Page 25

TWENTY-ONE

I was determined to take Stacia anywhere she wanted to go. Movies, dinner, comedy show. Anywhere but an ice rink because of her aversion to the cold. Instead, she wants us to ‘Netflix and chill,’ so we can get to know each other in a comfortable setting.

If I was in any doubt that she was perfect for me before, consider it officially eradicated.

“So, what movie do you want to watch?” I ask her, slightly distracted by her presence in my bed. She looks so cozy and secure, like she’s meant to be between my sheets. I cough slightly and shake the thought from my head.

“Nuh uh.” She shakes her head at me. “I decided what we were doing, now it’s your turn. I want to see what you pick.”

I hop in the bed with her before grabbing the remote and looking through my options. “Are you sure you don’t want anything else? Any snacks?”

Stacia waves me off. I enjoy how comfortable she’s been with us since the party she went to with Ciro and Kendall. It causes a warmth to spread through my body, a feeling I’m very foreign to. “No, I’m fine. I have water, and I’m hanging out with you, that’s all I really need.”

God . Don’t tell me that or I’ll fall in love with you.

I try to hide my smile as one of my favorite movies catches my eye. I go to put it on and Stacia’s mouth gapes at the screen. “You did not just put on Flipped.”

I shrug, although I don’t feel any shame. “It’s a classic. I liked the book, too.”

Stacia’s head whips to me. “You like to read?”

“Of course. I’m not like Atlas, but if I find one that keeps my attention…” I give her a sideways grin. “I hear you’re a big bookworm. Will you tell me about that?”

She swallows slightly, looking a bit nervous. “I love it. I like writing, too. Although I’m less into classics and more into modern day romance. Some would call it Wattpad romance.”

I’m not really sure what Wattpad is, but she seems embarrassed by it. “As long as it makes you happy, who cares what the genre is?”

“Some people are just pretentious, I guess. I’ve gotten, let’s say, hounded about it before. Some people in my class don’t hold the same appreciation for it that I do.”

I feel the tension first in my jaw, then my teeth grind slightly. “Well, give me their names and you won’t ever be hounded by them again.”

Stacia only gives me a soft smile. “It’s okay, really. Everyone has their opinions.”

“Sometimes opinions are better left unsaid. Especially if they’re malicious on purpose. But I understand.” I give her a support squeeze on her knee. Her eyes track it, and I see her gulp slightly before I retreat my hand. “So, you write, too?”

She rubs her neck awkwardly. “Kind of. Well… it’s my dream to be an author.

That’s what I’m studying. Romance authors aren’t taken very seriously, at least not by my professors.

Still, I enjoy it. I enjoy thinking of stories and scenarios and picturing all the possibilities.

It’s a much needed escape, and I want to be able to one day provide that escape. ”

She looks so happy talking about her art. It brightens me up inside. “Are you working on anything right now?”

“Maybe. I’m just writing whatever comes to mind right now.” She shrugs casually. “Some people want their books to be extraordinary. I just want mine to be fun.”

“Now, tell me more about your music. I only heard a little bit about it the other day and I’d like to know more.”

Now it’s my turn to feel nervous. I’m equally as self conscious about my own passion.

“I play bass in a band, but I hope to produce music more than anything. I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m not made for the center stage. I’d much rather be behind the scenes.”

She gives a soft giggle. “Well, I won’t say that because you certainly look like you’re meant for the spotlight, but I understand not being the most comfortable there. It’s much easier being in your safe place with your art, I agree.”

“Oh, I look like I’m meant for the spotlight?”

She blushes and playfully slaps my shoulder. “Don’t make me say it.”

I won’t. This time .

She glances up at me, her eyes sparkling. “I’d love to see you play.”

The idea makes my stomach flip. I normally don’t let the guys come to my band’s gigs because I feel a bit ashamed. But the way she’s looking at me with such sincerity, I’d throw out that rule in a heartbeat.

“Okay. Soon, perhaps.”

We sit for a few moments in silence, watching the scene where Bryce throws away the eggs gifted to him by Juli.

“You’re not how I expected you to be,” she says suddenly.

I arch a playful brow at her, rubbing my thumb over hers. “What? Mumbling and moody?”

Her laughter is bright, sparkling. I want to be the cause of it, always .

