Chapter 32
I have only one more class period and then I can start my weekend; it’s a shortened week to allow students and teachers the time to attend the football team’s playoff game, and I couldn’t be more thankful.
It has been a struggle to return to work after everything.
I have only been back two weeks, and I still feel weird being here and attempting to act like my world hasn’t been uprooted, and I’m not aware that magic exists.
It’s truly weird being around normal people, but I was so excited to see my students and get back into a routine.
Don is working late, and I’m taking myself to the game.
See, doing normal shit, while my man is at work.
I’m meeting coworkers, and it’s public. The notes and tokens my creepy stalker left stopped after the car incident, so I feel ok going out.
None of the guys could go with me. They have lives too, and they also needed to get back to work. I’m definitely more aware of my surroundings, thanks to my beast being a little more present.
I have also started carrying a handgun in my car.
I’m stronger than I had previously been, but I still can’t shift.
We have yet to figure out what my powers can do, because they are so intermittent that I might as well not have them.
It’s frustrating, but I need to be able to protect myself, hence the gun.
I know how to shoot and after a thorough lesson from Brent, he begrudgingly gave me a gun from his arsenal in his secret basement.
Yes, he has a secret basement, and I’m beginning to realize that his line of work is probably not really legal.
The guys still hadn’t wanted me to go alone. I get that. Everyone is on edge, and the guys are so moody when it comes to my safety.
It’s like a switch flipped after our movie night cuddle fest, making them even more protective. It can get a bit exhausting.
Cam even hacked my phone and put even more trackers on it, and not even Aiden would tell me how to get them off. Don and Brent just brushed me off, saying they didn’t know any of that techy stuff. I’m pretty sure they were lying.
The final bell for the day rings, and I text the group chat to let them know I’m headed to the game now that school is over.
Sometimes, it feels like I’m dating all four of them.
And there is a primal part of me, probably my beast, that wants to taste them all, especially now that I know how Brent feels.
Aiden and Camden just don’t instill that kind of need, thank goodness.
The logistics of having four partners makes me want to run.
A girl doesn’t even have that many holes! I shudder at that thought.
Even though Brent stirs up all kinds of feelings, I’m still on the fence about that. Don is my mate, and he is more than enough. I don’t really need another one, right?
I text Cory and Trina, letting them know that I’m headed out and that I will meet them there.
They offered to carpool, but there is no way that I’m going to be without my own transportation.
The game is an hour and a half drive, and if anything comes up I need to be able to leave.
Once all my texts are sent, I don’t waste time getting on the road, only stopping for a quick drive thru dinner.
Don calls me while he is on a break, his call ringing loudly over my car speakers.
He knows I’m still driving, but he can’t help the need to check in before he has to get back to work.
The way he cares about me gives me warm fuzzies.
He’s telling me about how they tricked some Johns in their bust earlier, and I’m laughing when my wheel jerks hard.
“Fuck!”
“Kinley, what’s wrong?”
“I’m ok, I just think I have a flat. It startled me.”
“Shit, where are you?”
The fact that he thought I needed help is sweet but misguided.
“Oh, hold your horses,” giggling at his unamused snort. “I’m a big girl, Don. I know how to change a flat tire. There is a gas station right up ahead. I’ll pull in and change it.”
Telling him I will call him back, I get my car into the parking lot.
It’s small, but it’s safer than being on the side of the road.
There are also lights, because the sun has almost set and I wouldn’t want to attempt to change a tire in the dark.
I’m not going to even think of all the creepy horror movies that start out in a tiny run down gas station in the backwoods. Stay positive, Kinley.
I walk around my car looking to see which tire is the culprit. It becomes very obvious which one it is. The back left is shredded.
What the hell did I hit?
Giving myself a brief pep talk, I get to work changing my tire, thanking my foresight to get a car that actually has a spare and not that useless fix-a-flat kit.
I’m working up a little sweat, and have just gotten the new tire on when the gas station attendant comes out, asking me if I need help.
Rolling my eyes at his timing, I blow hair out of my face and peer up at him with a raised eyebrow.
He’s a tall skinny man, and he definitely looks like he’s seen better days.
I don’t know if he would even have the muscles to crank the wrench, let alone heft the tire off.
