Chapter 18 #2
“Hey, handsome.” I press a kiss to his stubbled cheek and slide my hand into his.
We’ve kept the PDA to a minimum these past few weeks, but we’ve not exactly been subtle either.
The town definitely took notice when we started spending more time together.
Any gossip is like gold in Crystal Lake, but news of our budding romance lasted longer than I’d expected.
Probably because the supes here know I don’t date, and Jared being new to town meant he was still something of a novelty.
Luckily, everyone’s pretty much used to us now, and the looks of surprise and interest have all but stopped.
Neither of us was a fan of the attention.
Jared ducks down to press a kiss to my temple as I walk through the door he’s holding open for me. “How was your day?”
“Good. The delayed order of Halloween accessories finally arrived, so I put them out on the shop floor. Only a few people stopped in to grab costumes, but I’m not worried—next week will be busier.”
“I’ll remind everyone at The Chronicle to stop by.”
Simple as that. I never realised how much having someone in my life who cares about the little things would mean to me.
Jared’s shown me he’s here for more than just the highlight reel.
He’s constantly finding ways to bring his own brand of magic into the mundane routine of our lives.
From stopping by the shop with coffee for me and Gwyn a couple of times a week, to walking me home from work when I’m on the closing shift.
He even fixed my garden gate without me so much as hinting at it.
A couple of days after our first date, I got home one day to find it fixed.
At first, I thought maybe Brooks had done it even though I’d told him not to worry.
Then I found the dark chocolate and cherry cupcake in a box from Sweet Dreams on my doorstep, and I knew it was Jared.
I’ve well and truly fallen for my fated mate, and he doesn’t even know the bond between us exists.
There’s comfort to be found in the fact I’m pretty sure Jared’s fallen for me too, even without the bond influencing his decision.
He cares about me for me. I only hope that when I do come clean, he’s able to understand why I kept the information to myself for so long.
JARED
“Hux thinks I’m ready to try taking off the amulet again.”
Selene’s fair complexion turns even paler. “Already, really?”
I feel my brows lower in concern. “What, do you not think it’s safe?” Selene’s been part of my demon lessons too. If she doesn’t agree with Huxley’s assessment of my progress, then I want to know.
“No, it’s not that. You’ve done an amazing job getting to grips with your power. If Hux says you’re ready, then I’m sure you are. Despite what happened the first time, he knows what he’s doing, and he’s a good teacher.”
“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.
I know it’s unlikely I’ll have another power surge, especially since even with the amulet I’ve still had access to a small amount of my power, but I’m nervous,” I confess.
“I was hoping you could be there when we try again. There’s nothing I can’t face with you at my side. ”
“Of course. I’ll be there.” Guilt flickers in her expression—she must still feel bad about what happened last time, even though it was nobody’s fault.
“But for what it’s worth, I don’t think you need to worry.
” She nudges her plate away and stands. “Would you mind grabbing me another drink? I’m just going to the ladies’. ”
“Sure.”
I leave my jacket on the back of my chair to show our table’s still occupied—with it being a Friday night, it will be snapped up in no time if I don’t—then make my way over to the bar.
“Hey, can I get a Tom Collins and a beer, please?”
“Sure thing. You here with Selene again?” Mav asks.
“Yeah, why?”
He shrugs, then sets about mixing Selene’s cocktail. “Just surprised I guess. Selene’s always made it clear she was waiting for her mate and wasn’t interested in dating around beforehand.”
“Her mate?” What the fuck is a mate?
“Yeah, her fated mate,” Mav replies like I’m dumb. Maybe I am because I have no clue what he’s talking about. This wasn’t in the handbook or the library books Giles gave me, and it’s not something Hux, Garrett, or Selene have mentioned.
Slapping the cash for our drinks on the bar top, I snatch them up and head back to our table. Spotting Huxley chatting up a guy on the other side of the bar, I ditch our drinks, knowing they’ll be safe here, and stride over to him.
“What the hell are fated mates?”
The attractive redhead who’d been leaning into Hux immediately backs up. “Sorry, but I don’t want to be in the middle of whatever this is.” He darts away with a final longing look at Hux.
“Great, now I need to find another meal,” Hux grumbles. Being a lust demon, he needs to feed on, well, lust, as well as normal food to stay healthy and keep his power levels up.
