Page 55 of Destined Mate

He’d be greatly disappointed. That was the truth, even if it wasn’t my main reason for returning here. He didn’t need to know the other part.

I’d take my secret—falling for Bodey—to my grave where it belonged.

The car door shut, and Theo’s feet sloshed in the water on the driveway as he joined us.

“You’re right.” Zeke nodded. “I’m gladyoudecided to come home and didn’t let thosefourmake the decision for you.” He growled in frustration. “But I’m glad to see you back.”

My head jerked back. If I hadn’t seen his lips move to form the words, I would’ve thought I’d misunderstood him, but the noises matched the movements.

“Why are you here?” Theo asked, coming up behind me.

The rain fell on us, but I wasn’t prepared to get close to Zeke. I didn’t trust him. With his nice-guy act, I wouldn’t be surprised if he struck me suddenly just to be cruel, especially after Theo had questioned him.

Zeke scratched the back of his neck and looked at me. “I called the advisers when Theo linked, informing me you were heading home, and I told them I’d be a little late due to something important I needed to address.”

Ah, yes. There it was. My punishment would be very important to him. However, I remained silent, focusing on the drizzle coating my body instead of the pain from missing Bodey and the dread of what Zeke was about to throw my way.

Theo’s chest bumped into my back. I was certain he meant to reassure me, but all I wanted to do was step away. However, he and I had been friends since I’d arrived here, and he was doing his best to follow through on his promise to protect me.

“Don’t get your back up.” Zeke rolled his eyes. “I wanted to tell Callie I’m sorry.”

There was no way I hadn’t misunderstood him this time.Zekeandapologywere two words that didn’t go in the same sentence together…ever.

Theo stiffened as well.

Zeke continued as if this wasn’t a strange experience. “This whole situation has made me realize that I haven’t been treating Callie fairly.”

Theo inhaled quickly as we waited for the punch line, and he coughed from his sudden intake of breath.

Luckily, my emotions were more even-keeled than his, but that’s what you got when you learned to school your expression…if only I’d learned how to school my mouth. As if my mouth had to prove it was still in control, I said, “Am I to assume that the possibility of Bodey and the other advisers coming to check on me has something to do with your change of heart?”

I didn’t believe he was being genuine. There had to be a reason that explained why he was standing here, saying all this stuff. There always was with Zeke. His jaw twitched slightly, but he kept his expression smooth, almost indifferent. “I’ll be honest. That is what made me reevaluate everything. But I genuinely hope we can start over.”

I laughed so hard that my ribs ached. I shouldn’t have, but this was either a super messed-up dream, or they were playing a joke on me. I covered my mouth with my hands, ready for things to explode.

He lifted his hands. “Come inside. I have a surprise for you so you can see how serious I am about this.”

My legs froze. I didn’t want to move. There was no telling what was behind my parents’ front door.

He opened it and waved me inside.

My eyes focused immediately on two men I’d rather never see again: Charles and his father, Trevor, who happened to be Zeke’s beta and best friend. Both were dressed in suits for their jobs at the realty company Trevor owned. Charles not only expected to inherit the company from his father but also the beta position, which was one reason he acted so cruelly toward me—to gain favor with Zeke and his dad. The two of them could’ve been twins, except Trevor was clearly older, and his eyes were harder. Even the way they stood was identical, except for the one hand that Trevor was holding behind his back.

Placing a hand in the center of my lower back, Theo tried guiding me inside. His touch wasn’t comforting and made me miss Bodey tremendously. I moved forward just to get away from his touch rather than actually meaning to.

As I stepped in, I found Pearl sitting on the love seat close to Charles and my parents on the couch across from them. Pearl scowled. She was dressed in the navy-blue outfit she wore for work at a local family-owned restaurant. Mom and Dad were in their usual jeans-and-shirt attire.

“That man truly took care of you.” Mom’s eyes softened. “You look like a different person.”

My attention flicked back to the two men who weren’t bothering to hide the fact they didn’t want to be there.

“What’s this about?” Theo asked as he sidled up beside me, close enough that his arm touched mine.

Zeke marched over to the two men and placed a hand on Trevor’s arm. He answered, “Callie has been wanting a job for quite some time, and we’ve been holding her back, underutilizing her skills.”

“Yes, my amazing toilet cleaning and yard work talents have gone to waste,” I deadpanned, unable to keep my trap shut.

Grunting, Charles glared at me. If looks could kill, though, I’d have been dead at five.

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