"It's called Missing You." Zak tapped his knee starting a beat and then began to sing.
You've been in my life for so long now.
I can't imagine my life without
You with me
I didn't treat you right somehow
But please do not desert me now
Forgive me
"Loving it so far. Carry on." I smiled.
You were there
And then you left
And now I'm feeling so bereft
Come back to me
I need you bad
Cos I'm just a dick if left without…
my gonads.
As Zak collapsed clutching his stomach, I leapt across the space between us ready to punch him in the face.
Noah pulled us apart.
"Zak Jones. Get out of here until you can behave."
"Hey, it worked didn't it? He's found his fire again. Now stop being such a fucking pussy, Rex, and let's get some work done."
I turned to Noah and shook my shoulders. "Dude has a point. I fucking hate it when shit for brains has a point."
"Don't we all." Mumbled Roman from the corner.
We worked through until early evening, only stopping for a bite of a sandwich or a quick carton of O-neg for the vamp. Roman had woken up and joined in and I'd apologised for my behaviour. Inside, I still thought it was hilarious, but as one of my mates I felt a little guilty about the fact he'd not been able to sleep since.
As I'd nipped out for a toilet break in the afternoon, I'd messaged Miles and asked him to sort me a little surprise out and then I'd contacted Stacey because I needed her to use some witchcraft to finish the mini project off.
We wrapped up for the day and I turned to my friends. "I've arranged for us to have a picnic on the edge of the woods. It's all prepared, so let's go eat and get some fresh air. The women should already be there," I informed Zak and Noah.
We rode in a small motorised buggy to the edge of the woods. It was next to where Roman's lodge was due to be built and near to the adjoining woodlands.
He looked wide-eyed at the bunting strewn around the trees and the large summerhouse structure that had been erected near the stream.
"What's this?" He asked as the women walked forward to meet us.
"This, my friend, is my apology for what I did to you. The summerhouse is a space you can escape to when you're fed up of us all until your home is built and Stacey here, has put wards on your woodland so that no one can come onto the land unless they have your say-so. She'll tell you the wording you need to use, but you can be sure that when you go to sleep no-one can disturb you. You can, pardon my pun here, rest in peace, and sleep a good night's sleep in the firm knowledge you will not be disturbed unless you've wished it so. The summerhouse has blankets, pillows, and a sofabed."
"You're forgiven." Roman jumped up and down. "When I have my lodge it shall be perfect."
Roman looked at Freya. "How you can not want this man as your mate is beyond me. He is just one of the most genuine people I have ever met."
She bent down, picked up a handful of soil and undergrowth, and threw it at Roman's head. He shrieked and ran up to a tree, hugging it.
"Still think that, tree-hugger?" She looked around at us. "What?"
I sighed. "Let's go to the area set up for the picnic. I'll entice Roman away from the tree with the promise of hard liquor."
Although Freya was still ignoring me for the most part, the picnic was pleasant. We'd lit a small fire as it went dusk and enjoyed the food and drink. There were large cushions to sit on, trees to lean on, and camping chairs for those who wanted one. We showcased a few snippets of what we'd put together to get the women's take on them. Zak wisely chose to not sing his song about my supposed missing bollocks.
"It's lovely here." Stacey cuddled into Noah's side. "Once your lodge is built, I think you're going to be very happy here, Roman."
"Yeah, it'll be a good start on things." He said, unspoken words hanging in the air.
Our friend was a very private man. Out of all four of us he was the one we knew the least about. He was largely estranged from his family and tended to keep his cards close to his chest. The fact he trusted us meant a lot as he gave the impression he didn't trust easily and that was why I couldn't bear to have upset him with the whole buried alive thing, even if it was hilarious.
"Maybe you could invite Harley for a picnic when everything's ready? She'll be back from America in another few weeks, right?" Erica stated.
Roman shrugged. "I don't know. There's a lot I need to sort out." Reading between the lines he didn't just mean about developing the land.
I shrugged my shoulders at Erica who looked forlorn. The woman wanted everyone living their happy ever afters, but you couldn't force things. Lead a satyr to water and they'd want it murky so they could frolic in its filthy depths.
"So the family are coming tomorrow, Rex?" Erica changed the subject. "Or just your parents?"
"My parents and some of my younger siblings." I replied.
"Oh how many do you have?" She asked.
"There are seventeen of us."
Freya and Erica's jaws dropped open in perfect synchrony.
"Has your mother spent her entire life pregnant?" Freya asked, relenting on her not speaking to me rule, her curiosity having got the better of her.
"Shifters are only pregnant for three months and tend to have large litters. For my mum she had six, then another six, and then another five."
Freya paled. "Condoms work for shifters, don't they? Like one hundred percent work?"
"They work the same as for everyone. So more or less."
"I don't like the sound of less. I don't like the sound of that at all." Her voice rose in pitch and volume and she grabbed the wine bottle nearest to her and drank it like it was an oasis of water in a hot and arid desert.
"You'll harm the cubs drinking that." I announced. She dropped the bottle, looking wild-eyed.
"Leave her alone and stop tormenting her, Rex Colton, or I will stop singing your praises and get her to call Splinter and see what he's up to."
"If she calls Splinter he'll be up to waiting for his arms and legs to be encased in plaster." I growled. "But thanks for having my back. Love ya, Ricci."
"Who the fuck are you pet-naming?" Zak shouted, jumping to his feet. "Stick to trying to impress your own woman. My little E is not your Ricci."
I winked at him. "Do you feel impotent not having any supernatural powers now, Zakky?"
"No, because I'm madly in love and can concentrate on my future with my beautiful girlfriend. Do you feel impotent having a mate that thinks you're a bellend?"
The next thing I knew was I couldn't move. I was glued to the spot.
"It's for your own good until you calm yourself down." Stacey informed me. "Once you're calm you'll be able to move again, but if you try to make any moves towards Zak you'll find yourself still again."
Zak sniggered.
"Do you want me to put a spell on your mouth because believe me I have been offered millions to do so."