24. TWENTY FOUR
TWENTY FOUR
Bastien
Vera’s scent is a complicated mix of things by late Sunday morning when it’s time to leave for her parents’ house. I suppose it’s technically still her house, since she hasn’t officially moved in with me, but I can’t think about it like that now.
I hold the door of my truck open for her, taking stock as she climbs past me—bright citrus and spice, sweat and creamy pleasure from the way I made her cum earlier this morning; the deep musky scent of me all over her and something else.
Something a little bitter. It’s that last part I don’t like, but I know she’s struggling with her shift and maybe she’s also worried about her mom.
No reason to assume it’s anything more than that.
There are going to be things I can’t control, of course, but my bear would like to smooth out the road ahead of her before she even encounters any obstacles at all.
I’m conscious that our conversation about her graduation and her work situation wasn’t exactly resolved, but she just needs time to come around.
I know she wants to be with me, and the easiest way to make that happen is if we don’t put pressure on her to work.
I’ve always wanted to be able to provide for a mate, and now that I’m in a position to do it, I couldn’t be more proud of how hard I worked and saved to become a homeowner before thirty.
Not many people can say that these days.
I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye and sending her back to college for the week, but it’s got to be done.
It’s only temporary anyway. Only five weeks until I have my girl with me permanently.
I slide my hand over the center console to squeeze her thigh, and she shoots me a smile as she turns the volume on the stereo up.
Soon she’s singing along, and even though her singing voice isn’t the sweetest siren’s song I’ve ever heard, I’m enjoying every second.
The weather has already eased from the frigid winter temperatures of a few months ago, and the sun breaks through the clouds as we pull into our street. “Can’t wait to start moving you in.”
Vera turns to me with wide eyes. “Oh wow. It feels like such a big deal. I don’t know how I feel about it. I mean good obviously, but it feels weird to officially be moving out of my den, even if I’m moving in next door.”
I pat her thigh, using one hand to turn the wheel and steer us around the corner.
“Hey, you can take your time. There’s no rush.
We’ll make you a new den.” I have to tell my bear to back off when he growls that there absolutely is a rush because what do you mean we won’t have our mate next to us every night as soon as physically possible?
She smiles. “Maybe there is a rush.”
Did I mention my girl is perfect?
I pull into the drive of her parents’ house, and she turns her face to me. “First Ballard family meal as an official member of the family. Are you excited?”
I laugh. “You bet. We’re going to wipe the floor with them at Pictionary now.”
“We always do.”
Since last night when I pushed her to talk with me through the mate bond, she hasn’t tried it again, but she’s made great progress. We’ll have her shifting in no time. I’m sure of it.
Jamie opens the door before we even knock, with a big smile to match his daughter’s. “Vera, Bas! You’re just in time. We have some extra company today.”
“For real?” Vera blinks. “Wait, who?”
I scent the air searching for clues, but I’m mystified when my nose picks up two new sweet-and-floral scents, one richer and deeper than the other, both female.
Just then there’s a high-pitched wail from the living room and a childish voice screams, “But those plates don’t match! They have to match!”
A quieter and unfamiliar female voice speaks in a low tone, and I don’t catch what she says.
Just then a harried-looking Riley backs out of the door to the living room with a pink plate and a green plastic bowl clutched in his hands. He casts a desperate look at us. “Fuck! I’m in out of my depth here.”
Vera and I share a confused look.
Jamie just laughs. “Long story, which I’m going to let Riley explain. Here—” He takes the plastic plates from Riley and pushes him back toward the living room. “I’ll take care of the plates. You do the introductions.”
It’s been a long time since I saw my best friend looking anything but self-assured, but Riley’s shoulder-length red hair is sticking out at wild angles and there’s a stain on the front of his trousers that looks suspiciously like peanut butter.
Did he actually bring someone home? That would be a first as far as I know.
“Hey, you two. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.
Well two someones actually.” Riley gestures through the door to a young woman sitting on the sofa opposite Tilly.
Her dark hair is twisted up into a claw clip, and she’s facing the other direction.
“This is Adley. And this—” he indicates a little girl with flaming red hair, a button nose, and a stubborn expression. “This is Bella.”
“Oh my goodness!” Vera slips past me and into the room. “Adley Bourke? Is that you?”
The dark-haired woman turns, and for a moment her smile is tentative. Until she’s met with the warmth of Vera’s smile. Then she visibly relaxes.
“Vera. Hey. I wasn’t sure if you would recognize me. It’s been a while.”
“I haven’t seen you since sophomore year. How are you? What are you doing back in town?”
Adley’s smile turns awkward again. “Well, that’s kind of a funny story.”
Riley clears his throat. “I asked Adley to visit, so we could all meet Bella.” He looks at us desperately over Bella’s small head, and finally the pieces fall into place with a clunk. The little girl’s bright red hair, her age, the way Riley is acting so out of character.
