Chapter 14: ● XIV ●

I needed a wonderful excuse to go over to Ty’s place. There was no way in hell my parents would let me go outside on my own anymore. Its been at least two weeks since I’ve been home after getting shot, and I’ve been good and stayed home like I should have without complaining. I go to school and come home and that’s pretty much it. But today was nice out and it’s been a while since I’ve seen grass and I really wanted to leave the house.

“So, I want to go outside.” I said completely out of nowhere as Mom and Dad talked in the kitchen.

They just stared at me.

“If you want to stand outside, that’s fine.” Dad said.

“I mean, I want to go hang out with Ty.” I said, clarifying myself.

“He can come over.” Mom said.

They are completely going around the fact that I wanted to leave the house and go somewhere else.

“I wanted to go to his house.” I said.

“To do what?”

Well, I had a few things in mind but I can’t say that. We have a project, well I have a project to do but I wasn’t going to his place to do it.

“I want to study with him.” I said, though that’s not what I wanted to do with him.

They continued to stare at me.

“Seriously. I’m not going to do something stupid. Being shot hurts.” I said seriously.

I get this numbness to my side sometimes but most of the pain has gone away. I don’t need a bandage anymore, now I just have a scar. Dad laughed dryly at my comment, apparently he found it funny.

“Of course it did. You passed out.” Dad was making fun of me.

“Dad, please.” I begged.

I’ve been stuck here for two weeks. I don’t like that. I want to go outside and stay there. Every time I try to go to the library, I can’t. Anyone I want to hang out with, I can’t.

And I know they’re scared for me, and I’m not telling them not to be, but I’m not going to get shot again.

“Tell me honestly.” Dad paused for a second. “Is Ty on steroids?” He asked.

Now I was the one staring. “What?”

“He got big really fast, and I’m not sure if I want you hanging out with someone-”

“He’s not on steroids.” I answered his question. “He just works out a lot.” I lied.

“You’re not on steroids, are you?” He asked as a serious question. I didn’t answer because I was shocked he asked me that.

“Really?”

“I’m just making sure.” He said.

“I’m not on steroids.” I answered him truthfully, making sure there was no room for him to doubt me.

“I think he’s okay to go.” Mom said.

Dad looked at her quickly, almost shocked that she said that. “He’s grounded-”

“He’s not an idiot when he’s with people.” That didn’t make me feel better but it seemed to help a little.

Dad just shook his head and waved me away.

“Fine, go, whatever.” Dad gave up. “Be back before midnight.” He said as I tried to leave before he changed his mind.

Thank God I was finally getting out of this house. I’ve been waiting for so long and now I don’t have to suffer. I know I have to be home before midnight but I can sneak Ty in my room if I have to tonight. I just needed to get outside and do something different.

Ty lives on the other side of town, which actually isn’t far. There are a few families that don’t live in the neighborhoods, the Martin family being one of them. They have a big house, surrounded by trees and nature. I knew the other families that had houses just like his but I’ve never been to his house before.

Ty has ten siblings, three that aren’t around anymore. There are eight teenage boys in one house. I can’t imagine what his parents go through.

“So when do I get to meet Mr. and Mrs. Martin?” I asked, joking around.

He had this serious look on his face when he turned to me, almost shocked and stunned like I popped the question. He was frightened.

“Ty, relax.”

“They know.”

“Know that you’re a wolf? I’m pretty sure of that.” We’ve already talked about that. I’m sure he’s aware of that.

“That you’re the-” he stopped abruptly.

“Were you about to say that I’m the one?” I asked him, being as blunt as possible because I had a feeling he was going to say that when he stopped talking so abruptly.

He almost looked pale as he looked at me. Before I could see the faint redness to his face, but he looked absolutely sick, like he saw a ghost. I didn’t mean to scare him. I should’ve laughed when I made a comment, but I didn’t. Now he thinks I’m being serious.

“Ty, I’m sorry.” I didn’t like how terrified he looked. “If I knew how serious it was I wouldn’t have said anything.”

He kept the same expression on his face, even as he looked away from me. I didn’t know what else to tell him.

“You make me anxious.” He finally said, and it wasn’t in a good way.

Sometimes I say things, and I can visibly see blood draining from his face in pure fear. He shouldn’t be like that around me anymore. He knows I say bold things. He needs to get over it.

“Can we go inside your house or not?” I asked him.

He shook his head slowly as he turned away to keep walking. I tagged along closely beside him, telling him that I liked that he thinks I’m the one.

People grow up here, find love here, and have a family here, and the cycle starts again. I’m glad that I’m getting my chance. I thought I would have to venture out, since...well, it wouldn’t be obvious to find someone that likes me.

But Ty does, and that’s all that matters.

So I continued to make him blush while he brought me inside his house.

The first place I wanted to go was to his room. I could hear his other brothers here, but I wanted to go up to his room before I did anything else. I’ve always had him stay at my place, and it’s not like I’ll get the chance to stay at his since I’m grounded, but I wanted to see what his room looked like.

“It’s clean.” I said as I walked inside.

