Braxton lifted his brows, as if considering her suggestions.
“Wait a minute. You wouldn’t let me wear any of my T-shirts.” He jerked his thumb in Braxton’s direction. “Why are you letting him get away with it?”
“You didn’t have one black T-shirt. All you had were colored shirts from—”
“The mall.” Braxton, Kate and Haley spoke in unison.
Jayden rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
Braxton laughed and slung an arm over Haley’s shoulder. “I like you, Haley. Not only are you a fellow LSU fan, but you’ve got an excellent taste.”
Jayden growled and unwrapped the Were’s arm from Haley. Braxton might be his friend, but that still didn’t mean it was okay for him to touch her.
“What are you guys doing tomorrow besides the whole dinner thing?” Jayden looked from Kate to Braxton effectively changing the subject.
“No plans,” Kate answered. “What did you have in mind?”
“We were thinking about checking out some of the local bars.”
“We were?” Haley jerked her gaze up to him.
“Haley is quite the pool shark.” Jayden winked at her.
“Pool and beer. Count us in.” Braxton smiled.
“I’ve never played pool.” Kate arched her brow.
“No worries. I’ll teach you.” Braxton gave her a wicked look. Jayden knew where their lesson was going to end up. In the bedroom with Braxton’s stick.
“What time should we meet?” Jayden shook his head trying to dislodge the disturbing image from his head.
“Dinner is at seven. So let’s say seven ten.” Braxton deadpanned.
“Braxton, you’re not getting out of dinner!” Kate elbowed him in the side.
“Fine. Eight thirty.” Braxton rubbed his ribs.
“I’ll text you guys when we get there.” Jayden and Haley said their goodbyes before making their way down the sidewalk.
“So were you really planning on taking me to a bar or did you just come up with that when you saw your friends?” Haley cut her eyes at him.
“I had been thinking about it. I wasn’t sure how safe I would feel with you and all those college guys around. But now I’ve got Braxton for backup I think it’ll be good.” Jayden shrugged.
“Your friends are very nice. I like Braxton’s mate.”
“Kate saved Braxton’s life a few months ago when he got into a scrape.”
Haley cut her eyes over at Jayden. “You’re talking about the whole Assassins trying to kill him?”
Jayden stumbled to a halt. “How’d you know that?”
“I’m from Louisiana, remember. Plus my ex-boyfriend’s father is pretty high in command. The pack is not very discreet when it comes to handling their business. Everyone heard about how the Assassins tried to kill Braxton in Arkansas territory. They said Barrett blew into Louisiana and threatened to kill the Pack Master if he ever thought about crossing into his territory again without his permission again.”
“Shit. I had no idea.”
“Barrett really rattled the Pack Master to the point that he started sleeping with guards around his bed.” Haley grimaced. “I guess when I went to see Barrett after I started getting the letters I wasn’t really sure how he was going to react.”
“Did Barrett scare you?” Jayden scowled, fisting his hands at his side.
Haley shook her head. “The other Guardians tried to intimidate me when I tried to get into see him. There was one, Damon, who finally let me in.” Haley laughed. “I guess they thought I was like Dana, trying to get in to sneak a peek at the Guardians working out.”
Jayden took her hand and they continued their stroll along the sidewalk.
“Don’t get me wrong, Barrett is scary. I mean there is something lethal about him. I know a lot of the females swoon over him, but they all keep their distance. But there is a justice and ethical code that he has that a lot of the other Pack Masters have forgotten.” Haley shrugged. “He listened to me while my old Pack Master wouldn’t have ever given me the time of day. I count myself lucky to be here in Arkansas.”
Jayden nodded. She was right.
Barrett was a great leader and protector of the Arkansas pack. But there was something else Jayden’s instincts told him. He never wanted to be on the receiving end of Barrett’s dark side.
CHAPTER SIX
Once they arrived back at the house, Haley hurried to change into something more comfortable. When she walked in the living room, wearing her favorite red silk pajamas, Jayden froze.
“What’s wrong?” She did a quick glimpse downward, making sure she hadn’t missed a button. Nope all buttoned up.
“Nothing.” He cleared his gravel throat. “You feel like watching a movie?”
“Sure. As long as it’s not The Waterboy.” She rolled her eyes.
Jayden frowned. “What’s wrong with The Waterboy? It is a typical college movie, you know.”