Chapter 22 #2
He smacked me on the shoulder. “Sure thing, buddy. You know what? I’m kind of digging you more than I was before. I mean in a totally bro kind of way.”
“Got it.” He was still explaining what he meant as I headed for the door, fumbling with remembering the code. By the time I swung it open, I was staring at an empty corridor.
That wasn’t about to stop me. I rushed forward, close to being frantic. How was it possible she was working here? Maybe I’d been seeing things and the woman who’d walked in was just a lookalike.
And I’d terrified her.
Hell, if she’d thought a flesh-and-blood-eating monster was chasing her down, of course she’d run. But what about the feeling I’d had, that I was chasing my mate?
That’s exactly what I did, my footsteps echoing on the scarred tile floor as I attempted to chase her down. I flew down one hallway after another, confused how she could hide from me.
Out of complete frustration, I even barged into several rooms, including a woman’s restroom.
“Get out!” a lady screamed just before slamming a stall door shut.
“Sorry. Is there a beautiful girl in here with long, dark curly hair?”
“How would I know, buddy? What if there was?”
“Then I’d need to talk to her and tell her how sorry I was that I was an ass. I’m shitty with apologies.”
The woman laughed. “All men are asses. What makes what you did so noteworthy?”
“I lied to her.” Leaning against the door, I shook my head. “I can’t believe I did that.”
“Why did you lie to her?”
“I wanted her to like me. Before you ask what’s not to like, a lot of things including that I’m a hockey jockey with puck bunnies trailing behind me. Also, that I’m a shifter. Two things she doesn’t like. I thought if she got to know the real me then maybe she’d accept me for who I am.”
Why was I sharing private information? Because something compelled me to confess my sins. As if that would work.
“Did you come clean?” the woman asked.
“Nah, her father forced me to. I won’t tell you why since it’ll just make me seem like an asshole.”
“You mean a bigger asshole than you already are?”
My turn to laugh. “Yeah, something like that.”
“That it? Does that mean you can leave now?”
“I wish that was it. I kinda told her something that shocked her. I shouldn’t have done it the way I did.”
“Something romantic? If you want this girl to believe you, you need to be sincere. We know the difference.”
I could hear the frustration in the woman’s voice.
I didn’t blame her. I was fucking pissed off with myself.
I’d made a grand gesture when all the woman of my dreams had needed was an apology.
“I really am sorry. I want the chance to tell her that and how much I care about her. I mean, we’ve only known each other for a few days and I did run over her flowers. ”
“What?”
“Long story. I don’t think she ever got over it. I did replant them. Last night in the dark.” I had no idea why I was relaying my stupid actions to a perfect stranger. Maybe it was just a lot easier than admitting to myself what an ass I’d been.
“Yeah, not my finest hour. But I hoped I made it up to her. Anyway, thank you for listening. I’ll go now.”
“Wait. What else did you do? I need to know now.”
Maybe the admittances were just coming easier.
“I told her she was my mate. I know what you’re thinking.
That it’s impossible for a human and a shifter to mate.
That’s what I thought, but my brother, you’ve heard of Saint, the Savage, Masters.
Right? The famous hockey star for the Chicago Wild Dogs. ”
“Maybe.”
“Well, he’s this big deal and he ended up falling in love with this human girl, so I know it’s possible.
I just thought… Oh, hell, I don’t know what I thought other than I’d never settle down.
But when I’m around Christine, it’s as if my whole world is entirely different.
She’s feisty. Don’t get me wrong about that, but she can keep me on my toes.
And I’m pretty sure I know what she must be thinking. ”
“What’s that?”
“That if she is my mate, she’ll begin shifting into a wolf. That’s a lie perpetuated by werewolf movies and books. Oh, the other misunderstanding is that if we ever have kids, they’ll be born pups. Not true. But anyway, I doubt she’ll ever talk to me again.”
“What would be the first words you’d say to her if she allowed you to see her again?”
Banging my head against the door, I held out my arms since there wasn’t a muscle in my body that wasn’t tingling.
I turned my hands over, fisting my fingers a few seconds later.
The need to shift was right there, but not tonight.
Maybe if she was in the stadium, she’d learn I hadn’t lied about being a hockey player.
“That I think I’m falling in love with her.
Thank you for letting me explain. I actually feel better. ”
“Yeah, sure. Good luck. Maybe she feels the same way.”
“Yeah, I wish.”
With that, I walked out while trying to hold my head high. It was rough since I’d never felt like such a fucking idiot in my life, but I was determined to try to make her proud.
One way or the other.
She was closer. I felt her. My skin tingled because she was physically near me. The best part was admitting that I cared about her. I did. It was crazy and unconventional, but the truth. I was laughing every few seconds, much lighter on my feet.
I would win her back. I’d find a way.
One thing I wouldn’t do was to let her father win. No fucking way. First, win the game. Second, win the girl. Third? Remain a human.
Feeling better, I tugged the duffle bag closer, finding a little hop in my step.
But as soon as I rounded the corner, I ran smack into Bobby and Ansley who were none too happy with me.
With her frown more pronounced than before, she held up a blown-up photograph that took me a few seconds to identify.
When I did, I gulped.
“What the hell is this? Would you care to explain yourself, Mister Masters?”
I glanced from one to the other and back to the paper. “At least I didn’t get arrested.” I laughed.
They didn’t.
“Reported as lewd behavior in the park? What in the fuck does that mean? Who was the girl?”
“It doesn’t say?”
“It doesn’t say, but of course there was a girl. So who is she so I know how much damage control is needed.”
“Calm down, Ansley,” Bobby advised. “I’m certain nothing happened. Right?”
“We were talking, but you don’t need to know who she was. Now, I have a game to get ready for.” Even as I tried to sidestep them, I could tell Ansley wasn’t about to let this go.
In turn, I wasn’t about to give away any more of my private life. And the last thing I wanted was for Ansley to try to find Christine. Especially since she was in the building.
“Don’t walk away from me!” Ansley was beside herself today.
“He’s right. We have a very important game. Suit up, Masters. And don’t let us down. But we are going to talk about this further.”
“Sure, Coach. Whatever you say.”
Now I’d need to find Christine to warn her.
Maybe then I’d make certain she knew I wasn’t giving up.
Not on her and not on us.
After all, I was like a dog with a bone.