Chapter 26 #2
“Okay.” I sat calmly through everything, nodding when appropriate to do so, trying to glean every scrap of information. But I’d been through this before. I knew exactly what to expect.
When she was finished, she leaned forward, even pushing a box of tissue close.
Tissue I didn’t need because I didn’t feel anything.
Nothing.
“Do you have any questions?”
“None,” I told her.
“I think this has been a lot for you to process. My suggestion is that you take a day or two to digest and we’ll talk again about where we go from here.”
Yes, I was numb but not in a bad way. It was justification for the ugliness from yesterday. Now I didn’t need to feel so bad about the way I’d handled breaking up with Steven.
I’d done the right thing after all.
“Thank you.” There was something refreshing about being numb.
I remember leaving her office, but ten minutes later, I honestly didn’t realize how I’d made any of the right turns. The school was just ahead.
There was no music playing, no sound of any kind.
When I noticed the Channel Five people out front standing beside a big white van, I pulled into the back.
I’d come prepared with a big ole hat and sunglasses, which I donned before exiting my vehicle.
And just like some femme fatale, I observed the exterior while walking toward the entrance.
Only when I was safely inside did I finally manage to take a break.
I tossed my things and was almost to my classroom door when Tawny found me.
“There you are. I’ve been calling you,” she said.
“I was a little busy.”
She moved in front of me. “I know. What did you learn this morning?”
After unlocking my door, I lifted my head, nodding.
“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
But it wasn’t. No, it wasn’t at all. As she squeezed my hand, I allowed my emotions to take control.
With tears forming in my eyes.
* * *
Steven
For the first time in months, I’d shifted.
I’d found a forest close to Tony’s house and I’d let go. From there, I’d chased a few rabbits for fun, but they weren’t edible to me. And why? Because I might be considered a beast to everyone in the world, but I wasn’t a monster. I was a man who was aching so badly he couldn’t think straight.
Then I’d gone to Christine’s house where I’d crouched outside her back door watching for any sign of her through her window.
When she’d walked outside onto her deck, the electricity had almost pulled me out into the open. But she wasn’t ready. I respected that.
The night before when I’d been at my lowest point, the shift had made me feel a little more in control. When she’d gone to bed, I’d finally left.
I cleared my throat, practicing what needed to be said.
“You are my mate and that’s the way it is.” Oh, yeah. That would go over well. I shifted in the seat, glaring at myself in the rearview mirror.
“Christine. I knotted you last night. That means you belong to me.” Uh-huh. She’d likely have me arrested and I wouldn’t blame her.
“So, we are going to date. We don’t need to get married. We can just live together and fornicate like bad bunnies.” Or wolves. Boy, I was sucking helium at this point. I truly had no idea what to say to her and a full day of trying to figure it out had just turned me into a crazed beast.
No pun intended.
Saying the crap out loud that was running through my brain wasn’t any better either. Why don’t you just say what’s in your heart?
After another glare, I made a face. “Mind your own business.” My inner voice also wasn’t doing me any good at this point.
Maybe I could use a lifeline and call my brother. Sure, he could be helpful. Nah. I had to do this all by myself. I was a big boy after all.
What pissed me off the most was that she was being hounded. I’d endured having them chase me down at the house. I’d sat through another meeting with both coaches and Ansley, who’d been thrilled that the bad boy of hockey was settling down.
And what had I done?
Not a goddamn thing.
I hadn’t shut them down. I hadn’t told them the truth. I hadn’t acted like a gentleman. I’d been nothing but a goddamn slug.
The Channel Five van was hanging out at her school and in truth, I was fucking fed up. The anger level was concentrated to the point I was ready to beat the crap out of someone. Tony was right. I needed to try to show her how I felt.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed the flowers I’d purchased for her and stepped out of the vehicle. I was almost upon them before the female reporter noticed me.
“Oh, shit. Mike, turn the damn camera on. We have a live one.”
I took long strides toward the two, refusing to back down.
The girl was giving me a hearty onceover. I’d use it. “Wow. If it isn’t Steven Masters.”
“So you know who I am.”
“Oh, yes. The Beast. You are all the talk of Tampa Bay. I’m Allison Walker, reporter for Channel Five and would love to talk to you.”
“The morning news is still on. Correct?” I asked.
She narrowed her eyes. “Yes, why?”
“Then you can go live. Yes?”
“Um…” She looked at Mike. “I’d need to call it in and double check.”
“You do that. I’ll be right here.” I took a step away, thankful I’d gone to great lengths to find out what school she taught at. After a couple of minutes, I checked my watch. We were already developing a little crowd of people from the school.
I had no idea about Christine’s schedule and refused to miss her. Finally, Allison approached.
