Page 24 of Can't Be Love

“Yup, she hates me,” I admitted.

“She doesn’t hate you, Thomas,” Mary jumped in to defend her daughter.

“The thing is,” I said, “I don’t even know why. She doesn’t even know me. Was I that terrible to her as kids?”

Mary and Jason shared a concerned look.

“Oh, dear, it’s not that. It’s, well, it’s probably best that she explains her reasoning. In truth, we think you’ve just always been the scapegoat she’s channeled her anger towards.”

“That’s what I don’t understand. I can’t even remember the last time I saw her. I couldn’t have been more than fourteen, maybe younger even.” That was the part that had bothered me so much.

Jason clapped a hand on my shoulder. “That’s really the problem, now isn’t it?”

“Huh?” I asked, not really following.

“Did you know that Lily has gone to Collier nearly every year for the annual vigil since Maddie’s disappearance?”

I shook my head. I didn’t know that. “Not really. I knew she had been to some, but I had stayed as far away from there as possible.”

“That’s the point,” her father said. “You weren’t there, and the rumors of the harem of women you were entertaining instead certainly helped contribute to your specific title.”

I was stunned silent, trying to process everything they had just said—and what they hadn’t. Lily thought I had abandoned my family in their time of need. Had I? I couldn’t evaluate it in that moment, and so did what I always did, and shoved the thought into a box to meditate on later. That was a big one, but it explained a lot.

How was I going to reverse nearly nine years of pent-up anger and speculations in just one week?

“Well,” I said aloud. “I guess I have one week to change her opinion.”

Mary’s full smile reached all the way to her eyes. “That’s the attitude! Now remember, Lily is a romantic at heart.” I cringed and Mary smacked me in the arm. “I’m serious here, so pay attention. She’s always been in love with the idea of her one true mate. That’s you, so use it to your favor.”

“She’s also fiercely loyal and protective of those she cares about, and that very much includes your sister. If you haven’t settled things yourself with Maddie, you may want to start there,” Jason added.

“Okay, that was already on my to-do list,” I admitted, trying to make a mental note of all the tips they were giving me. “Why are you telling me this?” I wondered aloud.

“Simple, because you’re her one true mate,” Mary said, looking at Jason with glassy eyes. “You are what’s best for her. God makes no mistakes in that. That also means she’s what’s best for you. It won’t be easy, our Lily-girl loves hard, but she also could use some taming. Her father has spoiled her for years, and she gets away with too much.” I chanced a look at Jason, who just shrugged and smiled, not even bothering to deny it. “No filter on that one, so often whatever she’s thinking pops right on out of her mouth. That’s not always a bad thing. You’ll always know where you stand with her. You just might not always like it.”

“We’re rooting for you,” Jason whispered as we heard the girls coming back down the stairs.

“Ready?” Lily asked as she walked into the room. She had changed into tight skinny jeans and a blue T-shirt that highlighted her eyes. It was more casual than anything I’d seen her in, and she looked stunning. My mouth went dry and I couldn’t speak, only nod.

We said goodbye to her family as Jason shook my hand and wished me good luck. I loaded three suitcases and two overnight bags into the back of her car and offered to drive. She seemed to hesitate, but conceded, handing over the keys.

She was quiet on the drive to the airport, staring out the window, lost in her own thoughts. I longed to hear what she was thinking. Maybe someday, if I were lucky enough, we’d have a bond strong enough for that.

The Collier plane was waiting at the small airport at the bottom of the mountain. She raised her eyebrows at me, but didn’t ask. I retrieved our bags from the trunk, wondering, not for the first time, if she was already planning to stay for more than a week. Dropping them off to be loaded, I led her over to the plane.

As we headed up the stairs I muttered under my breath, “Collier may not be as prestigious as Westin, but we do well enough. It’s not just some little hick pack.”

Lily turned quickly, almost knocking me backwards as I grabbed for the bars and she grabbed for me. “I would never call it a hick pack, Thomas. I love Collier.”

Her vehement tone threw me for a loop. “You looked surprised to see the plane. I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“You’re right, you shouldn’t have,” Lily spat back before storming up the stairs. She took a calming breath and sat down. “At first I expected to see a Westin Foundation logo on the side, but realized it wasn’t one of ours, It wasn’t that I thought Collier couldn’t afford a plane or anything, I just didn’t realize you had one. You and Maddie always flew commercial. So yes, I was surprised to see the plane.”

I rubbed my temples, realizing how very little I knew about my mate.

“I’m sorry. I’m very proud of my Pack and all we’ve accomplished. We may not have all the luxuries you’re used to at Westin, but we have enough, and everything we need,” I said.

Lily softened and reached for my hand. “Thomas, I’m an Alpha’s kid, too. I’m not as pampered and sheltered as you seem to think. Spoiled, yes, I’ll admit that, but not sheltered. I’ve visited many Packs. I know what a hick pack looks like, and Collier definitely isn’t that. Besides, Sydney’s store is amazing. That place alone elevates Collier above Westin even. I have to drive an hour to get labels like that.”

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