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“Thanks,” I said, despite my reluctance.
Heading out, Liam had started ahead, but I managed to catch up enough for it not to seem like there was an awkward distance between us.
My entire body was tense as I followed a step behind him, annoyed that I couldn’t even have one day without having to see Liam.
Betraying me, my eyes took him in, studying his attire. It only then dawned on me that I had never seen him in the uniform before.
“What’s with the Task Force gear?” I asked, taking an extra step to get a look at his face.
“I decided to pick up a few hours each week to help out around here. It’s also so I can find my place in the pack again,” he said, not sounding snarky or angry for once.
I scoffed. “How do you possibly have enough time to volunteer and run your business?”
Liam glanced at me and shrugged. “I don’t have much free time at all. But I don’t mind if it means giving back to the people I grew up with and who have welcomed me back.”
Nodding absently, I didn’t want to give him too much credit, but I also noticed the trickle of guilt in my chest.
He could’ve been like most others and put just enough time into his work, only to head home after and do nothing but drink and watch TV. But given the slight exhaustion sprawl across his features, I could tell he wasn’t lying.
It made me wonder how much sleep he was getting.
He sounded sincere for the sake of others, and acknowledging that made my insides squirm.
Writing a hit piece on someone who dedicated all of his free time to volunteering around the community didn’t seem like it had any merit to it, despite how I tried to keep my resolve about writing it.
It only made me feel more conflicted about my upcoming meeting.
Chapter 17 - Liam
The cool breeze moved around us as we stood outside of a local grocery store with our stand and a sign citing that we were collecting for the toy drive event. While the cold would’ve simply sunk into my skin if I hadn’t been born a shifter, I was perfectly fine in my jacket. The wind deflected off me like it wasn’t there at all.
Cora, on the other hand, was shaking so hard I could hear her teeth chattering.
And yet, things were as tense as ever. We spent the first hour in complete silence, only ever talking to the patrons as they entered and exited the store. Some stopped by to ask about the event, or how else they could donate without giving toys specifically.
We were cordial with the public, but less so with each other. While it wasn’t a new thing for us, it did start to feel exhausting.
It was frustrating to know that things could’ve been normal between us without Cora’s bitterness and her determination to uncover every little detail about my life. If she had just accepted my rejection and moved on, we could’ve spent our time volunteering like most normal people did—without the drama getting in the way.
Hell, I even would’ve considered seeing her again if she hadn’t reacted so strongly. It seemed that Cora had changed a lot more than I first assumed.
A young couple walked out of the store and handed us a few toys they had picked up while inside, both smiling at us.
“Thank you so much,” Cora said, handing the toys to me to sort. She never once looked at me. “You’re supporting a wonderful cause. Happy Holidays.”
The young couple looked proud of themselves for giving to others in need, and they wished us both the same as they left.
Cora smiled wide for them, but the moment they were gone, her pleasantness slipped as she hugged herself tightly for warmth. Her teeth continued to chatter, and it seemed her coat wasn’t doing much to help her.
When I couldn’t stand to listen to it any longer, I sighed. “Is there some sort of magic you could use to keep yourself warm?”
While it was an honest question, Cora just shrugged me off, not even bothering to respond. From the expression on her face, I could tell she was far too annoyed to give any semblance of effort. She couldn’t even stand to look at me.
It made me wonder how things had gone so wrong so fast.
That night at the Roadbar had been incredible. I had never hit it off so instantly with anyone else before, and it was hard to believe the woman next to me had been just as into it as I was. We were inseparable, and we couldn’t keep our hands off each other.
The sex was mind-blowing, but after I decided to cut things short, that was when issues started to arise. With her being as confident as she is, I never thought my wish to be casual would affect her as intensely as it had.
