Page 51 of Best Friends
No wonder Malcolm doesn’t understand me. I barely understand myself.
I check my phone, hoping there’s a text from Malcolm, but there isn’t. My heart sinks because Malcolm always sends me a good morning text. His silence is just proof of how upset he is with me. I crawl out of bed and stumble into the kitchen to make coffee. Usually, Malcolm and I spend Sundays together, riding our bikes in the hills or watching a ball game on TV.
I drink a cup of coffee to perk up a little, and decide that Malcolm isn’t the only one who can text first. Just because that’s how it’s always been doesn’t mean I can’t put in effort too. Perhaps I should send him a good morning message for a change. It’s only fair. That way he’ll know I’m still open to talking. My fingers tremble as I type and retype a message about four times. It’s not easy to know what to say. I don’t want to text the wrong thing and then put his back up even more.
When my doorbell rings, I groan and set my phone down. I’m in no mood to suffer through a conversation with sales people or my neighbors. I make my way like a zombie to thefront door. When I open it and find Malcolm standing there, my heart almost leaps out of my chest.
“Malcolm,” I say my voice wobbling. It’s so good to see him in the flesh, my heart begins to race. I want to reach out and touch him, but he doesn’t look very approachable.
Usually he’d greet me with a cheerful, “Hey, C.” And a warm grin. Both are missing today. There are dark shadows under his eyes and he looks very serious. “Can I come in?” he asks softly.
“Of course.” I step aside, inhaling his enticing alpha scent as he passes by. Just that little whiff makes me feel so comforted. I need my alpha near me, and being at odds with him is torture.
He stops a few feet from the door, his arms folded over his broad chest. His face is tense. “I uh wanted to apologize for being so emotional yesterday. I was hurt and I lost my temper. I should have realized you weren’t emotionally ready to be claimed.”
“Don’t apologize for claiming me, Malcolm. There’s no need for that.”
He drops his gaze. “You’re wrong. I… I lost control. You went into heat, and I wasn’t able to think logically.”
“We were both out of control. You don’t need to take all the blame. In fact, there’s no need for anyone to feel blame. The truth is, you were trying to help me, and I asked for that help.”
“Yeah.” He shifts uncomfortably. “Anyway, I fucked up.”
“Malcolm—”
“How’s the bite?” he interrupts. “Is it painful? I wanted to be sure it’s healing okay.”
I touch the bite mark. “It seems fine. It’s less painful today.”
“Okay, good.” He clears his throat. “I thought it over and I’m going to pay for you to have my bite removed from your neck.”
Shocked, I gape at him. “What?”
“There’s a very reputable clinic in the next town over. They’re apparently excellent. The technique they use leaves little to no scarring.” He lets out a shaky breath. “Don’t worry, they’re very discreet. No one will know you in that town, so your secret will be safe.”
I feel as if the wind has been knocked out of me. “You want me to remove your bite?”
“I think it’s probably for the best.” His expression is emotionless.
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. If I’m honest, I’m offended at his offer. “Are you saying this because you’re angry with me?”
He shakes his head. “No, not at all. I did a lot of thinking about what you said last night. You were right. Your career is as important to you as mine is to me. A pregnancy could interfere with you climbing the ladder.”
“I appreciate you saying that about my job, but I think asking me to remove your bite is insulting. I feel like you’re overreacting, Malcolm.”
“Am I? I don’t think so. You made it clear that if you hadn’t gone into heat, you’d never have let me claim you.”
“No, I… I said I wouldn’t have had you claim meyet.” My voice is gruff. “I wanted that eventually with you, Malcolm. I told you that.”
He breathes out harshly. “Well, either way, it shouldn’t have happened like it did. We don’t need to be tied to each other. It’s best if we break the bond now before it grows stronger.”
Feeling light headed, I perch on the arm of the closest arm chair. “So that’s it? You’re upset and so you want to remove any evidence that you claimed me? You don’t think that’s a bit disrespectful to me?”
“Don’t pretend like it wouldn’t be a relief for you.” He studies me cooly. “We both know you wish it had never happened.”
“But it did happen. Was the timing perfect, probably not. However, you can’t just pretend it didn’t happen by having your bite removed.”
“It’s more common these days than you know.” He sounds robotic.
