CRAZIEST GUY

Jannie's Pov

"I don't know what's worse: the hangover or the big pimple on my forehead," Jessie cried as she climbed into Jannie's bed. Jannie wished her problems were that simple.

"Good morning, Jess!" she mumbled, pulling the blanket over her head.

"Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for work?" Jessie asked, making Jannie feel wide awake.

"Why? What time is it?" Jannie sat up.

"Four in the afternoon," Jessie replied.

"Oh no!" Jannie exclaimed as she bolted out of bed and into the bathroom.

"You're welcome!" Jessie shouted after her. Jannie quickly showered, washed her face, and applied some makeup.

"What time is it?" Jannie called to Jessie as she pulled on her jeans in the living room.

"Four fifteen. When do you start?" Jessie answered.

"In fifteen minutes!" Jannie replied, hurrying toward the hallway.

"Have a great shift!" Jessie shouted as Jannie slammed the door behind her.

She rushed down the stairs and out on the street, "Jannie?" She froze on the spot and looked up.

"Zeke, what are you doing here?" Jannie stumbled on the words, "Sorry. I know this can come across as a little stalkerish, but I wanted to ensure you were okay! You look a little stressed out?" He replied, looking genuinely concerned.

"I'm late for my shift at a pub downtown, Jackie Rocks," Jannie replied,

"I know that pub: I can give you a ride. My car is right over there!"

Zeke offered, and Jannie knew that was her best option for not being too late.

"Okay, fine, thanks," Jannie said, following him to his car, bashing herself for letting him take her.

______________

"I am really sorry for last night, and I hope I didn't scare you off. I truly meant what I said," Zeke said while pulling out of the parking spot.

"Look, I don't know how to process this or where my feelings stand. You're a great guy, and we had some chemistry," Jannie replied, staring out the window.

"I'm not saying I want to date you; I just want to hang out as friends. Please?" he pleaded, glancing at her.

She stole a glance at him. He looked effortlessly handsome in a white t-shirt and blue jeans. His brown hair was cut short in a messy uppercut style. His golden eyes, hidden behind black Ray-Ban sunglasses, added to his appeal. Jannie's gaze wandered over his facial features: his perfectly straight nose and broad jawline on a muscular frame almost too perfectly trimmed.

Gosh, he looked so good.

His arms were covered in tattoos, one in particular displaying a consistent tribal pattern that started at his hand and seemed to go up to his neck. He had worn a long-sleeved shirt yesterday, which made the tattoos even more striking.

"Should I take your silence as a yes?" Zeke asked with a smirk, focusing on the road ahead as if he knew she was checking him out.

"Fine, whatever," Jannie said casually, puzzled by what his presence was doing to her. Something about him calmed her, and she felt she could trust him in a way that typically took her months, even years, to establish with someone new.

But Jannie wasn't sure whether she should feel flattered or scared that he was outside her place just now... or how he dealt with Dorian last night.

Zeke's Pov

"Hey, how long have you been standing outside my apartment?" Jannie asked, and Zeke felt a little embarrassed.

"I just pulled up," he replied. "I felt horrible about last night and wanted to ensure you were alright. I felt like the worst guy for leaving you like that. I know you wanted me gone, and I respect that. I wanted to make it up to you."

That was the first lie he told Jannie. Zeke had actually never left. Knowing she was sad and upset, he couldn't drive away. But he couldn't tell her that.

"Okay, that's sweet and a little crazy," Jannie said, shaking her head.

"I can work with that," Zeke replied, a little too excited, and Jannie giggled.

"You're not going away anytime soon, are you?" he asked as he glanced at her.

"No, only if you want me gone," Zeke said, sighed, and tilted her head against the window.

___________

"We're here," Zeke said as he parked before the pub.

"Thanks for the ride," Jannie replied as she opened the door.

"When does your shift end?" Zeke asked.

"Midnight. Why?" Jannie gave him a suspicious look.

"Is it okay if I pick you up then? I want to ensure you don't have to walk or take the subway on a Saturday night," Zeke explained.

"I don't know. What's in it for you?" Jannie responded as she hopped out of the car.

"Knowing that you're safe and sound?" Zeke smiled, but Jannie rolled her eyes.

"You're a weird, but that's fine. You can drive me. See you later?" she said before closing the door and walking away. Zeke grinned to himself.

Just then, his phone started ringing. He saw Hazel's name on the screen, so he connected her to the car's speaker as he drove off.

"What the hell happened to you last night?" Hazel asked.

"That's a long story. How much time do you have?" Zeke replied.

"I have all night. Do you want to grab a bite somewhere?" she suggested.

"Yeah, I can pick you up in fifteen minutes," he said.

"Perfect! See you then, beastie!" Hazel hung up, and Zeke drove toward her place.

_____________

"You have a lot of explaining to do! What the hell happened to you last night? I caught up with a guy for five minutes, and you vanished into thin air! And it's hard to believe you could pull that off since you're a massive man!" Hazel exclaimed.

Zeke chuckled, "Chill, Hazel. I'm going to tell you everything." And he did—every detail.

"You ought to be the craziest guy I know. What happened to my hopeless bachelor? The man who swore off the mate bond? Look at you, swooning over her like your life depends on it!"

"It does, Haze. I can't explain it. Just being this far from her is a terrifying feeling. She's unprotected, and I could never forgive myself if something happened to her. God, do you hear me? This is crazy. How can she matter so much already? I can't imagine a life without her. I need her." Zeke sighed, feeling his heart ache for her. What the hell was going on?

"Wow, I've never seen this side of you, Zeke. It's sweet and a little scary. I know the mate bond is strong, but damn, you're really in it deep," Hazel said, laughing.

And Zeke was so deep in it that he feared for their future together.