The next week dragged by as he split his time between working with Cadence, researching and pretending to be ‘Thumpers’ delivery person to Koira. He had to give Caeden credit though, the man was pretty damn resourceful, even if Constance was always grumbling around the station about gelding him for watching Koira take a shower while he was in his dog form.  Brogan still laughed at that one.

“Hey bro. You busy tonight?” Rook asked as he sat down next to him at the diner. “Koira’s going to sing tonight at the club and we’re all gonna be there for moral support and to help keep things under control. I’m sure you heard about the last time, right?”

He had indeed. Koira had nearly caused a brawl to break out after she sang. It had taken Rook, Mason and Caden to get her out of the bar. The shifters had surrounded her while she sang on the stage unaware of the true danger she’d been in. “Of course, I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Great. I’ve gotta run some errands, but I’ll see you tonight.” Rook waved and left leaving Brogan to his thoughts.

Lou the long-time waitress of the diner set a cup of coffee down and cocked her head in question.

“What’s on your mind?”

She hesitated only briefly, “Is it true you’ve found your mate but he’s stuck in Hell?”

Brogan cocked one eyebrow in surprise, but nodded slowly. “Yes, it’s true. Rumors spreading already?”

“You know how it is. Besides people are still talking about your boy’s night last week. Anyone who didn’t know about your mate sure does now.”

“What’s the verdict?” He asked hesitantly. He wasn’t sure what the people of Blue Creek would think of his mate being male and a demon.

Lou waggled her eyebrows in an exaggerated mockery of a leer, “Most people think you’re ready to show your mate a night he won’t forget after the pointers Deader and West gave you. But everyone is agreement that we are happy for you and we can’t wait to meet him. Words spread about what he did last fall with stopping Tallulah. He’ll be welcomed here with open arms, don’t worry a thing about that.”

Brogan tired not to blush but he could feel his face burning in embarrassment. “Let’s just hope we can get him back here soon.”

“You know if there’s anything we can do just give a holler. We’re family round here and we help our own. Jericho is part of that family now too.” Lou winked, “Now do you want something to eat or are you just going to sit here and mope.”

“Coffee’s good, I’m just taking a short break before getting back to work.” Brogan emphasized his words by picking up the cup and taking a big swig. “Just needed a little pick me up.”

“This cup’s on the house. Congrats on finding your mate again.” Lou said before she disappeared in the back to presumably report whatever gossip she’d gleaned to Burke the diner owner and cook.

The next few hours dragged by as Brogan spent his time doing paperwork at the station while his mind wandered to Jericho and what was happening to him. He was getting worried and if he was honest scared shitless. His mate hadn’t contacted him once since the night he had the dream. It was almost as if Jericho had somehow cut him off to save him from seeing what he was enduring.

“I’m getting ready to head to snag a table for tonight. You at a stopping point and want to come with?”

Brogan jumped at West’s question. He’d been lost in his thoughts and hadn’t heard the other man approach.

“Shit, sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you like that. You okay?”

“Yeah, no problem. I was daydreaming I guess. I’m ready to get out of here, I’ve heard nothing but fantastic things about Koira’s singing. I can’t wait to hear her for myself, and truth be told I could use the mental break too.”

He quickly shut his computer down, straightened his desk and gathered his things to walk out with West. Neither man had much to say on the short walk and that was fine with Brogan. He needed a few minutes to clear his head and get in the right mindset to have fun with some of his closest friends.

As they walked up to the Horney Wolfe the bouncers out front nudged each other and pointed to the two of them. Brogan knew this was going to be painful as soon as he saw their smirks.

“Shut it.” West called before the two men could open their mouths which just seemed to encourage both men.

“Come on, Sheriff. You can’t be like that. It’s not often that we get to harass you guys for doing crazy stuff. And from what we heard it was an epic night.”

Brogan groaned and rolled his eyes. Maybe this hadn’t been a good idea. Not enough time between their now legendary night and this one. A couple years might do it, but a week was clearly not.

“Go on in.” The other bouncer said. “It’s bound to get pretty busy soon, might as well grab a table while you can. Words spread about the performance and we’re expecting quite a crowd.”

The two men headed inside and found a booth near the back that was large enough to fit their whole group. Before too much time had passed Brogan could see the bouncers hadn’t been lying. The place was filling up fast.

