We All Have Our Secrets #4
Immy opened the door all while linking me, “You’re welcome.
Try not to rip the dress off though.” Dress?
We were ice skating. Then I saw my mate.
Holy shit. Odette’s dress clung to her like a second skin.
Her boobs were bigger. Channing snorted, “If people would give us five damn minutes we could’ve felt for comparison later. ”
I was absolutely feeling them later, that was happening.
Bryce linked, “What can you do? It’s Immy.
” I could care less. I might get Immy a present just because.
Channing linked me, “Good call on not getting flowers, but not because she’s prissy like Lisa; because she doesn’t like flowers in general. ”
I didn’t care for the reason she didn’t like flowers though.
I’ll just bet her mom demanded Odette keep the flowers alive.
I’d gotten her favorite chocolate too. It made me happy we had that in common.
I actually hadn’t had a Crunch bar in years.
Lisa said I got too fat when I ate candy or dessert.
Which made my sex report brutal after I had either.
Channing growled, “She was wrong.” Hopefully.
Immy linked me, “We are taking you to your truck, so you don’t ravish her right here.
Because that’s the look on your face. Don’t worry, you don’t have to thank me.
I’m just that good all the time.” I told her, “I fully plan to thank you. Do you know Katie’s shoe size?
” Immy giggled, “Umm duh. I helped pick out her clothes. She’s a size eight. ”
I was in a daze getting her into the truck and decided to use her new nickname.
My mate’s eyes sparkled when I said it, so I knew I’d chosen the right one.
I couldn’t help the excitement that bubbled up when Odette worried about Emmett liking her.
Lisa never cared, and definitely never tried to get my family to like her.
In fact, my ex seemed to enjoy that they didn’t.
Emmett linked me, “You know there are cameras in the ice skating rink, right?” I answered, “Of course I know that.” Emmett said, “Just making sure. Mom’s very curious about what this girl looks like. I’m sure she’ll peek at the cameras.”
I shot back, “So, you’re not curious?” Emmett snorted, “You’re making me feel like a Beta, because I am in fact so DAMN curious.” I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. I replied, “Imagine how Malachi feels then.”
Emmett snorted, “I don’t have to imagine. He’s annoyed that none of his siblings will take this girl's picture and show it him. I think my Beta is about ready to show up at school.” I replied, “More likely he’s sitting at a computer with the feed up so he can see her right now.”
Emmett acknowledged, “You’re right. I’m going to find him.” I rolled my eyes, knowing my whole damn family was going to be everywhere in different parts of the house looking at feeds from the rink. Channing replied, “Our family is excited for us.” They were curious, which wasn’t the same.
Keith linked me, “Look at you helping her lace up the skates. You are so smooth.” I replied, “Oh come on! You too? Why are you watching our date? You know what Katie looks like.” Keith answered, “Well, Finn is here because Emma wanted to see Katie. He told Malachi he was doing things on too small a scale. Your date is now on the big screen in the theater room. He has popcorn and is muttering about something being familiar about Katie.”
Keith paused then added, “Our brother in law is also bemoaning about how he has more questions now. Finn’s brain hurts because he can’t figure out why Katie’s so familiar. Don’t worry though, not everyone is here.”
I asked, “Who’s missing?” Keith answered, “Grandpa and grandma are out on their date night. So, it’s just our parents, siblings, their mates minus TJ, and lastly Malachi is here.
Allison is sad TJ isn’t here, but I guess he has indoor soccer practice.
” I rolled my eyes knowing I should’ve factored in Finn.
Odette actually caught on quite quickly to ice skating. Mom would probably teach my mate some tricks if she wanted. Uncle Heath and mom had us on the ice since we could walk. Everyone in the Hood could ice skate.
Uncle Heath felt it was important to be quick and light on your feet. To him ice skating was the ultimate test of your agility, balance, and several other things. Odette wanted to see me skate. Channing boasted, “Let’s impress mate.”
Keith linked, “OH MY GOD, SAY YES!” I replied, “You have sound? Come the fuck on!” It was like being on a chaperoned date. Keith continued, “Mom is almost in tears over the thought of you skating. Come on, do it. Impress your mate.”
Channing chimed back in, “Look at how hopeful mate looks. We should show her.” Odette actually already looked proud and she did ask.
Channing repeated, “Mate’s not like Lisa.
” My wolf was right. Lisa had actually never seen me skate.
