Mike jumped up on the step bar and leaned over her to dig behind the seat. He pulled out some clothing.
Chloe watched and creased her brow, “What are you doing?”
“Grayson needs clothes,” he jumped off the truck, “Be right back, California. Don't go getting yourself killed.” He slammed the passenger door and walked off quick.
She waited, but the truck was cold and it left her getting a bit antsy as the minutes passed. Out of curiosity and boredom, she opened the glove box, but found nothing in particular.
“He's such an interesting boy.” She laced with sarcasm, even though it left her with guilt.
Finding some gum, she chose to steal a piece. It didn't feel like snooping, it all just felt like hers. She knew that thought wasn't right though.
Her hand slammed the glove box closed and she looked beside her where his cell phone sat. It would not be a good idea to look through it, but she couldn't help herself. She grabbed it and turned it on. It needed a password and she rolled her eyes.
She thought for a moment, and then put in the code for the gym locker she had of his. It opened the phone and her eyes went wide from her success.
She went to his text messages and saw the first bunch were from Mike. She scrolled through them and then stopped once something caught her eyes.
Mike: Stop thinking about it, Grayson. She's human.
She couldn't help herself and looked to his reply. She wanted to hear his undying outpour of love to his stuffy, womanizing friend.
Grayson: But I can smell him all over her.
Mike: Jeez, Gray. Give it a rest.
Grayson: I can't keep doing this. It's wrong.
Mike: It's wrong to get yourself killed over a human.
Grayson: It's wrong to not. I'd much rather be dead.
Mike: Then just do it. Go change her and see how far that gets you. Not that I wouldn't like to see you try to beat the shit out of Darcy mated. Damn idiot wants me to run Balant's borders again. I don't want to push them.
Grayson: Then don't.
Mike: Thanks, while you're at it with the suicide – self sacrifice – Romeo and Juliet crap; why don't you kill me too? Cause, that's what Darcy will do if I don't push Balant's borders!!
She heard the muffled voices of Grayson and Mike, and threw the phone down on the bench.
Looking up at the same moment, her eyes fell on him. All black jeans and white shirt, but nothing else to protect himself from the freezing weather other than his untied winter boots.
She watched Mike dodge across the lot to his little car after a hand wave.
Grayson stalked over, his thick shoulders hunched, looking pissed. He reached up for the truck door, but hesitated.
She had to admit, the text messages sure had done something to her thoughts. He was in pain, just like her and it made her feel a hell of a lot better. She took a slow breath and then heard the door pop open.
He jumped in and fumbled with his keys.
She couldn't help, but watch him. The white shirt was snug and his jeans weren't much better. His muscles bulged, perhaps from him being shifted.
Her mouth watered and she wanted to slap herself out of it but her large, Wolfboy was still a nice thought.
He turned the truck on and flipped the heat up full blast.
Her body prickled with neediness and she wished her feelings for him weren't so obvious.
“You wait for me?” She swore she heard his molars grind.
“I don't know what I do anymore,” his voice deep, dark and short. He wasn't in a talking mood; that was obvious.
“You seem a bit agitated,” she noted, knowing she might annoy him.
“No idea why,” he grunted and pulled the truck out of the parking lot. It skidded across black ice and he gunned it out onto the highway.
She gripped the door to keep herself from freaking out. On the highway, she relaxed, “I fell asleep in the Library.”
“I couldn't smell you,” he admitted with more annoyance.
Chloe's body stiffened, “You tried to smell me?”
“I was concerned.”
She took a breath; he was pissed right off and more so than any other time before. “You just sit and stalk me all day?”
He snorted, “Oh shut it, Chloe.”
Chloe stared at him, “Hey, I didn't ask for the help, Grayson.” She should have just said thank you and she knew that. She didn't understand why she was pushing him, it really wasn't fair, but it kind of was.
“Well, I sure wish I could just let my mate die. That would make my life a lot easier.”
His words killed her! She cringed and looked away. The overwhelming feeling to beat him and cuddle him; made her insane.
“Why did Bruce do that to me?”
“Because he's an idiot,” Grayson snapped. “And he likely knows Darcy is the new Alpha, which means pissing me off is a lot easier, since I'm not running Tribune or even close to it. On top of that, it's probably general knowledge that my mate is a human and she’s you. Grayson Holtz obsessed with a human, how much more obvious must I make it?”
“So, this is about you?”
Grayson shrugged.
She couldn't look away from him, not the way his muscles moved in the tight shirt, even if she tried to look away, her eyes were back on him in seconds. He was magnetic. It wasn't the right moment to be having heart palpitations for Wolfboy and she knew that more than she wished.
She chewed the gum in her mouth, losing its flavour fast, like most things in her life.
“So, you're pissed at me because I fell asleep?”
Grayson sighed, “No, I'm not mad at you.”
“Well, you really seem like it, Wolfboy. You're all bulgy muscles.”
He tensed, “Can you just stop with the comments?”
She raised an eyebrow, “Fine, don't be a weirdo about it.”
