Chapter 20 #2
I lifted it, seeing it was a sweatshirt with the school’s name on the front along with the word rugby. On the back, it had Rowan’s last name and his jersey number below it. “Wow. I feel so honored.” I’d definitely be wearing it to the game. “Thank you.”
He kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you at the stadium. I gotta go.”
I watched him get in his truck and drive away. I think his class was on the complete other side of campus.
I hadn’t seen much of him this week. Between his classes and rugby schedule, we didn’t have a lot of overlapping downtime.
It was actually quite convenient not having to give him my attention twenty-four seven since he had his own life.
I loved when he texted me between classes and at night before bed, just to let me know he was thinking about me.
That afternoon, I ran into Adan on my way to our genetics lab.
“I hear you’re coming to our game,” he said.
“I am.” Inside our lab class, I sat on my stool, pulled out my notebook, and started prepping for the lab.
“I have to leave thirty minutes early to get ready for the game,” Adan said. “So let’s try to get this experiment done before I go.”
Thankfully, it was a home game, so Adan didn’t have to leave too early. It was always more difficult to do the work of two people. Plus, I enjoyed hanging with him, and the class was definitely more fun with him here.
Once we got our experiment up and running, Adan turned to face me. “Spill.”
“What?” I hadn’t spilled anything.
He rolled his eyes. “What’s the deal with you and Ward?”
I lifted my brows. “Don’t you share a house with him?”
“Yeah.”
“And you’re on the same team.”
“What’s your point, Lake?”
“Then you should already know the answer to the question you’re asking.” For some reason, I didn’t want to talk about my relationship with Rowan to Adan. It was private, and I wanted to keep it that way.
“Well,” he said, leaning his forearms on the lab table, “it seems like you’re hanging out with him. I think you like him as more than a friend.”
“Maybe.”
He nodded. “I didn’t expect you, of all people, to hook up with him.”
“Why is that?” I asked, curious to get his take on Rowan.
“I didn’t think he was your type.”
“And what is my type?”
“You seem more reserved than Rowan. You’re serious. I thought you had plans for your life.”
“Are you implying that Rowan isn’t serious and doesn’t have plans?”
“I just thought you’d be with someone more career driven is all. That you’d marry a doctor type. Or a lawyer.”
I twirled my pencil, trying to understand why he thought I’d end up with someone who chose one of those careers. Rowan was intelligent, and he seemed driven. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have straight As and be the captain of the rugby team.
“Rowan’s been around,” Adan said, his voice lower this time. “You don’t strike me as the girl who sleeps with a lot of guys.”
“Wow,” I said, surprised he was throwing his friend under the bus like this. “You don’t speak very highly of your captain.”
He checked on our experiment. “Five more minutes, and it’ll be done.” He wrote something in his lab book before setting his pencil down. “You two shouldn’t be dating.”
“Because you don’t think we’re compatible?”
“Correct.”
This stung. I hadn’t realized how much his opinion would mean to me. It wouldn’t change what I did, but I would like him on board. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“You’re both so different,” he added.
“Sometimes opposites attract.” And we weren’t all that different.
We both were into school and got good grades.
We seemed to like a lot of the same things.
Then I remembered that Rowan had said he was different, and I was only partially different.
He’d even said that we shouldn’t be together because we weren’t exactly the same.
After spending time together, he got over that hang up.
But I wondered if that was Adan’s issue, since he was like Rowan.
“You’re only in college,” Adan said. “It’s not like your relationship is gonna go anywhere. Just don’t make the mistake of sleeping with him. Not even Em was that dumb.” He reached forward and pulled the experiment closer to him. All we had left to do was to record the numbers.
Not wanting to sit there and listen to him belittle me, I packed up and walked out of the lab. I didn’t want to argue or fight with Adan. And he had no right to lecture me on who I should or should not sleep with. That was my business, not his.
I wandered around aimlessly, not wanting to go to the dining hall to eat or back to my dorm. The game wasn’t for almost three hours. I decided to go to the library for an hour or so to study.
As I passed the athletic training facility, Rowan came storming out from the side door, heading straight toward me.
I stopped. “What’s wrong?” I asked as he neared.
“I was gonna ask you that,” he said, placing his hands on my shoulders and looking me in the eyes. “I…felt you. You’re upset. What happened?”
