Chapter 30
I’m going back to work.
It has been over a month, and I’m pretty sure that I’m going crazy. Last time I felt this stir crazy, I stole a car and disaster struck. So I’m trying to be proactive and take some steps to not let bad shit happen again.
I missed the normalcy of it, and if I’m honest with myself, I need the distraction with everything that has been happening. I need something to go my way.
So, like I said, I’m going back to work. Not just to get back some control over my life, but because I’m not going to be any good to anyone if I don’t get back into the right state of mind.
Work has always been a safe place for me; it centers me and gives me focus. There is just something calming about interacting with my students on a day to day basis and teaching them the wonders of life sciences.
What can I say: I’m a science nerd. Is that why being magical is a real mind fuck? Hmmmm, I will circle back to that later.
When the guys protested me going back to work, I explained that mentally, I needed to do this, and they had begrudgingly relented.
I think they saw that feral gleam in my eyes and knew I wasn’t going to back down from this. They insisted that Cam put a few apps on my phone to help track me, and to give me immediate access to each one of them if something happened with just a touch of a button.
I’m not too thrilled about them all knowing my every move, but after what happened the last time I went rogue, I understand the need for them to know where I am and if I’m safe.
When everything keeps spiraling, with my lack of consistent powers, lack of memories, and a crazed stalker that keeps popping up in my life, work is something I can control. Right?
Now, while parts of not working have been nice, I have bills to pay, and I have officially run out of days to burn. Don has been so sweet and assured me that he could help me out, but I’m not sure I’m ready to be fully dependent on a man to support me financially.
While I have claimed him as my mate, it’s hard for me to switch my mindset over to thinking that means we are as good as married.
I mean, I don’t even have a ring…not that I’m asking for one, but I wouldn’t say no to one.
Thankfully, Don is understanding, but I could tell it hurt his feelings a little.
Don and the guys have all been so supportive with everything, and I know that without it, I would have spiraled into a dark place. A dark place I haven’t visited in a very long time and have no interest in returning to.
Are things perfect? Absolutely not. Brent is still somewhat standoffish with me after the car incident. I still don’t blame him. I’m determined to mend that hurt, though.
He has become just as important to me as Don.
They all have. Don and Aiden have assured me that Brent couldn’t care less about the car; it’s replaceable.
I do know that he isn’t really upset about the car.
Even though the BMW M6 is a really expensive car, he is more upset about how I left the house without telling anyone, but he has yet to tell me that.
I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to corner him if he keeps avoiding me every time I try to talk with him.
Even though they are completely different from what I have with Don, they still feel like they are my family, even with the short time that I have known them, and nothing is going to make me give that up.
It has been a very long time since I’ve had anyone other than Megan.
I’m determined to keep them all, and I’m going to do whatever it takes.
I have all of their numbers now, and an ongoing group chat has been established.
The group chat is rather amusing. The way the four of them interact with each other is pretty entertaining.
I found out really quickly that Cam likes to send memes, and most of them are incredibly inappropriate, but they never take it too far.
I’m not sure why, but getting all four of them to agree to my terms feels like an accomplishment.
What doesn’t feel like an accomplishment is how behind I am at work. So behind, in fact, that I call my teaching partner Cory and plead with him to meet up with me so I can plan with him and catch up.
There is nothing like a good plan to get your head on straight.
Which is where I’m headed now. Cory agreed to meet me at a local coffee shop, so we can figure out what we are doing, and of course gossip, because I have pretty much fallen off the face of the Earth.
I mentally go over my story, snorting at just how much I’m going to have to omit or lie about. This might be a terrible idea.
I beat him there, so I grab us a table big enough to spread out our stuff and not be too crowded. With the table thoroughly claimed, I get in line and am ordering coffee and something to eat when Cory walks in.
I wave at him, motioning to the table I claimed. He gives me a thumbs up, and goes to set his stuff down before joining me in line.
He moves in close and gives me a side hug. My skin tingles with discomfort, making me wonder if my body doesn’t like other guys touching me now that I’m mated. Or, is it because I’m not actually human? Ugh, more questions.
“It’s so good to see you.You had us all worried.”
