Chapter 24

I watch as Cleo leaves the clearing, and wonder what I should do. I don’t know if I should speak to him, or try to sneak away.

Brian decides for me, turning slightly in my direction and saying, “You don’t have to hide now.” A little embarrassed at witnessing such a private moment, I take a few tentative steps forward.

“I’m sorry.” I say quietly. And then feel stupid because he shouldn’t be able to hear me. But he answers before I can do anything else. “I hear you… and don’t be sorry. I should have done that a long time ago.”

He gathers the rest of his things and then goes to sit on a small bench beside the water. I follow and sit beside him. “You can hear me? Why?” I’m only slightly surprised, but want answers anyway.

He doesn’t have any for me. “I don’t know. I don’t really care, but I appreciate it. Your voice is lovely.” I blush a little, and he looks at me and laughs.

“Don’t get too excited. I’m sorry, but I just don’t feel that way about you.” I smile back at him, “Oh I know. And it’s ok. Why did you break up with Cleo?”

“She vapid and selfish. And just really not that interesting.” He says the last part with a slight chuckle. “She was pretty good in bed though.” He looks at me, grinning to see if he had the reaction he wanted.

I cover my eyes and laugh. “Ew, too much information! So is there someone else you’re interested in, then?”

He’s quiet for a moment, and then sighs. “Yeah, there is.” He seems hesitant, so I try to reassure him. “You can talk to me if you want to. You’ve always been kind to me, even though your brothers haven’t”

“I’m sorry they’re so awful to you. I wish there was something I could do, but they wouldn’t listen even if I said anything.” He takes a deep breath, and continues. “Lily. I find her fascinating.”

I blink at him, not at all surprised by his admission. “Yeah, she’s pretty great, isn’t she?” He seems surprised by my lack of concern. “She is. She’s so full of light and energy. I’ve been trying to capture that on paper, but I haven’t figured it out yet.”

“I’m sure you’ll get there. You’re incredibly talented and there’s nothing you can’t do. Are you going to tell her?” I’m watching his face, and see his forehead crease.

“I don’t know how to.” This I’m surprised by since he could have his choice of women if he wanted to. “Sure you do.” I say to him, and he looks at me in confusion.

“Just talk to her. Tell her how you feel. I promise you, it will go well.” I grin at him and wink, knowing how Lily feels about him.

“You think?” He asks, almost shyly. “Yep!” I say brightly, excited at the potential between them. He laughs and relaxes. “Well, I guess I have no more excuses then, huh?”

We laugh together for a bit, and then just sit and chat for awhile. The tension that I had built up over the past few months eases some, and I’m pleased to find that I have another friend in the house aside from Armand.

Over the next few weeks, Brian and I fall into a routine. Every day I run, mostly as a wolf, and he sketches in our spot by the creek while I do. When I’m finished we sit and talk for awhile, opening up about all kinds of things.

I slowly begin to realize, and I think he does too, that we are good friends and that we have begun to rely on each other. He opens up to me about the pressure of being the king alphas son, and his feelings for Lily.

I tell him about my feelings for his brothers, including him, and how frustrated and hurt I am by his brothers. We don’t have to fix each others problems, we just find peace in being able to share them with each other.

We go on like this for a few weeks, and I find that I count on our daily talks and my daily runs. I stop thinking about the runs as a way to loose weight, but instead, something that makes me feel like normal for a little while.

One day after school, as I’m leaving, I run into Cheney and his ex-girlfriend, Maggie, arguing in the doorway. They have the way out blocked and I pause, unsure of what to do.

Cheney realizes I’m standing there and comes towards me, grabbing me around the waist and planting a huge wet kiss on my mouth, after a moment pushing his tongue into my mouth as well.

Completely caught off guard, I don’t fight back, and fall into him, allowing him to deepen the kiss. His stance changes, and what I first thought was just a kiss to make his ex mad, turns into something more serious.

My hands find the back of his head and weave themselves into his hair. He crushes my body into his, and I feel him become rigid against me. I feel him swell with desire, and the shock of it brings me back to my senses.

I push against his shoulders, gently, trying to pry myself away. He feels this and pulls back, his face an array of emotions. He looks down at me, passion and confusion fighting across his features.

He comes back to himself, and he pushes me back, his eyes still on mine. He watches me, forgetting that Maggie is there. “What the fuck Cheney??” She screams, making herself known to us.

I jump and turn towards her at the same time as she throws something in our direction. Hot coffee scalds my face and arms. I scream and back into the wall behind me, wiping frantically at the burning liquid.

I hear Cheney cry out a violent curse, “Damn it Maggie! You crazy bitch!” He moves as though he’s going to shove her, but at the last minute stops himself. She looks afraid as he looms over her.

“Get the fuck away from me. I don’t ever want to see your face near me again.” He speaks with a low growl, that I can almost feel. His tone scares me, and its not pointed in my direction. I can only imagine how Maggie feels as she flees down the hallway.

He turns back to me, a look of concern on his face. He grabs my hand and pulls me into the closest room. It happens to be the music room, and he sits me down on the piano bench.

He digs in his bag and pulls out a hoodie, handing it to me. “Here, you can use this to dry off. It didn’t burn you too bad did it?” I’m shocked by his actions. Cheney has never shown any kind of kindness towards me before, and I’m confused.

“Thank you.” I say quietly, and use the hoodie to wipe away the coffee dripping from my arms, face, and hair, unsure of what to think about this new development.