“A weirdo?” he snapped. She heard his knuckles crack as he gripped the steering wheel, “I'm sorry, I didn't realize saving you made me enter the weirdo card... again. Next time, I'll be sure to avoid it.”
“Oh, Grayson!”
He rolled his eyes, “Don't do this right now, Chloe! I've got wolf-brain and on top of it you still smell like some teenage incompetence.”
She smiled and looked away, “Wow. Just drop me off on the road.”
“No, it's alright. I can drive you.”
“No,” she didn't want to deal with her wolf-boyfriend beating up her human-boyfriend. The word boyfriend made her awkward thought, but wasn't that what they both were? Her boy-friends?
“You can suck it up, because I am and you can also start letting me give you rides again.”
That confused her, “Well, what does that mean?”
“Is that not self-explanatory?” he growled.
“Look, I'm being pretty nice right now Gray, so, I think I deserve at least the ass cut out of the hole.”
He sneered, “Fine. You need to stay safe.”
But he said he didn't want her, said he didn't need her!
“Grayson, you said before-”
“I don't care what I said before, Chloe!” His intensity made her want to poke him. Sure, it'd cause her a few moments of biting and swollen lips, but then at least he wouldn't be such a ticking time bomb of frustration.
“You really are worked up,” she noted.
“Worked up?” he snapped. “You almost died.”
Chloe shrugged, it was true. “Luckily, I have a stalker.”
Grayson groaned and rolled his shoulders.
She knew they were about five minutes from home and she still had other things she wanted to bug him about, but more specifically their one night stand.
“So,” Chloe swallowed, “You never said if it was good or not?”
“What?” he creased his brow.
“Us.”
“Excuse me?”
“The... you know.”
“I'm not talking about this, Chloe.” He was being so difficult, sure she had almost been killed, but he had totally come in and saved the day!
“I was just asking a question.”
“A question?” he snapped. “You want me to go back to that day and think about it? I wish I could reverse time and not be so stupid.”
“It would have happened either way, Grayson, don't be so dumb!”
“Yeah, dumb is right,” he grunted.
Her heart sunk, “Why do you hate me?”
He glanced at her and his face softened, “I don't hate you, Chloe. I love everything about you, but I can't be close to you.”
“Yet!” she pointed at him, “You want to start giving me rides again and being my personal bodyguard.”
“I can get my emotions in check.”
“Oh, really?” she made a face, “Emotions in check? Aren't you just a big hormonal wolf by nature?”
“Chloe, never mind, just do whatever you want. I'll transfer schools or something.”
“Which school!” Panic over took her. “We live in the middle of nowhere!”
“I'll drop out then.”
“Oh my god!” she rolled her eyes and looked away, he was infuriating. They stayed quiet, but she couldn't handle it anymore, “What's Darcy doing?”
Grayson shrugged, “I don't know.”
She rolled her eyes, “Yes, you do, Grayson.”
He stared out to the road.
“Is he putting you in danger?” she asked in a soft voice.
“I really don't think Darcy cares,” he laughed.
“Grayson, you're acting weird,” she noted, “None of this is right.”
“What I don't understand is why you don't seem to get it yet!”
“Grayson!” she snapped. “Stop giving up. You obviously care.”
He smiled, “Let's just stop before we're in another dumb argument and you think you're right.”
“You have a lot of nerve. Stop being such a dumb-ass!” She really did want to slap him again and she really felt he deserved it this time.
He pulled the truck into her drive and hit the brakes hard at the front of the house.
She choked on the locked up seat belt and snapped it off, “Bye, Grayson.”
He nodded, “Yep.”
She opened the door, grabbed her purse and climbed out of the truck. The need to escape him overbearing, but the need to touch him – worse. She paused and looked up at him. Her heart fluttered and crushed.
He looked over to her and though he really tried to hold on to his cold shoulder attitude, he failed, “Chloe, I'm...”
The door of the house swung open and Dodge walked out, “Chloe!”
She turned, “Hey.” glancing back to Grayson, but he already had his sights on Dodge, “Bye, Grayson,” she slammed the passenger door and walked towards Dodge. The surfer boy closed the gap between.
“Where have you been?” Dodge put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him.
Chloe sighed, “It's a long story.” She noted the still idling truck behind them and looked over her shoulder to see Grayson leaning forward over the steering wheel, watching.
Dodge had picked up on the competition as well, “Who's that?”
Chloe sighed, “Let's go in the house.” She took his arm, but he didn't move.
“Who is it, Chloe?”
“His name is Grayson.” she whispered, “Let's go, come on.”
Dodge grabbed her and forced her to look at him, “Is that the guy?”
Chloe swallowed, “No, Dodge, never mind.” She heard the truck door open and she rolled her eyes, turning, “Grayson, get back in your truck!”
He stalked over, “Who the hell is this! I knew I smelt something off!”
Dodge made a face, “What?”
“Grayson,” she said through a clenched jaw, “Shut up.”
Grayson glared at him.
“So,” Dodge crossed his arms, “You're the idiot that left her.”