“Exactly. I mean, Ciro told me you weren’t like that with them, but I wasn’t expecting to see your real side so soon.”

“There’s no reason to hold back,” I say candidly. “I’ve held off on relationships because I believed I would find a scent match. Some would say that was just hopeful thinking, but I knew my match was out there. I don’t have to pretend with you, and I wouldn’t want to anyway.”

I see the wheels turning in her mind from my words. Stacia is a beautiful person, but I see the same darkness there that plagues me. We hold the same demons, whether or not we speak about them.

“Why do you hold back? With others?” She diverts.

I shrug, trying to supply some casualness while thinking of things long in the past. Still, in the spirit of being honest, I answer.

“I don’t necessarily trust others.”

“Oh.” She sits with that. “I think I’m the opposite. I think I’m too trusting.”

I feel a smile tugging at my lips. “Then we can balance each other out a bit. Teach each other something.” That leaves her smiling too.

Then she moves, boldly wrapping my arm around her before settling her head on my chest. I relax in her embrace, letting our bodies meld into the covers comfortably.

“Did you have a rough upbringing?” Her quiet question is almost inaudible against my shirt.

I awkwardly rub my head with my free hand. Talking about my family is not my favorite pastime, but for her I’d sit through any discomfort.

“My mom left when I was a baby, so it was just my dad and brother. They were really close and had a lot in common, so I always felt like the odd man out. Real manly men, you know? Bordering on toxic .” I swallow hard.

“I was a sensitive kid, never really understood the notion of holding in your emotions or pretending everything was okay. Not until my father forced it into me.”

Stacia grasped my shirt gently. “What did he do?”

“You don’t need to know the details, baby. It’s over, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

She looks up and meets my eyes, a sheen of emotion in them. “It does matter. Everything that was done to you deserves to be spoken. Have you told anyone about it?” I hold her gaze and shake my head. “Then tell me. Let me hold some of the burden for you.”

I can’t describe the emotions her words stir up in me.

There’s adoration for her compassion. Hope for our relationship to blossom further.

And more than anything, there’s another feeling.

One that’s way too early to already be present, but it’s there.

Burying itself in the hole of my chest that my blood had left behind.

“You are too good for me,” I whisper. Before she can protest, I continue. “It was mainly verbal at first. Emotional. He’d call me names whenever I was anything less than happy or fake. I don’t have any nice memories of him anymore. They’re all tainted by the bad.”

“And it got worse?”

“He’d only use his fists if I fought back.

And he’d let my brother do whatever he wanted.

I slept with my door locked most nights, especially if they were drinking and wanted to start something.

” These memories sit in a back corner of my mind, stuck behind a locked door.

“That’s why I’m a bit… stoic with others.

Unless I fully know and trust someone, I’d rather not be myself. Just in case.”

The emotion on her face is devastating. “I’m so sorry, Uriah.” She places her hand on my cheek. I lean further into her touch, the comfort grounding me. “Do you still speak to them?”

“Not at all.” I smile again. “I got a job at a music store my freshman year of high school, worked really hard until graduation. I took as many shifts as I could so I could be out of the house. Then, I was offered a scholarship to play hockey here at Bensen. I left and never looked back.”

My boss at my old high school job gave me a lifeline.

He not only gave me an escape, but he introduced me to music.

Ever since, there’s been a passion for it.

A way I could channel the emotions I wasn’t allowed to feel at home.

He was like my real father. I was determined to do something with my life after he helped save it.

She gives me a sad smile. “A true happy ending.”

“That really started after meeting my pack.” And now after meeting you .

The beast inside of me is a freaking sap.

“I was going to ask! You don’t seem like the type for fraternities. Why did you join Alpha Xi?”

“I was looking for brotherhood.” I try not to let my voice crack. “The universe answered my prayers with that one. I couldn’t have found better pack mates.”

“You’re just a disguised softie, huh?” Her teasing eyes gleam with amusement.

I guess I don’t hide my emotions as well as I thought.

“Oh, shush. I bet you feel the same way about your best friend. What’s her name?”

She beams at the mention of her friend. “Rory. She moved to town our senior year of high school. We hit it off immediately, decided to apply to the same college, and the rest is history.”

“I’m really glad you found someone that understands you like that. It’s special.”

“It is. I’m glad you did, too. It’s like everything landed exactly where it’s meant to.”