West surprised Brogan by ordering a few of the now infamous drinks. “Don’t worry we’re taking tonight much more slowly.” West assured Brogan before he could say anything. “Besides I want our friends to try this stuff.”

By the time the drinks were delivered most of the group had arrived. Rook squeezed in next to West with a quick kiss and a murmured missed you. Deader and Skarlet came in and grabbed seats, but not before she gave them all a scathing look of disgust when she saw the drinks. They were only waiting on the woman of the hour and her mate. Within a few moments Brogan glanced up and gave a whistle of appreciation at Koira’s outfit.

“No wonder Caeden looks pissed off. She’s smokin hot.” West said as all eyes turned to the newcomers.

“Did you guys purposely choose the spot furthest from the door?” Caeden grumbled.

“Quit your bellyaching and sit down.” Brogan huffed. “Koira you look amazing, if we weren’t both spoken for I would be begging for your time. Ouch!”

Brogan scowled at his friend and rubbed his arm where Caeden had punched him. He was only paying her a compliment, women liked to know people thought they looked good.

“Caeden you have to try this new drink they just got in. Koira would you like something?” West leaned closer so she could hear him over the noise.

Brogan slid a large glass of clear liquid across to Caeden. He couldn’t wait to see how the pup took to the drink.

“I’ll have water for now but after I sing I plan to match you drink for drink.” Koira replied with a cheeky grin.

West returned with a bottle of water, “Lael said good luck and she’s buying you a shot after this.”

“Come on Caeden why aren’t you drinking?” Brogan teased him.

“I want to stay clear headed, maybe next time.” Caeden replied absently. Brogan couldn’t fault him for that, but damn he really wanted to see how he handled the drink.

Mason spotted them and came over. “Hey everyone, you guys ready for this? Koira how are you feeling?”

“Now that the moment is here I am feeling a lot more nervous than before.” She slid her hand across the table till she found the glass in front of Caeden. Everyone at the table except Caeden yelled no as she grabbed it and tossed the liquid back.

Brogan gaped at her in stunned horror. That drink had knocked them on their asses what would it do to a mere slip of a human?

 Between coughs she managed to speak, “Oh my god, what was that?”

Mason patted her back to help with the coughing, “You probably shouldn’t have had that. It’s something new we just got in that let’s shifters get buzzed.”

“That’s putting it mildly, that shit will turn your world upside down.” Rook protested.

“And you thought it was a good idea to serve it tonight?” Caeden gave Mason an exasperated look.

“In hindsight, we probably should have kept it put away for the night. I’ll tell Lael to not serve any more.”

“Except to us, right?” Brogan’s question surprised everyone. “Come on, you know we had a good time the other night, we just need to be a little more conservative with the quantity we ingest.”

“Fine, you guys can still have it. Koira when you are ready Caeden can take you up.” Mason nodded at the group and went to find Lael.

“I can’t feel my limbs anymore but what the hell let’s get this orgy started.” She stood and swayed slightly.

Everyone exchanged wary glances, they may have just ruined her night. Brogan watched as Caeden led her to the stage. This could be bad he thought as he watched her wobble forward on unsteady legs.

“Deader, you think we should call a doctor? Who knows what that crap will do to a human. I mean look what it did to you three.” Skarlet asked worriedly.

Brogan silently agreed with her. But there wasn’t much they could do as Koira took her spot-on stage and the show began.

To say it was a train wreck would be an understatement. After a rousing version of Hey There Little Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham which got half the bar howling along with her she went on to sing Who Let the Dogs Out. There were a lot of snickers and pointed looks at Caeden. After a short fit of hiccupping she settled onto a stool and sang Puppy Love. Brogan and Rook nearly fell out of their seats laughing uncontrollably.

“She’s going to be mortified when she remembers this tomorrow.” Caeden knew some men might be embarrassed but not him. He was loving how free she looked and how much fun she was having.

“She’s a human and a tiny one at that. There is almost no chance she will remember any of this. This crap is what knocked us on our asses the other night so I’m sure she is going to have one hell of a hangover after this.” West gave Caeden a grim smile.

When she was done, Caeden said their good nights and whisked Koira out of the club much to the patron’s dismay. Brogan for his part was happy with how the night had gone. Maybe now some of the attention would shift to Caeden and off them and their boy’s night.