Page 34 of Torn Mate
Ada
Lexi went home,she was tired. She told me she didn’t get home until mega late last night, so she wanted to go home and sleep. It was nice of Huxley’s cousins; they called Galen to come pick her up. She could have called him but they were sweet and did it for her. But the night wasn’t finished for me.
Destiny was having so much fun, dancing and singing with Raven and Kiara. Huxley was fun, he danced with us in a group. River tried to dance with Raven and she just shook her head at him but she let it be for a while, and let him hold her hips for a few songs. It was funny to watch. He had no idea she wasn’t interested in him.
It was like two separate parties were happening as the day turned to night. The older crowd sat around, drinking and laughing. The younger ones danced and drank. Or for me, danced and sang to all the songs with the girls, and the guys all laughed at us. It was so much fun; it was great having the three of them back together. I had missed them all so much.
“I need to go pee,” I whisper-yelled to Destiny. I stumbled a little before righting myself. Huxley moved towards me and I realized he would have heard me even if I whispered.
“I will be back.” I pointed at him to stay and he chuckled. My insides went to mush at the sound. I didn’t want him to come with me and, oh wow—the world was moving so fast and it was hard to stand straight. “How did you move too fast, world?” I muttered to the Earth.
What was I thinking? That he could hear me, always hear me. He could hear me pee if he wanted to. I, wow… he could hear me poop. That’s so weird. I wouldn’t want super hearing. I wonder what else he heard that he wished he hadn’t. Eww, like parents having sex.
I found the powder room from earlier and I quickly did my business. My eyes were a little bloodshot, my hair was a mess from all the dancing, but the smile on my face was worth it. I might have drank a lot more than I was going to but I was feeling better now I was in here; the world stopped moving and my head cleared. I was just a little tired. It was late and dark outside and I danced a lot.
I giggled at myself as I washed my hands. I was going to prom with Huxley. He was so handsome; I was so lucky.
I came out of the powder room and there was a lady with red hair standing in a small line that must have formed while I took my time.
“Oh, gosh. I’m so sorry, I didn’t know there was a line or I would have been faster.” She shook her head and chuckled.
“It’s alright, Ada. And I’m glad you said yes.” She winked at me and closed the door behind her.
“Said yes?” I was confused, who was that? I recognized her. Was that Huxley’s mom? I would have to ask him. I turned to my left and saw a door that looked like it led outside. It was closer than the maze I went through to get here. I should have just gone that way to start with.Shortcut. I danced my way down the hallway and opened up the door to see the beautiful night sky. What a clear and perfect night for a magical wedding.
I realized it was a lot cooler outside now. I shivered as I looked around. There was a bush and side gate to get back to the party. I somehow ended up in the front yard. It was a big front yard, just like the Lovell’s. I guess all the dancing made me hot, and now I wasn’t dancing… I was cold and suddenly feeling sober, and my feet ached so bad.
I saw glowing eyes from the bushes that lined the fence. Were they the same eyes from last night or was it just a Rawlins wolf? I pointed at the bush as I stomped towards it as best I could with my sore feet and strappy shoes. They had small heels and were not helping with the grass.
“Hey, you. Are you stalking me?” I saw them move through the bush. I pointed at them again. “You are! Who is it? Come on… is it you, Noah?” I heard a low growl and I laughed.
“Oh… so you’re not Noah,” I teased the wolf. I wanted to be sure it wasn’t him before I said anything else. I put my finger on my chin and tapped, pretending to think. There could only be two people it was, and I knew it wasn’t Huxley. He wouldn’t be out here hiding from the party. Or stalking me.
“Alright, Huxl—" I was cut off as the wolf leaped out of the bushes. I didn’t flinch, I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. He paced around me but I stayed still. I watched him as he stalked me. I heard him smelling me. I guess he was seeing if Huxley had touched me.He hadn’t.
I sat down on the grass, my feet too tired to keep standing, and the wolf stopped. He tilted his head at me like he thought I was crazy. Maybe I was. Saint was not exactly someone stable, but I felt safe with him. I watched him as he looked around, probably checking to see if any Rawlins would attack him.
“Come here, Saint. I knew it was you, I was just playing.” His ears snapped back and he looked right at me. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. If he was trying to not be obvious he might want to not stalk me. He seemed to be at war with himself, but in the end he sat about ten feet from me. It was surprisingly easy to talk to him, tease him a little, when he was a wolf and couldn’t talk back.
“Look, I know you don’t like me, or you do and you wish you didn’t. You keep pushing me away. I’m not stupid. But this has to stop. It’s giving me whiplash. Why would you be here? Lexi went home hours ago, you don’t even have that excuse. I’m safe here… well, maybe not if you could just walk in. I guess everyone has taken the night off and is out back at the celebrations.”
He didn’t do anything, he just sat there. The only movement he made was his ear twitching. He wasn’t a guy of many words… in either form, I guessed.
“You can come closer. I don’t bite.” I giggled at that because he sure had the teeth for it, and he flashed them to me. But when he got down on his belly and crawled closer, I knew he was listening to me at least. He got really close until he was only a foot away from me, looking up at me with those big eyes.
“Now… I think it’s best that after tonight we don’t talk anymore. This way I won’t get hurt and you won’t get upset when I go to prom with Huxley.” He growled low in his chest, but I shook my head at him.
“Shhh… You didn’t ask me and that is fine, but you have no reason to be grumpy pants when someone else does. I know Ranger is worried about me choosing Huxley over Noah. That won’t happen. Okay? So, if that’s why your upset about prom, don’t be. I won’t choose between either of them, and I won’t have you fighting Huxley or Noah. I have a big heart with plenty of love to give.”
I did, it was the truth. But I think Saint understood that I wouldn’t leave anyone out if I truly loved them. I would make sure to give Noah a chance. Hell, he already held a piece of my heart, just like Huxley did. I didn’t want any more broken pieces.
“Can I ask you a question?” He nodded, those big eyes glowing a little brighter and it was pretty. I could see Saint in there. It made me smile.
“Before I say goodbye, could I pat you? I know what it means, but I want to. If you want to that is. That’s all it will be. I just…” He moved his snout under my hand and I smiled. I ran my fingers through his fur. He was soft, but a little coarse, and warm, so warm. I sighed. If this was the last time I spoke to Saint, I wanted to tell him everything I thought of him.
“You might have a big wall around your heart, Saint Wood, but I see it. I understand it just didn’t get built in a day, that’s taken brick after brick. Every time someone looks over, you put another brick up until you have it so high that you don’t even know where the bricks end.” I kept stroking his fur and he closed his eyes at my words. I felt that, like he was letting me in, if only for a moment.
“I’m a good listener. I care about you, I don’t think I could ever stop caring. You need that, I can tell. It’s like my soul calls out to yours. It might sound strange but it’s true. Even if we never become friends, I still want you to know I’m here. If you ever want to let some bricks down and let someone see in a little. Know that I would never judge you or hurt you. I can keep secrets; I would never betray anyone’s trust, even if they hurt me and made me cry. I wouldn’t tell their secrets to another soul.
