Page 18 of Coming Home

“I think the boys are in their last class of the day. Why don’t we head over to the school and surprise them,” she said.

“Sure, let me just change first.”

“No, please. You look so handsome in your uniform. Let me show you off first.”

I smiled and nodded. I would do anything for her, even though I was pretty certain I smelled after two days straight of traveling and no shower. I didn’t mention that though. I was tired to my bones, but I could hold off sleep a little while longer to put a smile on my brothers’ faces.

Mom insisted on driving us herself and holding on to my arm as I escorted her into the school. It was so surreal and hard not to think back to my first day of seventh grade walking into the building. Too many memories lurked around every corner.

I plastered a grin on my face and mentally reminded myself it was all for Mom.

We stopped first at the office as she proudly introduced me around as if I hadn’t grown up knowing pretty much everyone there. They had either been working the same job when I went to school there, or the younger ones were all people I’d attended with. In a town like Collier, everyone knew everyone. Still, I smiled and greeted each of them.

“The boys are both in English right now, just down the hall, third door on the left,” the receptionist told us. “You can just go on down and surprise them.”

“Thank you,” I said.

Once in the hallway I asked Mom, “Do the twins even know I’m here?”

She shook her head. “No. It’s been hard enough on them. I didn’t want to get their hopes up until I knew for certain you were here. I know how plans can change in a hot minute in the military.”

Guilt punched me in the gut knowing the truth was that each vacation home that I had planned, I’d chickened out and went somewhere else while blaming it on the army. I wouldn’t even be here now if I had been given any other choice.

Mom knocked and opened the door. “Hi, sorry to interrupt, but we’re springing Troy and Will a little early today.” She giggled as she pulled me into the room.

I barely recognized the boys as they jumped up and ran towards me, both throwing their arms around me.

“Ben!” Will yelled.

“You’re actually home!” Troy exclaimed.

Much to my surprise, I had to calm my wolf. He was getting very agitated and the hair on the back of my neck was standing up. I had heard about post-traumatic stress syndrome and the symptoms, but I’d never expected to experience them myself, especially in a room full of pre-teens.

Then I smelled it, or rather, her. The familiarity of her scent nearly bowled me over. My eyes darted around the room, landing on the teacher up front. I had to blink a few times before reality registered. Shelby.

Mine,my wolf growled in my head.What the hell?

Shelby

Chapter 7

I stood there in shock, my pulse racing, my jaw probably touching the floor, as I fought a dizzy spell taking over. Ben Shay was standing in my classroom. My eyes saw him, but my heart was in disbelief. I rubbed my eyes a few times and tried to slow my breathing. I was on the verge of passing out from hyperventilating.

Our eyes locked and my skin began to crawl.Mine,my wolf said clearly in my head.

“Ms. Shelby, are you okay?” Caroline asked, jolting me back to reality.

I was standing in front of my class. I could not—no, I would not faint in front of them. I managed a convincing smile even though it felt foreign on my lips. “I’m fine, sweetie. Troy, Will, have a great Thanksgiving break. In lieu of your brother coming home, you do not have to write the essay scheduled over break. Enjoy your family time,” I said, impressed with how steady my voice sounded.

“Yes! You’re the best,” Troy said, running over to hug me before returning to Ben, who I was trying desperately to ignore.

John raised his hand.

“Yes, John?”

“But Ms. Shelby, that’s not fair.”

“Relax, I’m cancelling the essay for everyone.”

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