Page 19 of Choosing Me

“It explainseverything.”

“Explain to me how it explains everything.”

Harrison chuckles to himself, finally pulling his hand away. “You’ve got feelings for Mr. Wilson. You’re trying to woo him by bringing him food. You’re probably gonna head to his house to Netflix and chill except you’re both gonna fall asleep on the couch. I’m calling it right now.”

“I’m sorry, what now?” I pretend to check my ear. “I must have heard you wrong because I could have sworn you just said I have feelings for someone. And I can assure you, that’s impossible. I’m not someone to be weighed down by falling in love.”

Harrison stares at me a long moment before he looks away. “Ah, it seems denial isn’t just a river in Egypt. Got it. Well you head over to Wilson’s and take care ofyour alpha.” He nods his head and the gesture pisses me off. He couldn’t be more wrong.

“He’s not my alpha,” I tell him through gritted teeth.

Harrison shrugs. “For now.”

“Whatever. I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.” I don’t wait for a response before heading out of the locker room. Harrison can’t be right. Hecan’tbe.

I’m an independent person, completely different from my twin. He always dreamed of the life he has now, with a loving mate and pups running around. The thought of having that for myself makes my skin crawl. I love being independent. I love being able to pack up and move wherever, whenever I want. I love being able to do impulsive, stupid shit at the drop of a hat without worrying about an alpha trying to tell me no. Ilikemy life.

Yeah, Harrison’s got it all wrong. He doesn’t know the details of our friendship. From the outside maybe it looks like we’re dating but we know we’re just friends having some fun. It’sfine.

The only people who have to be on the same page are Wilson and myself, and we know exactly what we are to each other.

After running to the store to pick up some painkillers and some soft foods including pudding, premade mashed potatoes, and canned soup, I head over to Wilson’s house. My stomach twists but I chalk that up to worrying about my friend. I wish he would have texted me and let me know he was heading in to see his dentist, or asked me to come over and help take care of him.

I knock on the door and wait. It only takes a moment before the door is being pulled open and for the second time today, I’m faced with an unfamiliar woman instead of Wilson. I tilt my head to the side, recovering quickly and putting a smile on my face.

“Umm, hello?”

The woman leans against the doorframe, a small smirk stretching across her lips as she looks me up and down. I flush without meaning too, feeling scrutinized under her eyes. “Can I help you with something?”

“No?” The word comes out more as a question than I mean it to. “I was hoping to see my friend. I heard he just got his wisdom teeth out.”

Her eyes take on a look of recognition. “You must be Calvin,” she says. “I thought I recognized you! You’re the boy on Wilson’s fridge.”

“I guess I am,” I say, rubbing at the back of my neck, wondering why the hell I suddenly feel so flayed open before this woman. I hold up my grocery bag. “Would you mind if I came inside?”

“Not at all, dear. Not like I have much of a say who’s allowed in my son’s house or not.”

Things begin to click into place. Wilson has this woman’s eyes and the same black hair. Now that I know this is his mom it’s so obvious. I run my palm over my jeans, wondering why they’re suddenly sweating. Meeting your friends’ parents is always nerve wracking, right?

I set the groceries I’ve gotten on the counter, putting the food away in Wilson’s fridge. I’ve been around his apartment enough to know where things are supposed to go. As I close the fridge door, the pictures of us from the arcade catches my eye. Ah, so this is what Wilson’s mom meant. I’m a little embarrassed she’s seen pictures of us making out. But another part of me revels in the fact that he put us on his fridge, it makes me warm all over.

“I’m glad you decided to come over. I need to head back home and didn’t want him to be alone.”

“Don’t worry,” I tell her, “I’ll take good care of him.”

She hums, her brow raising. “I really hope you will. My son seems to like you a lot, Calvin. Please don’t go breaking his heart.”

I open my mouth but no words come out, her words pinging around in my brain over and over. Wait, what does she mean don’t break his heart? It’s not like I have his heart in the first place.

She must see my internal conflict because she adds, “Wilson smiles when he talks about you. Not just any smile, a special one. You make him happy.” She shakes her head, a rueful smile on her face. “I just couldn’t go before asking you to be careful with him. He’s all grown up but he never stops being my pup, you know?”

I do my best to give her a smile, nodding along with her. “Umm, I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all a mother can ask,” she says, reaching over and patting my shoulder. “I’ve gotta get back to my mate.” She holds her hand out. “I’m Wanda, by the way. And Wilson’s Mama is Penelope. I’m hoping Wilson will grow a pair and invite you over for dinner one of these nights so we can all properly meet.”

“I’ll see what we can do,” I tell her, doing my best to keep my poker face on despite the way my heart is hammering against my ribs. I pick up a glass from the cabinet, filling it with water.

“Here’s Wilson’s medicine,” she says, pointing out the bottles for me. “He’s got some pain meds and some antibiotics. If you wanna take them in right now that would be wonderful as he’s about due.”

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