Page 11 of True Calling
“Well, just tell him you’re sorry. Humans appreciate apologies, right?” Micah asked.
“You know your dragon won’t accept his mate leaving like this, Garth. You have to do something.” Bo insisted.
Garth sounded pissed, and his voice was far more gravelly than Berk remembered it being, “I know, gods be damned! I know! I just need time to think.”
Humans? Dragon... mate? And what did they mean about him leaving would mean no one was safe? None of this made any sense at all. This wasn’t a romance novel that Berk loved reading, and always fantasized about living. This was real life and these people were crazy.
Fuck it. Berk didn’t give a shit anyway. These people were nuts. He was out of there.
Just as he was making it to the door, Trevor rushed to him. “Please, don’t leave, Berk. Let’s talk this out. Garth is really sorry for upsetting you and if you...”
“It isn’t just Garth. Yes, he was the final straw in all of this, but it isn’t the only reason I’m going,” Berk said with a tilt of his chin.
Bo blinked, “I don’t understand. Why else are you going? Is it the not being able to cook yet? If you give me a few minutes, I’ll take you to the...”
“No! I don’t get you guys at all. I mean, I really don’t fucking get you.” Berk snapped with a shake of his head. “You act all nice when I get here, and then I’m not worthy of a fucking hello, or talk with when I walk into a room. You guys sneak out, so I won’t follow and think I’m stupid enough to even do it. Fine, you don’t want me to be your friend, so be it. I’m used to being alone. My parents died when I was a kid and I have known lonely for a long time. My first foster families didn’t want me. The other foster kids didn’t trust anyone to be around long enough to be friends with anyone. This wouldn’t be any different. I won’t lie, it kind of hurts, but I get it. I’m just the hired help.”
Trevor quickly tried to speak, “You’re not the...”
“You’re right, I’m not.” Berk hissed. “I can’t be what I can’t do, and it’s the only thing that I can say has ever given me what I need... a purpose! Cooking is my solace... my place of belonging. I was hired to cook. Yet, when I try to go and get what I need to even do that, I’m told I can’t go. Well, fuck that and fuck all of you. I may have my foster parents now, but I remember exactly how it felt to not be wanted from one foster house to another. I know what it is to be pushed aside... but you know what else I know? I know I don’t have to take it anymore. I’m a good person, with an IQ that not only got me graduated early, but to become top in my classes, no matter what was taught. Not wanting me in your little clique is your loss.”
Berk jerked the door open, not even realizing that he had tears running down his cheeks. He barely registered when someone shouted out Garth’s name, before Berk was pulled away from the door and it was slammed in his face.
He was turned to face a very upset Garth. So upset, that smoke was literally coming out of his nostrils, and when Berk looked up and into the man’s eyes, they had become wider, but the pupils were slits... like a lizard or a snake. “What the fuck!” Berk gasped.
Chance, Bo, and Micah rushed forward, “Garth, let him go!” They all shouted at once.
Garth either didn’t hear them, or was ignoring them. Either way, Berk was about to piss or shit himself... if not both. It didn’t help when Berk remembered Micah saying, “Humans like apologies.” And Bo saying Garth’s “dragon” wouldn’t like his friend... no not friend, he’d said mate. “Your dragon won’t accept his mate leaving like this, Garth. That’s what Bo said. Holy shit you’re a dragon... or a shifter... or I’m fucking losing my mind.” Berk murmured, feeling fear like he never had before.
Scales started forming on Garth’s arms and up his neck. Dark red scales...Oh fuck me. I’m gonna die.
“Berk, you need to calm down, sweetie. I know you’re scared right now, but I swear to you, at this moment you are the safest one in this room. However, the rest of us are about to be eaten, if you don’t relax and breathe.” Bo insisted quietly.
Berk gave a nervous laugh, “Safe? How the fuck am I safe with Lizard Man looking at me as if he’s hungry and I’m lunch?”
“His dragon is confused and upset, because you’re upset and trying to leave.” Chance explained just as quietly as Bo. “He won’t hurt you. He’s trying to defend you.”
Before Berk could say anything, there was a knock on the door. Linus hissed out, “It’s the Uber guy.”
“Shit! Micah, pay the man and tell him Berk changed his mind.” Bo rasped quietly.
Micah rolled his eyes, muttering how Garth was going to owe him for this one, then went to the door and opened, it. Pulling out his wallet, Micah said, “Hey there, sorry. We had a misunderstanding earlier and Berk isn’t going to need you. Is a hundred enough?”
“Changed his mind? Berk looked pretty upset.” Mark stated, sounding as if he didn’t believe a word the man was saying.
“Family squabble. How about two hundred?” Micah asked, trying to hand him the bills.
Shaking his head, Mark said, “I want to hear it from Berk and I’m not leaving until I do, and if that doesn’t happen, I’m calling the cops.”