McKenna POV.
I rubbed my hand over my face. I was having a bad day. The memories were worse than ever. My scars felt like they were burning, even though I knew it was only in my thoughts. I knew why. It was the first day since I arrived that I was truly by myself. All of the guys had gone off for a meeting with the record company and Val was out. I only had the dogs. I glanced at the phone in front of me. I knew that he would come if I called, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It was an important meeting about the new album and studio time. My phone buzzed, jumping me out of my daydream. I reached forwards and unlocked it. A picture of a drunk Jimmy holding a pint in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, was flashing, along with a new Message icon.
Whatcha doin? I am going to turn into a statue and die if these people ramble on any longer. XX I laughed, only Jimmy could get bored in a meeting that was pretty much about him.
Wouldn’t you like to know ;) ?? XX A few seconds later my phone buzzed again.
o.O You’ll regret talking dirty to me when I’m dead. XX
Why would you be dead Jimbo? XX
Coz. XX
Huh? XX
Is a lettuce! Tehe XX I groaned. Only Jimmy would make terrible jokes about types of lettuce.
Disgraceful. But you still haven’t explained yourself :P XX
Coz your phsyco boyfriend will have killed me. XX
Technically, he’s not my boyfriend. XX
W/E. don’t be all pedantic! Either way I’ll still be dead and you’ll still regret talking dirty to me. XX
Come back here and make me bitch ;P XX I got no reply to that, but a few minutes later my phone buzzed again, this time a picture of Syn with an eyebrow raised was flashing.
Will you please refrain from sending my drummer dirty texts while we’re trying to have a serious meeting? He keeps giggling like a five year old. And I’d hate to kill him for flirting with my girl ;) Hope you’re not too lonely and miserable without me XXXXXXX See, I give more kisses than him :P I smiled, between the guys, they always managed to cheer me up when I was struggling, even when they weren’t even here. Ignoring the butterflies floating around my stomach at being called his girl, I began to text back.
Getting a touch jealous Mr Gates?? No, I don’t think I will not stop sending dirty texts to your drummer, someone has to amuse his simple mind. Who wouldn’t be lonely and miserable without you here to amuse them?? :S XXX
Me? jealous? Such petty emotions are below me :P HA! He’ll never get your filthy texts now, Matt just stole his phone :P you’ll just have to send them to me instead :D XXX
NEVERRR!!! You’ll have to come back and force those texts out of me! ;D XXX
Don’t tempt me. XXX Smiling, I set my phone down and replaced it with my book.

~*~

I lost track of how long I sat there, but was jolted out of the imaginary world of Keri Arthur but a hand on my shoulder. I gasped in shock and grabbed the hand, squeezing the pressure points as hard as I could. I looked up to see Jimmy grimacing. I let go of his hand.
“Jesus Mac.”
“Maybe that’ll teach you not to sneak up on an ex-fighter.” I replied, folding over the corner of a page to mark my place. He grinned.
“Nah, I never learn.” I shook my head in despair.
“Where’s Syn?”
“He went to get some groceries, he’s decided that he’s cooking tonight.” He smacked himself on the forehead. “I forgot! He told me to ask you if you wanted anything.”
“Chocolate.” Jimmy frowned at me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just having a tough day.” He smiled softly at me and held open his arms.
“Hug time!” I moved into his arms. I closed my eyes and tried to fight the memories as Jimmy held me tightly. Eventually I tried to move out of his grip. I failed.
“Err…hello, need to breathe.”
“Tough. This is payback for all of the dirty texts earlier.” I snorted.
“Please, in comparison to some of my texts, those were clean.” He chuckled.
“I don’t care I’m not letting you go.” I sighed, resigned to my fate.
“Can I at least read?”

~*~

Syn POV.
Sidestepping seven dogs was harder than you’d think when your arms are full of grocery bags. Pinkly was running in between my legs, Ruby was doing her dammed hardest to climb my leg, Ty was trying to get into the grocery bag and Scooby was slobbering down my leg. Wonderful. Somehow, I made it to the kitchen without dropping anything. I dumped the grocery bags on the side and went in search of Mac. I froze in the doorway to the living room. She was sat reading, cuddled up to Jimmy. I felt my chest tighten. I couldn’t control the jealousy that had begun to claw its way up my throat. I couldn’t even begin to describe how it felt to see her so relaxed, so comfortable in someone else’s arms. Someone that was supposed to be my best friend. Swallowing all of the words that I wanted to scream at them, I stepped into the room.
“Jimmy, why are you cuddled with my girl?” I was surprised at how calm I was. Mac looked up from her book and smiled at me. She had that haunted look in her eyes. The one that came with her memories. Jimmy glanced down at Mac and looked back up to meet my eyes.
“She’s having a difficult day. She needed a hug.” He explained as she got up out of his arms and walked over to me. I held my arms out automatically and held her tight. I felt myself relax and the jealousy start to fade as she buried her face in my neck. Everything about her calmed me down. From the smell of her hair to the sound of her voice. I’d barely known her a month and already I cared about her more than I cared about most of my previous girlfriends. She brought out every protective instinct I had. The urge to kiss her slowly began to build, but I knew that she wasn’t ready. That killed me inside. What had someone done to make her so distrustful? I pressed my lips against her forehead. Pulling away, I glanced down at her. Fresh tears were slowly creating faded grey lines down her cheeks. I held her tighter. Her Alpha has a lot to answer for.