“Fated mates. What are they?” I say, not letting the cunning fucker distract me.
“You should really be asking Selene about this.”
“Is it like soulmates? Is there some other guy out there literally destined to be with her?”
Hux looks pained. “It’s not like that, man—”
“So Mav was what? Playing a trick on me? Does he know I used to be human?”
“Keep your voice down,” Hux hisses. “And no, Mav doesn’t know anything about your… life before moving here. He’s just jealous because he likes Selene, and she’s always shot him down.”
“So mates aren’t real?”
He shifts uncomfortably. “Er, no, they’re real. But you don’t need to worry about that.”
Is he serious? How can I not be worried that the woman I’m falling in love with apparently has some mysterious pre-destined perfect man waiting for her? It’s obviously not me because if it were, she would have said something.
“How can I not be worried about this?”
“Just… talk to Selene. This is between the two of you.”
“But—”
“Nope.” He sidesteps me and starts backing away. “I’ve already said too much. This is a conversation to have with your girlfriend, not me. I’m off to see if I can salvage things with Ewan.” The coward vanishes without another word.
Frustrated, I head back to the table only to grow more irritated when I see Selene’s not back yet. She’s caught up talking to Dove and their other friend Cordelia, where the two witches sit a few tables away.
Gathering all the patience I can manage, I sit and take a long pull of my beer.
It’s stronger than the one I had with our meal.
That’s what I get for not specifying what beer I wanted, I suppose.
The label says it’s called Devil’s Brew.
Funny. Guessing it’s another supe-owned business—they seem to enjoy their puns.
Shrugging, I take another swig while I wait for Selene.
The alcohol dulls the sharp edges of my distress, so I keep drinking.
It hurts that nobody thought to tell me about fated mates, especially Selene.
If she knows she’s only killing time with me until her perfect match shows up, shouldn’t she have been upfront about that?
Before I know it, I’ve downed half my beer.
The room spins. Woah. I look at the bottle as if it’s betrayed me. Did someone spike my drink?
“Jared, are you OK?” Selene rushes to my side, and I realise I’ve slumped over the table at some point.
“Don’t drink your drink,” I slur.
“Pardon?”
I try again even though my mouth feels like it’s full of cotton wool. “Someone spiked my drink. Don’t drink yours.”
“Seriously? Shit, let me tell someone and then we’ll get you to a healer just in case.”
“S’OK. I’m resting.” The table’s cold against my overheated forehead. It’s nice.
A couple of minutes later, a large hand shakes my shoulder, making me look up. “Hey, Jared.”
“Garrett.” I smile widely. “Selene, this is my friend Garrett. He abandoned me, but we’re friends again now. His house is huge, he’ll take me in when you leave me.”
“What are you talking about? I’m not leaving you—I’m right here.”
“When you find your fated mate and you leave me.” Obviously. “Everybody leaves me.”
“Oh boy,” Garrett says. “He’s in bad shape.”
“Could you see if your nose can scent anything in his drink?”
“Sure.” Garrett reaches for my beer.
“Hey, that’s my drink. You own this bar—you can get your own. Wait, wait, does that mean you own my drink because you own the bar?”
“Yes.”
Oh. Makes sense. I wave a hand towards the bottle, almost knocking it over. “Then help yourself, boss.”
“I’m not your—you know what, never mind.” He picks up the bottle. “Well, that explains it.”
“What is it? Has he seriously been drugged? Who would do that?” Selene asks, panicked. I don’t know why she’s so worried about me. She’s leaving me.
“No. But he is drunk off his arse on Devil’s Brew.”
“What,” Selene squawks. “Jared, why would you order that?” I blink up at her. She’s so beautiful. She grips my face in her hands. “Focus, Jared. Why did you order Devil’s Brew?”
“What?”
“The beer, mate.”
“Yes. Beer. I ordered a beer.”
Selene crouches in front of me. “OK, Jared, this is important.” Oh, is it happening now? Am I being dumped in the middle of the bar? That’s harsh. Does this mean she met her mate?
“Is Garrett your mate?”
They exchanged horrified looks. See—I’m so brilliant it’s scary.
“Of course not.”
“Absolutely not,” they say over one another.
“Then why are you breaking up with me? Mav said you would break up with me when you found your mate.”
