Page 50 of Destined Mate

“Yeah, she doesn’t act like it.” Lucas chuckled.

Jack sidled up next to me, threw an arm around my shoulders, and winked. “That’s why I’ve decided we should keep her.”

The ache in my heart ebbed a little. Jack had just claimed me as his friend.

He leaned in close, murmuring loud enough for everyone to hear, “You know, if you and Bodey don’t work out, I’m single and available.”

Bodey snarled.

Jack threw his head back and cackled.

Samuel entered the kitchen. “Hey, what’s going on here?”

“Just telling Callie that I call dibs on her when Bodey fucks up.” Jack kissed my cheek.

Bodey went as still as a statue.

“Man.” Lucas shook his head. “You shouldn’t be doing this shit.”

As Jack walked past him, Miles smacked him on the back of his head. “Quit it.”

“All right, it’s breakfast time,” Janet said a little too brightly, but there was mirth in her eyes.

I reached for the plate of sausages, and as I passed Bodey, he followed me and took the spot next to me at the table. Janet sat on my other side, cutting Jack off. Everyone but me tore into their food, talking about everything.

I couldn’t focus. I played with the food I’d put on my plate and dreaded these last few minutes of being with them.

My phone dinged, and I removed it from my pocket.

Theo: I’m here. Do you need help with your things?

My stomach dropped. He was thirty minutes early.

Bodey jumped to his feet, his chair smacking the wall. “I’ll handle this.” He turned and marched down the hallway to the front door.

Shit! He’d read the message. I had to do something before he made it out the front door.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

“Bodey, wait!”I hurried after him.

He picked up his pace just a few feet from the door. “You still have another day or two here before we need to address this.”

I wasn’t sure what that meant, but it didn’t matter. He was at the door. I said, “I asked Theo to come.”

Bodey froze. “What do you mean you asked him to come?” His tone was something I’d never heard from him before—deep, angry…and hurt. He kept his back to me, his hand on the doorknob.

My vision burned, and something hard settled in my stomach. “I couldn’t—” A sob built in my chest, cutting me off. Being around him would only make me fall for him harder, and I couldn’t do that.

I had to get away.

I had to survive.

I’d done that my entire life and I couldn’t let someone like him break me. Last night had brought everything I felt for him into clear focus.

Taking a few steps closer to him, I lowered my voice so the others wouldn’t hear, but the dining room was silent as they all listened, anyway.

Hands shaking, I murmured. “I’ve gotta go. I can’t stay here.”

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