Chapter Ten: 2/2

Shay:

Damn it.

It was one thing to hold Conner or Cody when they cried. It was a whole other thing when other people hugged me.

I didn’t want to cry. I didn’t even feel like I was about to. The second Eileen wrapped her arms around us, my eyes started to well up. When Noah wrapped his arms around us, I couldn’t control the tears.

His head nudged mine, and I cried harder.

Shit.

This guy was going to think I was a mess.

I mean, I am a mess. I just don’t want him to know that.

His hand ran over my back, and it tingled. How could someone have such warm hands?

I couldn’t think about it. I was supposed to meet my match in two days, I couldn’t let this extremely attractive man distract me.

I didn’t realize I leaned my head in his direction until I felt his hand on the side of my head.

My body quickly righted itself.

I cleared my throat a little awkwardly.

“We should probably get going,” I said.

Eileen pulled back, and I didn’t realize until then that Noah already had.

Oh.

I missed his warmth already.

Maybe he really was a Werewolf?

I looked down at the two boys in my arms.

“Come on,” I pat Cody’s butt, and he giggled.

The two of them moved back, and I watched as Cody wiped at his eyes.

I was thankful that he was able to recover so quickly.

“Are you sure?” Eileen asked, “You can still hang out here for a bit.”

Damn, that’s right. I already forgot about Andre and Deidra.

My brother and Jody’s older sister.

I guess life was funny that way.

If everything worked out, we were going to be sisters.

My gaze went down to Conner.

He squinted at me, then he nodded.

Well, I guess we’re staying longer.

“I’m going to put on a movie,” Eileen said, “So the boys can focus on that, so I can get some cleaning done.”

I nodded. I don’t mind helping.

“I should go,” Noah said.

“Really?” Eileen asked, “You can’t stay a little longer?”

He shook his head, “A certain somebody is blowing up my phone.”

He did seem like the type to have girls all over him.

My gaze lingered on him, and I knew I shouldn’t, but I feel like I need to keep talking to him.

“It was nice to meet you, Noah,” I said.

He smiled lightly, “It was nice to meet you too, it’s a wonder we haven’t met until now.”

He had a point. I came here all the time.

I barely even knew that Eileen had a brother at all.

“What’s the saying?” I asked, “Two ships passing in the night?”

He chuckled, and I thought it was the best sound, “Yeah, that fits.”

“Until next time then,” I said.

Was I acting too weird? I felt like I was.

“Until next time,” he said.

He grabbed his black leather jacket, and I swear my body reacted as I watched him pull it on.

Noah hugged his sister.

“I’ll see you later,” he said.

“By Connor, Cody,” he said, “Shay.”

His eyes met mine, and I didn’t want him to leave.

“Noah,” I breathed.

He turned and left.

Noah:

My phone kept going off.

I knew I didn’t have a choice, I had to leave.

Baird could see my vitals, and he was in his own kind of way, was freaking out.

I didn’t want to leave her. I didn’t want to look away.

When she said my name the last time, I felt a sharp pain in my shoulders.

The further I was away, the better I felt.

I remember when Eileen told me that it was painful being around her mate Brian.

It was still strange to me, though. We grew up with Brian, but it was like her body didn’t know Brian was her mate until she hit puberty.

When did the pain finally go away?

Would it always feel like this being around her? What if it only gets easier to deal with, but never really goes away?

Thinking about it worried me. I didn’t know if I could live like this forever.

I did notice that the pain would go away when I touched her.

That was something to find out for sure.

My phone went off again, and it kept buzzing.

I glanced at the screen to see that Baird had given up trying to text me.

He was calling me now.

I took in a large breath before I answered.

“Hello?” I asked.

“What could you possibly be doing that is causing such a strange reaction?”

I didn’t think he would cut right to it.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

I knew I couldn’t play dumb. Baird knew better.

“Noah,” he said, “You spoke to her.”

How the fuck did he know that?

“Your vitals only fluctuate like this when a change is about to happen.” Baird said, “Or when you are around her.”

“I haven’t been around her very much,” I stated, “So how could we have a good read on the numbers for that?”

“I can tell that you have yet to change,” he said, “I am looking at your readings right now.”

I glared at the ground as I walked.

“Does she know who you are?” he asked.

“Does she know that I am a Devil?” I asked, feeling frustrated “Does she know that I am her match?”

“Yes.”

“No,” I frowned “She doesn’t.”

“Did you pursue her after you left?” he asked.

“No, Baird,” I growled, “I left before her.”

He was silent.

“You can ask Steven,” I said, “If you don’t believe me.”

“I believe you,” he said, “I have to ask these questions.”

I only nodded. I didn’t have anything else to say to that.

“I feel like I need to reschedule your interview,” Baird stated.

I felt angry. So angry, my whole body started to shake.

“Calm yourself, Noah,” he said, “I said I feel like I need to, not that I am.”

“Then why say it at all?” I demanded.

“Do you have any idea how serious this is?” Baird asked.

I’ve never heard him sound angry before.

“I get that,” I said, “I ran into her, I didn’t go looking for her.”

“You know the rules,” Baird said, “Get back here. Now.”

“I have to work tonight,” I stated.

“Call out,” Baird said, “I do not care what you have to tell them, you are not going.”

Fuck.

“Do you really want there to be marks on me when I meet her there for the first time?” I asked.

I was hoping that I could get out of the punishment I knew I was about to get.

“Do not act like either of us has a choice,” he said, “Get here now.”

I was about to respond, but he hung up.

Fuck.

I think I was about to have a panic attack.

It’s been years since I’ve been punished like this.

I didn’t think staying to talk to her would lead to this.

Shit.

I stared down at my phone, debating whether or not to let Eileen know. No.

If I say anything, she will feel guilty. It was my choice to stay, I will own that.

I searched for my boss’s name, and I took in a shaky breath before I pressed on the number.