“Nah, her father forced me to. I won’t tell you why since it’ll just make me seem like an asshole.”
“You mean a bigger asshole than you already are?”
My turn to laugh. “Yeah, something like that.”
“That it? Does that mean you can leave now?”
“I wish that was it. I kinda told her something that shocked her. I shouldn’t have done it the way I did.”
“Something romantic? If you want this girl to believe you, you need to be sincere. We know the difference.”
I could hear the frustration in the woman’s voice. I didn’t blame her. I was fucking pissed off with myself. I’d made a grand gesture when all the woman of my dreams had needed was an apology. “I really am sorry. I want the chance to tell her that and how much I care about her. I mean, we’ve only known each other for a few days and I did run over her flowers.”
“What?”
“Long story. I don’t think she ever got over it. I did replant them. Last night in the dark.” I had no idea why I was relaying my stupid actions to a perfect stranger. Maybe it was just a lot easier than admitting to myself what an ass I’d been.
“Yeah, not my finest hour. But I hoped I made it up to her. Anyway, thank you for listening. I’ll go now.”
“Wait. What else did you do? I need to know now.”
Maybe the admittances were just coming easier. “I told her she was my mate. I know what you’re thinking. That it’s impossible for a human and a shifter to mate. That’s what I thought, but my brother, you’ve heard of Saint, the Savage, Masters. Right? The famous hockey star for the Chicago Wild Dogs.”
“Maybe.”
“Well, he’s this big deal and he ended up falling in love with this human girl, so I know it’s possible. I just thought… Oh, hell, I don’t know what I thought other than I’d never settle down. But when I’m around Christine, it’s as if my whole world is entirely different. She’s feisty. Don’t get me wrong about that, but she can keep me on my toes. And I’m pretty sure I know what she must be thinking.”
“What’s that?”
“That if she is my mate, she’ll begin shifting into a wolf. That’s a lie perpetuated by werewolf movies and books. Oh, the other misunderstanding is that if we ever have kids, they’ll be born pups. Not true. But anyway, I doubt she’ll ever talk to me again.”
“What would be the first words you’d say to her if she allowed you to see her again?”
Banging my head against the door, I held out my arms since there wasn’t a muscle in my body that wasn’t tingling. I turned my hands over, fisting my fingers a few seconds later. The need to shift was right there, but not tonight. Maybe if she was in the stadium, she’d learn I hadn’t lied about being a hockey player.“That I think I’m falling in love with her. Thank you for letting me explain. I actually feel better.”
“Yeah, sure. Good luck. Maybe she feels the same way.”
“Yeah, I wish.”
With that, I walked out while trying to hold my head high. It was rough since I’d never felt like such a fucking idiot in my life, but I was determined to try to make her proud.
One way or the other.
She was closer. I felt her. My skin tingled because she was physically near me. The best part was admitting that I cared about her. I did. It was crazy and unconventional, but the truth. I was laughing every few seconds, much lighter on my feet.
I would win her back. I’d find a way.
One thing I wouldn’t do was to let her father win. No fucking way. First, win the game. Second, win the girl. Third? Remain a human.
Feeling better, I tugged the duffle bag closer, finding a little hop in my step.
But as soon as I rounded the corner, I ran smack into Bobby and Ansley who were none too happy with me.
With her frown more pronounced than before, she held up a blown-up photograph that took me a few seconds to identify.
When I did, I gulped.
“What the hell is this? Would you care to explain yourself, Mister Masters?”