“Mr. Masters, I was given the okay. We go live in thirty seconds.”
“Good. Then I have a few things to say.”
* * *
Christine
“You won’t believe this,” Tawny said as she rushed past several of the students into my classroom.
“What’s wrong?”
“Hold on.” She was almost running toward the television in the room, flicking it on. I’d never seen her so excited.
I moved away from my desk, more exhausted now that everything had settled in. When I was close, I folded my arms. “What are you looking for?”
“Just shush. Okay?”
When Steven’s face popped onto the screen, I didn’t know how to react.
But I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes as a hint of recognition settled in.
“Wait a minute. Where is he?” He was in our parking lot giving an interview.
“What in the fuck is he doing?” I glanced over my shoulder to ensure there weren’t any kids in the room.
There was.
Anthony. My problem student, the one who wanted to be a hockey player.
“Anthony. Um. Can you give me a minute?” I’d never seen the kid do anything but frown. His smile was incredible.
“So that’s your boyfriend, Ms. Carrington?” He was so eager, I couldn’t disappoint him.
“Yes, he is. Maybe. I’m honestly not sure any longer, Anthony.”
“One day, I’m going to be just like him.”
“You know what, Anthony? I think you will be. Just stay in school and do your best.” Okay, I was lecturing a troubled kid when it was apparent my wolf was pouring his heart out on local television? Well, I was dedicated.
Anthony’s entire face wrinkled. “You should give him a chance, Ms. Carrington. See. Us shifters? We ain’t so bad.”
He grinned before backing away. And I’d be damned if my bright student didn’t tip his head back and howl before running out of the room. Wow. I’d had no idea the kid was a shifter.
“Are you paying any attention?” Tawny chastised.
I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the anger sweeping through me. Why would he do this to me? Why? “I’m trying.”
“Go on, Steven,” the girl holding the microphone said.
“Well, I went along with being her fiancé not because I had to or because I felt sorry for Christine.”
“Then why?” the girl asked.
He looked directly into the camera. “Because I love her. Everything about her. The way the light reflects the joy in her eyes. The way she laughs. The way she criticizes just about everything about me. Rightfully so.”
I pressed my hand across my lips. He had such a faraway look in his eyes. He wasn’t talking to the reporter. He was talking to me.
“She has a way of making me feel like an idiot yet on the other hand, like the happiest man alive. She’s beautiful and sweet, the kind of woman who would give you the shirt off her back.
She works hard and refuses to take anything from her parents.
Yeah, I love her. But I understand that her family hates me. ”
“Why do they hate you, Steven?”
He glanced at the reporter. “Because I’m a beast. A shifter.
Supposedly I turn into a werewolf during a full moon and chase people and eat them.
Which is ridiculous. But her father is out to eradicate us.
Every shifter. He plans as governor to create rigorous laws that will eventually take away all our rights as humans, not just as beasts.
Mr. Carrington, I am not a monster. I am a man who loves your daughter very much and I’m proud of my family.
I’m also very proud of who and what I am.
However, she shouldn’t be forced to choose.
I won’t allow that to happen. Christine.
I know what I said and the way I feel, but I won’t bother you any longer.
That’s how much I love you. But know you’ll always be in my heart. ”
He held up at least three dozen roses, taking a deep whiff.
“Oh, my God,” Tawny whispered.
My heart almost seized.
“I’ll leave these right here. Please know that I won’t love anyone ever again the way I love you.” He shook his head before placing his hand over his heart.
I stood with tears in my eyes, uncertain what to do.
“Did you hear him?” Tawny asked.
“Uh-huh.”
“Does it mean anything? What he said?”
“Yes.”
“Then what are you doing standing here?”
With my heart aching, I looked in her direction.
She nodded, her smile huge. “You love him.”
“Oh, my God. Yes, I do.”
So I took off running. I had to see him.
I flew through the hallways, pushing past colleagues and students, all of whom were cheering me on. When I slammed my hands against the exit doors, I felt as if I was riding on cloud nine.
He was already walking away.
No. No.
“Steven!” I called.
Immediately he stopped walking, his entire body stiffening.
I stopped running, gasping for air.
He turned, cocking his head as he always did when thoroughly confused. I smiled, trying to figure out what to say to him.
Then we both took off running. Somehow, he was making much better time than I was.
When we were close, I jumped into his arms.
He cupped both sides of my face as a crowd surrounded us. I didn’t care that this was on film. I just cared that I was in his arms.
“Oh, baby. I’m sorry,” he said, pulling away. A strange look formed on his face.
“It’s okay. I just…” I was lightheaded, so much so the sunshine began to dim and I slumped in his arms.
“Christine. Are you okay?”
“I…”
“Christine. Christine!”