I know two things about this right now. One: I want zero to do with deviled eggs and two: I absolutely love the look on my man’s face.
“Wanna go home?” I ask.
“Damn right I do,” he says gruffly, before he calls out, “Night everyone!”
30
JASE
I’m on the pull-out trundle bed. She’s in it, lying mere inches from me, but I’m looking at her back.
I heard the exchange between her and the female from Brody’s new pack. And when Bay grabbed that female’s hair to stop her from making a play for me, I wanted to whoop and punch the sky. But it wasn’t the turning point for us. This shit isn’t getting any better.
“Bailey?” I finally say.
She doesn’t answer, but now she’s holding her breath.
I ask, “What was that about with that girl?”
She sniffles, but that’s it.
“Silent treatment, huh?”
Nothing.
I fold the pillow in half and try to get comfortable. If only I could climb up there and pull her close. Then carry her home to my bed that’s actually large enough, rather than having my feet dangling off the edge of this tiny thing. But being here on this is miles better than being without her.
“How’d I become this much of a villain to you, Bailey? You treated me like your hero for so many years, but then this. I hate this; it’s doin’ my fucking head in.”
She shifts a little, adjusting her pillow, but doesn’t respond.
“What do I have to do to get you to call this thing off tomorrow? To get you to go in there and tell them you don’t want me stopped from claiming you. Tell me what it’ll take.”
She’s crying as silently as she can, but it sounds like she’s losing the battle and is about to break into ugly sobs.
And I can’t help but feel like what she needs the most from me is something she’s preventing me from doing. Wrapping her up tight in my arms and promising her I’m gonna make it better. That’s all I want to do right now, make this better for her. Purr for her. Hold her. Have her melt into me.
I lay in the dark room, staring at the ceiling, taking in her scent while I do, and feeling a sensation clawing through my veins that I fucking loathe.
Fear.
What the fuck am I gonna do tomorrow if they continue to let her keep herself from me? The sensation is carving out my insides. Because it’ll mean it doesn’t get better for me and also, she’ll continue feeling like this. I can’t have that. It’s making me crazy.
What if the SCC agrees with her petition and sets a court date? How long could that take? I can’t lose her. I won’t. I’ll move mountains to stop that from happening.
31
BAILEY
Abruptly, he jumps to his feet and storms out. I hear the front door close, so I rush to look out the window, watching as Jason’s wolf sprints from our driveway.
My chin trembles with the threat of more emotion.
If only I, too, could shift into another shape and escape the confines of the loop my brain is in right now. Run, jump, be wild, feel free. But of course I can’t. Because there’s always going to be this wolf-sized hole inside me.
Maybe going for a drive will have a placebo effect.
I shed my pajamas and get dressed before I slip into flip flops, whip my hair up into a bun, and grab my bag and keys.