Page 25 of Something Real with the Sea Monster (Kraken Cove #3)

TWENTY FIVE

Tegan

I make it all the way to a truck stop outside Kiama before I let myself think about what I’m actually doing.

I’m running away from the one guy who is supposed to love me forever.

Fated mates has to mean something, right?

Only does it work like that? Just because there’s some mystical force bringing us together, does that mean he’s not going to break my heart just like all the other guys I’ve dated before him?

The sky is a foul black color, and everyone on the road seems like they’re in a rush. At least three people cut me off trying to overtake on places where there wasn’t enough room.

I pull over, making a wonky park at the rest stop behind the gas station, next to an enormous campervan. I don’t need fuel. I need a hug and a good cry, but instead I lean forward, resting my forehead on the wheel and shutting my eyes. I’m not going to cry now.

I’ve come three hours and almost three hundred kilometers. Why now?

The tears sting the back of my eyes and tighten my throat anyway, despite my best intentions.

I left. I’m the one ending things this time. So why does it still hurt so much?

After a while I lift my head and wipe my eyes. I know what I need. I need a ridiculously large energy drink and an equally big bag of candy and to drown myself in ten bottles of tequila when I get home.

OK, skip the tequila. I’m still detoxing. But I’m not skipping the candy.

I march into the gas station and pluck the largest bag of jelly snakes off the shelf and take it to the counter. As I hand over my shopping, there’s a loud crack of thunder from outside and the lights blink out for a second. A satyr behind me in the line lets out a little surprised gasp.

Brilliant. Now I’ll be driving the last hour and a half through torrential rain as well. It’ll probably take me twice as long. I definitely need that burst of caffeine from the energy drink.

The first drops of rain start to fall as I’m heading back to my car, and I hurry, jogging to the car and fumbling with my key to get the door open. My hair is a frizzy mess by the time I slam the door shut behind me.

I sigh. Is there anything else that could possibly go wrong for me today?

A buzz from my pocket interrupts my thoughts, and I fish my phone out to reassure Mia that I’m OK. But when I check my screen, it’s not Mia.

I knew I should have blocked his number. Of all the times Mark could have picked to message, today would have to be the worst.

Mark: hey babe. How have you been? Listen, I’m really sorry about the way things ended and I wondered if we could talk?

I dismiss the message and shove my phone back in my pocket, wishing I could shove down the thoughts of my ex so easily. I know he’s a dick, and I know it’s a dick move to apologize now, but I also know I’m feeling tearful and sorry for myself and liable to make bad decisions.

I’m not going to call him. That would be a mistake. I mean, unless I want to hear him apologize to me in person, which I kind of do. That would be nice.

Shaking my head, I turn the key in the ignition, expecting the hum of the engine. Instead there’s a choking noise and then nothing.

Rain splatters on the windscreen.

I turn the key again.

Nothing.

Crap.

One more try and this time there’s not even a faint chugging sound.

Great. My car is dead along with my love life, and I’m stuck here at a gas station in the rain for god knows how long until I can get someone out to help me.

Pulling out my phone again, I try searching for the NRMA’s number, but even the internet is down, so all I get is a frozen loading bar and one bar of reception.

I’m staring at the screen wondering what the fuck I do now, when another message pops up from Mark : Stacey left. She moved out yesterday

Oh, so that’s why he’s messaging.

Well you know what? Maybe now is the perfect time to call Mark. Maybe venting my frustration on someone who thoroughly deserves it is exactly what I need.

I dial the number before I have time to think any more about it. He picks up after only two rings.

“Tegan, I’m so glad you called. How are you?”

“How am I? Well actually, I’m having a shitty day. Thanks for asking. I’m surprised you care, given how you ghosted me for weeks while Stacey actually wanted you.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I thought I should give it a shot, you know? For the kids.”

“The kids?” My mouth drops open. “You have kids? And you never thought to mention that before now?”

“Yeah, I mean no. I dunno. I didn’t want to worry you with that. It’s not like it sounds.”

“Oh, so you just didn’t think they were important? Or maybe you thought I’m not important.”

Mark says something, but it’s broken up and distorted by terrible reception, and I don’t catch it.

“Which is it?”

“Sorry, Tegan, you’re breaking up.”

I hold my phone up and shout at him again. “Fuck you!”

“—orry. I can’t—”

With a growl, I throw the car door open and launch myself out into the rain, not caring that I’m soaked within moments; big fat drops plopping on my head and shoulders. This time I scream into the phone. “I said you’re such a dick. Were you just calling because you thought you’d get sympathy here?”

“—can’t hear you.”

I lift the phone away from my ear in frustration. Now I can’t even yell at Mark? “What the hell, universe?”

I’m so mad I don’t look carefully where I’m going.

I spin, intending to storm back to my car to sulk until the rain clears, but I step right into a patch of mud.

My foot slips out from under me, and I land on my ass with a splash and a squelch.

My butt is soggy. My hair is plastered to my head, and my phone is lying somewhere in a puddle of water next to me. Not that it was any good to me anyway.

“Great. Just fucking great. Is there anything else?” I shout up at the sky.

Then something wraps about my middle, and I glance down to spot a glowing purple tentacle lift me and gently set me on my feet. “You looked like you could use a hand or, um, a tentacle.”

I brush his tentacle away and spin to see Jack standing there in the ruins of a good pair of jeans, his brown hair even darker with water and dripping into his eyes. He’s glowing so brightly in the dim light, I can’t believe I never even noticed before.

I don’t know if I want to throw myself into his arms or throw mud in his face or both. “What the hell are you doing here?” I snap.

“I thought that should be pretty obvious. Fishing you out of puddles.”

I glare at him. “Well I never asked you to.”

He shrugs. “You don’t have to.”

There’s a pause. I’d like to shout at him, but my teeth are chattering and every moment I stand here looking at him my anger is leaching out along with all my warmth. “I mean it,” I say, but it comes out all soft and pathetic. “What are you doing?”

“Seeing if there’s anything I can do that might one day make up for what I did? I know I was a dick. I’m sorry. If it makes you feel better, I’ll sit here in the mud with you, but I’d rather take you somewhere we can find a long hot shower and something to eat.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “I’m still mad at you.”

“Fair.”

I glance down at my phone in the puddle and then at my useless car. Then I sigh. “But I could use some help, so I’m going to take you up on that, but just know I’m still mad, and I’m gonna be mad for a long time.”

“Noted. You’re allowed to be mad for as long as you need, but I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk to me about it.”

“You’re a stubborn prick, aren’t you?”

He nods. “So my brothers tell me. I like to think I’m just persistent.”

I stoop to pick up my phone, but he beats me to it, scooping it up with the tip of one tentacle and passing it to me.

“Come on. My truck is parked over there. Let’s get you out of the rain. I drove past a hotel about five minutes up the road that was advertising vacancies.”

I shiver. “Fine, but I’m not getting out of the shower until I’ve used up all the hot water.”