Page 23 of Blood Sugar

“What, Rowen?” She sounded so tired.

“Bite me.”

Her arm dropped, her phone forgotten in her grip.

“Don’t find someone you don’t know,” I continued, feeling dumber by the moment. “I’m right here, and we know it’s good.”

Too far! Stop talking!

“Or I could buy you some blood,” I said, backtracking.

Her lip curled, her shock melting into irritation. “I don’t need charity. It’s really none of your business.”

“Sadie!” I meant it as a plea, but it came out angry.

“I’ll see you in an hour,” she snapped, yanking the door open.

“Don’t.” The word escaped me without my permission.

“What?” she said, pivoting, her violet eyes wide.

“Don’t come back. Take the rest of the night off.”

That beautiful gaze narrowed. “Are you serious? Are you punishing me? For doing what I need to do to feed?”

“No!” How had this gone so awry? “But I want to be done working tonight. I’ll finish up the last few things in the morning. Your job is secure, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Fine,” she snapped, fangs flashing. With one last scrutinizing glare, she stormed into the bar and let the door slam in my face.

My heart dropped. I’d fucked everything up. She’d probably quit over text and I’d never see her again. The sense of devastation washing over me was unreasonable, unwarranted.

My stomach clenched. It shouldn’t matter to me what Sadie did. She wasn’t mine. She didn’t owe me her attention, her time as my employee, or anything. It was her business, and if she quit, it would be what I deserved.

Demanding she feed from me. What was I thinking?

Mentally berating myself, I stomped back to the bakery. The night felt cold and empty without her, and knowing that she was in the warm bar, touching a stranger, kissing someone else, made me sick.

The bakery light was harsh on my eyes. Gritting my teeth, I set to work, but even the repetitive motions of baking, tasks I’d done a thousand times that always brought me peace, were clumsy and disjointed.

After completing a minimum amount of work so I wouldn’t be screwed in the morning, I shut the kitchen down and headed upstairs. Even my cozy apartment couldn’t cheer me up.

Ralph trilled at me from his spot curled up on my pillow. After a quick, punishingly cold shower, I faceplanted onto the spare pillow, letting the opossum keep mine. He deserved it more than I did.

Little paws scratched my cheek, and I huffed out a heavy sigh as I turned on my side. The little opossum curled up against my collarbone, tucking his cold nose against my neck.

“Hi, buddy. At least you aren’t mad at me,” I muttered, letting the little creature’s quick breaths lull me to sleep.

Chapter 7

Starving for You

Sadie

Standing in the tavern, I stared blindly at the mass of socializing people. The smiling picture of Buck flashed on my phone. He was still eager to meet me, despite my ghosting him last weekend. He seemed like a sweet guy.

My stomach churned. I couldn’t do this. Swallowing thickly, I lifted my phone and typed out a brief apology to the werewolf. The idea of drinking from anyone made my skin crawl—anyone other than Rowen, that was. I was royally fucked.

Fangs aching and heart heavy, I stumbled out of the bar and trudged to my car. Soon, I wouldn’t have the option to turn down a meal, but tonight, I just couldn’t do it.