Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
How do I finish this sentence?
She waves her hand. “You’re making him work for it. We understand. He’s been a bit of a turd lately. Cold feet about mating was his biggest problem, sweetie pie. He deserves this.”
Robert is smiling encouragingly as my eyes bounce between Jase’s parents.
“It’s more than that,” I say, “Um…when I explain why I’m here you might want to promptly throw me out. And if you do, that’s perfectly all right.”
Val frowns. “Come on in and let’s talk about it.”
As soon as we’re deeper inside, she waves us down the two steps to the sunken family room where Sherry lays on a couch, eyes on her phone, earbuds in. She looks up and pulls her earbuds out, eyes bouncing between me and Stacy.”
Sherry is never less than put together. But here she is in sweats with a falling-down messy bun.
“Hi Sherry,” Stacy greets, holding out a gift bag with the little bouquet of flowers. “I brought you some treats.”
“What for?” Sherry asks, looking annoyed, not accepting the gift, leaving Stacy hanging.
And busted. Because Stacy called and texted and here Sherry is with her phone in her hand.
“Just… I was thinking about you. I wanted to stop by and say hello. You know… see how you’re doing.” Stacy sets the flowers and the gift bag on the coffee table.
“I’m not really up for company, which… just sayin’… not answering should’ve been your first clue. And what’s she doing here?” Sherry looks at me like I’m something the cat dragged in. Her nostrils flare and she makes a face of distaste.
“I’m here to talk to you about something,” I say.
“Me? You’re here to talk to me? Don’t you mean rub my nose in the fact that you got what you want and I got what I deserve?”
“No. Not at all, Sherry,” I say with as much kindness as I can muster despite the fact that as usual, she’s so fucking rude.
“I’ll make coffee,” Val says and rushes back up to the foyer which leads to the short staircase to the kitchen, which looks down on the family room.
“I made some carrot cake. You gals want some?” Robert asks.
“No thanks,” I reply. “I’m good.”
“I’d love some,” Stacy says.
“Glad to hear it. Carrot cake’s good for twins, I hear.”
“I think everything is, based on my appetite,” Stacy quips.
“Bailey? Carrot cake is one of your favorites, isn’t it?” Robert asks.
“Oh yeah, but I’m not hungry. Thanks anyway.”
“I remember you bought mine from the library bake sale last summer.” He waves a hand. “And the summer before that. I’ll get you a slice. And I’ll make another cake and squeeze it into Jason’s freezer, so it’ll be there when you two move over there.”
“Their freezer is full,” Valerie calls from the kitchen. “There’s already one or two in there. But if you run low, let us know and we’ll send more food over. I have casseroles up the wazoo in the freezer, so I can load you up.”
My face goes hot and I swallow down a lump of guilt. “You really don’t need to go to any trouble for me. I’m… I’m sorry to say this, but I’m contesting Jase’s right to claim me. I’ll explain when Val comes back.”
“Valerie!” Robert bellows. “Hurry it up!”
“Sheesh Robbie, I’ve got ears,” Val says leaning over the kitchen railing.
“Obviously, you do, honeybee. I nibbled on one of ‘em ten minutes ago and don’t think I nibbled it clear off.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ll come down. Coffee’s on.” She appears a moment later. “You’re contesting Jason’s right to claim you? You mean beyond making him wait with that witchcraft thing?”
“Legally. I’m putting together a petition that requests that females have the ability to contest an alpha’s right to claim them before the mating. I thought I’d ask Sherry for a victim impact statement to help the cause.”
My eyes bounce to Sherry and she’s glaring at me like I’m something she scraped off her shoe. “Let me get this straight…” is how she starts.
Shit. I really should’ve thought this through.
“You’re comparing what I went through with Wyatt to Jase being stuck with urges he can’t control that means he actually thinks he wants you? How fucking insulting can you be, Bailey?”
“I’m–”
“You don’t deserve a guy like Jase,” Sherry spits, “And you never did. But especially not now that you’d compare him being compelled by Fate to claim you to Wyatt fucking Meadows.”
Jase’s parents stare at me with shock.
I grasp my temples. “That came out wrong. I’m not comparing the two. I’m saying that if a female doesn’t want to be claimed by an alpha for whatever reason, she should have a choice.”
“You’ve wanted Jason to notice you since you hit puberty,” Val says, seeming hurt. “And now that you know you two are meant to be together, you plan to do this? I know you’re upset that he was no choir boy before he identified you, and I can relate.”