With Caution

was accidental?” No way was he admitting it really was accidental.
    Dago laughed at Remi. “Smug bastard.” He called out to Zack. “By all means, Remi says it’s a rule, it must be.”
    Remi started out playing the second game pretty well, but halfway through the game he got distracted watching Jake talk to everyone. His mind kept conjuring Jake standing over him, protecting him and taking care of him. Somehow the image fit. It also gave Remi an uneasy feeling.
    As the game progressed, Jake’s friends made Remi feel welcome, including him in their conversations, yelling out encouragement for him to, “Whip Zack’s ass,” and telling jokes. They were a great group of guys. Even Rhys, although he remained quiet.
    By the time Zack sank the nine ball, Remi was ready for another drink.
    Jake took the cue from Remi and tossed back the last of his scotch. He started to set the empty tumbler down, but Remi grabbed the glass and picked up his own as well.
    “I’ll get you another.”
    Dipping his head, Jake started to step around Remi, then hesitated. He held Remi’s gaze for several seconds. “You having fun?”
    “Yes, I am. Thank you.” And he was, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d actually had so much fun he hadn’t worried about stuff.
    “You’re welcome. You know, I have a pair of leather chaps at home that might fit you, if you’re interested.”
    “Yes, sir. I’m definitely interested.” Remi licked his lips, wanting Jake to kiss him again.
    Jake’s eyes widened and his eyebrows shot up.
    Remi frowned. What the— Then it dawned on him what he’d said and how Jake would’ve taken the “sir”.

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    J.L. Langley

Chapter Nine
    Outside of Remi’s apartment, Gadget handed Jake Remi’s helmet and keys. “You gonna stay with him? He’s pretty messed up.”
    Taking the keys and helmet, Jake peeked over his shoulder to where Rhys and Remi waited in Rhys’ car behind the bikes. “Yeah, I’ll get him settled before I go. Thanks for bringing his bike home. I think this is the first time he’s drunk hard liquor since he was changed.”
    Gadget laughed. “Yeah that new metabolism will fuck you up. Although the advantage to that is the drunkenness will wear off faster too.” Gadget scrunched his face and headed toward Rhys’ car. “Maybe that’s not an advantage.”
    “I never get dis drunk.” Remi tried to get out of the passenger side of Rhys’ car but got tangled in the seat belt and fell back into the seat.
    Jake jogged over to the car and reached inside to unbuckle him. He glanced over at Rhys. “Thanks.”
    Rhys dipped his head. “No problem.”
    After moving back to let Remi out and Gadget in, Jake then shut the door and ducked his head to see in the open window. “You two got plans tomorrow?”
    Gadget shrugged. “When? We have a pack meeting tomorrow evening.”
    Shit. He’d forgotten about that. Oh well, it was at nine, that left the day open.
    “Around noon.”
    Buckling his seat belt, Gadget shook his head. “Not that I’m aware of. I’m fixing Rhys’ bike day after tomorrow.”
    “Why? What’s up, Jake?” Looking past Jake, Rhys frowned and pointed.
    Jake turned around to see what Rhys was trying to show him and noticed Remi staggering off in the opposite direction of his apartment. Well damn. Jake whistled.
    Remi stopped, faced him and waved.
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    With Caution
    Gadget and Rhys laughed.
    Jake groaned, but he couldn’t hold back a chuckle. Motioning with his hand for Remi to return, Jake kept his attention on his mate but spoke to Gadget and Rhys. “If you guys aren’t doing anything, I thought we’d play ball.”
    “Play ball?” Gadget asked.
    Remi started wandering off again.
    Shit. “Remi, come here. Yeah, with Remi’s little brother. I figured it’d be fun and help the kid out.”
    Remi obeyed immediately, coming back toward the car.
    “Sure, just give me a call,” Rhys said.
    Jake peeked back at Gadget and Rhys, who were both staring out the window toward Remi with smiles on their faces.
    Gadget nodded. “Yeah, I’m game. I can see if my oldest two boys wanna come too.”
    He was quiet for a few seconds then jerked his head toward Remi. “I like him. He’s good for you. Fits in with the rest of us too.”
    “He does.” Jake grinned. Yeah, Remi did fit in with Jake’s friends. Remi’s inebriated state was testament to that. Remi wasn’t the type to get hammered unless he had