s bedroom.”

I gave her a look of befuddlement.

“But Olivia! He has a reputation. If he's alone at the house with me everyone will think…” I closed my mouth quickly, noticing Austin's eyes narrowed at me in the rearview mirror.

“He will only be there at night,” she said softly and I balked at her in disbelief.

“Oh that sounds so much better,” I snapped back at her.

Rolling my eyes, I grew sour, and my appetite went with it.

As I thought about it and figured that he was my sister's mate, whether he thought he was cursed or not, I calmed down.

“Alright, I'll cooperate if Austin agrees to be my babysitter,” I announced with sarcasm from the back seat.

Seeing Olivia place her hand on Austin's shoulder then rub him gently. He grinned at her back and I rolled my eyes.

“For you, I will watch the hellion,” he answered with a cheesy grin.

“You're the best, Austin,” my sister praised, and I shook my head at them, behaving so endearing to one another.

Parking Austin announced that we had arrived so I got out of the car and noticed that Austin didn't open my sister’s door like he had for me and instead headed toward the entrance.

We all entered the establishment and quickly were brought to a booth since Austin was the Alpha’s eldest.

Looking at the menu I opted for a cheap center cut and fries.

“Austin, are you okay with keeping an eye on Eva while I'm away for work,” Olivia asked him. I lowered my eyes, pretending to ignore their conversation.

“I don't mind but I just don't want rumors to spread. Eva was right about me having a reputation, but most of the pack know that I am close to you although with your parents passing, there shouldn't be any rumors since they will believe I am just being helpful,” he answered, and I peered over at him, giving my sister a handsome smile.

Knowing that I should be happy for them I lowered my menu and said, “I promise that I won't be trouble for either of you.”

Austin acknowledged me with a grin, but Olivia gave me a curt glare, and I gave her a convincing smile in return, causing her mouth to rise at the corners.

“Great, it's settled then. I owe you big time, Austin,” she said softly and then informed him that she was ready to order.

Sitting back in the booth cushion I hoped to someday have a relationship like theirs because they appeared to respect each other and give little indications of their love for one another in subtle ways.

“There's a full moon in a few days,” our waiter mentioned before asking for our orders.

My eyes lowered as I recalled what Austin had said about my shift as I listened to my sister give her food order.

After Austin gave his, I gave my much smaller one, and he said, “You can order something besides the six-ounce steak and fries.”

Shaking my head, I told him that it was plenty as the waiter informed us that he was bringing us our drinks.

Looking at Austin I studied his features and decided that he had a boyish charm about him. He and Olivia made a cute couple and I pinched my lips when the waiter set a huge glass mug of beer in front of him.

“Can you drive if you drink that?” I questioned him and my sister announced that she would drive us back.

Seeing she was sipping on a soft drink, I exhaled deeply and nodded at Austin, sliding his vehicle keys across the table to her.

After what happened to our parents I wasn't taking any chances.

Later, after we finished our meals, Austin was hammered, having had two more mugs full of the brew.

I helped my sister escort him to his car and opened the passenger door.

“Let's put him in the back,” she said softly and I groaned as I shuffled to the back door and told her to wedge him inside.

Snorting at him, cupping my cheek as he passed by me and calling me baby, I rolled my eyes and glared at my sister.

“Control your man,” I muttered sourly and she laughed and said, “ I think he likes you, Sis.”

“Ha! Bullshit,” I mumbled as I got in the front passenger seat and waited for Olivia.

“When do you have to be at work tomorrow?”

Biting her lip, she said, “I'm supposed to be there by nine.”

Hissing, I informed her that it was already ten and she still needed to pack.

“Plus, I doubt if Mister Belmont is going to be awake by then,” I sighed, pointing at him with my thumb.

Looking concerned about it Olivia sighed and said, “ Let's have him stay at our house on the couch then.”

“Fine,” I muttered uncomfortably.

The rain that had spit on me earlier in the day started to pelt the windshield and memories of the night my parents were killed came flashing to my mind.

Side-eyeing Olivia, I could see that she was remembering it, too.

“We're going to be okay,” I stated firmly and she peeked over at me briefly and nodded.

“Yeah, I know,” she replied, but there was a touch of uncertainty in her voice.

Hearing Austin retching in the back seat I snickered and said, “Glad he's barfing in his own car.”

“But that's where you're going to sit tomorrow,” my sister informed me and I groaned in disgust.

“Pull up next to the hose at home,” I said disparagingly and she giggled at me.

Finally home, I furrowed my brow at seeing Austin passed out in the back seat, covered in his own vomit.

“Oh my, what are we going to do with him?” Olivia mumbled softly and I laughed.

“Bring me the water hose and turn the water on full; I will kill two birds with one stone,” I snickered and gave her a couple of wiggles from my eyebrows.

“Just don't hurt him, sis,” Olivia scolded me with a grin as she handed me the spray nozzle of the hose.