Chapter 10

One of the perks of working closely with a mentor was the privilege of learning invaluable skills that could catapult you to the next level in your career within a short time and that was an opportunity that Eric was always thankful for. After finishing law school four years ago and passing the bar exam a year later, he’d worked in a reputable law firm in New York as a junior associate for almost two years before returning to his hometown in Fairbanks. He’d realized that he fast paced life of the Big Apple wasn’t for him and he had opted for the easy, low-key life that he’d grown used to in the town of his birth.

Upon his return home, the werewolf clan Chief, Gary Silver had offered him a job in his law ‘firm’ which he ran from his home office, and Eric hadn’t hesitated to accept the offer. Although the pay wasn’t as much as what he earned in New York, it was substantial enough for him to afford a decent apartment, a neat but used ride, and good clothes on his back. He also usually had a few bucks left to take care of his folks and his little sister, as well as contributing to the little orphanage in town which was run by a family friend. He wasn’t rich, but he wasn’t poor either, and his comfortable life suited him just fine…until two days ago when Aubrey Silver made him feel like the scum of the earth.

Aubrey had made him feel like he was beneath her, as if she had done him a favor by having sex with him. Her snobbery was legendary in the town, but he had never thought he would one day become one of her victims. He wasn’t the type to judge people by what others say about them, but now he had full confirmation that Aubrey was indeed a spoiled rich brat who thought she was better than everyone else in the clan because of her wealthy background and successful career. No wonder Ryan dumped her snotty ass, Eric thought as he tapped away angrily on the keyboard of his computer. He was in the home office he shared with Gary, who was sitting at his desk adjacent to Eric.

“Are you trying to beat the keyboard to death?” Gary asked as he peered at Eric over his readers which were perched on the bridge of his nose.

Eric looked up in surprise as if he’d forgotten that his boss was there. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he apologized, slightly embarrassed. “I didn’t realize I was tapping the keyboard loudly.”

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes, everything is fine. I’m just a little stressed, I guess.”

“You know you can take a few days off if you don’t feel too good. Once these briefs go to court tomorrow, we wouldn’t have much to do for some time while we wait for the judge’s decision,” Gary said in reference to the case file they were both working on.

“It’s nothing serious, Gary, I promise. I’m fine. I just got a little distracted, that’s all.”

“Ok, if you say so,” Gary said, unconvinced. He returned his attention to the document he had been studying before Eric’s furious tapping on the poor keyboard had drawn his attention. He could tell there was something bothering the young werewolf, but he wasn’t going to pry if it wasn’t something the lad was ready to talk about.

Eric rubbed his eyes with his fingers and sighed. He wondered why Aubrey’s rebuff had affected him so much when it shouldn’t. He’d met bitchy ladies before, even dated one in the past, so he should know how they behaved. Perhaps he had hoped that their one-time romp would have been the beginning of something between them. But she probably blew him off because she felt it might be awkward to get involved with her ex’s cousin. But even at that, there were better ways to cut someone off without making them feel like trash.

Unable to concentrate on his work, Eric stood up from his desk and grabbed his mobile phone. “Mind if I step out for a while?” He asked his boss.

“Not at all,” Gary said without looking up from the sheets of papers that he was shuffling in his hands. “If you’re taking a long walk though, please grab me a cup of latte from Freddy’s. Put it on my tab.”

Eric smiled. “Will do,” he said and strode out of the office.

Outside, he was greeted by warm, fresh air. He strolled down the street, saying hello to Gary’s neighbor, Mrs. Walsh who was enjoying a cup of tea with her friend, Jenny Mae. The old women had been friends since their youth and are both now widowed. Where you saw one, you’d see the other—they were like cojoined twins that followed each other everywhere.

Eric’s mind drifted to Aubrey again, remembering how they’d both synced perfectly on Saturday morning in the bar, having sex with each other with a familiar synergy as if it was something they’d done before. He’d never felt that way with anyone else before, not even with Elise, the only lady who he’d ever loved but had betrayed him by getting pregnant with his friend’s baby while he was making plans to marry her. Elise and his friend, Mark, were now married and lived in New Jersey with their twin daughters. After that heartbreak, Eric had sworn to remain single and vowed never to fall in love again. That had been nearly three years ago.

So why are you so bothered about Aubrey not wanting to knock boots with you again? His mind asked him. Shouldn’t you be happy that she wasn’t interested in having anything serious to do with you?

If he was honest, dating his boss’ daughter who was his cousin’s ex would bring unnecessary complications to his life, so he should be grateful to Aubrey for not wanting to get entangled with him. But…she’d bruised his ego by shooing him away like a clingy child when he was merely being friendly with her.

Well, to hell with her. If they ever crossed paths again, he would also act as if he’d never met her before. He was going to match her iciness the next time they met, whenever that may be.