Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92941 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
“Five,” Mom replied with a little laugh. “I like having all my chicks in the nest.”
I tightened my hand around my fork but didn’t correct her. There were four of us now.
At some point I was able to contribute to the conversation, but I didn’t remember what was said. Reese’s family seemed to have a good time, and the fact that my parents had already met Noah and Pete helped smooth the way. Even Rena kept her suspicion and skepticism at bay for the entirety of dinner, though I felt her gaze on my face more than once.
Reese, on the other hand, was the center of attention. She joked and laughed and teased and generally made sure that there wasn’t a silent moment. She described how she and Pete had met when she was a sophomore in his math class when she got detention for talking. Eventually, the two of them had created a somewhat unconventional bond. He and Noah had spent one of their first dates helping her move into her first apartment.
As the night came to an end we said our goodbyes and let Reese walk our guests to the front door alone.
“Look,” my father muttered, watching as Reese hugged Pete and Rena and gave Noah a little wave. “Do you see?”
I was still reeling. What was I supposed to see, exactly? I’d watched Reese with them all night. She was pretending, and she was getting away with it. I seemed to be the only one who noticed the tension in her shoulders and the flat look in her eyes.
“That man is her father,” my dad said, letting go of my arm. “The other, she loves. Clearly. But her father, she can touch.”
I nodded. He was right. Reese didn’t seem to have any aversion to touching Pete.
“He’s worried about her, and you didn’t make it any better tonight.”
“What do you mean?”
“They were too polite to say anything,” my mom scolded. “What’s the matter with you? I’ve never seen you so nervous. You sat there like a darn statue.”
“I’m sure it was fine,” I replied, still watching Reese.
She stood in the doorway after they’d gone, watching as they drove away.
When she turned around, all pretense was gone.
“Reese?” my mom called out worriedly.
“I’m not your mate,” Reese accused, making no move to get closer.
“You are.”
“No.” She shook her head, wrapping her arms around her waist. “No, we both know that’s not true.”
“Of course you’re his mate,” my father said roughly, looking over at my mom for help.
“Thank you for a lovely dinner,” Reese said woodenly. “If you’ll leave the dishes, I’d be happy to clean them up in the morning.”
“Nonsense,” my mom replied.
“I’m pretty tired, so I think I’m going to head upstairs.”
Without another word Reese turned on her heel and walked away.
“Beau, what’s going on?” my mom asked in confusion.
“She heard you,” I shot back, following Reese. She must’ve broken into a run once she was out of sight because I didn’t catch up with her until I got to our rooms.
A half-empty coffee mug sailed toward me as I stepped inside, flinging cold coffee all over the floor.
“You fucking asshole,” she hissed.
“Reese.”
“You had another mate?” She looked around the room like she couldn’t figure out where she was. “What the fuck, Beau?”
“Drop it,” I ordered, slamming the door behind me. I didn’t want to talk about Millie with Reese. That part of my life wasn’t any of her business. It wasn’t anyone’s business.
“Fuck you!”
“You’re acting crazy.”
Reese’s eyes widened as she looked around the living room and found a tile coaster on the table and threw it.
“Knock it off!” I ducked as it flew past me.
“You said I was your mate. You—you acted like it was fucking fate or something,” she yelled, her hands fisted by her sides. “And I believed you.”
“Because you are my mate.” I cautiously moved further into the room.
“Who’s Millicent, Beau?” Reese spat derisively.
I snapped straight. “Stop.”
“Yeah, right.” She laughed. “Who is Millicent? She’s your mate, right?”
“Let it go, Reese,” I warned, trying to keep my temper in check. She was clearly upset, and I didn’t want to make it worse, but the way she said Millie’s name was like someone poking me repeatedly in the chest.
“I’m not letting shit go,” Reese retorted. “Who the fuck is Millicent? Where is Millicent?”
The most ironic part of it all was that I probably would’ve eventually told Reese about Millie. Some day when we were settled into our bond and making a life together, I would have explained what had happened to me long before she was even born. But the way she was looking at me like I’d betrayed her when, from the moment we’d met, I’d felt like I was betraying someone else? It made me livid.
“Millie is none of your fucking business,” I yelled back.
Reese jerked backward, but her surprise only lasted a moment.