Hidden Mate

24

“Fine, you’re right.” He blew out a breath. “I was out of line.”

I almost stumbled back from shock. I hadn’t expected him to admit it.

“But that guy was looking at you with more interest than a school project, like he thinks he has a shot with you even though he’s a weak-ass human,” he grumbled. “It pissed me off. I was angry at him, not you.”

“Well, he doesn’t understand how things work.” I had to tread carefully so he didn’t catch me in a lie. “We both know he and I could never be together.”

“You’re right.” He took a few steps back toward the door. “I’ve got to get back to class. We can catch up tomorrow.”

I stayed back and watched him disappear toward the Student Center’s doors. My heart pounded way too loudly over what he’d said. Donovan wanted me. For some reason, Brock catching on to it made it more solid … more real. The problem was that I wasn’t sure I could stay away from him any longer.

“T

onight is perfect for watching for the vampire,” Egan said as he paced in front of the library as we girls sat at the table.

“It’s the huge Black and Gold scrimmage game.” Roxy ran a hand over her body. “Which means I get to dress all cute and enjoy the sight of bent-over football players.”

Tonight was an important milestone that kicked the school year off at Kortright. Our football team would split into two teams and play one another.

“I’m thinking we aren’t going.” Lillith pouted. “He’s going to have us staking everything out and working.”

Egan stopped and scowled at those two. “This is more important than some pointy shoes and belly revealers.”

“Pointy shoes and belly revealers?” Katherine burst into giggles.

“What?” Egan frowned and scratched the back of his neck.

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying not to embarrass the poor guy more.

“What the hell are those?” Roxy’s face twisted like she was staring at an alien. “Do I even want to know?”

“The shoes that look like you could fall over and break an ankle in.” He pointed at the heel of his tennis shoe and moved it to his belly. “And the shirts show your belly skin.”

“Where did you come from?” Lillith scoffed. “They’re called high heels or stilettos, depending on heel size, and the belly revealers are either crop tops or belly shirts.”

“It bothers me that you think I actually care.” Egan cringed and flexed his fingers. “This is life or death and more important than whatever those are called.”

Roxy sucked in a breath.

“He’s right.” They would derail his whole point if I didn’t help him out. “There will be other football games you can dress cute for once the vampire is caught or no longer a threat.”

“Of course you’d agree with him.” Roxy glared at me. “You don’t want to go because of Brock.”

“Can you blame me?” The less he could watch me, the more freedom I had. “He made a big enough scene the other night when he found me talking to Donovan outside.” Saying his name made my heart skip a beat. Ugh, I shouldn’t be going to see him tonight, but he’d looked so cute yesterday when he’d asked if I was still in. I was supposed to be there at six, right around dinner time. He was working the lunch crowd until he got enough experience to move to the weekend dinner rush.

“Don’t think you’re getting out of helping.” Roxy threw a hand up. “If I don’t get to enjoy the game, then your sorry ass can’t be holed up inside the dorm.”

“All hands on deck,” Lillith agreed. “You can scour the tree line or something.”

“Uh …” I had hoped to get out of helping because of the game. I hadn’t even considered them wanting me to stand guard. “I can’t.” I winced. Here we go.

“And why the hell not?” Roxy crossed her arms. “It’s not like you have plans …” Her lips parted. “You do and didn’t expect to tell me.”

“Wait …” Egan looked at me. “You aren’t planning to help?”

Now I had to do damage control. “No, I plan to. I just need to meet up with someone first. I’ll be back right after the game starts.” It had conveniently worked out this way, but I wouldn’t let it slip that I hadn’t purposely planned it that way.

Roxy c****d her head and lifted an eyebrow. “Who are you meeting?”

“Like you don’t know.” Lillith snickered. “If I was a betting woman, I’d lay down a hundred dollars on that pathetic human who keeps sniffing around her.”

“That’s the problem, though.” Roxy stood and pulled at her navy shirt. “He doesn’t sniff. If he did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

“Excuse you.” She had a point, but I wouldn’t address that. “We tried working here on campus, and you and Axel descended on us like flies on poop, and then Brock showed up, making a scene. We’re going to work on the project over steak.”

“Flies on poop?” Lillith snorted. “That’s a fairly accurate description.”

“Shut it, bloodsucker,” Roxy spat.

Poor Egan stood there, blinking.

“You two, calm down.” Katherine sighed. “She’s going to eat and come back here to help. I doubt she’ll get pregnant in public.”

“You didn’t see all the eye-f*****g going on,” Roxy grumbled.

I knew what would defuse the whole situation. “I’ll bring you back a steak.”

Roxy placed her hands on her hips. “You have my attention.”

The best way to get on the good side of a shifter was through their stomach. “Fine, I’ll bring back two for you and three for Egan.” I kind of felt bad for leaving him hanging too.

“Fine.” Roxy ran her fingers through her hair. “I guess I can make a one-time exception since it is in public, you have a project, and there is steak involved.”

“But you’ll be back in time to help us keep an eye out after it gets dark?” Egan stared at me with so much hope. “It’d be nice to have your help.”

“Yes, I’ll be back by eight-thirty.” I’d make sure of it. Donovan should be fine on his own.