“What do you mean you felt me?” Now that he was touching me, my irritation was melting away like ice under hot water.
“I don’t know. I was heading into the locker room when I sensed you were angry. I walked out to see if I could find you, and here you are.” His brows pulled together in confusion.
“It’s nothing.” I didn’t want him mad at Adan before his game. “I have a lot on my mind. How about I tell you all about it tonight?”
He pulled me into a hug. “Fine. We’ll talk tonight.” He released me. “I’ve been meaning to discuss Halloween with you. It’s in a couple of weeks. We should start working on our costumes. There are always a ton of killer parties around campus.”
“I’ll start thinking of ideas,” I replied. I’d never been part of a couples costume, and that sounded like a ton of fun.
“I can’t wait to see you in the stands wearing my name on your back.”
“Wait until later tonight when that’s all I’m wearing,” I said, teasing him.
His eyes darkened. “Careful,” he said. “You keep talking like that, and I won’t make it to the game. I’ll toss you over my shoulder and take you home right now.”
Hmm, I kinda liked the sound of that.
“Laney!” Adan called out, jogging over.
I stiffened.
“What happened to you?” Adan asked when he reached me.
Rowan slid his arm around my shoulders. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know,” Adan said. “She just took off and left class.”
“I wasn’t asking you,” Rowan said. “I was talking to Laney. You can go inside the locker room and get ready for our game.”
Adan left.
I was surprised that Adan hadn’t put up more of an argument and had listened so readily to Rowan.
Rowan turned me to face him. “Did Adan do or say something?”
I sighed. “Yes. But I don’t want to upset you before your game.”
“Fair enough.” He pulled me closer, leaning down, his lips pressing against mine. His tongue slid into my mouth.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. When I was in his arms like this, everything flew out of my mind except him. All I could see, feel, and think about was this man in my arms.
“Yo, Ward, keep it PG,” someone shouted.
He pulled back, chuckling. “Later tonight, you’re mine.”
A shiver of excitement coursed through me.
I exited the library. I needed to change into Rowan’s sweatshirt, then grab something to eat before the game. I had about an hour, which would be plenty of time to get all that done. I should have talked to Sarah or Danielle about coming with me tonight. Going alone felt daunting.
As I crossed the street, I heard someone shouting my name. I turned and spotted Clayton heading my way.
“Hey,” I said once he was close enough to hear me.
“I haven’t seen much of you lately,” he said as he joined me. We headed across the lawn, toward the dining hall.
Since our date, I’d been avoiding him. He’d texted a few times, but either I didn’t respond or told him I was busy. I’d assumed he’d get the hint that I wasn’t interested.
“I was hoping we could grab dinner together? Then maybe we could catch a movie or hit a party?”
But apparently not. “I can’t,” I said. “I’m sort of seeing someone else.” I hoped he’d leave it at that.
“Besides me?” He reached out, grabbing hold of my upper arm and pulling me to a stop.
“Well, we’re not really seeing each other. We went out once.” I wish he’d let go of my arm. Not wanting to make a scene and yank myself out of his grip, I remained there.
“Didn’t you have a good time with me?”
“I did, but I don’t think there’s anything between us.” Clayton and I had zero chemistry, whereas Rowan and I had ten thousand percent chemistry.
He released me. “Who are you seeing?”
“It’s not really any of your business.” I hated sharing personal details with people I barely knew.
“I think I deserve to know.”
Fine. If it would get him to leave me alone. “Rowan Ward.”
He stared at me. “You’re too good for him. Dump him and go out with me.”
“I think you’re a nice person, but I don’t want to date you. I don’t think we’re compatible that way.”
He raised his brows as if shocked I’d say something like that. “You’re serious?”
“I’m sorry, but yes.”
He shook his head. “Whatever.” He turned and strode away.
As I watched him go, I had a weird feeling. Something like anger and retribution mixed together. I was fairly certain those weren’t my feelings, they were Clayton’s.
I turned to go and ran smack dab into a man’s chest. “I’m sorry.” I took a step back and looked up into the green eyes of a stranger. He had black shaggy hair and had to be as tall as Rowan, if not taller.
“Forgive me,” he said, his deep voice coated with a thick accent. He was dressed in a suit and had to be a professor since he was in his thirties. “It was entirely my fault.” He took a step away from me.