His tone is slightly off. He doesn’t sound like his usual happy self. Has he really been that worried for me?
“I know, the last few weeks have been rough.”
I’m sticking with the story that I have been very ill and then a death in the family required me to go out of state. I mean it was partially true…
“Well, you look good for being on death’s door.”
He gives me a once over, which again makes me feel weird. The way his eyes slowly track over my body. I’m not sure why I’m having this kind of reaction to him.
We have never been interested in each other romantically. He is bi, and he usually leans more towards being attracted to men. He is also dating a really great guy. So why the hell does it seem like he eyed me with a look of hunger.
God, Kinley, you are going certifiable.
“My friend, Megan, took really good care of me.”
“Is that where you were?”
“Yeah, I was with her since her husband just passed. And then I got really sick.”
“Man that sucks; at least you were with someone who could take care of you.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what I would do without her.”
Time to change the subject, Kinley.
“Hey, thank you so much for meeting me. I’d really be lost without you.”
I give him a warm smile because, even though I’m feeling weird around him, I am really grateful he is taking time on the weekend to help me.
“No problem, I’m happy to help. What are partners for?”
Drinks and food in hand, we get busy planning.
It doesn’t take long for us to catch up with work and get a general idea of what units to cover for the rest of the semester.
It helps that everything is digital now, so we easily pull from previous years and create a cohesive plan.
While we work, I ask him about how things are going on campus.
“Well, apparently, Allen had a nervous breakdown in the middle of class a week and a half ago. Raving about demons.”
My stomach drops.
“What the hell, really?”
“Yeah, I saw the whole thing. It was rather alarming.”
“Rather alarming? Seems like an understatement. So, where did he go?”
“Not sure, the resource officers dragged him away.”
“Jesus, and that’s it? Cory, you are literally the nosiest person I know. You would normally have all the details. Are you feeling ok?”
“Yes, I’m feeling ok. I’ve just been wanting to focus on reaching my own goals lately. I can’t be bothered to deal with people that aren’t pivotal to my success.”
I frown. He doesn’t sound like himself at all.
“Cory, are you doing ok? You just don’t sound like yourself.” I reach out to touch his arm, but I stop just before I physically make contact. Something just isn’t right. Was it me?
He chuckles, but again it sounds off.
“I’m great, Kinley. I just relieved myself of some unnecessary baggage, and I’m feeling refreshed.”
Unnecessary baggage? And then it dawns on me.
“Oh my gosh, did you and Will break up?”
“Will? Oh yeah, but I don’t really want to talk about it.”
He isn’t acting too heartbroken over it, but I still give his hand a comforting squeeze. Just from that small touch, my body wants to shudder in revulsion. I fight to keep my body still, but I quickly remove my hand. I’m so confused why I’m having this reaction.
“Ok, but if you need to talk, you know I’m a good listener.”
He smiles at me, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. I guess maybe he is upset by the break up after all. Just goes to show what I know.
We chat for a little bit longer, while we finish up working, before he gets up to get a refill on his tea. I wonder when he started drinking tea. When did I get so suspicious of people? Oh right, when I suddenly got a stalker.
My thoughts are interrupted by a text from Don.
Don: What time do you think you’ll be done? I was going to swing by to grab some take out, but if you’re almost finished I’ll wait for you, and we can go in and get it fresh.
Me: What take out? I think I’m about finished. Less than 30 minutes for sure.
Seeing the dots signalling he is typing has me staring at my phone waiting for his response. So, of course I don’t notice when Cory comes up behind me.
“Who’s Don?”
I jump slightly, covering my phone.
“Oh goodness, you scared me a little. Oh, Don is a guy I’m seeing.”
“What? When did this happen?”
“Well…I met him a month or so ago. We really hit it off…it’s been really great so far?”
“That’s it?”
“Well, it’s still really new, and with you going through a breakup, I didn’t want to make you sad by talking about my boyfriend.”
“I thought you said you just met?”
“Ugh, Cory, he’s really great, and we are exclusive so yes, my boyfriend…because it would be weird if I called him my man friend.”
I snort, but then I stop when I see the look on Cory’s face. Why does he look angry?