I stare at my best friend, and his mouth twists in a wry smile.
“Oh. Oh! Well, Bella, it's very nice to meet you.” I look more closely at the little girl who has her father’s stubborn pout.
She glares back at all of us. “Mommy, I’m bored now and this house is weird. Can we go home?”
“Oh no!” Vera kneels beside Bella. “Really? You can’t go yet. I am moving out soon and am sure I have a box of dolls who might need to find a new home. I was hoping you might be able to help me with that.”
Bella’s blue eyes widen, and she looks at Vera with new interest. “A whole box?”
Adley gives Vera a grateful look. “That’s so kind. I’m sure we don’t need a whole box.”
“Are you kidding?” says Vera with a wink. “You absolutely do. Come on. Let’s go to my room and look for them.”
Vera leads Adley and Bella up the stairs, casting me a look over her shoulder. Through the bond I feel her nudge me. I’ll distract them. You get all the gossip.
Easier said than done with Riley, who is looking like he isn’t sure whether to follow or cast himself off the nearest cliff.
Tilly gives him a knowing look. “Give them some space, Riley. It’s enough that they’re here. I’m going to go check on the garlic bread. Why don’t you two set the table?”
After she leaves the room, Riley stays frozen in his seat for a long moment. I walk over and sit beside him, and we both stare straight ahead at where a silent TV shows a girl talking to a cartoon cat.
“So how long have you known?”
He sighs. “Do you want the good answer or the honest one?”
“Whichever you want to give me,” I offer.
“I’ve only known for sure this last month, but I think I suspected when she left town. She never called me, and I never asked. Now I wish I had. I’m an asshole for not asking, right?”
We’re quiet for a while. Soft noises and laughter come from upstairs; the clattering of knives and the sizzle of a pan come from the kitchen.
I don’t answer his question. I think he’s already answered it for himself anyway.
“Is she going to let you be in Bella’s life? Do you want that?”
Riley runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t know if I’m cut out to be a dad.
I was hoping I’d have time to grow the fuck up a bit first, you know?
But yeah, I want that. I think she could use the help.
I just don’t know if she’ll let me give it to her.
I think she’s still not sure if I deserve another chance. ”
I nod. “Is it romantic, then?”
He laughs. “Gods no. She’d bite my head off if I ever tried to go there again, but we’re talking at least. That’s something. And I know how much it means to Mom.”
Because I don’t know what else to say, we get up and set the table and then go into the kitchen and get a beer and help make the salad while the girls do whatever it is they're doing upstairs. Whatever it is involves a lot of thumping and squealing.
When I reach out to Vera, I give her a quick rundown and she sends me a choppy image of Bella dressed up in her old dress-up clothes from when we were kids.
Almost as cute as her aunt, I think/send.
Vera laughs, and then I get another image which is significantly less innocent along with a flash of heat. I think I’m getting the hang of this mate bond thing, you know.
Oh, I’d say you’ve got it.
Riley’s saying something and I have to tune my attention back into my surroundings. “...did you hear me, man? I said, are you busy on Thursday?”
“Hmm? Oh, ah… I don’t think so. Why?”
“I’m taking Bella to the park, and I could use some backup. OK, a lot of backup.”
I chuckle at my friend’s discomfort. “I think you could manage. I have faith in you.”
I take a swig of my beer just as Vera nudges back into my thoughts through the bond.
Oh my god, guess what else I found at the top of my cupboard?
There’s a box I need to move into your house as soon as possible.
She sends a flash of images of a pretty purple vibrator and some fluffy handcuffs and a silver butt plug.
Mmm, maybe you should put it in my ass next time.
I spit beer all over my place at the table and have to hurry to dab it up with the napkin before it goes everywhere. I was not prepared. Not at all.
Riley gives me an odd look. “You OK?”
“Ah, yeah. No one prepares you for the mating bond, I’ll tell you.”
His brows lift. “Then you and Ver, the whole fated mates thing is for real, then?”
“Of course. What, you didn’t believe me?”
“No, it’s just… I don’t know why, but that somehow makes it real.”
There’s a pause while we both sip our beer. I am cautious in case Vera drops another mate bond bomb on me, but she’s apparently distracted.
Riley leans back in his chair. “You know, sometimes I kinda wish…” Then he stops and leans forward with his elbows on the table. “Ah, what am I talking about? I bet it’s not everything it’s cracked up to be, right?”
I snort. “Are you crazy? It’s even better.” I grin at his dumbfounded expression. “You’ll see. Your mate is waiting out there for you. You’ll find her.”
“Maybe,” he says despondently. “Maybe after what I did to Adley I’m doomed to have bad karma forever.”
“Hey, that’s not true. I’m sure fate believes in giving second chances.”