All I had done was ask her to come once and she sneered at me.
My ex dressed me down really good about how unmasculine ice skating was. For two hours.
I changed the song and let myself get lost in the music and the ice.
I could hear Katie humming which inspired me.
I felt like I was ten feet tall, unable to keep the smile off my face when I was done.
It felt so good to be back out here. Odette was clapping and smiling.
She was practically bouncing on the ice.
I quickly skated over to make sure she didn’t fall. My mate thought I was good at everything. Lisa’s words came crashing back into my mind about sex and my shortcomings. Channing growled in my head. Odette brought me out of those thoughts when she kissed my cheek.
I explained why I hadn’t been skating recently. Odette’s eyes flashed with anger, and she went on a tangent about what being manly really meant. Keith linked me, “It’s official, mom loves Katie. Also, everyone clinked glasses when your mate said Lisa was wrong.”
My twin chuckled, “Finn is doing a toast, it’s a whole thing.
It was good to see you back out on the ice.
Mom’s trying to subtly wipe away tears. They all love Katie.
” Except that wasn’t her name. Channing grumbled, “I want them to say the right name.” Odette would too, but we were going at her pace there.
I took Odette’s hand and we skated around for a bit before we left. I was stunned when Odette wanted to stop at the small diner dad owned. Then I got pissed she’d only ever had two milkshakes. Channing snarled, “You get mate a milkshake right now!”
I was going to bring her to this diner as often as she wanted for a milkshake. We caused quite a stir among the staff when we walked in. I guess it had been a while since I’d been here. Lisa thought diners were beneath her and she deserved better than a dingy booth.
Not that anything here was dingy. Dad kept this place very nice. I looked nervously at Odette, but her eyes were bright as she took everything in. I sighed in relief, then took her to a booth and sat down. The waitress said she was here when my parents first came in.
Interesting. I hadn’t heard this story. I’d have to ask them about it sometime. The waitress linked me, “Is she your mate, Keaton?” I evaded, “Why do you ask?” The waitress laughed, “I asked your dad the same question when he brought your mom in here the first time. You are so your father’s son.”
I questioned, “Why do people keep saying that? Grandpa and dad are being weird about it.” She laughed in reply but didn’t answer me. I shoved all that aside. Odette and I talked while we ate. Once we were done, I was dreading leaving her at her apartment.
Channing demanded, “Don’t you dare.” I replied, “Well, Odette thinks she’s human.” Channing grumbled, “Stupid human hang ups.” No joke. Damn my mate’s mother to hell for not telling her about the Supernatural world. I wouldn’t have to do this shit if she had.
When we reached her apartment, I kissed her for all I was worth. I forced myself to pull back. My mate needed to go inside and lock the door, or I was going to lose it. I was resigning myself to leaving when she invited me in.
Channing purred in my head because Odette wanted to make out. I was more than happy to oblige. Channing linked me, “If we are about to get to second base and someone calls, or knocks on the door, I’ll shift. I’ll do it and snarl at someone.”
I reasoned, “You’d scare Odette.” Channing said, “Well, then we could tell her about Supernatural things, and she could come home with us.” Wolves.
Everything was so simple in their minds.
Channing answered, “Yes, because it is. You humans have to complicate everything that does not need to be complicated.”
My wolf might have a point. Not completely, but somewhat. Odette turned on the T.V. and I could tell something was wrong. I tilted my mate’s face back towards me. I saw the unshed tears in her eyes. I asked, “What’s wrong?”
Odette tried to smile, “Oh, nothing.” I whispered, “Hey, talk to me.” My mate closed her eyes and a few tears slipped out. Channing snarled, “Kill someone right now.” I snorted, “I need to know who first.” Channing huffed and paced in my head.
Odette tried to brush it off, “It’s silly. We had such a great date and…” I cut her off, “We will have plenty more. What's going on inside that pretty little head?” My mate whispered, “I’m worried about tomorrow.”
Channing demanded, “Cancel tomorrow.” I rolled my eyes at my wolf. I asked, “What about tomorrow?” Odette explained, “Your ex will be in school. Her friends have made it clear I’m enemy number one. I feel like this bubble we’ve been in is going to burst and…” My mate trailed off.
I pressed, “And what?” Lisa’s friends were going to get it. They should not be making Odette feel that way. Odette leaned her forehead on mine whispering, “What if you go away?” Channing snarled, “You tell mate that will never happen!”