Page 16 of His Protective Bear

Chapter 8

Hunter

He would not show up, just like he hadn’t the day before and the day before that. Sage had not been to work since my spectacular blunder in the wooing department. I knew because I was there every day, hoping to see him. I suppose the only good thing was I kept getting free food even though it came with pitying looks.

Not that I cared about being an object of pity. As long as Sage knew I was not giving up on him, everyone could see me how they wanted.

Hell, it felt like people were actually showing up to the diner hoping for a chance to get another show. At the very least, I was bringing my soon-to-be—gods willing—in-laws more business.

It also helped that I seemed to have Colin and Seth on my side. They’d promised to speak to Sage on my behalf, which I’d asked them not to do.

The last thing I needed was for my mate to feel like he was being ganged up on by his family.

As I opened the door to the diner, my bear went on alert, and I immediately knew that he was there. Sage had come to work. Fuck I was hoping he would, but I hadn’t actually prepared for him to be here. What did I say to him?

I headed to the counter and took my seat in the furthest corner that was kind of hidden from the rest of the diner. Sage didn’t need to be stared at.

Simon saw me but didn’t come over. But instead, he went the other way. I knew the moment Sage saw me, his whole body stiffened, and his lips pursed.

He stomped over to me, and I put my hands up before he could even speak, Sage was clearly ready for a fight, and I didn’t want to argue with him.

“I just came for lunch, that’s all,” I said.

Sage narrowed his eyes suspiciously like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“I’ll have a cheeseburger, sweet potato fries, and a chocolate milkshake, please.”

Sage looked flummoxed, and I would have chuckled at the deflated look in his eyes, but I didn’t want to fight him. I held nothing against him.

“And a slice of peanut butter pie if it’s available, please. To go.”

Sage grunted and sighed before replying, “Coming right up.”

I smiled, “Thank you, Sage. Have a good day.”

He grunted something that sounded close, “You’re welcome.”

My mate didn’t deliver my food, but I hadn’t expected him to. I thanked Mark and stood to leave. My mate wasn’t two feet away from me, but he didn’t look my way. When I was at the door, I looked back, and he looked up for a second, and our eyes met and held. I tried to convey my sincerity as much as possible, but I wasn’t sure it worked when Sage looked away. I would swear I’d glimpsed confusion and longing in his eyes before he looked away. Maybe it was wishful thinking on my part, but I could swear there was an opening, and I was ready for slow and steady. I was ready for anything Sage needed.

* * *

The end of my shift couldn’t come fast enough, and I was out of the office and on my way home the moment it was over. I got to the ranch in record time, and I hurried up the stairs to the shower, which lasted less than ten minutes. When I was done, I carefully picked out what to wear.

I dressed in dark jeans and a blue Henley that happened to be the shade as Sage’s beautiful blue eyes. I was out of the house and back on the road and on my way to the Matthews ranch in less than forty minutes. I thought about bringing flowers but decided against it. I think it needed to be just me this time. No extras.

The butterflies in my stomach had multiplied driving up to Sage’s house; I knew he was home this time because his Dad told me he would be the one picking up his brother from school and watching him. But because Colin knew I wanted a chance to talk to Sage, he’d offered to be home as well. He was the one that came outside when I arrived, almost as if he’d been keeping an ear out for me.

He was already standing on the porch when I got out of the car. I walked up to him, and we shook hands. I looked towards the house, “Is he here?”

Colin nodded, “I’ll just go fetch him for you.”

“Thank you,” I said.

He inclined his head and disappeared back into the house. I paced back and forth until I caught myself. I needed to calm down, so I walked over to the railing and looked out over the land. I looked out over the porch at the mountains in the distance, covered in snow. The rolling hills surrounding the house showcased the grasses blowing in the wind. I pulled in a deep breath to center myself, allowing the swaying grass to calm me while going over what to say in my head. I couldn’t say how much time passed, but the more time went by, I was sure he wouldn’t come out. I blew out a breath and rubbed the back of my neck. If he wouldn’t give me a chance to talk to him, I wasn’t sure what to do.

I pulled out my phone to text Rhys and ask his advice when my bear suddenly sat up, and a tingle shot up my spine. I didn’t have to turn to know he was there, but of course, I did. I turned around slowly in case I startled him or something.

When I finally lay eyes on him, the I don’t want to be here, but I’m being forced signal was clear. He stood on the porch, barely outside, with his back against the screen door, arms folded defensively. “I don’t know why you’re here, but I already said everything I had to say to you.”

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