CHAPTER 17: I DON’T NEED A STEPDAD

"Oh, dear." Ethan’s mother, Roxanne, gasps when she sees the blood and unconscious bodies on the floor of her lobby. Her eyes are wide, and her hands shake as she covers her mouth.

"Sorry," Ethan rubs her shoulders and guides her around them so she can sit at a window booth.

She avoids looking back over and takes a deep breath. "Oh honey, I’m not worried about that." She says, but Ethan can tell it’s a lie. She’s putting on a brave face for him.

"I found the two alphas who were hired to jump me." Zander stands by the front door, his phone against his ear as he stares outside. His free hand is in his pocket, only his thumb is hooked outside. It’s the only words loud enough for Ethan to hear, but the rest of what he says is undefinable. The alpha hangs up and turns to Ethan and his mother.

"I’m sorry." Zander walks up to Ethan’s mom and crosses his arms over his chest. "The reason this all happened is because you two helped me that night.

Ethan opens his mouth to speak, but his mother beats him too it.

"Ah, you are the one from the back alley?" She asks. "Of course we helped. What kind of people would we be if we didn’t? My name is Roxanne, but please call me Rox." She reaches out her hand and Zander shakes it.

"Is that why the restaurant is called On The Rox? It’s very clever." Zander chuckles and rubs the back of his neck, "I’d love to thank you properly -"

"My, so handsome." He face flushes red and Ethan groans. "Why would those thugs want to mess up such a pretty face?"

Zander glances at Ethan and smirks, but the beta only rolls his eyes.

"It’s a long story. I have-" The front door chime cuts Zander off and Beau walks in wearing a black T-shirt and grey sweat pants. He looks like he’s just gotten ready for bed and was dragged here against his will. Following behind him are four men in black with gloves on their hands.

"You just keep dragging this poor beta into your mess." Beau tuts at his friend, hiding a yawn behind his hand. He smiles at Rox, "Hello ma’am. I’m a friend of Zander’s. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Ethan glances down at his mom when she tugs at the hem of his shirt.

"You’ve made such handsome friends." She whispers.

They watch as one by one, the men that came in drag the two unconscious alphas out of the shop. There’s a black van parked outside, the back doors open.

Taking in the bloody floor a few feet away, Ethan sighs. "I’ll clean that up."

"No." Zander stops him by grabbing his elbow. He quickly lets go when Ethan glances down at where he touches him and he clears his throat. Behind him, Beau snickers. "It’s okay. I’ll have my people do it. It is my fault, after all."

"Where are you going to take them?" Ethan asks. He stares out at the black van with a frown. The back doors are slammed shut, and the workers come back in.

"To the police station." Zander smiles. Behind him, Beau snorts. Ethan raises an eyebrow but drops it. "Turns out they have a record and warrants out for their arrest."

"Oh my." Roxanne says. It’s awkward as they stop talking to watch as the other men pause beside them.

"Clean this up, please." Zander orders them. They don’t say anything, just nod their heads. Ethan watches them head back out to the van and pull out their own cleaning supplies. He glances at Zander, does stuff like this happen often with him? How unsettling. "Can we sit with you?"

"Yes, please. Thank you for your help." Ethan’s mom eagerly pats the seat next to her. Ethan rubs the back of his neck and takes the spot beside her before any of the other two alphas can. She pouts at him but says nothing.

"We’re even now." Ethan says, glancing from his mom to Zander. Beau takes the seat across from Rox, who openly admires him, while Zander sits in front of Ethan.

"I don’t think we are." Zander smiles. "You saved me twice. So I owe you one more." He holds up a finger. Ethan sighs. "So, I’d still like to take you and your mom out for dinner."

"Oh n-" He goes to protest.

"Yes!" She exclaims. She glances at Ethan, ignores his glare, and pats the table top. "Of course, we shouldn’t deny his hospitality. It’s rude if we say no." She glares back at her son, and then beams at Zander. Ethan scoffs and then shrugs. He can’t get out of it now. He feels like Zander brought it up in front of his mother on purpose.

"Fine. But no where too expensive. It’ll make me uncomfortable." Ethan adjusts in his seat and Zander nods his head.

"Can I join too?" Beau asks.

"Why? You don’t owe anything." Zander frowns.

Beau smiles and shrugs, "I’m good at lightening the mood." He winks at the older woman across from him.

She turns red, "Oh my."

Ethan glares at Beau and covers her eyes so she can’t see them. "Keep your flirtations to a limit please. I don’t need a stepdad yet."

Beau and his mom laugh. She pulls his hand down and pats his shoulder, "He’s just teasing. Plus, I’d never fall for someone so much younger than I am."

Ethan purses his lips but lets the topic go. He never wants to see someone flirt with her, or vise versa. It’s awkward and uncomfortable. No son should ever see that side of their mother.

As soon as the others are finished cleaning up the floor, Zander and Beau stand up.

"We’ll be going now." Zander kisses the back of Rox’s hand, Beau following suit. Beau walks out, but Zander pauses before he reaches the door. "Before I forget. Can I have your number please? I can’t trust that you will call me."

Ethan clears his throat and avoids the alphas gaze. He takes Zander’s sleek phone in his hand, noticing it’s the latest model. He’s delicate with it, not wanting to have to pay if he accidentally drops it, and inputs his phone number.

Zander takes it back and then Ethan’s vibrates in his pocket. He pulls it out and glances down at the somewhat familiar number. Zander waves as he pushes the door open, "We’ll make plans soon. Goodbye."