“Mav? Did Mav give you the beer?”
Well, duh. “Yes. Mav is your bartender, Garrett,” I whisper. “You should really know that.”
Selene slaps a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. I don’t like that. I want to see all her laughs, all her smiles. At least she still thinks I’m funny. Bet her stupid mate won’t make her laugh.
“I know who Mav is. Although if he’s stupid enough to give you Devil’s Brew when your magical signature reads so low, he’s not going to be tending bar here much longer,” Garrett growls. “Selene, can you get him home by yourself?”
“If you can help me get him stood up, I’ll be able to take it from there.” Suddenly I’m hoisted to my feet and my arm’s being tossed around Selene’s shoulders. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
Stepping out into the cold night air is a shock to my system, and I snuggle further into Selene’s side. Wait. No. I can’t snuggle her—she’s going to leave me. I try to disengage, but somehow my hand gets caught in Selene’s chunky-knit scarf. “At least the scarf thinks we belong together.”
“What?”
“Nothing. ’M fine. I can walk myself… by myself.”
Selene scoffs. “You’re literally cutting off your circulation with my scarf, and you can’t stop swaying.
Come here.” She pulls me closer, soft hands tugging at the material squeezing my wrist, and I take the chance to stare into her pretty eyes while I still can.
“There, all fixed.” The scarf falls away, but instead of dropping my hand, Selene intertwines her fingers with mine.
I let her tag me along with her because I don’t actually want to be anywhere else.
There’s a lot to love about Crystal Lake but Selene is by far the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
Wait, the lake. My steps come to a halt, and Selene glances at me in confusion.
I’ve only been down to the lake a couple of times but it’s pretty.
“We should go to the lake,” I tell her, turning in a circle to figure out which way to go.
If I take Selene there, she’ll think it’s romantic. Bet her stupid mate’s not romantic.
“We can go another time.”
“Nope.” I shake my head, and my glasses slip down my nose. “Has to be now.”
“Why?” Gently, Selene reaches up, taking the glasses and slipping them into her coat pocket.
“I need those.”
“I’m just keeping them safe. I’ll give them back once we get you home.”
“But we need to go to the lake first.”
“We can go to the lake on Sunday after your demon lesson.”
“Has to be now.” Before her mate swoops in.
Selene roots her feet to the spot despite my efforts to get her to walk with me. Maybe I can carry her? That’s romantic, right? “Why does it have to be now?”
“Because you need to know I can be romantic. It’s important.”
She giggles. “You don’t need to worry. I already know you can be romantic.”
I cup her cheeks, looking into her eyes intently. “You do?”
Delicate hands cover mine. “Yes. Now come on. If you’re still worried when you sober up, we can talk about this more in the morning.” She captures my wrists, pulling me forward, and this time I go willingly.
I’m not sure how we got here, but Selene helps me stagger up the stairs towards my bedroom. Flopping backwards onto the bed, I sigh dramatically.
“Who’s your fated mate? Do you know?”
She freezes in the middle of tugging off my boots. “Who told you about mates?”
“Mav. He said you were waiting for your mate. What’s that make me? Am I just a placemat?” That doesn’t sound right. I try again. “A placement. Placeholder.”
Selene settles beside me on the bed, stroking the hair from my forehead. “Feels nice,” I mumble, leaning into her touch like an eager puppy.
“You’re not a placeholder, Jared.”
“So you don’t have a mate?” Her hand stills. Don’t like that. Want her touching me always. I tug until her fingers tangle in my hair. She takes the hint and starts playing with the golden strands. “Is that why you call me Golden Boy? Because I’m blonde?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because I used to dream of you. Before you came to town. Every night I’d see you, a stranger who practically shone golden. Your hair adds to it, but there’s something in you that shines through in everything you do. That’s why I call you Golden Boy.”
“I’m tired.” My eyelids are too heavy, and I lose that battle to keep them open.
“That’s OK. You can go to sleep.”
She starts to get up, and I reach out to capture her wrist. She can’t leave me. “Stay with me. Don’t leave me for your mate. Promise.”
Soft lips press to my forehead. “I promise. I’ll always be yours, Jared, and you’re mine.”
Conscious thoughts slide away from me as I sink into sleep. The last thing I remember is pulling Selene closer. Yes, I’m hers. Forever.