Page 17 of A Broody Mate for the Human

I smile in relief at his words. Seems like Matthew is finally taking him out on an actual date. Dave should sound happy, but I don’t miss the hint of nerves in his voice. Almost like he feels insecure. “Is everything alright?” I ask carefully.

Dave needs a bit too long to answer. “Yes. Let’s catch up soon.”

Chapter seven

The Fair

*DAVE*

Iroamthroughmywardrobe, growing more and more annoyed with every passing minute. For the first time in my life, dressing for a casual date seems like a chore. I’ve settled for a pair of jeans, but the problem is my choice of T-shirt. I wanted to wear my blue one, but glancing into the mirror, it’s pretty tight, and I wonder if it looks too… gay.

Matthew doesn’t seem to like it when I look like that.

I wince at my own thoughts. Fuck, what am I even doing here!?

Unwillingly, my thoughts wander off to my friends, to those who found their mates in particular. Annie and Liam… it was love at first sight. They both instantly accepted the mate bond and tried to understand each other. He was so sweet and respectful towards her. Dante and Ella… were more guarded towards each other, but that’s because they were both severely hurt and were scared of losing yet another person. They were never disrespectful, though.

Celine and Marius are a different story. He was a shitty mate at first, but he also was clearly traumatized. He never crossed a certain line, though.

Is Matthew crossing a line? Is he traumatized and acting from a place of hurt like Marius did?

I don’t know.

I groan in frustration, grabbing a shirt with a dancing pony on it and throwing it on. At least this one looks funny and fits the place we’re heading to.

A compromise.

Something gnaws at my mind though, a tiny voice telling me that I shouldn’t be making compromises about how I dress and what I like, but I shove the thought aside for now.

I take the bus to the fair, putting my earbuds in and listen to music. After a lengthy apology to Ye-Joon yesterday, with him laughing it off like I was being silly, he sent me his newest playlist. It’s a mix of enka, classical Japanese music as he said, and Celtic Bard music. It leaves me equally confused and mesmerized. I try to keep my spirits high and motivated. Matthew is unlike anyone I have dated up to now. I think he just has a hard time accepting I am a human, but maybe he is coming around now?

He agreed to this date after all.

When I step out of the bus, I’m surprised to see him waiting for me already. He is clad in a pair of jeans and a simple grey top, hugging his form nicely and showing the hint of muscles underneath. I swallow slightly. He is hot. There is no denying that. He has sharp cheekbones, full lips, wavy short hair… and a six-pack.

I smile a bit. “Hi. Did you wait long?”

He shakes his head and wordlessly hands me a cup of coffee.

I’m surprised he got something for me. When I take a tentative sip, I notice it’s a caramel latte with quite some sugar. I beam. “Thank you!”

He makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. “I was early and bored anyway, so I got coffee for us.”

Okay, we are off to a better start than the last time. I try to keep my spirits as high as possible, remain positive, and keep the energy up. Maybe I can pull Matthew along that way. “Anything you want to ride today?” I ask and instantly want to facepalm myself. That’s not been suggestive at all, David. Ye-Joon and Jun always laugh at my ability to say the stupidest things in the worst situations.

To my surprise and relief, Matthew doesn’t catch on though. “The rollercoaster,” he says.

“I want to ride that one too,” I muse. “Oh, and they have a new waterslide. You know, where you sit in one of these boats.”

“That one is more for families and little kids.” Matthew grimaces.

“But it’s fun.” I beam. When I notice the look in his eyes, I backtrack. “But we don’t have to do it. I’m fine with rollercoasters.”

“We could also grab something to eat,” Matthew offers.

“As long as you don’t get sick,” I tease. To my surprise Matthew’s lips tug slightly. I haven’t seen him smile until now, so it’s a nice change to see him loosen up a bit.

“You for sure have a big mouth,” he states.