“Have a good day.” I started to move around him to head to the dining hall.
“Miss Lake?” he said, stopping me dead in my tracks at the use of my name. “May I please have a moment of your time?”
I eyed him again. Even though he wore a suit, his large build reminded me of Rowan. He was insanely tall with wide shoulders. And there was something else, a feeling that I couldn’t pinpoint but that seemed familiar.
“I’m on my way somewhere,” I said, trying to be vague.
“This will only take a moment of your time,” he insisted. “I have a few questions.”
“Are you part of the compliance team that showed up at my mom’s lab?” I asked, realizing this man wasn’t a professor here at SU.
He smiled. “I am.”
Even though my mom said I didn’t have to talk to him, he seemed harmless. “What do you need to know?”
“You grew up under the care and protection of a Mr. Noah Lake?”
“Yes.”
“And your mother is Mrs. Raven Lake, formerly Thatcher?”
My heart pounded in my chest. This man wasn’t part of any compliance team. I don’t know how I knew it, but I was certain that this was one of the men Rowan had mentioned were after me.
“There’s nothing to be worried about,” he said, his voice placating. “I mean you no harm.”
I swallowed and glanced about, trying to see if anyone else like him lurked nearby. I didn’t see anyone. “Um, no,” I finally answered. “My mom’s maiden name is Smith.” Although I knew that to be a lie. I’d never heard the name Thatcher before in my life.
“Forgive me,” he said. “My information could be incorrect.”
“What did you say your name is?” I asked. “And why, exactly, are you here talking to me?”
“I didn’t give you my name,” he answered. “And I am here on behalf of my employer. He wanted to make sure our information is correct. Thank you for your time.” He stuck his hand out, like he wanted me to shake it.
I hesitated. While this guy didn’t seem threatening, I felt like he could be if he chose to. “Have a good evening.” I started to walk away, not wanting to shake hands with the guy.
“Miss Lake,” he called out.
I was at least fifteen feet from him, so I turned around. “Yes?”
“There is one more thing before I can go.” He took slow, deliberate steps toward me.
“I’m sorry, I’m late.” I gave a little wave, intending to leave, but something held me rooted in place. My legs and feet couldn’t move. Panic filled me. “What did you do?” I asked.
He held my eyes as he neared. He reached out, carefully taking my hand in both of his. He held my hand between his and inhaled deeply.
“Are you like Rowan?” I whispered.
His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
“The two of you seem similar,” I admitted.
“Do you know what we are? What I am?”
“No.” I had no idea.
He leaned forward, sniffing me. “Do you know what you are, Miss Laney Lake?”
I shook my head. All I knew was that I wasn’t fully human. How that was possible, I had no idea.
He sniffed again. “Why are you putting poison in your body?” he asked, tilting his head to the side, still holding my hand.
“What are you talking about?” He could be referring to my injections, but Rowan hadn’t said anything about them being poison. He’d said there was an ingredient that suppressed one of my genes.
“The boy claims you know nothing of our world,” he said, his voice low. “If that’s the case, then why take aconitum?”
I had no idea what that was, but I was fairly certain that was the ingredient Rowan had said would mean nothing to me.
“And I see the amethyst on your finger,” he said, turning my hand over and exposing my ring.
“So?” My mother had given it to me when I turned thirteen. She’d said my actual birthstone was a diamond, but she didn’t think I needed to be wearing a diamond ring at my age. “It’s just a ring.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Why do you associate with the Wards? Are you under their protection?”
My heart beat so hard I feared it would burst through my chest. I didn’t know how to answer any of his questions because I didn’t want to unknowingly give something away.
A slow smile spread across his face. “I can hear how frightened you are. I can smell it on you. Rest assured, I am not here to hurt you, merely to discover the truth.”
“I wish I knew the truth,” I said without meaning to.
“Please tell Raven she shouldn’t keep you in the dark. The truth always has a nasty way of coming out. My dear Miss Lake, thank you for your time.” He bowed his head, released my hand, then left, that damn smile still on his face.
The second his eyes weren’t looking at mine, I could move again.
Completely freaked out over the incident, I rushed to my dorm, skipping dinner all together. Safely in my room, I locked the door. I would not be going anywhere tonight.