Grayson's eyes snapped to her, “Nice to know you tell little boys about our business.”
Chloe's jaw unhinged, “Walk away, Grayson, now!”
Dodge scoffed, “Why don't you get back in your truck, hotshot and leave my girl out of it.” Dodge was taking no prisoners.
It was going to be an all out till the death sort of thing. Definitely a way to get beat up by Grayson Holtz. She needed to nip it in the butt quick.
“Excuse me,” Grayson's voice big and loud, he wasn't messing around anymore, “Who are you?” his shoulders squared, one thing chimed into Chloe's mind.
Male hormone fest.
Dodge's chest puffed and she almost laughed, they were both being ridiculous!
She stepped between them, “Let's calm down, boys. Dodge, go in the house. Grayson, get in your truck.”
“You're not going in the house with him,” Grayson snapped.
Chloe gripped the front of his shirt and tried to make herself look intimidating, but she was sure, she wasn't. Not to her mate.
“Get it together, Grayson. Get in your truck,” she spat.
He tensed and gripped her hand. She warmed with fuzzy nice feelings that made her thank god she had killed her mother's Chihuahua. She shook her thoughts and pulled her hand from him.
“Get out of here,” she pressed.
Grayson shook his head in reply and looked up to Dodge, “Don't get in the middle of this, you won't finish it.”
Chloe stared at Grayson, “Jeez, Gray! What the hell are you doing!”
Dodge rolled his eyes, “What makes you think she wants anything to do with your womanizing ass?”
“I'm warning you,” Grayson pointed at him, “Watch it, loser.”
“Oh!” Dodge smiled, “Big words. You don't look that tough, man whore.”
Chloe stared at Dodge, not believing the words pouring out of his mouth. “Stop it, Dodge.” She could feel Grayson burning up under her palm. He was about to lose it.
Dodge grabbed Chloe around the waist and hauled her to the front door.
Chloe tried to fight him but Dodge had her inside before she could process a thing.
“Dodge...”
“I don't want that guy to touch you,” Dodge slammed the front door.
“Dodge, you don't understand... just...” She fell out his arms as he turned to her. Chloe swallowed. She heard the truck idling outside, she didn't know what Grayson was doing, but it wasn't what she wanted him to do.
“What's going on?” Dodge questioned.
She brushed her long bangs from her face and sighed, “You really don't even have any idea.”
“He's a loser! Look what he's done to you!”
Chloe closed her eyes, “It's complicated.”
“What!” Dodge yelled, “I'm confused, why am I even here, Chloe! Why did you bring me here, if you've forgiven him or-”
“Dodge!” she snapped, “Why can't you just understand, it's complicated.”
“You're some other person now, Chloe, I don't get it!”
“What do you mean?” that hurt her.
“You let some idiot like that bully you. Why are you worrying about what he's thinking, he left you!”
The front door shot open to reveal Grayson. He walked in, slamming it behind him with a flick of his wrist.
Dodge rolled his eyes, “Can't you take a hint?”
“She's mine!” Grayson laid it down, “You need to back off!”
Chloe scoffed and tried to speak, but Grayson lifted his hand up to silence her. She swallowed, watching his large hand made her throb.
“If you couldn't get it together in California, then that’s your loss,” Grayson snapped. “But I could, and she loves me and I love her. So, before you go flying your yuppie-mouth off, get the story straight. She's mine. She always will be.”
Chloe stared at Grayson; her heart had been hit with a hammer. She wanted to do anything to be with him, anything.
Grayson looked at her, his face was soft and he sighed, “Chloe, I'm sorry, for everything, but I love you and I want you.”
Warmth filled her core like when he'd been with her, kissing her, and holding her close to him.
Dodge crossed his arms, “You're pushy. Maybe, you should let Chloe decide.”
Grayson looked to him and shook his head, “I don't need that type of reassurance. She loves me. Go home.” He turned to her, “You decide what you want, Little and I'll do whatever I need to, whatever you want. Tell me when you get rid of this dumb idiot.” And with that Grayson walked out of the house, the door gently reconnecting to the frame.
She swallowed the lump in her throat.
“What the hell just happened?” Dodge blinked.
“I'm not really sure, but-”
“That guy's a piece of work, he acts like an animal.”
She heard the truck peel off. Stunned was a decent word for her at that moment.
“What's going on, Chloe?” Dodge snapped.
She looked to him and sighed, “I'm sorry, Dodge.”
“For what?” he shot.
She knew he wasn't going to like what she was about to say.
“Please, do not tell me you like him still!”
She sighed, “I do.”
Dodge stared at her, “What the heck, Chloe!”
“Look, Dodge, he hasn't just hurt me, I've hurt him, too, but we still feel this way.”
“I don't know what I'm doing here, Chloe. We used to like each other!”
Chloe felt her heart slipping, “I do like you.”
“No, no.” he shook his head, “Don't do that, Chloe. Give me a break!”
“Fine, I love Grayson Holtz!” The words fell out of her mouth like poison and she watched Dodge cripple from the after affect.