The Unexpected Wolf

Hanging With Gabe

TUCKERS POV

As I came out of the store, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Gabe. Once he answered we made plans to meet at the hardware store. I got in my car, headed to meet him there.

As I'm driving I'm trying to make a mental note of everything that is going to be needed. All I could think about though was what I heard at the hospital. How Ash's dad wants her to get married before her birthday.

I wonder if he even considered her feelings. Then Grey said he'd claim Kayla as his own. Am I not going to be included in my daughter's life?

I really hope Ashlynn doesn't think about taking Kayla away from me. That little girl means the world to me even before I get to see her. What upsets me more was the way Kayla talked to me. She's never told me not to worry about her.

I arrived at the hardware store with my head in a mess. I was looking for Gabe who hadn't shown up yet. Sighing I got out of my car to head inside.

Grabbing a cart I start looking for the aisle I'm going to need. First up is the garden hoses in A3. I head to that one looking for one that's long enough to go around a house. Finding a hundred foot durable hose I toss it in the cart. Looking around I spot a head that has multiple spray options and toss it in as well.

Heading out of that aisle going towards tarps that are three aisles down I run into Gabe. "It's about time you got here." I tell him. "Sorry man dad called wanting me to pick up some paint since he found out we were here anyways." He replies awkwardly.

"You have no clue what paint to get, do you?" I simply state. He hangs his head before shaking it no. I sigh again, it’s really going to be a long day.

“What does your dad want to paint?” I had to know this one to get the right paint. “Um.. he said something about the bedroom I'd be vacating soon as I found my mate.” He replied sheepishly.

I had to laugh at this one, Gabe wasn’t even looking for a mate. Heck I never even saw him looking at a female. It got me thinking but hey he does him. “Alright, when does he expect you to find your mate?” I had to ask this one.

“Um he’s hoping before the summer gets here. His exact words, you better get busy looking for your mate. I can’t take your mother begging me for another child because she doesn’t think you're going to bring her grandbabies.

Could you imagine me as a dad? I can’t even remember to feed my goldfish, hell I’ve had almost twenty because I don’t feed them. What would I do with a kid? Plus I’m only seventeen, I’m not ready to settle down just yet. I honestly don’t think I’m a family man. Just want to live a peaceful and quiet life.” Gabe stated.

“Ok well what color did your dad say he wanted let’s go with that. Then we’ll figure out how to tell your dad he might as well give your mom that second child she wants eh.” I replied

“He wasn’t quite sure, he wants to make my room into a home gym so he can work out whenever he wants without having to go to the pack’s gym.” Gabe replied

“I can work with that, let's go get the rest of what we need for the roof then we’ll look at the paints.” I told him. We went and got the tarps, then found the roofing tar. I grabbed some nails since I didn’t see any at his house earlier.

Next we headed to the paint. We looked through a lot of colors, Gabe wanted to get a dark green. I just shook my head and laughed. “What, you know green is my favorite color. Plus it’s my room, he can’t kick me out till I find my mate anyways.” He said pouting.

“Gabe you're going to make a fine wife with that pout of yours but let’s get what was requested of us before we both get yelled at for not getting what was requested of us.” I told him, waiting for him to catch on to what I called him.

“That’s true, I know my dad’s temper. I wouldn’t be able to stand until next week if I brought that color back to him. Wait, you called me what?” Gabe said, starting to blush.

“Finally you caught on, you took less time this time actually. Normally you’d catch it the next day.” I laughed. “How did you know? It’s not like I go around saying I don’t like women. I try to keep it low key honestly.” Gabe replied.

“Well first clue you’ve never even looked at a female. When we talk about mates, you have a dreamy look but try to act like you wouldn’t have that special someone that’s meant for you. He will come, when it’s your time to find him.” I told him comfortingly.

“Actually I have found him, I met him at a club last week. It’s just that he can’t come to terms with what we are to each other. Plus he also told me he has a girlfriend that wouldn’t understand he doesn’t swing that way.” Gabe replied sadly.

“He didn’t reject you, did he?” I asked feeling bad for my friend. “No, he just needs time to process. I will give him all the time he needs, just wondering when it will be my time to be happy.

