Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Kayne
Everything came to a screeching halt around me.
Bits of popcorn exploded out of Fritz, covering the table, balcony, Blythe, and me.
I heard dishes shatter inside the restaurant.
So much for finding a mate… or keeping our dignity.
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I tried to rein in my emotions. "Stop the cameras."
When no one moved, I glared at the crew as I bellowed. "I said stop the fucking cameras!" I charged after the crew and they bolted.
They knew Fritz and I were bear shifters…
What they hadn't known was we were cursed to explode into popcorn anytime we got angry or frustrated.
For decades, we'd carefully hidden our secret.
We'd gone so far as to create the only shifter exclusive social media channel and tv network during one of our competitive streaks, but it had made keeping our image as bears much easier.
Social media made it so easy to hide the fact we couldn't shift into bears since the curse started.
Once everyone was gone, I returned to the table. Blythe held a handful of the popcorn while she chewed. "Oh my gods, did you just eat Fritz? Spit him out!"
Her gaze shot to me as she opened her mouth and popcorn fell out of her mouth. "Wait, that wasn't some weird first date magic trick?"
"What? No. It's a long story, but each and every kernel is a piece of Fritz."
Blythe looked down at herself then back to me. "What if I already swallowed?"
My mouth dropped open. "You ate Fritz?"
"I'm not saying that I did… just asking what would happen, like hypothetically."
I sighed as I scooped as much of him together as I could.
The sound of popcorn crunching underneath my shoes made me cringe.
"Damn, sorry." From past experience, I knew he would have felt that.
I turned my attention back to my Tsigo. "To you, nothing.
The popcorn you digested will stay as it is.
Anything that gets separated from him will remain as popcorn.
When he pulls himself back together, he'll shift back to his human form missing a few pieces. "
She interlocked her fingers as she watched me piling up all the pieces I could find. "I have so many questions right now."
"Of all the times for you to pop off… Would you just pull yourself back together?
" Now that all of Fritz's bits and pieces were in a pile, I dropped into my seat and gave up on the idea of surviving the fallout.
If I'd had my cell turned on, it would be ringing nonstop.
Between the council representative's threats, our company trying to deal with our public appearance, long time friends who'd never known…
I didn't even want to think about how quickly my voicemail box was filling.
"Might as well ask. We have a few more minutes before Fritz is due to shift back since he refuses to join us. "
We couldn't avoid the shame that came with Fritz's little display. I dropped my head into my hands, so I wouldn't have to look her in the eyes as she asked her questions. "How did you know that was going to happen?"
"Because we were cursed together. I do the exact same thing. And before you ask, yes witches like you see on tv are true too. A lot of the paranormal creatures are in one form or another." From the corner of my eye, I watched as pieces of popcorn wiggled on the table.
Her fingers tapped on the table. "Do you turn into any other snack foods that I have to watch out for?"
I laughed at the ludicrous question. "Nope. The curse specifically makes us popcorn. No other forms of corn or snacks. Eventually, we hope to have the ability to turn back into bears."
"Wait… did you say Fritz is refusing to join us? I don't understand what you mean by that."
Gesturing to the pile of wiggling popcorn, I expanded on my statement. "He's fully sentient, and has the ability to change his shape. If he wasn't mortified because you saw him, he'd be in the shape of a popcorn ball and most likely yelling at me for coming up with this show idea."
Blythe poked one of the pieces. "Are you really in there? You have nothing to be ashamed of. It definitely wasn't something I was expecting, but I don't think less of you for it. Besides, I turn into a troll every morning."
The bits of popcorn swirled around until they formed into a round ball with two long arms. "I bet you're gorgeous in the mornings, even with your messy hair. Someone as beautiful as you could never be described as a troll."
*.*.*.*.*
Fritz
Her eyes widened at my words. Blythe wasn't what I was expecting. While I didn't think calling her pretty made up for exploding all over her, I figured I might as well try for a few sympathy points.
"Wow, you can talk." She leaned forward in her seat and peered at me intently. "How do you speak if you don't have a mouth… or any human parts?"
I took a moment to think about it. My vision was the same, except when I looked down, I saw a curve of yellow and brown from the popcorn.
Protruding from both of my sides were long trails of pieces that functioned as arms. I didn't have legs, but didn't need them either.
Rolling was easy enough to do, and I could use my arms to get myself out of places where I got stuck.
"No idea. It's all magic based which bypasses most of the laws of physics." Not sure what to do with myself while we chatted, I rolled from side to side.
Blythe rested her chin in her hand as her gaze bounced between Kayne and I. "I don't know what to say to this, but it's fascinating."
After a quick glance at Kayne's defeated stance, I decided to put us out of our misery.
"Look, we know this is more than you bargained for.
" The cool down period on the curse ended.
I rolled off the edge of the table to land in my chair, and I shifted back to my human form.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, and I wish you the best in life. "
She might be my fated mate, but there was no way she was still interested in me after this. I'd planned to reveal my little issue when she'd become a little more attached to me. Without waiting for Kayne to agree or even acknowledge what I said, I trudged toward the door.
"Wait, where are you going?"
I turned toward her. "To leave you in peace while you eat your real dinner."
She reached out to me with an open hand and wiggled her fingers.
"Look, I'm sorry I ate part of you. I honestly thought it was some kind of quirky magic trick.
But I don't want this date to end. I don't have an issue with the…
" Blythe mimicked a corn kernel popping, then reached for me again. "Don't end the date because of me."
I tried to grasp her hand, but several of my fingers bent at weird angles. Waving my hand in emphasis, I chastised my friend. "Kayne, seriously?"
He shrugged. "Should have balled up instead of making me clean up after you."
Blythe covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh my god, are you… missing anything?"
I'd forgotten about that. Running my hands over my chest and arms, I noticed a breeze where I hadn't felt one before. Oh no, not that. Horror creeped through me as I wiggled my hips. Yep, something was definitely missing.
"Fritz?" Kayne's voice drew my gaze to him.
Shifting my hips again, I realized today had gotten worse. "I, uh, am, but we're not going to discuss it. It will grow back soon." I dropped into my chair. A weird yelp escaped out of me as every movement felt slightly different.
"Are you--" Blythe tried to ask, but I cut her off.
"I'm fine! I'm fine." Heat flushed over my neck and face as I desperately refused to admit what was missing. Why the left one?
Kayne shot me a strange look, then took over the conversation. "After all of this, you still want to date us?"
Blythe smiled as she leaned back in her chair. "I know it sounds crazy, but yes. Already I can tell that no matter who wins, I won't have a boring day for the rest of my life. Besides, being here just feels right."
I wanted to ask which one of us she felt that about, but couldn't bring myself to do it. I'd embarrassed myself enough for one day. Apparently Kayne didn't feel the same way. "You mentioned this feeling right, which one of us does that apply to?"
She fiddled with some of the silverware on the table for a long moment. When she opened her mouth, someone from the filming crew burst through the door. "The shifter council has arrived, and they have a warrant to arrest both of you."