Chapter Nineteen
Kendrick
Rolling over, I squinted at my phone screen, annoyed when I felt a tiny bit of disappointment when there was still no message from Balfour. I don’t know why I did this to myself, every single day. Since our “break up”, there had been no communication between the two of us. Nothing.
Scrolling, I read the last message from our chat.
Me: My class acted like a pack of wild animals today. Two weeks off was more than they can handle. I mean, half of them technically do shift into wild animals, but still. I’m exhausted.
When I had gotten no response, I figured Bal was busy. When I still didn’t have a reply by the next morning, I had to face the truth. That was the fourth text that had gone unanswered since our “break up”.
Bal had no intentions of us remaining friends.
All my attempts at communication had been met with radio silence.
Being left on read was not a fun feeling.
Finally, I had to admit to myself that despite what we had shared prior to, and during my heat, and even the friendship I thought we had built in the years before our fake dating, it hadn’t meant anything to Bal.
He had retreated back to being the grumpy, surly elf he had been when I had first met him. Only it was worse this time. At least then, when I would send him snarky text messages, he would reply. He would always reply.
Now, he was just gone from my life.
Staring up at the ceiling of my bedroom, my hand rested lightly on the tiny curve of my belly. Well, Bal wasn’t quite completely gone from my life.
At almost four and half months, I was just beginning to show. And I could still easily hide my pregnancy with my clothes. Soon I wouldn’t be so lucky though.
School was on spring break for the week, but I would probably need to sit down with my boss when we returned and inform her of my pregnancy.
With my due date the middle of September, they would need to have a sub for the start of the next school year.
The more time I gave them to prepare the better.
It was going to be nice to have the summer off and to be able to enjoy the last months of my pregnancy.
That was if they decided to renew my contract once I informed them of my unplanned, unwed, pregnancy. Sweet Alps was a progressive town, but there was a morality clause in my contract. The board might very well look at my unplanned, unmated pregnancy as me violating my contract.
The thought should have terrified me, but it didn’t. I’d cross that bridge if and when I needed to. That seemed to be my motto for a ton of things in my life now.
Right now, I intended to treat myself, since my stomach had finally, for the most part, stopped trying to turn itself inside out whenever I ate anything.
I had actually lost weight the first couple of months of my pregnancy, because my morning sickness was so intense in the mornings and whenever I even sniffed food.
A nice cup of tea, and a sweet treat from The Sweet Spot were in order to get this first day of my break started.
The temps were still a little cool in the mornings, even for the middle of April, so I tossed on a long-sleeved tee and some comfy sweats. Running a hand through my hair, I headed out, walking the couple of blocks from my parents’ house–nope, my house now–to Main Street.
The shop was fairly busy for a Monday morning after nine, with a waiting line. Likely due to the school holidays, if the many teenagers in line were an indication. Didn’t they sleep until noon, like little vampires?
Quinn Sinclair, the owner, waved at me from behind the register when he noticed me.
Smiling, I waved back. I had taught one of his twins, Patrick, last year and had adored the bright, green eyed little boy.
Keegan had actually worked here, it was where he had met Nik, but Quinn had no recollection of Keegan at all.
The line moved at a quick pace, and I was still trying to decide what I wanted, when Josh, the assistant manager, asked, “Usual today, Kendrick, or are you still sticking to tea?”
“Tea, please,” I gave him another smile, “The sweet tangerine, if you have it. And…” I nibbled on my lower lip, peering into the bakery cases, “A banana nut muffin.”
“You got it.” Josh bagged the muffin, passing it to Quinn to ring up, while he went about making my tea.
Quinn totaled my purchases, running my card and handing it back to me.
“How’s Patrick?” I asked, thanking Josh when he slid my hot tea to me.
Quinn smiled, “He’s doing good. They decided to put him and Rory in the same class this year, and that has helped with a lot of the issues we dealt with last year. I’m not sure we thanked you enough for being so understanding.”
“Well, she was determined to be with him,” I blew on my tea to cool it, “and it wasn’t a bother.
Rory is a lovely girl, when she’s not plotting ways to sneak from her class to Patrick’s.
Sadie–Miss Robinson–and I have learned to pick our battles and letting the twins be together seemed like a small price to pay.