His room was big. I liked how his room had larger windows just like my room, I could see out into the forest from where I was standing by the door. I walked in further and looked towards the book shelves. He had a lot more books than I did. He didn’t have posters on the white walls, and no pictures either. I was hoping to see childhood pictures but I’ll wait.

I sat on his bed that was tidy and neat, the white blankets neatly tucked in with the pillows placed against the headboard.

“I like it.” I said to him, laying back on his bed as I heard him walk around. “It’s more open than mine.”

“Cause you have unnecessary things in your room.” He said.

“How do you have so many books but every time I ask you a question, you shrug?” I asked him. I had turned over to look at the books and could see from here some of the titles.

There were a bunch of myth books, mysteries, and books on wolves. He has all this but can’t tell me anything.

“I want to say I know as much as you do, but that’s not true.” He sat on the bed next to me before laying down. “My mom has been telling us stories since we were born. My oldest brother took over when Jackie was born, so we just know things.”

I guess at the time it wasn’t true for them. Then they actually started turning into wolves.

Who would’ve thought? Their mom apparently.

“I haven’t really read all of the books yet.” He said. “After everything happened, I guess I’m a little scared to find out the truth.” He admitted quietly.

“You won’t know how to handle things if you don’t.”

He remained quiet, probably thinking in his own little world. I could stay in bed with him all day, and I wanted to, but Channing came to his room.

“Hey Ty,” he said, not waiting for us to look over to him. He was abrupt as he walked over to us. “Brendan’s been sick all day, I need you for something.” He said.

“Can’t Cina do it?”

“Not when he’s having a panic attack.”

Ty tells me he’s always hesitant, and I’ve been serious about him not avoiding his family because of me. He should listen to Channing.

“You can go. I’ll still be here.” I said quietly to him.

I’m sure Ty doesn’t want to leave me alone but I’ll be fine. He’ll be back. He sat up and got off his bed.

“We won’t be long.” Channing looked at me.

I got this sense that he didn’t like that I could control his brother. It’s not like I knew how serious Ty liked me, but seeing him hesitant when being told to do something showed me more. Ty doesn’t know who to listen to. It should be his brother, but just telling him that isn’t going to work.

I usually have to tell him it’s fine leaving me alone, that I’m okay with him doing what he has to. It’s easier said than done, but Ty knows he should listen to Channing.

And Channing wasn’t particularly hostile but I know he’s been aching to talk about my involvement. If he ever finds the right chance, I can expect him to rip me a new one for what’s happening.

I walked around Ty’s room when Channing left with him. I looked at all the books, curious to find one I’d enjoy, but I didn’t want to stay cooped up here all day. So I took one and decided to go downstairs.

Which of his brothers are here?

Cina is having a panic attack somewhere.

And...

Brendan was laying on the couch downstairs, almost having this sort of green look to him, like he was going to be sick. I know that look, he definitely might be. His face was clammy, and he kept his eyes tightly shut like he was really fighting back the nausea.

I was planning on getting the tour of the house but I can’t do that by myself, and I didn’t want to wait for Ty. Brendan wasn’t getting up anytime soon.

I sat next to him.

I don’t want to bother him, but maybe he wants something to distract him.

“You can’t smoke in the house?” I asked him.

“My parents would kill me.” He said, straining as he moved his hand to his stomach. “I can’t keep doing this everyday.”

“Doesn’t it go away once you shift?”

“Like I said.” He opened one eye to look at me. “I can’t keep doing this everyday. ” He repeated himself.

“Is Cina curled up in bed?” I asked him, opening up the book in my hand.

"Probably sitting in a corner somewhere." He took a deep breath.

"You know, I know how to help with the nausea." I said, trying to get him interested. He looked at me slowly, this time both eyes open. "I'll be right back." I got off the couch.

I shouldn't go snooping around in their house. It's my first time being here, but I went in the fridge to find some ginger. He's not going to like it, but it should definitely help him be able to sit up and move around without making him sick. I took the root and found a pot to pour water in.

It took a few minutes for the water to boil. As I waited, I cut up a piece of ginger so I could put it in the water. The water began to turn yellow after some time but I let it boil some more.

I found a cup, poured the ginger tea, and brought it over to Brendan. He wrinkled his nose, not liking the smell, but he can't be picky right now.

"I'm going to be sick." He groaned, as if he wasn't sick already.

"You'll be sick if you don't drink it." I said as he sat up slowly, taking the cup from my hand. "I can't believe you haven't tried this."

"Smoking helps." It seemed like that's what he wanted to do more. I can't help with that, but the tea might be able to do something about the intensity since it looked like he was miserable.

"Going out in the cold might help, too." I said since he was beginning to sweat more. His hands were slightly shaking as he held the grey cup.

"You don't need to help me."

"I used to get sick, too." I said. "And why can't I help you? Think I'm still mad you tried to make a move on me?" I smiled at him when he side eyed me. He didn't say anything as he pressed the cup to his lips. "I'm not mad."