“Nope, I got it. As you can see, I’m basically done.”
He shrugs and walks away, but I do hear him mutter that I’m an uppity bitch. Sometimes I really wish it was acceptable to throat punch people.
Without any further interruptions, I finish quickly and get back on the road. If I don’t have any more mishaps I can still probably make it in time to see kick off.
Not wanting Don to worry, I call him back to let him know I successfully changed my own tire and am back on the road. I can hear the relief in his voice, and I totally get it. I will for sure be locked up in a bubble if the one time I go out on my own, something bad happens again.
His radio crackles over the phone just as I notice I’m getting another call. “Hey Don, Cory is calling, I gotta let you go. It might be about the game.”
“Ok, baby, talk to you later.”
He hangs up, but I’m not fast enough to connect with Cory, so I quickly call him back. He answers after a few rings.
“Hey! Sorry, I’m almost there, I had to change a flat tire.”
“Really? Well I’m glad you got it fixed. Unfortunately, my car is stalled. Do you think you could swing by and pick me up?”
“Oh my gosh. Are you ok?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. It must be the night for car problems.”
“No kidding, where is Trina? She might be able to get to you quicker. I think I’m at least another 20 minutes out.”
“I think she is already there. Cell service is kind of spotty, and she probably can’t hear her phone anyways.”
“You’re right, she is so bad about answering her phone. Ok, send me your location, and I’ll swing by. If she does call you back, let me know.”
“Ok, I’ll send it as soon as I get off the phone.”
“See you soon.”
He disconnects the call and soon after, I get his location through text. Not even a minute later a call from Brent comes through.
Jesus, these guys are gonna drive me nuts.
“Yes, Brent?”
A dark chuckle answers me.
He has no business being that sexy over the phone.
“I like hearing you tell me yes.”
“You’re incorrigible. What do you want?”
“A lot of things, princess.”
“Brent…seriously.”
“Fine, I just wanted to let you know I might swing by the game and keep you company.”
“Did Don put you up to this?”
“No, he doesn’t know. But I know he’s seriously stressing about you being alone.”
“Brent, I’m not going to be alone. I’ll be anything but alone. I’ll be perfectly safe.”
“I know you’re perfectly capable, but your safety is our number one priority.”
I take a deep breath and count to ten in my head. I don’t want to fight, because I know he will ultimately do what he wants and get Don involved if I don’t just let him come with me.
“Ugh, fine…you’re so annoying.”
“I can make it up to you if you want, princess”
“Stop, you’re ridiculous. I’m going to tell Don how ridiculous you’re being.”
“Who says he doesn’t already know and has no objections?”
Ugh, not that again. I swear that male is relentless, and I still don’t know how I feel about that.
“Shut up.”
He chuckles. “When will you be at the stadium?”
“Don’t tell me you’re already there.”
“Smart girl.”
“Fucking hell, Brent. Well, you’re gonna be waiting a little longer, I’m still fifteen minutes out and I have to pick up Cory. His car broke down at the park.”
“Why are you so behind?”
“I had a flat tire.”
“What? Why didn’t you message the group chat?”
“I was already on the phone with Don, and I’m perfectly capable of changing my own tire.”
“So hot. I love a female who can really work a wrench.”
I groan. He really is ridiculous. He is lucky he’s cute because he’s seriously pushing his luck.
Brent is a pleasant distraction while I drive with his silly commentary of all the people that are already at the stadium.
I can’t deny that I’m secretly glad he will be there.
I already consider him a good friend, and I’m not too put out by him showing up to the game to make sure I’m safe. I do wish he had asked first.
He’s in the middle of describing a small toddler throwing a fit about wanting a hot dog, and I giggle at that image.
I’m trying really hard to also concentrate on where I’m going as I pull up to the park.
There’s a large sign blazoned with Springville Park across it, so I know I’m in the right place, but the sun has fully set and there are hardly any street lights.
A frown creases my forehead. I don’t see any cars.
“Where is he?” I thought I said that in my head, but I actually mumbled it out loud.
“Who? Cory?”
“Yeah, he said he was at the park because his car broke down.”
“Are you sure you got the right park?”
“Yessss…I got the right park. He sent me his location, and I think this is the only park in town anyways.”