My Surprise Mate

Chapter Three

Later that night, we all sit inside watching movies. Theo is in bed, he watched half of one movie with us, constantly nodding off and asking what he missed, so I encouraged him to go to bed, and I’d join him after the movie. Trevor is sitting beside Madeline, and they think I don’t notice that their hands have been inching closer and closer together all night. Now they are holding hands and whispering to eachother. Gabi and Mickey are cuddled up, completely enraptured by the movie. I, however, am restless. And cold, which is odd. I look at Mickey and Gabi and think about how warm it must be to be in eachother’s arms.

Maybe I miss Theo. I think to myself. But that doesn’t feel like the answer. It feels like something is suddenly missing, something that I didn’t realize was missing, but always has been. I change positions on the couch and try to focus on the movie, to no avail.

“I need a walk” I say out loud, not to anyone in particular, and stand up to head outside.

“Be careful Ava, there could be landsharks out there” Trevor says and Madeline laughs. “Really though, be careful.” He repeats, and looks me dead in the eye. I nod at him but go out anyway.

I walk along the beach, lost in thought. Mostly thinking about how I should be in bed with my boyfriend, and why that feels like the absolute last thing I want to do right now. I’m so distracted by these thoughts that I don’t even notice when I come face to face with an astonishingly tall man. I admit, I’m pretty short as is, maybe only 5’4. But this man is insanely tall. Trevor is the tallest man I know, 6’3, and I bet this man could tower over even him. I silently thank God for giving me Theo, who’s only 5’11.

“Oh s**t. Sorry I wasn’t watching where I was going.” I say to him, and try to step around him. He steps in my path though, and looks me dead in the eyes.

“What’s your name” he says, not really a question, more of a command.

“I’m not exactly in the habit of giving that out to strange men I meet on the beach.” I glare at him. He’s tall, yes, but I’m pretty strong. I have a thin frame, but I work out often and can hold my own. And considering how massive he is, I’m willing to bet I could dodge and outrun him if necessary. That being said, I’ve never been one to back down from a fight.

When the kids at school called Mickey a dyke after she came out, I took on three particularly cruel girls on my own. Gabi’s ex, who manipulated her for months and cheated on her, changed schools after I caught him after school one day. I’ve always been quick to anger, and no one wanted to get in my way when it happened. So I wasn’t afraid of this man. Although the lack of fear wasn’t just due to my bravery… There was an odd feeling of comfort around him as well. I ignored that feeling though, I could analyze it later.

“Smart girl. Well, I’m Hudson. Now we aren’t strangers” He reaches a hand out, offering a handshake. I look him up and down. He’s clearly very strong. Not just big because of his height, but also because of his rippling muscles. His arms are almost bursting out of his t shirt, and one of his legs is probably the size of my entire torso. Well, I’m exaggerating for sure. But you get the picture. He is strong. Strong and handsome, though.

He has dark brown hair that falls in curls over his eyes. It’s in need of a trim, but shiny and looks healthy. His blue eyes are piercing, dark eyelashes hiding them more than I’d like. Looking at his eyes makes me want to never look away. I almost wish I could frame a picture of them, keep it in my room as a piece of art. His skin is tan and smooth, almost looks oily even. He was definitely built by God.

Avalon. You have a boyfriend. Snap out of it. I have to physically shake my head to rid myself of the thoughts clouding my mind. Not just thoughts about what I can see of him, but also thoughts about what I could see if he would just take off his… SNAP OUT OF IT!

I accept his handshake, against my better judgement, and lose myself in thought once more. If this is what just touching his hand does to me, imagine what touching the rest of him could do. “Avalon. And, I have a boyfriend.” I say, partly to remind myself, but also in the hopes that he will be the bigger person and walk away.

“Well, Avalon. Why aren’t you with him?”

“I just went on a walk. I was antsy. And actually I’m heading back right now.” I turn away from him, silently mourning the beautiful face that I’ll never see again, and start walking back to the beachhouse. Which is. A lot farther away than I thought it was. Jesus, how long have I been walking for!

“You aren’t heading back alone. There’s no way in hell” Hudson says and takes stride beside me. It’s a damn good thing I’m fast because Hudson’s steps are probably twice mine. Even with my natural speed, he keeps up easily, and I wonder if he’s actually trying to slow down.

“I can handle myself.” I state firmly, and speed up my pace. This guy may be handsome, but he’s getting on my nerves. He just chuckles at me.

“I’m sure you can. But it’s dangerous at night. Especially for a girl like you.” I stop dead in my tracks, which surprises him. He keeps walking and has to turn on his heel to face me again.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean! The only ‘danger’ I’ve run into is some guy not leaving me alone!” I prepare myself to have to fight him off, refusing to back down even though I know I wouldn’t be able to take Hudson on, even if I am strong for my size.

“Avalon, come on. Just let me walk you back,” Hudson sighs, exasperated. He’s talking to me like he knows me, but I’m sure he doesn’t. I would remember meeting a God like him. I just glare at him.

“Out of my way, asshole.”

Hudson puts his hands up in defeat and moves out of my way, allowing me to walk back on my own. It takes everything in me not to look back at him when he says he’ll see me later, instead I just flip him the bird and keep walking. When I do look back though, he’s gone. I don’t even see his silhouette walking back to his side of the beach. He’s just completely gone.

Good riddance. I say to myself, not admitting that I kind of wish he didn’t give up so easily. My brain says that strange men on the beach are bad news, and I dodged a bullet, but my heart, not even my heart, my entire body, longs for him to be next to me still. It’s odd. I only knew him for a minute and I can’t get him out of my head.

Finally I reach the bungalow again, and look around one last time before I head inside. Hudson is still gone, but I hear a rustle in treeline running parallel to the beach. I head inside and change into my pajamas, a ditsy floral set made of satin with lace edging, and climb into bed with Theo. Before sleep takes me, I hear the faint sound of a wolf howling in the distance.