"I'm not worried about that." He didn't seem neutral in the conversation. "Though, while we're on the subject of making moves, did you and Ty-"

I immediately stopped that question. He doesn't need to know. "It's not really your business."

He scoffed as he drank the tea again. "It is when Ty is a chronic masturbator." He almost tried to cover his face but I caught his glance as he looked at me. He said it like I should've known but I didn't. "You knew."

"I didn't actually-"

"Seriously?" He didn't believe me. "We all already know that Ty found his...what's the word?" I stared at him because he was playing around with me. Ty was the only one to be attached to someone and I hope his siblings don't make fun of him for it. "Let's just say, you get him going." Brendan seemed bitter about it.

"How do you know this?"

"I know what being in heat smells like." He said.

Ty's in heat? Well I didn't know and I definitely couldn't tell. I guess he was good about hiding it, but we're in the coldest months right now. I don't think he is in heat.

"It's winter-"

"That's not going to change anything." He sighed. "It seems like it sucks. Channing doesn't even have this problem. And I dread the day that I will."

"It might not happen." I wanted to be hopeful to make him feel better. He doesn't want to be connected to anyone the way that Ty feels about me. I don't know what his brothers know but it must be concerning. "And from what I've read in one of those wolf books I found at the library, it's not always sexual."

Again, Brendan side eyed me and he wasn't particularly happy with my comment. I did my best, and I mostly wanted to get off the subject about Ty being in heat, mostly because I didn't know. He wouldn't tell me either so I'm not mad that he kept it to himself. However, I was just curious why.

"Shoot me if that ever happens to me."

"You'll be fine." I said. He's being over dramatic. "Do you feel better?" I asked, since he had almost finished the tea.

"Actually, I do." He started to move, getting up, and he waited like the nausea might come back but it didn't. "This is nice."

Brendan is soft at heart. He might look scary but he just wants someone to take care of him. He felt better enough to walk around the living room. I know he doesn't look like it, but he was so happy.

"Can you fix Cina, too?"

"I mean, if he wants to actually talk to me and not flirt with me, I'll be glad to listen to him." I shrugged.

But we both know Cina isn't going to behave nicely. Brendan began to laugh to himself. He really knew Cina wasn't going to behave himself. When he was done walking around, he sat back down on the couch next to me. He didn't want to go overboard on his new found freedom.

"How's Channing?" I asked him. "He looks like he hasn't slept still."

"The nightmares make it difficult." He said. Brendan got lost in thought after saying that. "We can't really keep secrets anymore cause of the whole, we can get into each other's head thing, and...Channing really is suffering."

I can't imagine. He killed two people to protect his family and that has to be a huge weight on his shoulders. He wasn't sleeping before but he's definitely not sleeping now. He must be so exhausted already.

"Why do you care?" He looked at me.

"I don't have siblings, so I don't know what it's like." I wasn't the type to always wish to have a brother or sister. It's not that I was fine alone, but I like my family the way it is. "Ty is already conflicted, and I don't want him to choose me over his siblings. If I'm nice, maybe it won't be so bad."

There was something that said he didn't believe me.

"You better fix Ty's problem."

"That's not- uh, not my-" I was flustered that he immediately put that on me out of nowhere. I mean, now I know what's going on with Ty but I didn't want to put it in perspective. "Don't do that."

"You started it, not me." He put that out there.

I didn't know what to say to him and I wasn't going to embarrass myself either. He's going to tease me about it until Ty comes back.

I sat with Ty on his bed in the evening.

I met his parents earlier and they seemed so tired and quiet. But they were very polite, and his mom was so excited to meet me. I vaguely remember seeing them when I was younger, all those school play stuff and award ceremonies we couldn't get out of, but I never really met them face to face.

"I'm glad your mom likes me." I looked over to him as I talked quietly. "I was worried she might say something mean."

"My mom isn't mean. She gets flustered easily though."

"So do you." I smiled.

He looked away from me and I caught the flush to his cheeks though it was so subtle. Ty just proved my point. He does get flustered easily.

"Brendan told me something interesting today." I started slowly, slightly concerned to bring up this conversation. "Are you... in heat?" I asked the question cautiously.

"Why would he say that?" He asked abruptly. "Don't answer that." He cut me off before I could explain. "I'm not...I'm fine." He said, though he didn't sound convincing.

"My right hand is pretty solid." I wanted to assure him but it was just a joke. He didn't like it. He sat up and got off his bed, not particularly happy that I'm making fun of him. "Ty, I'm just teasing you-"

"I can't..." He wanted to explain himself but he stopped, wanting to choose his words correctly.

"I'm here if you need me."

That's all I needed to say.

That was it.

He stared at me and I looked right back at him, and I know he understood what I meant. We came to that understanding without saying another word. Ty may have been blushing but he looked absolutely serious like he might take me up on my offer.

"So I have to be back by midnight." I said, having that little reminder in the back of my head because my dad will drag me back home if he has to. "Let's get something to eat."

He took a deep breath and rolled his eyes, being over dramatic but I thought it was cute he was acting like that.