They learned the material no matter if she or I taught it. ”
“Still,” Quinn nodded his head, his green eyes grateful, “we did appreciate both your understanding. I’m not sure what’s going to happen when they get older and have to be separated.”
“Oh, they’ll probably be happy for the distance by then.”
Quinn’s eyes narrowed as he stared past me at something, and there was a quiet murmur that went through the occupants of the bakery. Quinn let out a low whistle from between his teeth.
“I don’t know who that man is, but damn, he is F.I.N.E. fine. And, that hair! Fuck me.”
“It shimmers,” Josh whispered in awe. “I’m not even into guys and he’s seriously making me question myself. Do not tell Jenna I said that! Goddess, I thought your hubby was tall, Quinn. That dude has Lachlan beat by about half a foot.”
“He looks growly though,” Quinn commented, while I stared, mouth open, at the man in question.
Balfour.
Bal was staring at me through the glass, face looking like it was made of granite.
He was dressed in dark jeans that hugged his legs, hiking boots, and a red and black flannel.
He looked like any other person you would see on the street.
That was seven feet tall, with shiny silver hair hanging nearly down to his ass.
It was, at least, covering his pointed ears.
He started for the door, and I hurried to head him off. I did not need everyone in Sweet Alps knowing my business. Or possibly getting a glimpse of his ears.
What was he even doing here?
He hated the human realm and only showed up to bring me or my parents to Santa’s Village.
He never interacted or dressed like a human.
Not that the clothes helped him go unnoticed.
All eyes were on him. Not that I blamed anyone for staring.
The man was one tall, sexy being. He would get noticed wherever he went.
Deep down I knew there was only one reason for him to be here now, dressed to blend in.
My heartbeat sped up, my breaths coming quick and fast, as I barreled out the door and past him.
He knew.
He knew about the baby.
I was going to throttle my brother and his gossipy mouth. Though, honestly, I was surprised it had taken this long for him to let it slip.
“Kendrick!” Bal’s tone was sharp, and he grabbed my arm and spun me to face him.
“What?” I nearly shouted, before taking a breath to calm myself. Getting upset was bad for the baby. Pulling away from him, breaking his hold on me, I glared at him defiantly.
“Kendrick, do we need to call the sheriff?” Quinn’s voice, calm and steady, called from behind Bal. When I peered around Bal, the tall, thin omega, Josh behind him, as well as what looked like everyone who had been in the bakery, looked ready to throw down.
“I’m not going to hurt him!” Bal sounded offended by the notion.
“Wasn’t talking to you,” Quinn informed him sharply, his phone in his hand, fingers ready to dial.
“It’s okay, Quinn,” I held up a hand in an ‘everything’s fine’ motion. “I know him.”
Quinn grunted in response, still looking like he had 9-1-1 on speed dial. Considering his family was close friends with the sheriff, he likely had a direct line.
Bal, ignoring the commotion behind us like it wasn’t happening at all, stared down at me.
“Were you going to tell me?” His voice was quiet. Was that…hurt I saw reflected in his eyes? Surely not.
“Tell you what?” I asked nonchalantly, taking a sip of my tea. Maybe the brew would calm my nerves.
“You know what! Don’t play games with me, Kendrick,” Bal shook his head, “not about this.”
“Why would I tell you?” Thankfully, the crowd was dispersing, but I could see Josh and Quinn standing just inside the doorway, eyes glued to the two of us. I had no doubt if Bal made one wrong move toward me, the sheriff would roll up shortly after.
Bal blinked at my question and took a step back. “I thought…never mind.”
“What did Keegan tell you?” I demanded, my stomach growling loudly. Reaching into the bag, I retrieved my muffin, taking a big bite. “Is that why you’re here?”
“Keegan didn’t tell me anything,” Bal ran his hands through his hair, tugging the locks. “Nik did. He…thought I should know. In case…” His voice trailed off, leaving the unspoken words hanging in the air.
“In case of what?” I swallowed and immediately took another bite. Because I was hungry and because the act of chewing was keeping my mouth quiet. And it allowed me a chance to really look at Bal.
He looked…horrible. His pale skin was nearly translucent. Dark circles looked like they had permanently moved in under his eyes. Like he hadn’t slept well in weeks. Kinda how I was looking, but I had the added joy of dealing with morning sickness on top of it.
“Is the baby mine?” His voice cracked on the last word, like boldly asking had been hard for him.