Look at you, you’ve got two mates and your first child on the way. Brendan has Aerial, they’ve been trying for their first child. Half of our friends are mated or too young to find their mates. I found my mate, I just need to have him come to me now.” Gabe replied sadly.

“He’ll come around, you're a great guy, anyone would be lucky to have you as a mate. Like you said he just needs time. Not everyone is as open minded as you are. Plus you haven’t even told your parents that you’re gay. I didn’t know til I just guessed it. Now let's get back to choosing paint.” I told him.

We looked at a lot of paint palettes, ending up choosing a light gray matte for the under color. With a sky blue semi gloss for the top. Just to p*ss his dad off I let him get a teal for the borders.

Getting back to his house it was already almost three in the afternoon. We unloaded both cars, then decided to eat some lunch before climbing back on the roof.

Making a simple sandwich with some kool-aid we ate fast then went up the ladder with the tarps I just bought. I laid them all down except for in the right front corner.

“Now Gabe goes to where the leaks are and I'm going to start spraying the roof slowly. If you see any water falling let me know so that we know where we need to look.” I told him, while grabbing the new hose to hook it up.

Gabe ran into the house and yelled “ready” just as I placed the sprayer head on the hose. Once I turned it on I started spraying at the bottom slowly working my way up to the top of the tarp making sure the tiles were soaked before moving on .

When there was no response from Gabe, I climbed up on the roof again moving tarps to be able to get a new section. We did this for an hour until Gabe finally yelled there it was about halfway up the middle.

I was glad we found it as the sun was setting and it’s hard to do any type of roofing at night. I climbed back up the ladder to mark that spot, grabbed a tarp off a spot we already checked and covered it.

Since it was so late there was no point in taking the tiles off today. I climbed back down and continued spraying just to make sure that was our only spot to repair, but found three more spots on the back side.

Going back inside I made plans to come back tomorrow to help Gabe repair the roof. Checking the time it was already six in the evening. Knowing that his parents would be home soon me and Gabe decided to make them dinner.

Gabe laid chicken out earlier but was trying to figure out a good recipe to make. We looked at the other ingredients that were there and decided on a chicken and rice casserole.

I grabbed the rice, chicken soup and veggies while Gabe got the casserole dish and chicken ready. I mixed the rice, chicken soup salt and pepper, onion salt, and veggies together, pouring half into the pan then letting Gabe place the chicken in before pouring the rest of the mixture over it.

Putting it in the oven, Gabe looks at me. “I didn’t know you could cook.” He stated. “I used to cook all the time with mom before she got too busy to teach me. I don’t cook much since then unless it's frozen food. Haven’t really seen the need.” I replied, grabbing some garlic bread to throw in the oven.

It took almost forty five minutes for dinner to make. By that time we had tossed a salad and set the table. Just as we pulled the casserole out of the oven his parents came in.

“Something smells good, Gabe, did you make dinner today?” I heard his mom say before she came into the dinning room. “Ah, Tucker you’re here as well. Did Gabe invite you over for dinner?” His mom asked

“In a way Mrs. Foster, he roped me into helping him fix the roof. I’ve got the problem spots covered for tonight with tarps then will be back tomorrow to help pull the old shingles and lay the new one’s. There’s actually three spots that need repairing. I helped Gabe make dinner so he invited me to stay.” I told her honestly.

“That’s so nice of you, and thank you dinner smells wonderful.” Mrs. Foster replied. After we all washed our hands we sat down to eat dinner. With some small talk the atmosphere was really light.

Half way through Gabe cleared his throat, “mom, dad I found my mate. I just don’t know if he’ll accept me though.” ‘Uh-oh I don’t really want to be here for this conversation.’ I thought.

“I told you his mate was going to be a male, now pay up mister.” Mrs Foster said to Mr. Foster. “You were right again my dear wife, I guess we can start trying for child two now I was just hoping you were wrong. I really wanted some alone time with you.” Came Mr. Foster's reply.

On that note I decided it was time to leave. “Thank you both for having me over Gabe. I'll see you tomorrow, bud.” I said while clearing my plate from the table. “Come back anytime, you're more than welcome here Tucker.” Came Mrs Foster's reply.