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Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Gwendolyn the principal watching me from the receptionist’s office.
I guess I’m getting fired now.
Oh well, I liked this job while it lasted, but I’m done being a punching bag for other people. Carter has shown me that I have value and I’m not about to let him down for anyone or any job.
And more importantly, I’m not going to let down myself.
* * *
After the last kid gets on his bus, I return to my classroom as they drive away. I’m already thinking of Carter as I clean up the mess from our turkey craft and start to prepare what I’m doing tomorrow.
I have a permanent smile on my face as I wipe down the tables.
I’m still in shock that I get to go home to such an amazing man.
“What are you so happy about?” a voice says behind me.
I whip my head around and see Gwendolyn there, watching me.
My spirits plummet.
“Have you come to fire me?”
“For standing up to Stacy and Karen?” she asks.
“Yeah.”
She laughs as she walks in and sits down on a desk.
“Can I tell you a secret?” she whispers.
I nod.
“I hate those gossipy bitches.”
I burst out laughing as she grins. “I thought I was the only one,” I tell her.
“Nope.” She shakes her head. “I’ve never liked bullies.”
“Me neither,” I say as I wipe the blackboard clean.
“I liked the way you handled yourself,” she says as she watches me. “Maybe a few less swear words on school grounds would have been nice, but you got the job done.”
“Sorry about that,” I say as I flush with embarrassment.
She waves her hand at me.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll leave it out of your yearly evaluation.”
“Yearly evaluation?” I ask as my heart stops in my chest.
She grins. “Nathalie isn’t coming back. She’s becoming a stay-at-home mom.”
“Really?” I ask as my body brims with anticipation. “And who’s getting her job?”
Gwendolyn smiles. “I was hoping that you would take it.”
My mouth drops. “Really?”
“Under one condition.”
“Anything.”
“You get a new car. And to help you afford one, I’ll give you a pay raise.”
I rush over and leap onto her, hugging her as I thank her over and over again.
“Should I take that as a yes?” she asks with a laugh.
I’m so happy, I have tears in my eyes. “Yes!” I say with a smile so big that it hurts. “A thousand times yes!”
Chapter Ten
Carter
We’re finishing up a small job—an old fish cleaning shack next to the river that got lit up after the owner left his cigarette unattended—when the guys let me have it.
I knew it was coming. They’re throwing all of my old warnings and jokes back in my face now that I’m happily mated with Aubrey.
“Who’s listening to a Runman on the train tracks now?” Rylan asks with a chuckle.
“It’s a Walkman, you moron,” I say with a laugh. “And yes, I’m happily standing on the tracks while a train barrels down on me. And as long as that train is named Aubrey, I’m more than fine with it.”
“What happened to everything ending eventually?” Westin adds with a grin.
“I was wrong.”
“But you seemed so certain,” he continues. These guys love to bust balls and right now, mine are in the vise. I guess that’s fitting since I busted their balls for years about wanting to find their mates. It’s only fair they return the favor.
“I was an idiot, okay?” I ask as the water cuts and I drop the pipe. “Is that what you want to hear? I didn’t know what the fuck I was talking about because finding my mate has been the best thing to ever happen to me. Aubrey is amazing and every cell in my body is over-the-moon obsessed with her. Okay? I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
“But what if it ends?” Westin asks with a grin.
“Then I’ll die happy knowing that she was in my life, even if it’s for a single day. I won’t have a single regret, just pure happiness and gratitude that I was fortunate enough to have her in my life. Some lives are lived in a moment, and the few moments with her would be the sum total of my life.”
The four guys are silent for a moment after I’m finished and then they all burst out laughing.
“Fuck you guys,” I say as I start to laugh too. “Laugh all you want. Nothing is going to bring me down. I’d rather be wrong and happy than right and miserable.”
“We’re happy for you,” Ethan says as he slaps my shoulder on his way back to the truck. “I knew there was a girl out there for you. I just wasn’t sure if you would let her in. I’m glad you did.”
Rylan and Blake slap my shoulder too as they pass. They’re laughing but I know it’s out of love and that they’re truly happy for me.
Westin walks over when I’m gathering the hose. “Is it as amazing as I think it’s going to be?” he asks in a low voice.
I shake my head and his face drops in disappointment.
“Better,” I tell him. “You have no idea what’s in store for you.”
His blue eyes get that far away look in them as he starts to fantasize about his mate and everything that comes along with it.
“I hope I find her soon,” he says as he takes a deep breath.
“We never know,” I tell him. I don’t want to upset him, but it’s important that he’s prepared for what might be coming. “My girl was in kindergarten when I was your age. I hope you don’t have to wait as long as I did, but if you do, just know that the wait will be worth every minute.”
He thinks about it for a few seconds and then nods, accepting the fact that we have no say over what fate has in store for us.
“I’ll be patient,” he finally says.
I laugh as I slap his back. “No, you won’t.”
“No, I won’t,” he admits with a laugh. “I want her so damn badly.”
“Then I hope you get her.”
“Really?” he asks with a hopeful look on his young face.
“Yeah, because you’ll drive us all fucking nuts until you do.”
Chapter Eleven
Aubrey
I’m flying when I get home from work. I have a new permanent job and I put those bullies in their places. On top of all that, Gwendolyn now has my back as well.
“Carter!” I shout as I rush into the house, excited to tell him the good news. Buddy runs up to me and I’m giving him a good petting when I hear painful grunts coming from the back of the house. It sounds like Carter’s in pain and my heart starts pounding with worry as I sprint down the hall toward the sound.
“Carter!” I shout again as I look from room to room. I finally find him in the bathroom. He’s kneeling on the floor of the shower with his fists in his hair, looking like he’s about to yank his hair out.
My throat tightens when I see him flex his arms and shoulders. He drops his head and lets out a primal roar, sending shivers racing down my spine.
