Page 136 of Just One Bite
“I bet you dance beautifully.”
That’s what they see. Some little dainty woman dancing in frilly clothes. If only they saw my bleeding feet or how many hours I pour into it every day. How many dates I’d willingly miss. The tears.
Parker’s gaze is even heavier. He’s seen all those things.
The guys are a comfortable distance from me. Parker’s presence makes me feel safe enough to let my shoulders sink into the water. The water has healing salts and is soothing the lingering aches in my body.
“What do you do?” I ask.
“I’m from Axeleth Academy. Not quite as prestigious as Doxlothia but beautiful and surrounded by water. I’m learning to be a fund manager for the city.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“It’s not. You’re far more interesting. You could come hang out, you know? It’s practically a beach paradise.”
He inches closer. It’s so minuscule but enough for our legs to touch. For the first time, Parker’s gaze moves to the man beside me, and he tilts his head, unblinking—a silent warning.
He must feel the shift because he leans away from me with a smirk.
“Is he boring you with his riveting conversation on funds and capital?” Another man comes up on my left.
“No.”
“Name’s Garrik. Parker had lots of lovely things to say about you at the dinner table.”
Parker’s name sends a shiver down my spine. “I’m sure he did. He’s very flattering.”
Garrik stares at Parker’s mark on my neck. They all see it, but it doesn’t seem to bother any of them.
“My little sister wants to be a ballerina. She loves you. If she knew I was talking to you, she’d want an autograph.”
Garrik’s got charcoal eyes and dark hair with loose curls to match. He runs his wet hands through it to tame it, showing me the scars of claw marks on his forearm.
“She sounds sweet.”
“She’s six. She’s a terror. But I told her I may be able to get her that autograph in person.”
My whole body heats. I know what he means. If he marks me and I become his mate, he’s likely got a grand house he’d love me to be in. All I can think of is how much my heart would ache being away from Parker. I’ll never be able to sleep again and have to get a potion for it. But Parker would be somewhere across the world playing in the pro league, winning. I’m sure of it. Maybe I’m making a terrible choice. I’m ruining everything. I should have just told him when I’d gotten the file and avoided this madness. Why didn’t I at leasttryto do this together without running away to fix it on my own? But that’s what I do apparently.
That sinking anxiety hits my gut again, and I pinch my arm to snap myself out of it.
I’m not having fun, and I think it’s really obvious. If they notice, they don’t show it. All I want to do is retreat to my room and collapse into my bed for a good cry so I’m able to compose myself better. I’m having a hard time holding a smile on my face, and that’s usually my sign to retreat, but their conversation isn’t leaving much room. I’m tired. I’m hot. My head is pounding as the hot water sucks all the hydration from my body.
Garrik keeps saying things in an attempt to make me smile or laugh, and I have to fake it. In any other circumstance, I’d have no problem telling him to go away. I wish everyone would just leave me alone to my misery of the mess I’ve caused.
“Can we help you, Owens?”
“Nope.” Parker swings his head slowly, his arms out and his stance wide. I’ve never seen him so deadpan and utterly out of emotion.
I meet his gaze, wishing he could read my mind.Help me. I want to leave.
“You’re boring her,” Parker says.
“You know that, huh?” the one with fuchsia eyes says; I never got his name. Or maybe he told me and I wasn’t listening.
“You can continue your conversation tomorrow. She’s tired. It’s been a long day.”
“Are you going to make us go?” Garrik says with a smirk.
