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“Winters,” Dad called.

“Good luck,” I said, watching Allie get up. She didn’t say anything, and she didn’t look in my direction. I wanted to grab her and make her look at me, but, instead, I watched her close the door.

***

Dad went on about respect and gave me a well-performed lecture. My punishment was I had to look after my little brother this weekend which mightn’t sound bad, but it would ruin everything I had planned.

I hated babysitting nearly as much as I hated school.

“Now, Zane, I expect better. Do you understand?” Dad was a lot calmer, and I nodded my head. I was sure I was going to get a headache from all the nodding I’d been doing.

“Yep.” I had my hand on the door. Everything within me wanted to go and see Allie. I needed to know what she was thinking. “I have to get to class, so see you tonight.”

After he nodded his head, I was out of there quickly. Where was she? Would she have gone to class? I walked out the front door and stopped in my tracks. There she was sitting on the steps, head in her hands.

Looks like she hadn’t got far.

"So, are we going to talk about this or are you just going to keep groaning?" I looked down at Allie. She was sitting on the step, groaning and grunting to herself. What was going through her mind I didn’t know. Hell, it might kill her to talk back to me!

"I can't believe this is happening," she groaned, looking up for the first time. Her eyes were wide with terror. "I've always been good! I respect my body, I don't sleep around, and how do I get awarded? I get you!"

"Hey, that's not nice!" She was making me sound like a disgusting piece of dirt or something. I have women falling to their knees. Heck, I'm sure numerous females would die to be my mate. "You could have got someone worse." I crossed my arms.

She grunted, rolling her eyes and dropping her head into her hands.

"What you could have! You could have ended up being mates with that guy who sits at the front of our English class. You know the one, always picking his nose, big eyes, looks like he’s been slapped in the face with a shovel."

She pulled her head up. "Oh my God, and you are VAIN. Of course, you are, look at you." She gestured her hand in my direction. "You are the spitting image of a male god."

I smirked. "Now that's a bit more like it."

"Not a compliment."

"I'm taking it as one."

I looked Allie up and down, and I just couldn't see it. Why did fate think she was my other half? I thought I would get an angel, you know pure and sweet.

"Stop staring at me, or I'll spoon your eyeballs out," she threatened, getting up.

Perfect example right there.Definitely not an angel.

"You know, Zane?" A dangerous look crossed her eyes, and I knew I was in for it before she begun. "You are the most self-centered, heartless jerk I have ever known. Hell, you're the definition of a jerk!"

The school doors opened behind her, and my dad walked out. Allie, however, didn't seem to notice our little conversation had suddenly got an extra pair of ears.

"You,” she poked me in the chest, "Are arrogant, self-absorbed, and are going to ruin my life!"

"Allie, stop." My eyes darted up to my dad who was grinning watching the little brunette rip shreds off me.

"Don't tell me what to do! You don't have any control over me yet," she fumed, and I put my hands up surrendering.

Allie wasn't going to back down, so before she could open her mouth and say one more insult, or worse spill the news about her being my mate, I darted my eyes to dad.

"Hey, Dad, so you're heading home now?"

I watched out of the corner of my eye as Allie stiffened. I hope she was ashamed.

"Yes, I am.” Dad walked down the stairs and stood next to Allie. "I see you and Miss Winters get on.”