Page 2 of True for You

“But still,” Jeremy says, his eyes looking sad. “That’s tough and it hurts, even when the break up is mutual. I’m glad this place is helping to heal some of that hurt.”

“Thanks,” I say with a small smile, trying to focus back on my apple pie because it won’t hurt me like my past relationship did. This pie could do no wrong. “If only true mates were real, then I wouldn’t have to worry anymore.”

“What do you mean ‘if they were real’?” Bryce asks, his brow raising in a way that reminds me of a stern dad. I barely keep myself from chuckling in amusement “They’reveryreal.”

I snort before I can reel it in. “Yeah, in fairy tales.”

“Parker,” Bryce says, his voice even more serious than usual. “True mates are a real thing.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Jeremy lets out the cutest little giggle. “Because we’re true mates, silly!”

I put my fork down, looking at the two of them and wondering if this is some prank on me or something. Then again why would they joke about something like this? They both look serious. My voice is smaller than I mean it to be when I ask, “really?”

Jeremy smiles and it’s got this love-sick tint to it. The kind that leaves my chestachingwith jealousy. “We were in college,” he starts to say, looking at his mate. “I was working in the library and Bryce was late for class. He was cutting through the library and I chased after him, ready to give him a piece of my mind for thinking he could get away with running in the library.”

“I’m not sorry,” Bryce says, his eyes going soft in a way they only do when he’s talking with Jeremy. I lean forward, hanging on to their every word.

“Me neither. When I finally caught up to him I forgot why I was chasing him in the first place. His scent hit me full force and I justknew.”

“First time I ever skipped a class,” Bryce says before kissing the side of Jeremy’s head.

“My mom used to tell me it was something Hollywood made up to sell romance movies,” I murmur, sitting back in the booth, feeling like everything I’ve ever known was a lie. Holy shit. This is absolutely mind-blowing.

“It’s very real,” Jeremy says, nodding his head. “It’s incredibly rare. And most people will find love other ways. Don’t get me wrong, finding a mate that’s right for you and whom you love and adore is what most people are striving for, and I think they’ll find that all on their own. I don’t think finding your true mate is the only way to experience love. But it’s very real for some people out there.”

“Just look at the other guys at the studio,” Bryce says, “they’ve found love and it’s no less than our love.”

“Wow,” I breathe, going back to sipping my coffee as I process this new information. True matesare real. Knowing this helps lessen a little bit of the pain that Caleb left behind. He’d told me I was too clingy, too touchy-feely, and just too soft in general. We just weren’t right for each other, and that’s okay. I doubt I have a true mate out there waiting for me but for some reason, knowing it’s possible leaves me feeling hopeful that just maybe someone out there will love having a touch-starved alpha who needs snuggles and gentleness.

“A lot to process?”

“A little,” I say with a chuckle, taking another bite of my pie. “I’m not holding out hope that I have a true mate out there but knowing they’re real is pretty cool.” I give them a shrug. “And who knows, just maybe I’ll get lucky, right?”

“I think no matter what you’re lucky, Parker. It sounds like you got out of a bad relationship and are willing to open yourself up again someday. No matter who your next partner is, whether true mate or not, they’re gonna be really lucky to have you,” Jeremy says, his voice soft, filling me with warmth and acceptance. How the fuck did I get so lucky to stumble upon this wonderful family who accepts me just as I am?

“You’re doing it again,” Bryce whispers under his breath, the corners of his lips just barely ticked up.

“Sorry,” Jeremy says, his cheeks pinking. “I’m working on not ‘dadding’ everyone.”

“It’s fine,” I say and meaning it with every fiber of my being. “I don’t mind.”

We go back to small talk as we finish our coffees and my pie. I enjoy listening to these two talk. It’s easy to see the love they share for each other and the studio and honestly just life in general. It’s refreshing. And that’s without even going into the way they encourage and support me. They’ve brought me under their wing and even though Jeremy might be embarrassed about ‘dading’ me, I genuinely like it. They can be my pseudo-dads if they want and I won’t be complaining.

“Alright,” Jeremy says, standing up and stretching. “We have to head into the office for a bit so we’re gonna go. It was lovely chatting with you, Parker.”

“Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

“Thanks, you guys too,” I say, waving them off. As I sit in the booth alone, finishing my coffee I feel a rightness in my chest I never experienced in my hometown. There’s something about this place that makes me feel like I’m truly at home and where I’m supposed to be. I’m not sure if that’s just the freshness of it all giving me the fantasy that’ll eventually wear off but I have a feeling it’s just everything about this place. My new apartment, my new job, my new friends. Even knowing I’m slowly becoming part of their little family at Studio C. Everything is clicking into place in the best possible way.

My little Saturday morning detour has left me with a billion things to think about but one thing I know for sure,I feel good.

When Caleb left I wasn’t sure how I would pick up the pieces again. Now, I think I have my pieces all in a row and I’m slowly letting myself learn how to slot them into place. And honestly, what more could I ask for than that?

Chapter Two

Christopher

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