I feel cold all over, but I’m unsure if it’s because of the weather or my turbulent thoughts.
In just a little bit, I’ll be meeting my bio dads. Officially, that is.
Fuck.
Why are the butterflies in my stomach acting like such demented twits? They shouldn’t be flapping around when I’m fuckingfuriousat the assholes for lying to me.
“So I heard back from Tall, Dark, and Growly,” Jake says conversationally from beside me.
“Which one is Tall, Dark, and Growly?”
“Reid, obviously.” Jake rolls his eyes like I’m being purposely obtuse. “Anyway, he wants to know where you’re meeting the bio dads. Do you want me to tell him the truth or…?”
“The truth,” I blurt instinctively.
I want my mates with me. Yes, I’m confused about where I stand with all of them, but I’m almost desperate for them to hold me and tell me everything will be all right.
I’ve missed them. A lot. Way more than I expected, and probably more than I should’ve. It feels as if they’ve been a part of my life a lot longer than a few months. I feel their absence like a physical ache, an incessant throbbing that refuses to alleviate, no matter where I go or who I’m with.
“He’s with Ethan and Emery,” Jake continues, obviously reading from a text on his phone.
“Yes, send them here. I… I need them.” I almost hate admitting that out loud, as if that will somehow make me weak, but once those words leave my lips, I find I have no regrets.
It’s not weak to rely on other people. Trusting people and allowing them to breach your defenses, especially after enduring a childhood of pain and loss… That’s strength.
I’m just pissed it took me this long to realize it.
“So how’s it going with them?” Jake shoots off a final text and then shoves his phone back into his pocket. “Don’t think I missed that blush when I asked about them earlier.”
“I don’t blush,” I scoff, even as my cheeks heat.
Fuck.
Jake laughs. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.” There’s a beat of silence, then, “You fucked them, didn’t you?”
“Jake!” I slap at his arm halfheartedly.
“What? Is a brother not allowed to inquire about his sister’s sex life?” Jake asks with feigned innocence, blinking at me.
“Ew, ew, ew. Don’t ever say that out loud. Ever.”
“What?” He playfully nudges my ribs. “I’m just…”
Jake tenses abruptly, his hand just barely grazing mine before grabbing it and pulling me to an abrupt halt. The hair on the back of my neck stands straight up.
“You feel that?” I whisper.
Jake doesn’t respond, scanning our surroundings, his jaw set tight. Since it’s the middle of a work and school day, the downtown streets are basically empty, with only a few couples and families milling around. None of them is the cause of this innate sense of unease stirring in my chest.
“Come on,” Jake murmurs, tugging me in the direction we came from.
Only to pause when we come face-to-face with an unfamiliar man.
His long brown hair is tied away from his face in a loose bun, and he wears a flannel shirt and ripped blue jeans. Everything about him screams, “NORMAL,” but the knot in my chest only tightens.
“Going somewhere, little witch?” The man takes a step closer to me, and every alarm bell in my head goes off simultaneously.
Danger! Danger! Danger!
